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Graduate research assistant jobs in San Mateo, CA
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Applied Scientist III, Amazon AWS Agentic AI, AWS AI Fundamental Research
Amazon Web Services, Inc.
Graduate research assistant job in Santa Clara, CA
Amazon is looking for a passionate, talented, and inventive Applied Scientist with a strong machine learning background to help build industry-leading technology in generative AI and foundational models. As part of our AI team in Amazon AWS, you will work alongside internationally recognized experts to develop novel algorithms and modeling techniques to advance the state-of-the-art in generative AI. Your work will directly impact millions of our customers in the form of products and services that make use of speech, vision and language technology. You will gain hands on experience with Amazon's heterogeneous speech, text, image and structured data sources, and large-scale computing resources to accelerate advances in machine learning and foundation models. More specifically, you will have the opportunity to impact millions of our customers by researching and building innovative solutions using Agentic AI. Agentic AI drives innovation at the forefront of artificial intelligence, enabling customers to transform their businesses through cutting-edge generative AI solutions. We build and deliver the foundational AI services that power the future of cloud computing, helping organizations harness the potential of AI to solve their most complex challenges. Join our dynamic team of AI/ML practitioners, applied scientists, software engineers, and solution architects who work backwards from customer needs to create groundbreaking technologies. If you're passionate about shaping the future of AI while making a meaningful impact for customers worldwide, we want to hear from you. A day in the life A day in the life Diverse Experiences AWS values diverse experiences. Even if you do not meet all of the qualifications and skills listed in the job description, we encourage candidates to apply. If your career is just starting, hasn't followed a traditional path, or includes alternative experiences, don't let it stop you from applying. Why AWS? Amazon Web Services (AWS) is the world's most comprehensive and broadly adopted cloud platform. We pioneered cloud computing and never stopped innovating - that's why customers from the most successful startups to Global 500 companies trust our robust suite of products and services to power their businesses. Inclusive Team Culture Here at AWS, it's in our nature to learn and be curious. Our employee-led affinity groups foster a culture of inclusion that empower us to be proud of our differences. Ongoing events and learning experiences, including our Conversations on Race and Ethnicity (CORE) and AmazeCon) conferences, inspire us to never stop embracing our uniqueness. Mentorship & Career Growth We're continuously raising our performance bar as we strive to become Earth's Best Employer. That's why you'll find endless knowledge-sharing, mentorship and other career-advancing resources here to help you develop into a better-rounded professional. Work/Life Balance We value work-life harmony. Achieving success at work should never come at the expense of sacrifices at home, which is why we strive for flexibility as part of our working culture. When we feel supported in the workplace and at home, there's nothing we can't achieve in the cloud. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS- PhD, or Master's degree and 6+ years of applied research experience - Experience programming in Java, C++, Python or related language - Experience with neural deep learning methods and machine learning PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS- Experience with modeling tools such as R, scikit-learn, Spark MLLib, MxNet, Tensorflow, numpy, scipy etc. - Experience with large scale distributed systems such as Hadoop, Spark etc. Amazon is an equal opportunity employer and does not discriminate on the basis of protected veteran status, disability, or other legally protected status. Los Angeles County applicants: Job duties for this position include: work safely and cooperatively with other employees, supervisors, and staff; adhere to standards of excellence despite stressful conditions; communicate effectively and respectfully with employees, supervisors, and staff to ensure exceptional customer service; and follow all federal, state, and local laws and Company policies. Criminal history may have a direct, adverse, and negative relationship with some of the material job duties of this position. These include the duties and responsibilities listed above, as well as the abilities to adhere to company policies, exercise sound judgment, effectively manage stress and work safely and respectfully with others, exhibit trustworthiness and professionalism, and safeguard business operations and the Company's reputation. Pursuant to the Los Angeles County Fair Chance Ordinance, we will consider for employment qualified applicants with arrest and conviction records. Our inclusive culture empowers Amazonians to deliver the best results for our customers. If you have a disability and need a workplace accommodation or adjustment during the application and hiring process, including support for the interview or onboarding process, please visit ********************************************************* for more information. If the country/region you're applying in isn't listed, please contact your Recruiting Partner. Our compensation reflects the cost of labor across several US geographic markets. The base pay for this position ranges from $150,400/year in our lowest geographic market up to $260,000/year in our highest geographic market. Pay is based on a number of factors including market location and may vary depending on job-related knowledge, skills, and experience. Amazon is a total compensation company. Dependent on the position offered, equity, sign-on payments, and other forms of compensation may be provided as part of a total compensation package, in addition to a full range of medical, financial, and/or other benefits. For more information, please visit ******************************************************** This position will remain posted until filled. Applicants should apply via our internal or external career site.$150.4k-260k yearly 5d agoResearch Scientist
Kadence
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
