Research Jobs in San Diego, CA
Research jobs in San Diego are concentrated in biotech and life sciences corridors like Torrey Pines and Sorrento Valley, plus defense and government research clusters in Point Loma and Kearny Mesa, with steady openings across biopharma, clinical, and applied science roles. Employers hiring right now include UC San Diego Health, UC San Diego, and Arcturus Therapeutics. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of microbiology research? We are on the hunt for a meticulous and enthusiastic Research Associate to join our Research and Development Global Core Services - Microbiology group. Step up and be part of a team that's making waves in science!
What You'll Do:
- Master Microbial Techniques: Perform a range of microbial culturing techniques with precision and master sterile techniques.
- Handle Infectious Materials: Safely manage infectious materials, including work at BSL2 and BSL3 level.
- Cutting-Edge Molecular Biology: Engage in essential molecular biology techniques such as PCR, sequencing, and nucleic acid isolation.
- Lab Operations & Maintenance: Keep our lab running smoothly by managing equipment and reagent inventory, organizing, cleaning, and more.
- Detailed Record-Keeping: Maintain thorough and timely records of experimental procedures using an electronic lab notebook platform.
- Effective Communication: Collaborate seamlessly with supervisors and peers to drive research objectives forward.
- Multitask Like a Pro: Juggle multiple projects and tasks to achieve our research goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Team Collaboration: Thrive in a team environment by communicating effectively with peers and supervisors.
- Organizational Skills: Plan and coordinate tasks to ensure lab efficiency and project completion.
- Safety and Responsibility: Make smart choices for lab safety, be dependable, and take accountability in lab operations.
- Continuous Learning: Embrace a learning mindset and be open to coaching and training in essential techniques and skills.
- On-Site Presence: This is a hands-on lab-based position requiring your on-site availability.
Qualifications You Will Bring:
- MSc in Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or related field with 0 - 2 years of relevant lab experience OR
- BSc in Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or related field with 2 - 4 years of relevant lab experience
- Skill sets required: tissue culture, virus culture and/or microbiology experience, sterile work technique
- Molecular biology experience, including cloning, PCR and sequencing
- Attention to detail
- Team player; excellent communication skills
The annualized base salary range for this hourly role is $48,500 - $72,800 and is bonus eligible. Final compensation packages will ultimately depend on factors including relevant experience, skillset, knowledge, geography, education, business needs and market demand.
Why Hologic?
We are committed to making Hologic the company where top talent comes to grow. For you to succeed, we want to enable you with the tools and knowledge required and so we provide comprehensive training when you join as well as continued development and training throughout your career.
If you have the right skills and experience, apply today!
#LI-RF1
Agency and Third Party Recruiter Notice:
Agencies that submit a resume to Hologic must have a current executed Hologic Agency Agreement executed by a member of the Human Resource Department. In addition Agencies may only submit candidates to positions for which they have been invited to do so by a Hologic Recruiter. All resumes must be sent to the Hologic Recruiter under these terms or they will not be considered.
Hologic, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer inclusive of disability and veterans.
Are you ready to dive into the exciting world of microbiology research? We are on the hunt for a meticulous and enthusiastic Research Associate to join our Research and Development Global Core Services - Microbiology group. Step up and be part of a team that's making waves in science!
What You'll Do:
- Master Microbial Techniques: Perform a range of microbial culturing techniques with precision and master sterile techniques.
- Handle Infectious Materials: Safely manage infectious materials, including work at BSL2 and BSL3 level.
- Cutting-Edge Molecular Biology: Engage in essential molecular biology techniques such as PCR, sequencing, and nucleic acid isolation.
- Lab Operations & Maintenance: Keep our lab running smoothly by managing equipment and reagent inventory, organizing, cleaning, and more.
- Detailed Record-Keeping: Maintain thorough and timely records of experimental procedures using an electronic lab notebook platform.
- Effective Communication: Collaborate seamlessly with supervisors and peers to drive research objectives forward.
- Multitask Like a Pro: Juggle multiple projects and tasks to achieve our research goals.
Key Responsibilities:
- Team Collaboration: Thrive in a team environment by communicating effectively with peers and supervisors.
- Organizational Skills: Plan and coordinate tasks to ensure lab efficiency and project completion.
- Safety and Responsibility: Make smart choices for lab safety, be dependable, and take accountability in lab operations.
- Continuous Learning: Embrace a learning mindset and be open to coaching and training in essential techniques and skills.
- On-Site Presence: This is a hands-on lab-based position requiring your on-site availability.
Qualifications You Will Bring:
- MSc in Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or related field with 0 - 2 years of relevant lab experience OR
- BSc in Biology, Cellular and Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or related field with 2 - 4 years of relevant lab experience
- Skill sets required: tissue culture, virus culture and/or microbiology experience, sterile work technique
- Molecular biology experience, including cloning, PCR and sequencing
- Attention to detail
- Team player; excellent communication skills
The annualized base salary range for this hourly role is $48,500 - $72,800 and is bonus eligible. Final compensation packages will ultimately depend on factors including relevant experience, skillset, knowledge, geography, education, business needs and market demand.
Why Hologic?
We are committed to making Hologic the company where top talent comes to grow. For you to succeed, we want to enable you with the tools and knowledge required and so we provide comprehensive training when you join as well as continued development and training throughout your career.
If you have the right skills and experience, apply today!
#LI-RF1
Agency and Third Party Recruiter Notice:
Agencies that submit a resume to Hologic must have a current executed Hologic Agency Agreement executed by a member of the Human Resource Department. In addition Agencies may only submit candidates to positions for which they have been invited to do so by a Hologic Recruiter. All resumes must be sent to the Hologic Recruiter under these terms or they will not be considered.
Hologic, Inc. is proud to be an Equal Opportunity Employer inclusive of disability and veterans.
See All 578+ Research Jobs in San Diego
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Find Research JobsResearch Job Market in San Diego
Who's Hiring
- UC San Diego Health161
- UC San Diego48
- Arcturus Therapeutics48
- Hologic32
- San Diego State University32
Top Industries Hiring
- Manufacturing32
- Medical Devices32
- Healthcare & Medical Services16
- Consulting & Professional Services16
Research Jobs in San Diego: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research job in San Diego?
San Diego's research market is driven by its dense biopharma and biotech sector, federal defense contractors, and university-affiliated institutes, so targeting employers in those clusters gives you the strongest footing. Roles in Torrey Pines, Sorrento Valley, and La Jolla tend to move quickly. Candidates who can show hands-on lab experience, familiarity with GLP or GCP protocols, or a background aligned to a specific therapeutic area stand out in this market.
Which companies hire researchs in San Diego?
Companies currently hiring researchs in San Diego include UC San Diego Health, UC San Diego, and Arcturus Therapeutics, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's employer mix skews heavily toward biopharma, medical device firms, defense research organizations, and academic medical centers affiliated with UC San Diego and the Scripps Research Institute.
Are there remote research jobs in San Diego?
Yes, though remote availability depends heavily on the type of research work. Bench science and clinical roles almost always require on-site presence, while data analysis, regulatory, and literature-review positions are more remote-compatible. About 33% of research openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in computational biology, biostatistics, and research operations functions.
How can I get a research job in San Diego with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in San Diego is landing a research associate or lab technician role at one of the city's many contract research organizations or smaller biotech startups, which hire more entry-level staff than large pharma. Volunteering or interning with UC San Diego research labs or the Sanford Burnham Prebys institute can also open doors. Highlighting any coursework in molecular biology, data collection, or IACUC-regulated animal research gives your application a concrete edge locally.
Which industries hire the most researchs in San Diego?
Most research openings in San Diego sit in Manufacturing, Medical Devices, and Healthcare & Medical Services, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. San Diego's identity as a global biotech hub, combined with its large Navy and defense presence and its cluster of genomics and precision medicine companies, keeps sustained demand across those sectors year-round.
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