Research Intern Jobs in California

Research Intern jobs in California are concentrated in the San Francisco Bay Area, San Diego, and Los Angeles, where universities, biotech firms, and technology companies drive consistent demand for intern-level researchers across life sciences, computer science, and social policy. Institutions like UC San Francisco, the Salk Institute, and Google have maintained long-standing research intern programs that recruit students and recent graduates at every stage, from first-year undergraduates to post-baccalaureate candidates. The most in-demand specialties in California are computational biology, machine learning research, and public health research, reflecting the state's dual strength in biotech and tech. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.

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Overview

Open roles110+
Top employerGilead Sciences
Top citySan Jose, CA
Cities hiring21
Work type74% On-site
Top industryTechnology

Showing 5 of 110+ Research Intern jobs

Gilead Sciences
Intern - Kite Research - Project Management
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Gilead Sciences
Added 1d ago
Intern - Kite Research - Project Management
Gilead Sciences
Santa Monica, California
Business Operations
Compliance & Risk
Project Management
$19 - $55/hr
10,000+

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The Tech Interactive
Storytelling and Community Research Intern (Fall Semester, Part Time)
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The Tech Interactive
Added 1d ago
Storytelling and Community Research Intern (Fall Semester, Part Time)
The Tech Interactive
San Jose, California
Engineering (Non-Software)
Mechanical Engineering
Specialized Engineering
$19 - $23/hr

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AEG Worldwide
Fall Intern, Global Partnerships – Data & Research
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AEG Worldwide
Added 1d ago
Fall Intern, Global Partnerships – Data & Research
AEG Worldwide
Los Angeles, California
Business Development
Growth Marketing
Marketing
$19 - $21/hr
On-Site
501-1,000

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ByteDance
Research Scientist Intern (Seed Responsible AI) - 2026 Start (PhD)
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ByteDance
Added 1d ago
Research Scientist Intern (Seed Responsible AI) - 2026 Start (PhD)
ByteDance
San Jose, California
Data Science
Data Science & Analytics
ML (Machine Learning)
On-Site
10,000+

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NVIDIA
PhD Research Intern, Generative AI for Physical AI - 2027
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NVIDIA
Added 1d ago
PhD Research Intern, Generative AI for Physical AI - 2027
NVIDIA
Santa Clara, California
AI (Artificial Intelligence)
Data Science
$38 - $94/hr
10,000+

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Research Intern Jobs by City in California

Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Foster City
20 jobs
San Francisco
9 jobs
Santa Clara
6 jobs
Mountain View
5 jobs
Newport Beach
4 jobs
Santa Monica
3 jobs
Tustin
2 jobs
Los Altos
2 jobs

Research Intern Job Market in California

A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Gilead Sciences
    Gilead Sciences22
  • ByteDance
    ByteDance16
  • Honda Research Institute USA
    Honda Research Institute USA14
  • TikTok
    TikTok13
  • PIMCO
    PIMCO4

Top Industries Hiring

  • Technology & Software
  • Education
  • Automotive
  • Law & Legal Services
  • Agriculture & Farming

What California Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research intern jobs across California.

  • Current enrollment or recent graduation from an accredited California university or college
  • Demonstrated coursework or lab experience in a relevant scientific or technical discipline
  • Proficiency with research tools such as Python, R, SPSS, or laboratory information management systems
  • Ability to work on-site at California research facilities or campuses as required by the program
  • Strong written communication skills for drafting reports, literature reviews, and research summaries
  • Familiarity with IRB protocols, data privacy standards, or laboratory safety regulations

Research Intern Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research intern in California?

Most research intern roles in California require current enrollment in or recent graduation from an accredited college or university program in a relevant field such as biology, computer science, psychology, or public health. California does not require a state-issued license for most research intern positions, but competitive candidates typically complete faculty-supervised research, secure a faculty or supervisor reference, and apply directly through university career centers or institutional research office postings.

Which companies hire research interns in California?

California research intern roles are posted by Gilead Sciences, ByteDance, and Honda Research Institute USA and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. California's density of research universities, biotech campuses, and technology headquarters means new intern cohorts open throughout the year, not just in summer.

Which California cities have the most research intern jobs?

San Jose, Foster City, and San Francisco have the most research intern openings in California. The Bay Area leads because of its concentration of technology companies and UC campuses, San Diego draws heavily from its biotech corridor and institutions like UC San Diego and the Scripps Research Institute, and Los Angeles reflects demand from UCLA, USC, and a growing base of health sciences and social policy organizations.

Are there remote research intern jobs in California?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research intern roles require access to labs, equipment, or on-site data systems. About 26% of research intern openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those tend to be in data analysis, literature review, or computational research rather than wet-lab or clinical settings.

How can I get hired as a research intern in California with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying to formal undergraduate research programs run by California's UC and CSU campuses, which place students with no prior lab experience into faculty-mentored projects. Large California institutions such as Kaiser Permanente, Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, and the Gladstone Institutes run structured internship cohorts designed for first-time researchers. Adjacent roles like research assistant, data entry coordinator, or lab technician helper are common stepping stones, and a strong academic transcript or a completed independent study project gives candidates a clear edge.

Where can I find and apply to research intern jobs in California?

You can find and apply to research intern jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across industries and locations. Search for roles that match your field and experience level, then apply directly to the ones that fit. No profile creation is required to view and apply to listings.

See All 110+ Research Intern Jobs in California

Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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