About the Company We are a seed-stage AI company building the industry standard for evaluating and benchmarking large language models on real enterprise tasks. About the Role As a Research Scientist, you will develop new benchmarks, methodologies, and evaluation pipelines that shape how cutting-edge models are assessed, compared, and deployed in production environments. Your work will directly influence model selection and safety decisions across foundation model labs, high-growth AI product companies, and Fortune-scale enterprises. Responsibilities Benchmarking & Model Analysis Evaluate newly released models as they launch (e.g., Gemini, DeepSeek, etc.) Run large-scale assessment workflows using internal evaluation infrastructure Compare model performance across enterprise-grade task categories Design New Benchmarks from Scratch Identify high-value model application domains through research exploration Construct datasets, including labeling strategy and workforce coordination Write short “white-paper-style” summaries explaining benchmark purpose, method, and findings Advance Automated Evaluation Methodologies Improve systems for scoring generated text beyond standard metrics Explore research in reference-free, rubric-based, and human-aligned evaluation Develop new techniques for reliability, consistency, and repeatability Cross-functional Collaboration Work closely with engineering to scale evaluation infra Partner with customers to refine evaluation relevance and task fit Influence product direction through research insights Qualifications 0-3 years post-grad experience (Master's, PhD, or equivalent applied research) Publications, preprints, or demos showing cutting-edge work Experience with diffusion models, NLP, multimodal, or benchmarking work Ability to operate independently with ambiguity Clean, maintainable research codebases Candidates from: top engineering/research universities applied AI startups well-regarded research internships Required Skills Built or contributed to a benchmark or evaluation methodology Experience in enterprise task model evaluation Stanford / top lab adjacency (per their historical hiring success) Preferred Skills Wants to publish as primary motivation Purely academic with slow timelines Big-tech culture fit concerns (Meta / Google / Salesforce specifically noted-but case-by-case) Pay range and compensation package Base Salary: up to $250K depending on background Equity: typically 0.3% - 0.5%, flexibility for exceptional candidates Rapid equity refresh possible based on impact Equal Opportunity Statement Visa sponsorship available. Relocation support. Health & dental coverage. Lunch + dinner provided, snacks & coffee. Unlimited PTO. Weekly happy hours with community guests. Team events (bowling, hiking, rock climbing, etc.). Swag program (hats, etc.). Work Environment & Culture In-person, San Francisco HQ (required). Core hours: 9-5, some teammates extend voluntarily. Most team members work 1 weekend day per week (flexible). High-ownership, low-ego, collaborative. Live demos Mondays, team lunch Thursdays, community Fridays. Early-stage pace, applied focus-not academic publishing. Tech Environment (while research-focused, exposure beneficial) Backend: Python / Django. Frontend: React + TypeScript. Infra: AWS. Evaluation frameworks + internal tooling. Why This Role Is Unique The company already collaborates with foundation model labs, high-growth AI vertical product companies, and Fortune 500 enterprises (not publicly facing). ChatGPT Vals AI $5M seed raised, runway of 2+ years at current burn. Only one research scientist is being hired-true founding impact. Opportunity to define industry standards for model trust, reliability, and certification. Positioned to become the rating agency for generative AI.$250k yearly 4d agoResearch Scientist - AI for Chip Design
Cerebro
Graduate research assistant job in Palo Alto, CA
Join the Frontier of AI-Driven Hardware Design Are you passionate about pushing the boundaries of artificial intelligence and eager to see your research power the next generation of computational hardware? We're a stealth-mode AI research and product lab on a mission to revolutionize chip design. Our team is reimagining how custom silicon is created-using advanced AI to dramatically accelerate and optimize the process, making ultra-efficient, domain-specific chips a reality. About Us Founded by leading minds from top universities and industry labs, our team brings together AI researchers and engineers from organizations like DeepMind, Meta, Apple, and Intel. We're backed by world-class investors, including renowned scientists, professors, and founders in the hardware and AI space. Here, you'll work alongside pioneers at the intersection of machine learning and hardware, building the intelligence layer for tomorrow's computing revolution. Your Role: Founding AI Researcher (ML) As a founding member of our technical team, you'll be at the heart of developing and deploying AI models that transform chip design. You'll tackle challenges like code generation, verification, architectural exploration, and multimodal reasoning-building multi-agent systems that can design, optimize, and verify real silicon. This is a hands-on, 0→1 opportunity: you'll own the full ML lifecycle, from data pipelines and model training to deployment and iteration, collaborating closely with hardware and product experts.You'll experiment at the bleeding edge of LLMs, reinforcement learning, and graph-based methods for EDA, defining how AI will shape the future of hardware What We're Looking For Academic Background: PhD in Computer Science, EECS, Mathematics, or a related field (or BS/MS with strong research engineering experience at leading labs or startups). AI/ML Expertise: Deep experience building end-to-end ML pipelines, including data curation, model training, and post-training using RL. Proven ability to take models from research to real-world deployment. Technical Skills: Hands-on with LLM/VLM deployment (vLLM, sg Lang, LM Studio, Ollama, etc.) and distributed training (QLoRA, ZeRO, CUDA, PyTorch Parallelism). Experience with RL post-training workflows, reward modeling, and environment design. Track record in code generation, reasoning, and tool use-especially in structured domains. Builder Mindset: Fast-moving, able to prototype, benchmark, and productionize ML pipelines with tight feedback loops. Passion: Excited to push the state-of-the-art in AI for real-world engineering challenges. Bonus Points: Experience at leading AI labs (OpenAI, DeepMind, Anthropic, etc.). Publications in top ML or EDA conferences. Background in hardware design or verification (not required). Why Join Us? Impact: Shape the future of AI-driven chip design from the ground up. Ownership: Significant autonomy and a meaningful equity stake. Growth: Work with a world-class team on cutting-edge challenges. Culture: Fast-paced, collaborative, and mission-driven environment. Ready to help define how AI will design the hardware of tomorrow? Apply now and join us at the frontier of AI and hardware innovation!$150k-251k yearly est. 20h agoResearch Scientist - Vision Data Infrastructure
Storm3
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
