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, UC San Diego Health, and Scripps Research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles135+
Top employerUC San Diego
Work type81% On-site
Top credentialBachelor's degree
Companies hiring72

Showing 5 of 135+ Research jobs

Quantum Design Inc.
Quantum Ecosystems & Workforce Development Research Intern
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Quantum Design Inc.
New 16h ago
Quantum Ecosystems & Workforce Development Research Intern
Quantum Design Inc.
San Diego, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$25 - $30/hr
On-Site
201-500

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San Diego State University
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
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San Diego State University
New 19h ago
Postdoctoral Research Scholar
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Clinical Trials
$5,900/mo
On-Site
Doctorate
1,001-5,000

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Scripps Research
Research Assistant I
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Scripps Research
New 20h ago
Research Assistant I
Scripps Research
San Diego, California
Laboratory Research
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
$20 - $25/hr
On-Site
Bachelor's

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San Diego State University
Postdoctoral Research Scholar 0-5 yrs Experience
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San Diego State University
New 21h ago
Postdoctoral Research Scholar 0-5 yrs Experience
San Diego State University
San Diego, California
Business Development
Customer Success
Program Management
Project Management
$6,000/mo
Certificate of Clinical Competence in Speech-Language Pathology
1,001-5,000

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UC San Diego
Staff Research Associate 1
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UC San Diego
Added 1d ago
Staff Research Associate 1
UC San Diego
San Diego, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
$30.12 - $35.93/hr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

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See All 135+ Research Jobs in San Diego

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Research Job Market in San Diego

Who's Hiring

  • UC San Diego
    UC San Diego15
  • UC San Diego Health
    UC San Diego Health12
  • Scripps Research
    Scripps Research10
  • Qualcomm
    Qualcomm9
  • WuXi AppTec
    WuXi AppTec3

Top Industries Hiring

  • Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals21
  • Science & Research16
  • Technology & Software9
  • Education7
  • Electronics & Hardware7

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, UC San Diego Health, and Scripps Research, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 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 19% of research openings tied to San Diego are remote or hybrid as of July 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 Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Science & Research, and Technology & Software, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of July 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.

See All 135+ Research Jobs in San Diego

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