Scientist Jobs in California
Scientist jobs in California are among the most active in the country, concentrated in biotechnology, pharmaceutical research, environmental science, and defense, with openings from entry-level research associate through principal scientist and beyond. The largest hiring centers are San Diego, the San Francisco Bay Area, and Los Angeles, where employers like Genentech, Pfizer, and Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory maintain deep and ongoing research operations. Life sciences and environmental compliance specialists are consistently among the most sought-after sub-areas across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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As our Clinical Lab Hematology Scientist Lead you will coordinate and participate in all activities of assigned section of the laboratory. In collaboration with leadership, actively participates and assists the service area in any administrative functions assigned and helps ensure the efficient daily operation of the Laboratory Department. The CLS Lead works alongside the CLS-I and CLS-II and rotates shifts, holidays, and weekends as needed. Duties and responsibilities will be tailored to the specialty/subspecialty of the Clinical Lab assigned. Active collaboration with the other leads in the department to maintain and improve efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance to laboratory standards, and uphold the values of Dignity Health is required.
Every day you will
- Coordinate activities in laboratory specialty/subspecialty assigned to comply with accrediting organization standards while ensuring efficient use of resources and to provide quality patient care.
- Design Quality Assurance plans for the sspecialty/ subspecialty of area assigned. Develops and monitors key indicators of quality (in preanalytical, analytic and post analytic activities) to detect problems and opportunities for improvement.
- Participates in the establishment and implementation of corrective actions when opportunities for improvement are identified.
- Validates methods and procedures, establishes quality control programs (frequency, review of data, required actions when QC fails) and preventative maintenance programs for each section of responsibility according to accrediting agency standards.
- QA must include: Review of Quality Control, proficiency testing evaluation, review of patient data, physician complaints. Takes immediate action if an unexpected trend occurs. Ensures that instrumentation is functioning within acceptable parameters.
-
Recognize a deficiency or erroneous result and takes appropriate action or seeks assistance as appropriate. Researches problems related to section and follows through to completion. Communicates daily with laboratory manager
and/or pathologist to evaluate problems in a prompt and appropriate manner as applicable.
- Three or more years of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist with demonstrated ability to supervise and instruct.
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist, licensed by Lab Field Services, CDPH
- Must possess a valid California license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist; MT(ASCP) registration desirable.
- Must exhibit strong leadership and organizational skills. Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions exactly.
- Must be able to exercise good judgment in making decisions where the above does not apply.
- Must be able to work in a professional and conscientious manner under high volume and STAT conditions.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with doctors, staff, patients, and Co-workers. Must know scientific theory of laboratory tests and workflow, and be able to perform tests accurately and efficiently.
- LIC CLS
- Basic management courses are highly desirable.
Founded in 1946, Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center is a 112-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a family birthing center. Additionally, French Hospital Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has achieved an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for every reporting period since 2012.
Pay Range
$52.15 - $77.58 /hour
As our Clinical Lab Hematology Scientist Lead you will coordinate and participate in all activities of assigned section of the laboratory. In collaboration with leadership, actively participates and assists the service area in any administrative functions assigned and helps ensure the efficient daily operation of the Laboratory Department. The CLS Lead works alongside the CLS-I and CLS-II and rotates shifts, holidays, and weekends as needed. Duties and responsibilities will be tailored to the specialty/subspecialty of the Clinical Lab assigned. Active collaboration with the other leads in the department to maintain and improve efficiency, ensure regulatory compliance to laboratory standards, and uphold the values of Dignity Health is required.
Every day you will
- Coordinate activities in laboratory specialty/subspecialty assigned to comply with accrediting organization standards while ensuring efficient use of resources and to provide quality patient care.
- Design Quality Assurance plans for the sspecialty/ subspecialty of area assigned. Develops and monitors key indicators of quality (in preanalytical, analytic and post analytic activities) to detect problems and opportunities for improvement.
- Participates in the establishment and implementation of corrective actions when opportunities for improvement are identified.
- Validates methods and procedures, establishes quality control programs (frequency, review of data, required actions when QC fails) and preventative maintenance programs for each section of responsibility according to accrediting agency standards.
- QA must include: Review of Quality Control, proficiency testing evaluation, review of patient data, physician complaints. Takes immediate action if an unexpected trend occurs. Ensures that instrumentation is functioning within acceptable parameters.
