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Entry Level Social Science Research Jobs in Virginia

US Department of the Air Force

$74K/yr

Examples of specialized experience includes applying economics and quantitative social science methods as well as operations research analysis and models to perform difficult and complex assignments.

US Department of the Air Force

Economist

Dahlgren, VA · On-site

$74K/yr

Examples of specialized experience includes applying economics and quantitative social science methods as well as operations research analysis and models to perform difficult and complex assignments.

U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)

$74K/yr

Examples of specialized experience includes applying economics and quantitative social science methods as well as operations research analysis and models to perform difficult and complex assignments.

US Department of the Air Force

Economist

Alexandria, VA · On-site

$74K/yr

Examples of specialized experience includes applying economics and quantitative social science methods as well as operations research analysis and models to perform difficult and complex assignments.

Alpha Omega Integration

Scientific Data Analyst

Vienna, VA · On-site

$85K - $115K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Knowledge of behavioral and social science research methods. * Experience preparing with research papers or presentations. * Detail oriented and able to create meticulous documentation of variables ...

Varsity Tutors

College Statistics Tutor

Fairfax, VA · Remote

$18 - $40/hr

Emphasizes conceptual understanding of inference and connects statistics to social science research, public health, and business analytics. * Curriculum Awareness & Adaptive Instruction: Familiar ...

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Entry Level Social Science Research information

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$13

$23

$30

How much do entry level social science research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for entry level social science research in Virginia is $23.07, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.39 and $29.23 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What types of projects and tasks can I expect to work on as an entry level social science researcher?

As an entry level social science researcher, you'll typically assist with data collection, literature reviews, and survey administration. You may also help analyze qualitative and quantitative data, prepare reports, and support senior researchers in drafting research proposals. Collaboration is common, so expect to work closely with team members from various backgrounds, including statisticians and subject matter experts. These tasks provide valuable learning opportunities and a strong foundation for advancing your research skills.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an entry level social science researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Entry Level Social Science Researcher, you need a strong foundation in research methodology, data collection, and analytical thinking, often gained through a bachelor's degree in a social science field. Familiarity with statistical software such as SPSS, R, or NVivo and experience with survey platforms and data management systems are commonly required. Effective written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and strong organizational skills set exceptional researchers apart. These skills ensure accurate data analysis, clear reporting, and successful collaboration on research projects.

How do I become an entry level social science researcher?

To become an entry-level social science researcher, typically a bachelor's degree in social sciences, psychology, sociology, or related fields is required. Gaining research experience through internships, developing skills in data analysis and survey methods, and familiarity with research tools like SPSS or NVivo can improve job prospects.

What social science research jobs are in demand?

Entry-level social science research jobs in demand include research assistant positions in academia, government agencies, and non-profit organizations. These roles often require strong analytical skills, proficiency with data analysis tools, and a background in social science disciplines such as sociology, psychology, or political science.

What is an entry level social science research job?

Entry level social science research jobs are positions designed for individuals beginning their careers in the field of social science research. These roles often involve assisting senior researchers with tasks such as data collection, literature reviews, survey administration, data entry, and preliminary data analysis. They provide opportunities to gain hands-on experience with research methodologies, project management, and report writing, while working in academic, government, or private sector organizations. Entry-level roles typically require at least a bachelor’s degree in a related social science discipline such as sociology, psychology, political science, or anthropology.

What are the most commonly searched types of Social Science Research jobs in Virginia?

The most popular types of Social Science Research jobs in Virginia are:

What are popular job titles related to Entry Level Social Science Research jobs in Virginia?

For Entry Level Social Science Research jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Entry Level Social Science Research jobs in Virginia look for?

The top searched job categories for Entry Level Social Science Research jobs in Virginia are:

Entry Level Social Science Research jobs near you
Infographic showing various Entry Level Social Science Research job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 76% Full Time, 19% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,993 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate, Machine Unlearning and Model Editing for AI Biosecurity

University of Virginia

Charlottesville, VA • On-site

$60K - $75K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 29 days ago

University Of Virginia rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 35 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