⚡ Research Scientists/Engineers (all levels) 🔍 Focus on Vision Data Infrastructure 🤖 Fundamental AI Research Institute 🌎 San Francisco Bay Area, USA 💸 $250,000 - $600,000 salary + annual bonus Come join one of the only research institutions globally with resources to compete with top AI companies =>10s of 1000s of GPUs to explore state-of-the-art research in LLMs, Multimodal and Agentic AI. Currently seeking AI talent with expertise in building scalable pipelines for vision data to support both image/video generative training and multi-modal alignment. You'll design high-performance pipelines for large-scale image and video datasets, enabling efficient pretraining, alignment, and simulation-based data generation. Responsibilities: Vision Data Sourcing & Curation Collect and organize image and video data from open datasets and the web. Handle data cleaning, filtering, deduplication, and metadata generation. Ensure ethical and compliant data collection at scale. Processing & Augmentation Build high-throughput pipelines for vision data preprocessing (frame extraction, resolution normalization, format conversion, latent caching). Implement GPU-accelerated augmentation and distributed data loading (WebDataset, TFRecords, Parquet). Synthetic & Simulation-Based Data Generation Use simulation tools (e.g., Unreal Engine 5, Isaac Sim, Unity) to generate high-quality synthetic vision data. Create specialized datasets for VLM training, visual reasoning, and agent interaction. Requirements: Strong experience with data engineering, computer vision, or machine learning infrastructure. Expertise in building and scaling ETL/data pipelines for large unstructured datasets. Proficiency with Python, PyTorch, and distributed data frameworks (e.g., Ray, Spark, Dask). Experience with WebDataset, TFRecords, Parquet, or similar high-throughput data formats. Familiarity with GPU-accelerated preprocessing, NVIDIA DALI, or equivalent systems. Understanding of image/video codecs, data compression, and cloud storage optimization. Preferred Experience: Prior work with simulation-based or synthetic data generation using Unreal Engine, Isaac Sim, or Unity. Experience curating datasets for multimodal or vision-language model training. Knowledge of data ethics, privacy, and compliance frameworks for large-scale AI datasets. Experience contributing to open datasets or data-centric AI research. Why apply: Opportunity to join a fast-growing core team that are already pushing AI breakthroughs Highly competitive salary package Work alongside ambitious and bright superstars from tech and academia Medical, Dental and Vision Insurance Relocation package available 🌎 San Francisco Bay Area, USA 📧 Interested in applying? Please click on the ‘Easy Apply' button or alternatively email me your resume at ************************$95k-160k yearly est. 20h agoResearch Scientist
Goliath Partners
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
We're working with a San Francisco client that's got a research team of 50~ professionals and looking to further expand it. They are specifically looking to flesh out their Research Group by hiring a Research Scientist on a hybrid basis. They have seen $300M in a recent fund raise. Skills targeted: PhD in Physics/ Quantum Physics/ Theory/ Statistics/ Mathematics/ Computational Science or similarly related field. 2+ YoE working with AI Agents. Good exposure to LLMs. TC package of $1-1,5M with sizeable base salary & equity package. If that looks of interest, apply & Goliath will be in touch!$95k-160k yearly est. 4d agoFounding Research Scientist (MARL)
Greylock Partners
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
Series A company looking to hire a Sr. Applied RS with a good background in multi-agent reinforcement learning. The related challenge is figuring out how to use feedback from an objective function on (consumer) pricing to reinforce a multi-agent enterprise system (many components). Qualifications: Applied Research with MS or PhD in a technical field and 4 + years relevant industry experience Successful track record as a self-starter in 0->1 scenarios with a proven ability to take SOTA models into production Please note: Due to the selective nature of this service and the volume of applicants we typically receive from our job postings, a follow-up email will not be sent until a match is identified with one of the startup investments in our portfolio. About Us: Greylock is an early-stage investor in hundreds of remarkable companies including Airbnb, LinkedIn, Dropbox, Workday, Cloudera, Facebook, Instagram, Roblox, Coinbase, Palo Alto Networks, among others. More can be found about us here: ********************* We are full-time, salaried employees of Greylock who provide free candidate referrals/introductions to our active investments to help them grow/succeed (as one of the many services we provide).$119k-187k yearly est. 4d agoResearch Assistant, In Vivo Tumor Models
Kelly
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking an In Vivo Research Assistant for a contract opportunity with one of our clients, a synthetic biology and cell therapy biotechnology company in Menlo Park, CA. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology and medical device industries. Workplace: Onsite in Menlo Park, CA Position Title: Research Assistant, In Vivo Tumor Models Position Type: contract Pay rate: $30-40 per hour Schedule: Part-time Animal Technician - In Vivo Oncology (Mouse Models), Biotechnology Startup - San Francisco Bay Area, CA Are you ready to drive transformative research at the frontier of cell therapy innovation? Join a pioneering biotechnology startup in Menlo Park, where your expertise with in vivo mouse models will be instrumental in shaping therapies with the potential to change the course of medicine. As an early team member, you'll collaborate closely with visionary scientists and engineering innovators, making a direct impact on the culture, direction, and scientific breakthroughs of our organization. About the Opportunity: We're searching for a dedicated Animal Technician with a robust background in managing and executing solid tumor studies using immunocompromised and humanized mouse models. Your hands-on skills and analytical insight will enable our platform to accelerate the design, screening, and optimization of novel cell therapies that harness the full therapeutic power of cellular engineering. You will be critical in supporting our rapid innovation cycles, where new tools and approaches are continuously tested and refined. Mission & Environment: Our team believes that cellular biology holds the blueprint for tackling the most challenging diseases-from cancer and viral infection to autoimmunity and aging. We apply cutting-edge synthetic biology and systems immunology to engineer next-generation cells capable of precisely and potently fighting disease. Our approach goes far beyond established paradigms, leveraging novel receptor technologies and high-throughput screens to uncover untapped avenues for therapy development. Responsibilities Lead day-to-day execution and management of oncology mouse model experiments. Independently plan and coordinate study timelines in partnership with research scientists. Serve as the main interface with vivarium partners to ensure seamless in vivo operations. Maintain stringent protocol compliance according to all institutional and regulatory standards. Collect, analyze, and interpret preclinical data to inform project decisions and accelerate development. Proactive communication and collaboration to move projects forward in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment. Qualifications Minimum 3 years of hands-on in vivo research experience, ideally in cancer or related therapeutic areas within industry settings. No formal education requirement; demonstrable expertise is key. Flexibility to support weekend research schedules. Exceptional process discipline and attention to detail. Proven ability to troubleshoot challenges and implement solutions rapidly. Strong organizational and communication skills, with reliability in managing and executing assigned responsibilities. Collaborative spirit and a track record of contributing to impactful scientific endeavors. Ideal Fit: Takes pride in reliability and personal accountability. Seeks flexibility in work hours and the possibility of full-time engagement. Thrives in a close-knit, high-impact team with diverse skillsets. Eager to take on new responsibilities and champion team success. Shares a passion for advancing health through cell engineering and community-driven science. Join us and help unlock the next era of engineered cell therapies-where your work directly contributes to solutions for today's most urgent medical challenges.$30-40 hourly 1d agoResearch Assistant