-
Recognize a deficiency or erroneous result and takes appropriate action or seeks assistance as appropriate. Researches problems related to section and follows through to completion. Communicates daily with laboratory manager
and/or pathologist to evaluate problems in a prompt and appropriate manner as applicable.
- Three or more years of experience as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist or Medical Technologist with demonstrated ability to supervise and instruct.
- Clinical Laboratory Scientist, licensed by Lab Field Services, CDPH
- Must possess a valid California license as a Clinical Laboratory Scientist; MT(ASCP) registration desirable.
- Must exhibit strong leadership and organizational skills. Must be able to follow verbal and written instructions exactly.
- Must be able to exercise good judgment in making decisions where the above does not apply.
- Must be able to work in a professional and conscientious manner under high volume and STAT conditions.
- Must be able to communicate effectively with doctors, staff, patients, and Co-workers. Must know scientific theory of laboratory tests and workflow, and be able to perform tests accurately and efficiently.
- LIC CLS
- Basic management courses are highly desirable.
Founded in 1946, Dignity Health - French Hospital Medical Center is a 112-bed, acute care, nonprofit hospital located in San Luis Obispo, California. Serving over 150,000 patients annually, the hospital offers a full complement of services including heart care, orthopedics, and a family birthing center. Additionally, French Hospital Medical Center has been recognized as an LGBTQ+ Healthcare Equality Leader by the Human Rights Campaign Foundation. It is a Joint Commission-certified Primary Stroke Center, and has achieved an “A” Hospital Safety Grade from The Leapfrog Group for every reporting period since 2012.
Pay Range
$52.15 - $77.58 /hour
See All 751+ Scientist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Scientist JobsScientist Jobs by City in California
Where California roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Scientist Job Market in California
A snapshot from current California openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Google31
- TikTok24
- Genentech24
- Amazon23
- Apple16
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software29
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals16
- Healthcare & Medical Services15
- Medical Devices13
- Science & Research11
What California Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in scientist jobs across California.
- Bachelor's degree minimum in biology, chemistry, or a closely related physical science
- Graduate degree preferred for independent research or senior scientist positions
- Hands-on laboratory experience with standard techniques such as PCR, cell culture, or spectroscopy
- Familiarity with California Environmental Quality Act compliance for environmental scientist roles
- Experience with FDA or EPA regulatory submissions for pharmaceutical and environmental sectors
- Proficiency in data analysis tools and scientific software relevant to the specialty area
Scientist Jobs in California: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a scientist in California?
Most scientist roles in California require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a relevant natural science, with graduate degrees expected for independent research positions. Environmental scientists working on regulated projects often pursue certification through the California Association of Environmental Professionals. Life sciences roles at California biotechnology and pharmaceutical companies typically require demonstrated laboratory experience, and many employers look for candidates with research experience gained at California's public university system, including UC and CSU campuses.
Which companies hire scientists in California?
Employers hiring scientists in California right now include Google, TikTok, and Genentech, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. California's dense cluster of biotechnology firms, national laboratories, and environmental consulting companies means demand is spread across sectors, with particularly deep hiring pipelines in the San Diego and Bay Area corridors.
Which California cities have the most scientist jobs?
San Francisco, San Diego, and San Jose have the most scientist openings in California. San Diego and the Bay Area drive volume through their established biotechnology and pharmaceutical industries, while Los Angeles openings reflect a mix of environmental consulting, aerospace research, and an expanding life sciences corridor anchored by institutions like UCLA and Cedars-Sinai.
Are there remote scientist jobs in California?
Yes, but they're rare. About 41% of scientist openings tied to California are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, reflecting that most scientist work requires physical access to laboratory equipment, field sites, or regulated research environments. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote or hybrid arrangements are data-heavy roles such as computational biology, regulatory affairs, and scientific writing.
How can I get hired as a scientist in California with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a research associate or laboratory technician role, which large California biotechnology and pharmaceutical employers use as a structured on-ramp for candidates without independent research experience. Companies like Genentech and San Diego's network of mid-size biotech firms regularly post associate scientist and lab technician openings aimed at recent graduates from California's UC and CSU campuses. Completing a California-based internship through a university research program or a national laboratory such as Lawrence Berkeley or SLAC strengthens a candidate's application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to scientist jobs in California?
You can find and apply to scientist jobs in California on Migrate Mate, which lists current California openings across biotechnology, environmental science, pharmaceutical research, and related fields. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the employers posting them.
See All 751+ Scientist Jobs in California
Find roles in California that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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