Research Specialist Jobs in San Francisco, CA

Research Specialist jobs in San Francisco are concentrated in Mission Bay, the Financial District, and SoMa, with strong demand across biotech, academic medical centers, and technology research. Employers actively hiring include UC San Francisco Academic, University of California - San Francisco, and University of California, San Francisco. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles64
Top employerUC San Francisco Academic
Work type60% Hybrid
Top credentialBachelor's degree
Companies hiring4

Showing 5 of 64+ Research Specialist jobs

Proteomics Researcher, Krogan lab (Associate Specialist position)
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Added 1w ago
Proteomics Researcher, Krogan lab (Associate Specialist position)
UC San Francisco Academic
San Francisco, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$78k - $91k/yr
Master's degree in Biochemistry

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Export Control and Research Security Specialist
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Added 1w ago
Export Control and Research Security Specialist
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$118k - $176k/yr
Hybrid
10,000+

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Export Control & Research Security Specialist
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Added 1w ago
Export Control & Research Security Specialist
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Customer Service
Customer Success
Customer Support
$118k - $176k/yr
Hybrid
10,000+

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Research AI & Data Enablement Specialist
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Added 3w ago
Research AI & Data Enablement Specialist
University of California - San Francisco
San Francisco, California
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$99k - $175k/yr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Junior Specialist - Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory
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Added 1mo ago
Junior Specialist - Head and Neck Cancer Research Laboratory
UC San Francisco Academic
San Francisco, California
Biotech & Life Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$57k - $61k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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See All 64 Research Specialist Jobs in San Francisco

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

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Research Specialist Job Market in San Francisco

Who's Hiring

  • UC San Francisco Academic30
  • University of California - San Francisco20
  • University of California, San Francisco10
  • Three Saints Bay5

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Healthcare & Medical Services

Research Specialist Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions

How do I get a research specialist job in San Francisco?

Focus your search on Mission Bay's dense biotech corridor, the Financial District's market research and consulting firms, and SoMa's technology companies. UCSF, the Chan Zuckerberg Biohub, and major pharma offices consistently hire research specialists. Candidates who demonstrate familiarity with mixed-methods research, data analysis tools like R or Python, and peer-reviewed publication workflows tend to stand out in this competitive, credential-heavy market.

Which companies hire research specialists in San Francisco?

Companies currently hiring research specialists in San Francisco include UC San Francisco Academic, University of California - San Francisco, and University of California, San Francisco, per current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Francisco's employer base skews toward life sciences organizations, university-affiliated research centers, and technology firms running large-scale user or market research programs.

Are there remote research specialist jobs in San Francisco?

Yes, though it depends heavily on the role type. Desk-based and analytical research positions, such as market research, policy analysis, and UX research, are commonly remote, while wet-lab, clinical, or archival roles almost always require on-site presence. About 60% of research specialist openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of November 2026. Technology and consulting employers in the city offer the most flexibility.

How can I get a research specialist job in San Francisco with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path in San Francisco is securing a research coordinator or research assistant role at UCSF, Stanford Medicine's San Francisco-area clinics, or one of the city's many biotech startups in Mission Bay. These positions train candidates on protocols, data management, and regulatory compliance before promoting into specialist roles. Volunteering with nonprofits conducting community health or policy research in the city also builds a competitive local portfolio.

Which industries hire the most research specialists in San Francisco?

The sectors hiring the most research specialists in San Francisco are Education and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. San Francisco's concentration of academic medical institutions, venture-backed biotech firms, and global technology headquarters makes it one of the most active research employment markets on the West Coast.

See All 64 Research Specialist Jobs in San Francisco

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