An organization responsible for stem cell research is creating thousands of San Diego tech jobs and other biotech positions throughout the state.

A recent study found that the California Institute for Regenerative Medicine is well on its way to creating 25,000 jobs and generating $200 million in new tax revenue by 2014. Jobs created by CIRM range from research scientists and laboratory assistants to staff members and construction workers.

CIRM was created in 2004 when voters approved the California Stem Cell Research and Cures Initiative. That ballot initiative called for $3 billion in funding for stem cell research at universities and institutions and the establishment of a state agency to make grants and provide loans.

"When voters overwhelmingly approved Proposition 71, they expected CIRM to do two things: Deliver hope for people suffering from a range of serious health conditions, and deliver an economic boost for the state," Robert Klein, chairman of the CIRM Governing Board, said. "This report demonstrates that we've delivered on the economic promise today, even as we continue to see strong positive milestones on the research side progressing rapidly toward therapies."

To date, CIRM has committed $1.1 billion in grants, which should be used by the end of 2014. Those grants are being used for:

• Training - Supporting skilled workers who provide human capital to stem cell research projects
• Research - Contributing to supplies and other services that are necessary to conduct research
• Construction - Constructing or rehabilitating facilities
• Equipment - Purchasing equipment and sustaining research

Officials credit CIRM for creating two biotech clusters in California, one in the Bay Area and one in the San Diego area, with the creation of a third biotech cluster in the LA area to take shape soon. Click here to find a tech job description that interests you.

Labels: San Diego tech jobs