1

Associate Researcher Jobs in Tennessee (NOW HIRING)

$65 - $80/hr

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Immunology - Wu lab Location Memphis, TN Category Postdoc Department Shift Weekday Day Position Type Full Time Scheduled Weekly Hours 40 JR7493 A Postdoctoral ...

New

next page

Showing results 1-20

Associate Researcher information

See Tennessee salary details

$27.2K

$102.7K

$149.3K

How much do associate researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for associate researcher in Tennessee is $102,653.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,800.00 and $139,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is an associate researcher?

Associate Researchers are professionals who assist in conducting scientific studies, experiments, or investigations in a specific field. They typically work under the supervision of a principal investigator or senior researcher, helping with data collection, analysis, and documentation. Their responsibilities can also include preparing laboratory materials, conducting literature reviews, and ensuring compliance with research protocols. Associate Researchers are often found in academic, government, or private sector research settings and may have a background in science, engineering, or social sciences.

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

To thrive as an Associate Researcher, you need a strong background in scientific methodology, data analysis, and a relevant bachelor's or master's degree in your field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software (like SPSS or R), and research management systems is typically required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective communication help you collaborate and contribute meaningful insights to research projects. These skills and qualities are crucial for producing valid, reliable results and advancing the goals of research teams.

What are some common challenges associate researchers face when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Associate Researchers often juggle several projects at once, which can be challenging in terms of time management and prioritization. Balancing deadlines, coordinating with various team members, and ensuring high-quality data collection and analysis requires strong organizational skills. Proactive communication with supervisors and collaborators is essential to manage expectations and address any bottlenecks early. Utilizing project management tools and regularly updating progress can help alleviate these challenges and keep research activities on track.

What is the difference between Associate Researcher vs Research Assistant?

AspectAssociate ResearcherResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree, research experienceTypically Bachelor's degree, entry-level
Work EnvironmentIndependent research, data analysis, project managementSupporting research tasks, data collection
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, corporate R&DUniversities, labs, research projects

The main difference between an Associate Researcher and a Research Assistant lies in experience and responsibilities. Associate Researchers usually have more research experience, handle independent tasks, and contribute to project design, while Research Assistants support data collection and basic tasks. Both roles are common in academic and research settings, but Associate Researchers typically have higher qualifications and more autonomy.

What are the most commonly searched types of Researcher jobs in Tennessee?

The most popular types of Researcher jobs in Tennessee are:

What cities in Tennessee are hiring for Associate Researcher jobs?

Cities in Tennessee with the most Associate Researcher job openings:

Infographic showing various Associate Researcher job openings in Tennessee as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $102,653 per year, or $49.4 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Research & Development of Advanced Cement and Concrete Technology

Oak Ridge National Laboratory

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

$60 - $90/hr

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 7 days ago


Oak Ridge National Laboratory rating

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 121 rated laboratories


Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate - Research & Development of Advanced Cement and Concrete Technology

Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) is the largest US Department of Energy (DOE) science and energy laboratory, conducting basic and applied research to deliver transformative solutions to compelling problems in energy and security. Within ORNL, theBuilding Envelope Materials Research (BEMR) Group develops and deploys affordable, advanced, and resilient solutions for building envelopes of new construction and retrofits to enable DOE’s energy efficiency goals. Our synergistic research areas include building science, material and system development, and advanced construction. With the support from theU.S. DOE Building Technologies and Industrial Technologies Offices we have the most extensive building envelope research portfolio and manufacturing demonstration facility in the nation. We are seeking to add to our team an energetic and creative postdoctoral research associate.

Major Duties/Responsibilities:

  • Research and develop the next generation of advanced, resilient, and durable cement and concrete technologies for use in construction.
  • Develop experimental setups, conduct experiments, and analyze results.
  • Collaborate in multidisciplinary teams that are composed of ORNL researchers with various backgrounds (e.g., material science, neutron science, chemistry, manufacturing, computing, others).
  • Interact and collaborate with researchers from universities, national laboratories, and private industry.
  • Present research results to ORNL staff, DOE, industry, and academia in the form of invited talks, conference papers, and peer-reviewed journal papers with high impact factors.
  • Assist in the development and preparation of proposals.
  • Ensure compliance with ORNL’s environmental, safety, health, and program requirements.
  • Maintain a strong commitment to the implementation and continuation of ORNL’s values and ethics.
  • Deliver ORNL’s mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace – in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:

  • PhD in chemical engineering, chemistry, mechanical engineering, civil engineering, materials science/engineering or related discipline completed within the last 5 years.
  • Solid academic and research record relevant to science and technology of cementitious materials.
  • Knowledge of analytical characterization techniques and performance testing of cementitious materials.
  • Knowledge on durability evaluation of cementitious materials.
  • Experience setting and conducting laboratory experiments.
  • Excellent oral and written communication skills.
  • Strong interpersonal skills to support team building.
  • Ability to work and demonstrate critical thinking individually and as part of a diverse team.
  • Ability to develop and/or maintain strong relationships with ADD through active participation in professional societies.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.
  • Strong, proven publication record.
  • Self-motivated.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • Expert knowledge of cement chemistry.
  • Experience in materials characterization using advanced analytical tools, such as synchrotron, neutron, and laboratory equipment.
  • Experience in data analytics and modeling tools.

Special Requirements:

Applicants cannot have received their Ph.D. more than five years prior to the date of application and must complete all degree requirements before starting their appointment. The appointment length will be up to 24 months with the potential for extension. Initial appointments and extensions are subject to performance and availability of funding.

  • Security, Credentialing, and Eligbility Requirements:For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.

For foreign national candidates:

If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.

About ORNL:

As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation’s most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.

ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans, and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.

Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.

This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.

We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.


ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

#J-18808-Ljbffr

What Oak Ridge National Laboratory employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom