Senior Researcher Jobs in San Francisco, CA
Senior Researcher jobs in San Francisco are concentrated in the Mission Bay biotech corridor, the Financial District, and SoMa, where demand stays strong across life sciences, technology, and policy research. Employers hiring right now include University of California - San Francisco, Anthropic, and OpenAI. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 664+ Senior Researcher jobs
About Databricks
Databricks is the Data + AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide — including Comcast, Condé Nast, Grammarly, and over 60% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics, and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe.
About The Team
The Databricks AI Research organization is pushing the frontier of next-generation enterprise AI. We believe a company's data is its greatest competitive advantage, and we're building the models and agents that unlock it. Our work spans the full stack, from model training to advanced multi-agent systems. The Data Agent team within AI Research is dedicated to pioneering frontier enterprise data agents. Our research focuses on developing agents capable of autonomous planning, code generation, and multi-step workflow execution within intricate enterprise settings. The team's primary technical pillars include post-training enhancements, harness design, agentic reinforcement learning (RL), and the construction of specialized RL environments. As a member of this team, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and product development by shipping direct improvements to Genie, Databricks' agent product that provides significant value to our user base.
The impact you will have
- Develop the best post-training recipes to train enterprise Data agents, that are capable of autonomous planning, code generation, and multi-step workflow execution within intricate enterprise settings.
- Partner closely with product teams to turn prototypes and research ideas into the best agentic experience for Databricks users.
- Build systems that help the agent discover and use relevant lakehouse context, including tables, notebooks, code, and cell outputs, to produce more accurate and useful results.
- Raise the technical bar for the team through strong design, execution, debugging, and mentorship, helping shape the long-term direction of agentic experiences at Databricks.
What We Look For
- BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience in an applied research environment, with a track record of shipping research prototypes to production.
- Experience in LLMs, agents, reinforcement learning, post-training workflows.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-moving environment that blends research exploration with product and engineering rigor.
- Clear communication and strong cross-functional collaboration with researchers, engineers, and product stakeholders.
Pay Range Transparency
Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non-commissionable roles or on-target earnings for commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipates utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here. Local Pay Range $190,000—$270,000 USD.
Benefits
At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Compliance
If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.
About Databricks
Databricks is the Data + AI company. More than 10,000 organizations worldwide — including Comcast, Condé Nast, Grammarly, and over 60% of the Fortune 500 — rely on the Databricks Lakehouse Platform to unify their data, analytics, and AI. Databricks is headquartered in San Francisco, with offices around the globe.
About The Team
The Databricks AI Research organization is pushing the frontier of next-generation enterprise AI. We believe a company's data is its greatest competitive advantage, and we're building the models and agents that unlock it. Our work spans the full stack, from model training to advanced multi-agent systems. The Data Agent team within AI Research is dedicated to pioneering frontier enterprise data agents. Our research focuses on developing agents capable of autonomous planning, code generation, and multi-step workflow execution within intricate enterprise settings. The team's primary technical pillars include post-training enhancements, harness design, agentic reinforcement learning (RL), and the construction of specialized RL environments. As a member of this team, you will bridge the gap between cutting-edge AI research and product development by shipping direct improvements to Genie, Databricks' agent product that provides significant value to our user base.
The impact you will have
- Develop the best post-training recipes to train enterprise Data agents, that are capable of autonomous planning, code generation, and multi-step workflow execution within intricate enterprise settings.
- Partner closely with product teams to turn prototypes and research ideas into the best agentic experience for Databricks users.
- Build systems that help the agent discover and use relevant lakehouse context, including tables, notebooks, code, and cell outputs, to produce more accurate and useful results.
- Raise the technical bar for the team through strong design, execution, debugging, and mentorship, helping shape the long-term direction of agentic experiences at Databricks.
What We Look For
- BS, MS, or PhD in Computer Science or a related field.
