Research Fellow Jobs in California
Research Fellow jobs in California concentrate in academic medicine, life sciences, and public health research, with demand at every level from postdoctoral associates to senior research scientists. The largest hiring metros are San Francisco, Los Angeles, and San Diego, where institutions like UC San Francisco, UCLA, and the Salk Institute maintain active research programs. The most in-demand specialties include oncology, genomics, and clinical translational research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are driven by a common mission: Contribute to innovative approaches in predicting, preventing, and curing diseases, shaping the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.
The laboratory of Dr. Adam de Smith in the Department of Pediatrics is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to study the etiology and early-life origins of childhood acute leukemia. The de Smith lab uses molecular and epidemiological methodologies to advance our understanding of the germline genetic risk, somatic drivers, and early-life origins of childhood leukemia, with the goal of developing strategies for disease prevention.
You will have opportunities to analyze large-scale germline genotyping data, as well as tumor whole-genome sequencing data from childhood leukemia patients to investigate the etiologic role of early-life environmental exposures and the prenatal origins of childhood leukemia, for example in our ReCord Study (https://record.umn.edu).
Your qualifications should include:
- Ph.D. degree in genetics, genetic epidemiology, biological sciences, or a related discipline is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages is essential.
- Evidence of productivity reflected in first author publications in peer-reviewed journals. Ability to conduct independent research and work effectively in a team.
- Experience in conducting human genetics research and analyzing large genetic datasets is preferred.
City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.
City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.
Join the forefront of groundbreaking research at the Beckman Research Institute of City of Hope, where we're changing lives and making a real difference in the fight against cancer, diabetes, and other life-threatening illnesses. Our dedicated and compassionate faculty and staff are driven by a common mission: Contribute to innovative approaches in predicting, preventing, and curing diseases, shaping the future of medicine through cutting-edge research.
The laboratory of Dr. Adam de Smith in the Department of Pediatrics is looking for a highly motivated postdoctoral fellow to study the etiology and early-life origins of childhood acute leukemia. The de Smith lab uses molecular and epidemiological methodologies to advance our understanding of the germline genetic risk, somatic drivers, and early-life origins of childhood leukemia, with the goal of developing strategies for disease prevention.
You will have opportunities to analyze large-scale germline genotyping data, as well as tumor whole-genome sequencing data from childhood leukemia patients to investigate the etiologic role of early-life environmental exposures and the prenatal origins of childhood leukemia, for example in our ReCord Study (https://record.umn.edu).
Your qualifications should include:
- Ph.D. degree in genetics, genetic epidemiology, biological sciences, or a related discipline is required.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
- Proficiency in one or more programming languages is essential.
- Evidence of productivity reflected in first author publications in peer-reviewed journals. Ability to conduct independent research and work effectively in a team.
- Experience in conducting human genetics research and analyzing large genetic datasets is preferred.
City of Hope employees pay is based on the following criteria: work experience, qualifications, and work location.
City of Hope is an equal opportunity employer.
To learn more about our Comprehensive Benefits, please CLICK HERE.
See All 11 Research Fellow Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Fellow JobsResearch Fellow Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Fellow Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Consulting & Professional Services
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research fellow jobs across California.
- Doctoral degree in a relevant scientific or academic discipline required by most California employers
- Demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications in a relevant research area
- Experience designing and executing independent research projects within a laboratory or academic setting
- Proficiency with statistical or data analysis tools such as R, Python, SPSS, or STATA
- Ability to prepare and contribute to grant proposals for NIH, NSF, or California-specific funding bodies
- Strong written and verbal communication skills for presenting findings to multidisciplinary research teams
Research Fellow Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research fellow in California?
Most research fellow positions in California require a completed doctoral degree, such as a PhD or MD, in a discipline relevant to the hiring institution's work. Candidates typically apply directly to university departments, medical centers, or research institutes following dissertation completion or residency. California's major research universities and health systems post postdoctoral fellowship openings through their own portals. A strong publication record and prior lab experience are the clearest differentiators during the application process.
Which companies hire research fellows in California?
Companies currently hiring research fellows in California include City of Hope, Kaiser Permanente, and Stanford University, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's concentration of academic medical centers, biotechnology firms, and public research institutions means openings appear across a broad range of employer types, from university health systems to private life sciences companies headquartered in the Bay Area and San Diego.
Which California cities have the most research fellow jobs?
The cities with the most research fellow openings in California are Duarte, San Diego, and Monrovia. This distribution reflects the location of California's largest research universities, academic medical centers, and biotechnology campuses, with San Francisco anchored by UCSF and major biotech firms, Los Angeles driven by UCLA and Cedars-Sinai, and San Diego home to the Salk Institute, UC San Diego, and a dense cluster of life sciences companies.
Are there remote research fellow jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 50% of research fellow openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting the hands-on, laboratory-based nature of most research fellow work. The portions of the role most likely to carry remote flexibility are data analysis, manuscript preparation, and grant writing rather than bench science or clinical research activities.
How can I get hired as a research fellow in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for postdoctoral training programs at California's research universities before seeking independent fellow positions. UC campuses, Stanford, and major health systems like Cedars-Sinai and UCSF Health run structured postdoctoral programs open to candidates immediately after doctoral graduation. Lateral moves from roles such as research associate or clinical research coordinator are also common. A completed dissertation, a strong letter from a principal investigator, and any published or submitted manuscripts give early-career candidates a concrete edge.
Where can I find and apply to research fellow jobs in California?
You can find and apply to research fellow jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings updated regularly. Search the listings to find roles that match your research area, institution type, and career stage, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 11 Research Fellow Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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