208th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

About the School
The University of Virginia School of Data Science, the first of its kind in the nation, advances discovery, innovation, and societal impact through collaborative, open, and responsible data science research and education. Founded in 2019, the School brings together expertise across business, computation, engineering, humanities, law, mathematics, social sciences, and statistics to address complex, real-world challenges. Its academic offerings include a B.S. in Data Science, an undergraduate minor, residential and online M.S. in Data Science programs, and a Ph.D. in Data Science, all designed to prepare students for a rapidly evolving data-driven world.
About the Position
This position develops and evaluates machine unlearning and model editing methods that selectively reduce hazardous biological capabilities in AI systems while preserving beneficial scientific functions . The researcher reports to Assistant Professor Tom Hartvigsen and will work closely with other SDS faculty members including Chirag Agarwal , and Stephen Turner, and works with faculty in interpretability and with a laboratory partner that leads adversarial red teaming. The role centers on implementing , innovating, and comparing model editing and unlearning methods , measuring safety - -utility tradeoffs against both benchmarks and realistic task batteries, and leading technical development of an open evaluation suite for AI biosecurity. Strong f amiliarity with biology and biosecurity is important , as the work targets biological capabilities and connects to a human-subjects evaluation running in parallel.
Key Responsibilities
  • Implement and compare machine unlearning and model editing methods, including gradient-based fine-tuning, representation-level edits, and inference-time steering

  • Design and run experiments that measure how interventions affect benchmark scores and real-world task performance, producing safety-utility curves

  • Develop adversarial testing protocols with the laboratory partner, including prompt-based jailbreaks, fine-tuning recovery, and ensemble attacks

  • Lead engineering of the open-source UBS-Bio evaluation suite, including baselines, metrics, and documentation

  • Support interpretability analyses that identify which model representations encode hazardous versus beneficial capabilities

  • Prepare and present manuscripts and publish and maintain reproducible code releases

Minimum Qualifications
  • Doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent) in data science, computer science, machine learning, or a related field, completed at the time of hire

  • Strong programming in Python and hands-on experience with modern ML frameworks such as PyTorch and Hugging Face Transformers

  • Track record of publications in machine learning, natural language processing, and/or biosecurity

  • Demonstrated experience training, finetuning, or post-training for large language models

  • Software engineering practices that support reproducible and reusable research tools

Preferred Qualifications
  • Understanding of biology, biosecurity, or dual-use research considerations

  • Experience with machine unlearning, model editing, or related capability-mitigation methods

  • Experience with mechanistic interpretability or representation analysis

  • Familiarity with adversarial robustness, red-teaming, or jailbreak evaluation

  • Experience releasing and maintaining open-source ML evaluation tooling

  • Familiarity with secure computing environments and controlled-access model arrangements

Anticipated Salary: $60,000 - $75,000 per year
Anticipated Start Date: September 1, 2026
Health and Other Benefits
(visit Health and Other Benefits for additional information)
  • UVA Health Plan: the choice between 3 different health plans

  • Vision Coverage

  • Dental Plan

  • Benefit Savings Plans

  • Life Insurance

  • Disability Benefits

  • Paid Time Off: starting with 22 days of time off per year, 12 or more holidays, 8 weeks parental leave

Education Benefits (visit Education Benefits for additional information)
After six months of employment, full-time and part-time (20+ hours) employees in a benefits-eligible position are offered options of:
  • Use of up to $5250 per calendar year towards a for-credit degree program or for-credit certificate program

  • Use of up to $2000 of the total $5250 noted above per calendar year for professional development including job-related training, conferences, and initial certificate exams.

Position Details
This position will remain open until it is filled. This is a full-time in-person position at the School of Data Science at the University of Virginia in Charlottesville, VA. The initial appointment is for one year; however, the appointment may be renewed for an additional year contingent upon funding and satisfactory performance. This is an exempt level, term-limited (restricted), benefited position.
Application Process
Please apply online , and search for R0084978.
Complete an application online and attach:
Cover letter detailing your interest and relevant experience to this position Resume or CV Two letters of recommendation with contact information
Applications that do not contain all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Internal applicants: Search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website .
References will be completed via direct reach. Please plan to provide at least three references when applying.
A background check is required and will be conducted per university policy prior to the first day of employment.
For questions about the position , contact Associate Professor Stephen D. Turner at sdt5z@virginia.edu .
For questions about the application process, please contact Daniel Strong, Senior Human Resources Recruiter, at das6zb@virginia.edu .
For more information about UVA and the Charlottesville community, please see www.virginia.edu/life/charlottesville and https://embarkcva.com/ .
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities.
MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS
Education: Doctoral degree
Experience: None
Licensure: None
PHYSICAL DEMANDS
This is primarily a sedentary job involving extensive use of desktop computers. The job does occasionally require traveling some distance to attend meetings, and programs.
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment .

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About University of Virginia

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The University of Virginia is distinctive among institutions of higher education. Founded by Thomas Jefferson in 1819, the University sustains the ideal of developing, through education, leaders who are well-prepared to shape the future of the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Charlottesville, VA, US

Year founded

1819

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