- 2+ years of experience in an applied research environment, with a track record of shipping research prototypes to production.
- Experience in LLMs, agents, reinforcement learning, post-training workflows.
- Ability to work effectively in a fast-moving environment that blends research exploration with product and engineering rigor.
- Clear communication and strong cross-functional collaboration with researchers, engineers, and product stakeholders.
Pay Range Transparency
Databricks is committed to fair and equitable compensation practices. The pay range(s) for this role is listed below and represents the expected salary range for non-commissionable roles or on-target earnings for commissionable roles. Actual compensation packages are based on several factors that are unique to each candidate, including but not limited to job-related skills, depth of experience, relevant certifications and training, and specific work location. Based on the factors above, Databricks anticipates utilizing the full width of the range. The total compensation package for this position may also include eligibility for annual performance bonus, equity, and the benefits listed above. For more information regarding which range your location is in visit our page here. Local Pay Range $190,000—$270,000 USD.
Benefits
At Databricks, we strive to provide comprehensive benefits and perks that meet the needs of all of our employees. For specific details on the benefits offered in your region click here.
Our Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion
At Databricks, we are committed to fostering a diverse and inclusive culture where everyone can excel. We take great care to ensure that our hiring practices are inclusive and meet equal employment opportunity standards. Individuals looking for employment at Databricks are considered without regard to age, color, disability, ethnicity, family or marital status, gender identity or expression, language, national origin, physical and mental ability, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, socio-economic status, veteran status, and other protected characteristics.
Compliance
If access to export-controlled technology or source code is required for performance of job duties, it is within Employer's discretion whether to apply for a U.S. government license for such positions, and Employer may decline to proceed with an applicant on this basis alone.
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Find Senior Researcher JobsSenior Researcher Job Market in San Francisco
Who's Hiring
- University of California - San Francisco77
- Anthropic38
- OpenAI26
- University of California, San Francisco20
- DoorDash19
Top Industries Hiring
- Technology & Software257
- Education105
- Healthcare & Medical Services74
- Science & Research68
- Artificial Intelligence42
Senior Researcher Jobs in San Francisco: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a senior researcher job in San Francisco?
The strongest path into a senior researcher role in San Francisco is through the city's life sciences, technology, and public policy sectors, which cluster in Mission Bay, SoMa, and the Financial District. Candidates who combine deep domain expertise with experience presenting findings to stakeholders stand out most. Biotech and healthtech firms in particular value researchers who have worked across mixed-methods projects and can move between quantitative and qualitative approaches.
Which companies hire senior researchers in San Francisco?
San Francisco senior researcher roles are posted by University of California - San Francisco, Anthropic, and OpenAI and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. The city's employer mix leans heavily toward biotech, enterprise software, and mission-driven nonprofits, all of which maintain active research functions in-house.
Are there remote senior researcher jobs in San Francisco?
Yes, though it depends on the role: analytical and desk-based research positions tend to go remote or hybrid far more often than lab-based or clinical roles. About 37% of senior researcher openings tied to San Francisco are remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with the highest flexibility found in UX research, policy research, and market research functions. Lab and clinical research roles in Mission Bay typically require on-site presence.
How can I get a senior researcher job in San Francisco with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry point is a research associate or junior researcher role at one of San Francisco's many biotech startups, university-affiliated research centers, or policy nonprofits, where smaller teams give early-career candidates faster exposure to senior-level work. UCSF and UC Hastings affiliates often post research coordinator roles that serve as a direct pipeline. Building a portfolio of independent research projects or published work in your target domain strengthens your candidacy significantly.
Which industries hire the most senior researchers in San Francisco?
The sectors hiring the most senior researchers in San Francisco are Technology & Software, Education, and Healthcare & Medical Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. San Francisco's concentration of venture-backed biotech firms, major technology campuses, and a robust nonprofit and policy community creates sustained demand for senior research talent across all three areas.
Related Jobs in California
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