Research Assistant Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Research Assistant jobs in San Francisco are in strong demand, concentrated in Mission Bay, the Inner Sunset, and SoMa across academic medical centers, life sciences, and technology research. Employers hiring right now include Pinterest, OpenAI, and University of California - San Francisco. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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JOB SUMMARY
The Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC) Clinical Research Support Office (CRSO) has experienced unprecedented growth in the recent years and is seeking a limited appointment Assistant Clinical Research Coordinator for the Breast Oncology Program to assist with the daily needs of our clinical trials.
Under the supervision of a Clinical Research Supervisor, Clinical Research Manager, and/or Principal Investigator (PI), the incumbent will perform entry-level duties related to the support and coordination of clinical studies, and may receive training and development to prepare and advance for journey-level work at the next level within the series.
May be responsible for the coordination of one or more single or multi-site, active or follow-up clinical trials; help prepare protocols for study initiation; help design flow sheets, data forms and source documents; gather and interpret medical, surgical and laboratory data regarding clinical trial subjects; may apply understanding of inclusion/exclusion eligibility criteria for protocols; help recruit, enroll, register, schedule and retain study subjects; record protocol specific treatments and assure collection and shipment of samples; assist research personnel to keep patients on study schedules; complete study forms to submit to sponsors and/or appropriate agencies; collect, enter and clean data into study databases, maintaining data quality; assist with data analysis; assist with preparation of reports and tables; attend team meetings; and perform other duties as assigned.
DEPARTMENT OVERVIEW
The UCSF Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center (HDFCCC) is one of only two cancer centers in the Bay Area to receive the prestigious designation of “comprehensive” from the National Cancer Institute (NCI).
The HDFCCC integrates the work of researchers and clinicians dedicated to four fundamental pursuits: laboratory research into the causes of cancer progression; clinical research to translate new knowledge into viable treatments; compassionate, state-of-the-art patient care; and population research that can lead to improvements in prevention, early detection, and quality-of-life for those living with cancer. The twin pillars of precision medicine and precision population health guide research and treatment at HDFCCC.
REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS
- HS graduation and sufficient experience and demonstrated skills to successfully perform the assigned duties and responsibilities; and/or equivalent experience/training.
- Excellent verbal and written communications and presentation skills; excellent organizational skills; and excellent interpersonal skills to work effectively in a diverse team.
- Attention to details.
- Proficiency with Microsoft Word, PowerPoint, and Windows.
- Excellent analytical and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-paced, team-based environment; project management and coordination skills; ability to prioritize tasks and meet multiple deadlines on concurrent projects.
- Ability to establish cooperative working relationships with patients, co-workers, & physicians.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Demonstrated proficiency with medical terminology.
- Experience working with patients or study subjects.
- Ability to abstract data from medical records and transfer it to data collection forms or directly into databases.
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Find Research Assistant JobsResearch Assistant Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- Pinterest13

- OpenAI10

- University of California - San Francisco10

- Lyft7

- Socure7

Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software102
- Education16
- Healthcare & Medical Services14
- Science & Research11
- Artificial Intelligence9
Research Assistant Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research assistant job in San Francisco?
The strongest path into research assistant work in San Francisco is targeting its dominant research hubs: the academic medical complex anchored in Mission Bay, the University of California San Francisco campus in the Inner Sunset and Parnassus, and the life sciences cluster stretching into South San Francisco. Candidates with hands-on wet lab skills, clinical data experience, or a background in public health have a clear edge in this market over generalist applicants.
Which companies hire research assistants in San Francisco?
Employers hiring research assistants in San Francisco right now include Pinterest, OpenAI, and University of California - San Francisco, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. San Francisco's hiring landscape is led by academic medical institutions, biotechnology firms, and health-focused research organizations that maintain active, year-round recruiting pipelines for entry and mid-level research staff.
Are there remote research assistant jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though availability depends heavily on role type: hands-on lab and clinical positions are almost always on-site, while literature review, data analysis, and survey research roles often allow remote or hybrid schedules. About 55% of research assistant openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of June 2026. Desk-based roles at technology companies and public health organizations in SoMa and Civic Center tend to offer the most scheduling flexibility.
How can I get a research assistant job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point for candidates without formal experience is applying for volunteer research roles or work-study positions at UCSF, which maintains a steady pipeline of entry-level openings across its Mission Bay and Parnassus campuses. Community health organizations in the Tenderloin and Bayview districts also hire coordinators and data entry assistants who can build toward a research assistant title. A strong grasp of REDCap, Excel, or basic statistical software makes a candidate stand out at these employer types.
Which industries hire the most research assistants in San Francisco?
The sectors hiring the most research assistants in San Francisco are Technology & Software, Education, and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. San Francisco's concentration of federally funded medical research institutions, venture-backed biotechnology startups, and public health agencies creates sustained local demand that outpaces most comparable U.S. cities.
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