ZipRecruiter

Log In

1

Associate Research Scientist Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Williammary

Research Scientist

Gloucester Point, VA

$65K/yr

Work closely with graduate students, postdoctoral associates, and visiting scientists * Participate in interdisciplinary research teams * Engage with collaborators across institutions and agencies

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research / Scientific The Mishra Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke, VA, is seeking a highly skilled Research Associate to support AHA-funded research programs focused ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research / Scientific The Lessard Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated research associate to work on laboratory studies related to exercise physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

All JobsAssociate Research Scientist JobsAssociate Research Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Associate Research Scientist information

See Virginia salary details

$18

$39

$61

How much do associate research scientist jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for associate research scientist in Virginia is $39.88, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $31.44 and $46.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Associate Research Scientist vs Research Scientist?

AspectAssociate Research ScientistResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree, some experienceMaster's or Ph.D., more extensive research experience
Work EnvironmentLaboratory or research settings, often in academia or industrySimilar environments, often with increased responsibilities
Employer & Industry UsageResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, academiaResearch institutions, biotech, pharma, academia

In summary, an Associate Research Scientist typically holds a bachelor's or master's degree and has limited research experience, working under supervision. A Research Scientist usually has a master's or Ph.D. with more independent research responsibilities. Both roles are common in research-focused industries and share similar work environments, but the Research Scientist position generally requires more advanced credentials and experience.

What does an associate research scientist do?

An Associate Research Scientist is a professional who conducts scientific research and experiments under the supervision of senior scientists. They design and execute experiments, analyze data, and contribute to the preparation of research papers and reports. Typically working in academic, government, or industry settings, Associate Research Scientists help advance knowledge in their field and may also assist in mentoring junior staff or students. Their role often requires specialized knowledge in a scientific discipline and strong analytical and problem-solving skills.

What are typical collaboration opportunities for an associate research scientist within a research team?

Associate Research Scientists frequently collaborate with senior scientists, research assistants, and sometimes external partners to design experiments, analyze data, and interpret results. They often contribute to group meetings, present findings, and may help with manuscript preparation. These roles require strong communication and teamwork skills, as projects are usually interdisciplinary and rely on effective information sharing. Collaboration offers valuable learning experiences and can open pathways for career advancement within the organization.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an associate research scientist?

To thrive as an Associate Research Scientist, you need a solid background in scientific research, data analysis, and relevant field-specific knowledge, typically supported by at least a master's or PhD degree. Familiarity with laboratory techniques, analytical software (such as MATLAB, R, or Python), and compliance with research protocols is essential. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication skills help distinguish outstanding candidates. These competencies ensure rigorous experimentation, accurate data interpretation, and clear collaboration within research teams, all of which drive scientific progress.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Scientist jobs in Virginia? The most popular types of Research Scientist jobs in Virginia are:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Research Scientist jobs in Virginia? For Associate Research Scientist jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Associate Research Scientist jobs in Virginia look for? The top searched job categories for Associate Research Scientist jobs in Virginia are:
What cities in Virginia are hiring for Associate Research Scientist jobs? Cities in Virginia with the most Associate Research Scientist job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Associate Research Scientist jobs in VA? For Associate Research Scientist jobs in VA, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Associate Research Scientist jobs near you
Infographic showing various Associate Research Scientist job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 67% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $82,953 per year, or $39.9 per hour.

Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Physics

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 25 days ago

Virginia Tech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 65 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

228th of 616 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Physics

Apply now Back to search results Job no: 534453
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Science
Department: Physics
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Research / Scientific

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Physics Department invites applications for one postdoctoral associate/research scientist to work with Dr. Vsevolod Ivanov and Dr. Patrick Huber on the Quantum Sensing of Neutrinos (QuSen) project sponsored by DARPA. The successful candidate will conduct research in the areas of computational physics with the goal to develop a framework for understanding excess energy from defect formation in neutrino detectors. Duties may include supervising and coordinating the work of other researchers and personnel, including graduate and undergraduate students, as well as developing future efforts. The successful candidate will be based in Blacksburg, VA, but may be required to travel for conference presentations and international collaboration.
Successful candidates at the Research Scientist level will have additional responsibilities with mentoring junior group members, as well as assisting the PIs with grant proposals.
The successful candidate will be expected to interact with the broader quantum community at Virginia Tech, which includes the Center for Neutrino Physics, the Virginia Tech Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering (vtq.vt.edu), the Center of Quantum Architecture and Software Development within the VT Innovation Campus, as well as the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), of which Virginia Tech is a member.

Required Qualifications

The successful applicant must hold a Ph.D. in physics, material science, or a related field.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills that are reinforced by active listening skills
* Advanced knowledge of the principles of physics
* Advanced knowledge of the methods and techniques used for research in computational condensed matter physics
* Demonstrated experience of first-principles simulation codes such as VASP, Quantum Espresso, Wien2k or others
* Demonstrated experience with phonon and exciton calculations and related properties
* Research Scientist candidates must have previous postdoctoral research experience

Preferred Qualifications

* Demonstrated knowledge of simulating solid state defects, including formation processes with nudged elastic band, molecular dynamics, or related methods

 

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40 hours - exempt position 

Review Date

10/25/2025

Additional Information

The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Jackie Woodyard at woodyaj@vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Advertised: October 16, 2025
Applications close:

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend

What Virginia Tech employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom

Virginia Tech logo

About Virginia Tech

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

Virginia Tech, guided by its motto "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), embraces a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to educate scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. As a comprehensive land-grant institution, it enriches the quality of life in Virginia and worldwide, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. With over 280 majors, the university serves a diverse student body of more than 36,000 across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Virginia Tech's presence extends throughout Virginia, including campuses in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Newport News, and Richmond, along with multiple Extension offices and research centers. As a prominent global research institution, it conducts over $500 million in research annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Blacksburg, VA, US

Year founded

1872

Social media

FacebookTwitter

View All Virginia Tech Jobs

Apply