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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We’re here for one reason and one reason only – to cure cancer. Every moment is dedicated to developing treatments and every action moves us one step closer to our goal. We’ve made incredible scientific breakthroughs and our pioneering personalized CAR T-cell therapies have changed the paradigm. But we're not finished yet.
Join Kite, as we make even bigger advances in cancer therapies, and help shape where our business and medical science goes next.
We believe every employee deserves a great leader. People Leaders are the cornerstone to the employee experience at Gilead and Kite. As a people leader now or in the future, you are the key driver in evolving our culture and creating an environment where every employee feels included, developed and empowered to fulfil their aspirations. Join Kite and help create more tomorrows.
Job Description
Intern - Kite Research - Project Management
As a Gilead / Kite intern you will contribute to high-impact meaningful projects that will not only further advance our company’s mission but will allow you to gain real world experience at one of the most innovative organizations in the world. You will also have opportunities to participate in special events including professional development and leadership presentations, social/network building activities and local community volunteer programs.
Key Responsibilities will include, but are not limited to the following:
Lead a defined summer project within the Research organization focused on improving project management practices, operational effectiveness, or team collaboration.
Partner with stakeholders across Research and supporting functions to gather information, understand business needs, and identify opportunities for improvement.
Collect and organize processes, or project information to generate actionable insights and recommendations.
Develop project deliverables, such as reports, meeting minutes, dashboards, knowledge resources, process maps, or other solutions aligned with project objectives.
Apply project management principles including planning, execution tracking, risk identification, and stakeholder communication.
Showcase your work with a final presentation (PPT) near the conclusion of your internship
Required Qualifications:
Must be at least 18 years of age at the start of the internship.
Must be enrolled full‑time in a Bachelor’s, Master’s, MBA, JD or PhD program at a nationally accredited U.S. college or university, with continued full‑time enrollment required in the Fall semester following the internship.
Must be currently enrolled as an undergraduate (freshman, sophomore, junior, or senior) or as a graduate/doctoral student.
Must have a minimum overall cumulative GPA of 2.8 at the time of application and hire (official transcripts will be requested).
Must be independently authorized to work in the United States now and in the future (current or future work authorization must not require school or employer sponsorship).
Must be able to commit to a full‑time internship lasting 10–12 consecutive weeks between May and August.
Must be willing and able to work at the designated site for the duration of the internship (relocation may be required). All internships are hybrid; fully remote roles are not offered.
Preferred Qualifications :
Preferred degree level: Undergraduate, Graduate, PhD, PharmD
Preferred field of study: Molecular and Cell Biology, Biochemistry, Biology, or a related discipline
Proficiency with Microsoft Office (MS Office) tools, such as Word, Excel, PowerPoint, and Outlook
Strong problem‑solving skills, with the ability to identify issues and proactively seek solutions
Ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a team in a collaborative environment
Demonstrated commitment to inclusion and diversity, including the ability to work respectfully with individuals from diverse backgrounds
Highly organized, detail‑oriented, and able to manage competing priorities in a fast‑paced environment with short timelines
Gilead Core Values:
Integrity (Doing What’s Right)
Inclusion (Encouraging Diversity)
Teamwork (Working Together)
Excellence (Being Your Best)
Accountability (Taking Personal Responsibility)
The expected hourly range for this position is $19.00 - $55.00.
Gilead considers a variety of factors when determining base compensation, including education level and geographic location. These considerations mean actual compensation will vary.
Benefits include paid company holidays, sick time, and housing stipends for eligible employees.
Kite is a biopharmaceutical company engaged in the development of innovative cancer immunotherapies with a goal of providing rapid, long-term durable response and eliminating the burden of chronic care. The company is focused on chimeric antigen receptor (CAR) and T cell receptor (TCR) engineered cell therapies designed to empower the immune system's ability to recognize and kill tumors. Kite is based in Santa Monica, CA. For more information on Kite, please visit www.kitepharma.com . Sign up to follow @KitePharma on Twitter at www.twitter.com/kitepharma .
For jobs in the United States:
Kite Pharma is committed to providing equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment, and is dedicated to fostering an inclusive work environment comprised of diverse perspectives, backgrounds, and experiences. Employment decisions regarding recruitment and selection will be made without discrimination based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex , age, sexual orientation, physical or mental disability, genetic information or characteristic, gender identity and expression, veteran status, or other non-job related characteristics or other prohibited grounds specified in applicable federal, state and local laws. In order to ensure reasonable accommodation for individuals protected by Section 503 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, the Vietnam Era Veterans' Readjustment Act of 1974, and Title I of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990, applicants who require accommodation in the job application process may contact ApplicantAccommodations@gilead.com for assistance.
For more information about equal employment opportunity protections, please view the 'Know Your Rights' poster.
NOTICE: EMPLOYEE POLYGRAPH PROTECTION ACT
YOUR RIGHTS UNDER THE FAMILY AND MEDICAL LEAVE ACT
Kite Pharma will not discharge or in any other manner discriminate against employees or applicants because they have inquired about, discussed, or disclosed their own pay or the pay of another employee or applicant. However, employees who have access to the compensation information of other employees or applicants as a part of their essential job functions cannot disclose the pay of other employees or applicants to individuals who do not otherwise have access to compensation information, unless the disclosure is (a) in response to a formal complaint or charge, (b) in furtherance of an investigation, proceeding, hearing, or action, including an investigation conducted by the employer, (c) consistent with the legal duty to furnish information; or (d) otherwise protected by law.
Our environment respects individual differences and recognizes each employee as an integral member of our company. Our workforce reflects these values and celebrates the individuals who make up our growing team.
Kite Pharma provides a work environment free of harassment and prohibited conduct. We promote and support individual differences and diversity of thoughts and opinion.
For Current Kite Pharma Employees and Contractors:
Please apply via the Internal Career Opportunities portal in Workday.
See All 110+ Research Intern Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Intern JobsResearch Intern Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Intern Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Gilead Sciences22

- ByteDance16

- Honda Research Institute USA14

- TikTok13

- 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.
Find Research Intern Jobs