Insight Global
Graduate research assistant job in Menlo Park, CA
, December 8th-May 31st, 2026 Hours: Monday through Friday 8:00-5:00 PM Onsite, in Menlo Park, CA Required Skills & Experience -Bachelor's degree or relevant coursework in engineering, research, or a related field (or equivalent experience). -Strong attention to detail and organizational skills. -Basic technical aptitude and familiarity with handling electronic devices. -Experience with FedEx shipping systems or package tracking preferred. - Basic knowledge of microsoft excel - Excellent communication and teamwork abilities. Job Description Overview: Insight Global is seeking a detail-oriented Research Assistant to support the deployment of prototype equipment for upcoming remote user studies. This role is part of a dynamic team responsible for testing and preparing electronic prototype devices before they are shipped to study participants. Key Responsibilities: - Assist in testing and validating prototype electronic devices to ensure full functionality prior to shipment. -Prepare, package, and ship devices to participants involved in remote, in-home studies using FedEx as the primary shipping method. -Track shipments and ensure timely delivery and return of study equipment. -Maintain detailed records of device testing, configurations, and shipping status. -Collaborate closely with research and engineering teams to ensure accuracy, quality, and timely deployment. -Troubleshoot and document any technical issues during pre-deployment testing. -Document in excel for additional tracking purposes Why Join Us: This is an exciting opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge research by ensuring the successful deployment of innovative technology.$41k-66k yearly est. 3d agoHigh-Throughput Screening Research Associate II, III (Biodesigner II, III)
Amber Bio
Graduate research assistant job in San Jose, CA
Amber Bio is a biotechnology company pioneering new gene editing modalities using multi-kilobase edits to reach previously undruggable patient populations. Founded by pioneers in the CRISPR field from leading institutions for gene editing research, the company is developing a first-of-its-kind RNA editing platform that can correct thousands of bases at once, thereby correcting genetic mutations safely and reversibly. If you are interested in building a new frontier in genetic medicine, we welcome you to apply. Job Description: High-Throughput Screening Research Associate II, III (Biodesigner II, III) Responsibilities: Perform massively parallel reporter assays and high-throughput screens across diverse cellular contexts using cellular and molecular readouts. Develop and execute molecular biology workflows such as vector design and cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR, qPCR, and next-generation sequencing. Support cell culture activities and experiments in multiple cell lines, at small and large scales. Design and execute cell-based assays (AAV/lentiviral transduction, transfection, flow cytometry, immunostaining, and other plate reader assays). Engineer and characterize cell-based systems using synthetic biology tools and techniques. Conduct and troubleshoot experiments, independently and in collaboration with colleagues, to optimize screening throughput, sensitivity, and specificity. Proactively troubleshoot technical issues and recommend potential corrective actions based on personal observations and literature searches. Prepare summaries of data and present internally to colleagues and management. Draft SOPs, follow protocols, diligently document experimental data in lab notebooks, and organize and maintain electronic work records. Author scientific reports and data summaries. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project goals, bridging early discovery with high-throughput screens to nominate and optimize candidates for further characterization. Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, or a related field. At least 2 years of industry wet lab experience. Mammalian cell culture experience (culturing, transfecting and transducing cells, and DNA/RNA purification from cells). Molecular biology expertise (vector design and cloning, qPCR, primer and probe design, DNA/RNA extraction workflows) Critical thinker with excellent communication skills who thrives in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced team environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preference will be given to those who display: High throughput screening assay development in an industry setting. High motivation, with a strong work ethic and dedication to generating impact. Attention to detail, with the ability to extract deep insights from data. First-principles thinking, and an ability to refine one's intuition based on additional data. Ability to go from ideation to data in an independent fashion. Long-term personal vision with defined career goals. High EQ with team-oriented thinking. Experience with pooled, high-throughput screens using next-generation sequencing-based readouts, and/or preparing screening plasmid libraries from synthesized oligo arrays. Experience with CRISPR-Cas systems and/or gene editing and delivery technologies. Experience preparing next-generation sequencing libraries (Illumina, PacBio, and/or Nanopore platforms). If you have a passion for advancing gene editing technologies and desire to be part of a pioneering biotech company, we encourage you to apply and join our ambitious team. Please apply directly through LinkedIn. Amber Bio is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.$62k-79k yearly est. 2d agoMachine Learning Research Engineer
Acceler8 Talent
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
Machine Learning Research Engineer - Video Intelligence - Up to $250k A Series A Funded start-up who already have millions in recurring revenue are building next-generation AI infrastructure for video intelligence are looking for an Applied Research Engineer to join their team. What You'll Be Doing Build high-performance video understanding systems and large-scale processing pipelines Tackle ambiguous research problems with creative technical solutions Optimize model performance through clever pre/post-processing, parallelism, and inference optimization Work directly with customers and external teams to deliver end-to-end video intelligence products Collaborate with leading AI video labs on cutting-edge applications What We're Looking For 3+ years experience in computer vision or audio processing Strong Python skills with PyTorch or similar ML frameworks Excellent communication abilities, especially customer-facing Clean, maintainable coding practices Product-minded approach - you want to build complete solutions, not just train models Early startup experience is a plus What's In It For You: Competitive salary up to $250k Small, high-impact team with significant growth trajectory Opportunity to work with top AI video labs and collect world-class datasets Apply now for immediate consideration!$250k yearly 4d agoResearch Scientist
Kadence
Graduate research assistant job in Fremont, CA
About the Company We are a seed-stage AI company building the industry standard for evaluating and benchmarking large language models on real enterprise tasks. About the Role As a Research Scientist, you will develop new benchmarks, methodologies, and evaluation pipelines that shape how cutting-edge models are assessed, compared, and deployed in production environments. Your work will directly influence model selection and safety decisions across foundation model labs, high-growth AI product companies, and Fortune-scale enterprises. Responsibilities Benchmarking & Model Analysis Evaluate newly released models as they launch (e.g., Gemini, DeepSeek, etc.) Run large-scale assessment workflows using internal evaluation infrastructure Compare model performance across enterprise-grade task categories Design New Benchmarks from Scratch Identify high-value model application domains through research exploration Construct datasets, including labeling strategy and workforce coordination Write short “white-paper-style” summaries explaining benchmark purpose, method, and findings Advance Automated Evaluation Methodologies Improve systems for scoring generated text beyond standard metrics Explore research in reference-free, rubric-based, and human-aligned evaluation Develop new techniques for reliability, consistency, and repeatability Cross-functional Collaboration Work closely with engineering to scale evaluation infra Partner with customers to refine evaluation relevance and task fit Influence product direction through research insights Qualifications 0-3 years post-grad experience (Master's, PhD, or equivalent applied research) Publications, preprints, or demos showing cutting-edge work Experience with diffusion models, NLP, multimodal, or benchmarking work Ability to operate independently with ambiguity Clean, maintainable research codebases Candidates from: top engineering/research universities applied AI startups well-regarded research internships Required Skills Built or contributed to a benchmark or evaluation methodology Experience in enterprise task model evaluation Stanford / top lab adjacency (per their historical hiring success) Preferred Skills Wants to publish as primary motivation Purely academic with slow timelines Big-tech culture fit concerns (Meta / Google / Salesforce specifically noted-but case-by-case) Pay range and compensation package Base Salary: up to $250K depending on background Equity: typically 0.3% - 0.5%, flexibility for exceptional candidates Rapid equity refresh possible based on impact Equal Opportunity Statement Visa sponsorship available. Relocation support. Health & dental coverage. Lunch + dinner provided, snacks & coffee. Unlimited PTO. Weekly happy hours with community guests. Team events (bowling, hiking, rock climbing, etc.). Swag program (hats, etc.). Work Environment & Culture In-person, San Francisco HQ (required). Core hours: 9-5, some teammates extend voluntarily. Most team members work 1 weekend day per week (flexible). High-ownership, low-ego, collaborative. Live demos Mondays, team lunch Thursdays, community Fridays. Early-stage pace, applied focus-not academic publishing. Tech Environment (while research-focused, exposure beneficial) Backend: Python / Django. Frontend: React + TypeScript. Infra: AWS. Evaluation frameworks + internal tooling. Why This Role Is Unique The company already collaborates with foundation model labs, high-growth AI vertical product companies, and Fortune 500 enterprises (not publicly facing). ChatGPT Vals AI $5M seed raised, runway of 2+ years at current burn. Only one research scientist is being hired-true founding impact. Opportunity to define industry standards for model trust, reliability, and certification. Positioned to become the rating agency for generative AI.$250k yearly 4d agoresearch scientist - RL
Cerebro
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
Join a Leading Applied Research Lab Pushing the Boundaries of Reinforcement Learning Are you passionate about advancing the frontiers of reinforcement learning (RL)? An innovative AI research lab is seeking talented and ambitious scientists to shape the next generation of RL techniques-especially where they intersect with large models and environment generation. About the Role As an AI Research Scientist focused on RL, you will: Develop novel optimization-based methods for automated RL environment generation Establish baselines for evaluating the quality and diversity of RL environments Design infrastructure to create dynamic environments from historical datasets and agent evaluations Drive your own research agenda, contributing directly to the progress of our platform and the broader AI community What We're Looking For PhD (or equivalent experience) in machine learning, computer science or a related field Strong publication record and/or evidence of research impact (open source, deployed systems, etc.) Deep expertise in reinforcement learning and machine learning fundamentals Proficient in Python and at least one modern ML framework (such as PyTorch or JAX) Bonus Points Experience with post-training large language models (LLMs) Demonstrated software engineering skills Ability to communicate research findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences$150k-251k yearly est. 3d agoResearch Scientist
Goliath Partners
Graduate research assistant job in Fremont, CA
We're working with a San Francisco client that's got a research team of 50~ professionals and looking to further expand it. They are specifically looking to flesh out their Research Group by hiring a Research Scientist on a hybrid basis. They have seen $300M in a recent fund raise. Skills targeted: PhD in Physics/ Quantum Physics/ Theory/ Statistics/ Mathematics/ Computational Science or similarly related field. 2+ YoE working with AI Agents. Good exposure to LLMs. TC package of $1-1,5M with sizeable base salary & equity package. If that looks of interest, apply & Goliath will be in touch!$95k-159k yearly est. 4d agoResearch Assistant, In Vivo Tumor Models
Kelly
Graduate research assistant job in San Jose, CA
Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking an In Vivo Research Assistant for a contract opportunity with one of our clients, a synthetic biology and cell therapy biotechnology company in Menlo Park, CA. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology and medical device industries. Workplace: Onsite in Menlo Park, CA Position Title: Research Assistant, In Vivo Tumor Models Position Type: contract Pay rate: $30-40 per hour Schedule: Part-time Animal Technician - In Vivo Oncology (Mouse Models), Biotechnology Startup - San Francisco Bay Area, CA Are you ready to drive transformative research at the frontier of cell therapy innovation? Join a pioneering biotechnology startup in Menlo Park, where your expertise with in vivo mouse models will be instrumental in shaping therapies with the potential to change the course of medicine. As an early team member, you'll collaborate closely with visionary scientists and engineering innovators, making a direct impact on the culture, direction, and scientific breakthroughs of our organization. About the Opportunity: We're searching for a dedicated Animal Technician with a robust background in managing and executing solid tumor studies using immunocompromised and humanized mouse models. Your hands-on skills and analytical insight will enable our platform to accelerate the design, screening, and optimization of novel cell therapies that harness the full therapeutic power of cellular engineering. You will be critical in supporting our rapid innovation cycles, where new tools and approaches are continuously tested and refined. Mission & Environment: Our team believes that cellular biology holds the blueprint for tackling the most challenging diseases-from cancer and viral infection to autoimmunity and aging. We apply cutting-edge synthetic biology and systems immunology to engineer next-generation cells capable of precisely and potently fighting disease. Our approach goes far beyond established paradigms, leveraging novel receptor technologies and high-throughput screens to uncover untapped avenues for therapy development. Responsibilities Lead day-to-day execution and management of oncology mouse model experiments. Independently plan and coordinate study timelines in partnership with research scientists. Serve as the main interface with vivarium partners to ensure seamless in vivo operations. Maintain stringent protocol compliance according to all institutional and regulatory standards. Collect, analyze, and interpret preclinical data to inform project decisions and accelerate development. Proactive communication and collaboration to move projects forward in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment. Qualifications Minimum 3 years of hands-on in vivo research experience, ideally in cancer or related therapeutic areas within industry settings. No formal education requirement; demonstrable expertise is key. Flexibility to support weekend research schedules. Exceptional process discipline and attention to detail. Proven ability to troubleshoot challenges and implement solutions rapidly. Strong organizational and communication skills, with reliability in managing and executing assigned responsibilities. Collaborative spirit and a track record of contributing to impactful scientific endeavors. Ideal Fit: Takes pride in reliability and personal accountability. Seeks flexibility in work hours and the possibility of full-time engagement. Thrives in a close-knit, high-impact team with diverse skillsets. Eager to take on new responsibilities and champion team success. Shares a passion for advancing health through cell engineering and community-driven science. Join us and help unlock the next era of engineered cell therapies-where your work directly contributes to solutions for today's most urgent medical challenges.$30-40 hourly 1d agoHigh-Throughput Screening Research Associate II, III (Biodesigner II, III)
Amber Bio
Graduate research assistant job in San Francisco, CA
Amber Bio is a biotechnology company pioneering new gene editing modalities using multi-kilobase edits to reach previously undruggable patient populations. Founded by pioneers in the CRISPR field from leading institutions for gene editing research, the company is developing a first-of-its-kind RNA editing platform that can correct thousands of bases at once, thereby correcting genetic mutations safely and reversibly. If you are interested in building a new frontier in genetic medicine, we welcome you to apply. Job Description: High-Throughput Screening Research Associate II, III (Biodesigner II, III) Responsibilities: Perform massively parallel reporter assays and high-throughput screens across diverse cellular contexts using cellular and molecular readouts. Develop and execute molecular biology workflows such as vector design and cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR, qPCR, and next-generation sequencing. Support cell culture activities and experiments in multiple cell lines, at small and large scales. Design and execute cell-based assays (AAV/lentiviral transduction, transfection, flow cytometry, immunostaining, and other plate reader assays). Engineer and characterize cell-based systems using synthetic biology tools and techniques. Conduct and troubleshoot experiments, independently and in collaboration with colleagues, to optimize screening throughput, sensitivity, and specificity. Proactively troubleshoot technical issues and recommend potential corrective actions based on personal observations and literature searches. Prepare summaries of data and present internally to colleagues and management. Draft SOPs, follow protocols, diligently document experimental data in lab notebooks, and organize and maintain electronic work records. Author scientific reports and data summaries. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project goals, bridging early discovery with high-throughput screens to nominate and optimize candidates for further characterization. Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, or a related field. At least 2 years of industry wet lab experience. Mammalian cell culture experience (culturing, transfecting and transducing cells, and DNA/RNA purification from cells). Molecular biology expertise (vector design and cloning, qPCR, primer and probe design, DNA/RNA extraction workflows) Critical thinker with excellent communication skills who thrives in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced team environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preference will be given to those who display: High throughput screening assay development in an industry setting. High motivation, with a strong work ethic and dedication to generating impact. Attention to detail, with the ability to extract deep insights from data. First-principles thinking, and an ability to refine one's intuition based on additional data. Ability to go from ideation to data in an independent fashion. Long-term personal vision with defined career goals. High EQ with team-oriented thinking. Experience with pooled, high-throughput screens using next-generation sequencing-based readouts, and/or preparing screening plasmid libraries from synthesized oligo arrays. Experience with CRISPR-Cas systems and/or gene editing and delivery technologies. Experience preparing next-generation sequencing libraries (Illumina, PacBio, and/or Nanopore platforms). If you have a passion for advancing gene editing technologies and desire to be part of a pioneering biotech company, we encourage you to apply and join our ambitious team. Please apply directly through LinkedIn. Amber Bio is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.$62k-79k yearly est. 2d agoResearch Scientist
Kadence
Graduate research assistant job in San Jose, CA
About the Company We are a seed-stage AI company building the industry standard for evaluating and benchmarking large language models on real enterprise tasks. About the Role As a Research Scientist, you will develop new benchmarks, methodologies, and evaluation pipelines that shape how cutting-edge models are assessed, compared, and deployed in production environments. Your work will directly influence model selection and safety decisions across foundation model labs, high-growth AI product companies, and Fortune-scale enterprises. Responsibilities Benchmarking & Model Analysis Evaluate newly released models as they launch (e.g., Gemini, DeepSeek, etc.) Run large-scale assessment workflows using internal evaluation infrastructure Compare model performance across enterprise-grade task categories Design New Benchmarks from Scratch Identify high-value model application domains through research exploration Construct datasets, including labeling strategy and workforce coordination Write short “white-paper-style” summaries explaining benchmark purpose, method, and findings Advance Automated Evaluation Methodologies Improve systems for scoring generated text beyond standard metrics Explore research in reference-free, rubric-based, and human-aligned evaluation Develop new techniques for reliability, consistency, and repeatability Cross-functional Collaboration Work closely with engineering to scale evaluation infra Partner with customers to refine evaluation relevance and task fit Influence product direction through research insights Qualifications 0-3 years post-grad experience (Master's, PhD, or equivalent applied research) Publications, preprints, or demos showing cutting-edge work Experience with diffusion models, NLP, multimodal, or benchmarking work Ability to operate independently with ambiguity Clean, maintainable research codebases Candidates from: top engineering/research universities applied AI startups well-regarded research internships Required Skills Built or contributed to a benchmark or evaluation methodology Experience in enterprise task model evaluation Stanford / top lab adjacency (per their historical hiring success) Preferred Skills Wants to publish as primary motivation Purely academic with slow timelines Big-tech culture fit concerns (Meta / Google / Salesforce specifically noted-but case-by-case) Pay range and compensation package Base Salary: up to $250K depending on background Equity: typically 0.3% - 0.5%, flexibility for exceptional candidates Rapid equity refresh possible based on impact Equal Opportunity Statement Visa sponsorship available. Relocation support. Health & dental coverage. Lunch + dinner provided, snacks & coffee. Unlimited PTO. Weekly happy hours with community guests. Team events (bowling, hiking, rock climbing, etc.). Swag program (hats, etc.). Work Environment & Culture In-person, San Francisco HQ (required). Core hours: 9-5, some teammates extend voluntarily. Most team members work 1 weekend day per week (flexible). High-ownership, low-ego, collaborative. Live demos Mondays, team lunch Thursdays, community Fridays. Early-stage pace, applied focus-not academic publishing. Tech Environment (while research-focused, exposure beneficial) Backend: Python / Django. Frontend: React + TypeScript. Infra: AWS. Evaluation frameworks + internal tooling. Why This Role Is Unique The company already collaborates with foundation model labs, high-growth AI vertical product companies, and Fortune 500 enterprises (not publicly facing). ChatGPT Vals AI $5M seed raised, runway of 2+ years at current burn. Only one research scientist is being hired-true founding impact. Opportunity to define industry standards for model trust, reliability, and certification. Positioned to become the rating agency for generative AI.$250k yearly 4d agoresearch scientist - RL
Cerebro
Graduate research assistant job in Fremont, CA
Join a Leading Applied Research Lab Pushing the Boundaries of Reinforcement Learning Are you passionate about advancing the frontiers of reinforcement learning (RL)? An innovative AI research lab is seeking talented and ambitious scientists to shape the next generation of RL techniques-especially where they intersect with large models and environment generation. About the Role As an AI Research Scientist focused on RL, you will: Develop novel optimization-based methods for automated RL environment generation Establish baselines for evaluating the quality and diversity of RL environments Design infrastructure to create dynamic environments from historical datasets and agent evaluations Drive your own research agenda, contributing directly to the progress of our platform and the broader AI community What We're Looking For PhD (or equivalent experience) in machine learning, computer science or a related field Strong publication record and/or evidence of research impact (open source, deployed systems, etc.) Deep expertise in reinforcement learning and machine learning fundamentals Proficient in Python and at least one modern ML framework (such as PyTorch or JAX) Bonus Points Experience with post-training large language models (LLMs) Demonstrated software engineering skills Ability to communicate research findings effectively to both technical and non-technical audiences$150k-250k yearly est. 3d agoResearch Scientist
Goliath Partners
Graduate research assistant job in San Jose, CA
We're working with a San Francisco client that's got a research team of 50~ professionals and looking to further expand it. They are specifically looking to flesh out their Research Group by hiring a Research Scientist on a hybrid basis. They have seen $300M in a recent fund raise. Skills targeted: PhD in Physics/ Quantum Physics/ Theory/ Statistics/ Mathematics/ Computational Science or similarly related field. 2+ YoE working with AI Agents. Good exposure to LLMs. TC package of $1-1,5M with sizeable base salary & equity package. If that looks of interest, apply & Goliath will be in touch!$95k-160k yearly est. 4d agoResearch Assistant, In Vivo Tumor Models
Kelly
Graduate research assistant job in Fremont, CA
Kelly Science & Clinical is seeking an In Vivo Research Assistant for a contract opportunity with one of our clients, a synthetic biology and cell therapy biotechnology company in Menlo Park, CA. If you are driven by the prospect of translating cutting-edge scientific discoveries into tangible advancements and are poised to advance your career, join us as we pioneer progress in the biotechnology and medical device industries. Workplace: Onsite in Menlo Park, CA Position Title: Research Assistant, In Vivo Tumor Models Position Type: contract Pay rate: $30-40 per hour Schedule: Part-time Animal Technician - In Vivo Oncology (Mouse Models), Biotechnology Startup - San Francisco Bay Area, CA Are you ready to drive transformative research at the frontier of cell therapy innovation? Join a pioneering biotechnology startup in Menlo Park, where your expertise with in vivo mouse models will be instrumental in shaping therapies with the potential to change the course of medicine. As an early team member, you'll collaborate closely with visionary scientists and engineering innovators, making a direct impact on the culture, direction, and scientific breakthroughs of our organization. About the Opportunity: We're searching for a dedicated Animal Technician with a robust background in managing and executing solid tumor studies using immunocompromised and humanized mouse models. Your hands-on skills and analytical insight will enable our platform to accelerate the design, screening, and optimization of novel cell therapies that harness the full therapeutic power of cellular engineering. You will be critical in supporting our rapid innovation cycles, where new tools and approaches are continuously tested and refined. Mission & Environment: Our team believes that cellular biology holds the blueprint for tackling the most challenging diseases-from cancer and viral infection to autoimmunity and aging. We apply cutting-edge synthetic biology and systems immunology to engineer next-generation cells capable of precisely and potently fighting disease. Our approach goes far beyond established paradigms, leveraging novel receptor technologies and high-throughput screens to uncover untapped avenues for therapy development. Responsibilities Lead day-to-day execution and management of oncology mouse model experiments. Independently plan and coordinate study timelines in partnership with research scientists. Serve as the main interface with vivarium partners to ensure seamless in vivo operations. Maintain stringent protocol compliance according to all institutional and regulatory standards. Collect, analyze, and interpret preclinical data to inform project decisions and accelerate development. Proactive communication and collaboration to move projects forward in a fast-paced, multidisciplinary environment. Qualifications Minimum 3 years of hands-on in vivo research experience, ideally in cancer or related therapeutic areas within industry settings. No formal education requirement; demonstrable expertise is key. Flexibility to support weekend research schedules. Exceptional process discipline and attention to detail. Proven ability to troubleshoot challenges and implement solutions rapidly. Strong organizational and communication skills, with reliability in managing and executing assigned responsibilities. Collaborative spirit and a track record of contributing to impactful scientific endeavors. Ideal Fit: Takes pride in reliability and personal accountability. Seeks flexibility in work hours and the possibility of full-time engagement. Thrives in a close-knit, high-impact team with diverse skillsets. Eager to take on new responsibilities and champion team success. Shares a passion for advancing health through cell engineering and community-driven science. Join us and help unlock the next era of engineered cell therapies-where your work directly contributes to solutions for today's most urgent medical challenges.$30-40 hourly 1d agoHigh-Throughput Screening Research Associate II, III (Biodesigner II, III)
Amber Bio
Graduate research assistant job in Fremont, CA
Amber Bio is a biotechnology company pioneering new gene editing modalities using multi-kilobase edits to reach previously undruggable patient populations. Founded by pioneers in the CRISPR field from leading institutions for gene editing research, the company is developing a first-of-its-kind RNA editing platform that can correct thousands of bases at once, thereby correcting genetic mutations safely and reversibly. If you are interested in building a new frontier in genetic medicine, we welcome you to apply. Job Description: High-Throughput Screening Research Associate II, III (Biodesigner II, III) Responsibilities: Perform massively parallel reporter assays and high-throughput screens across diverse cellular contexts using cellular and molecular readouts. Develop and execute molecular biology workflows such as vector design and cloning, DNA/RNA extraction, RT-PCR, qPCR, and next-generation sequencing. Support cell culture activities and experiments in multiple cell lines, at small and large scales. Design and execute cell-based assays (AAV/lentiviral transduction, transfection, flow cytometry, immunostaining, and other plate reader assays). Engineer and characterize cell-based systems using synthetic biology tools and techniques. Conduct and troubleshoot experiments, independently and in collaboration with colleagues, to optimize screening throughput, sensitivity, and specificity. Proactively troubleshoot technical issues and recommend potential corrective actions based on personal observations and literature searches. Prepare summaries of data and present internally to colleagues and management. Draft SOPs, follow protocols, diligently document experimental data in lab notebooks, and organize and maintain electronic work records. Author scientific reports and data summaries. Collaborate with cross-functional teams to meet project goals, bridging early discovery with high-throughput screens to nominate and optimize candidates for further characterization. Qualifications: Bachelor's or Master's degree in Biology, Biochemistry, Chemical Engineering, Biological Engineering, or a related field. At least 2 years of industry wet lab experience. Mammalian cell culture experience (culturing, transfecting and transducing cells, and DNA/RNA purification from cells). Molecular biology expertise (vector design and cloning, qPCR, primer and probe design, DNA/RNA extraction workflows) Critical thinker with excellent communication skills who thrives in a multidisciplinary, fast-paced team environment. Strong written and verbal communication skills. Preference will be given to those who display: High throughput screening assay development in an industry setting. High motivation, with a strong work ethic and dedication to generating impact. Attention to detail, with the ability to extract deep insights from data. First-principles thinking, and an ability to refine one's intuition based on additional data. Ability to go from ideation to data in an independent fashion. Long-term personal vision with defined career goals. High EQ with team-oriented thinking. Experience with pooled, high-throughput screens using next-generation sequencing-based readouts, and/or preparing screening plasmid libraries from synthesized oligo arrays. Experience with CRISPR-Cas systems and/or gene editing and delivery technologies. Experience preparing next-generation sequencing libraries (Illumina, PacBio, and/or Nanopore platforms). If you have a passion for advancing gene editing technologies and desire to be part of a pioneering biotech company, we encourage you to apply and join our ambitious team. Please apply directly through LinkedIn. Amber Bio is an equal-opportunity employer and encourages applications from candidates of diverse backgrounds. We value diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive and supportive work environment for all employees.$62k-79k yearly est. 2d ago
Learn more about graduate research assistant jobs
How much does a graduate research assistant earn in San Mateo, CA?
The average graduate research assistant in San Mateo, CA earns between $23,000 and $54,000 annually. This compares to the national average graduate research assistant range of $22,000 to $52,000.
Average graduate research assistant salary in San Mateo, CA
$35,000
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