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Graduate Research Assistant Jobs in Oak Ridge, TN

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Adjunct Faculty - Art

Harriman, TN · On-site

Instruction/Research Assistant Institution: Roane State Community College Department: Humanities ... Minimum Qualifications Master's degree with 18 graduate semester hours in Art. Cover letter, Resume ...

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Senior Clinical Research Associate

Knoxville, TN · On-site +1

Document site progress and escalate risks or issues to the clinical team * Assist in tracking site ... A graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or equivalent, or a qualified RN * Eligible to ...

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How much do graduate research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 26, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research assistant in Oak Ridge, TN is $18.48, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.23 and $22.07 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research assistant?

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) are graduate students who work under the supervision of faculty members to assist with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include data collection, literature reviews, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and helping to prepare research publications or presentations. These positions often provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study and may offer a stipend or tuition waiver as compensation. GRAs play a crucial role in advancing university research while developing skills for future academic or professional careers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a graduate research assistant?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Assistant, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies. Proficiency with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly laboratory equipment is often required. Excellent organization, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set candidates apart in collaborative research environments. These skills are essential for producing high-quality research, meeting project deadlines, and contributing effectively to academic teams.

What challenges do graduate research assistants face when balancing research projects with coursework?

Graduate Research Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities, including research tasks, coursework, and sometimes teaching duties. Time management is a frequent challenge, as research projects may have unpredictable workloads or urgent deadlines that overlap with academic requirements. Clear communication with your advisor and setting realistic expectations can help manage these demands. Many assistants find that developing strong organizational skills and seeking support from peers or mentors aids in maintaining a healthy balance between research and academic obligations.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Assistant vs Research Intern?

AspectGraduate Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsGraduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) often requiredUndergraduate or graduate students, less formal credentials needed
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institution, often part of a universityResearch labs, industry, or academic settings, usually temporary
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesCorporations, research firms, academic labs

In summary, a Graduate Research Assistant typically holds a graduate degree and works within academic or research institutions, focusing on long-term research projects. In contrast, a Research Intern is often a student or early-career individual gaining practical experience, usually on a temporary basis in various research settings.

Can you be a graduate research assistant with a master's degree?

Yes, a master's degree is often sufficient to qualify for a graduate research assistant position, which typically requires strong research skills, familiarity with relevant tools, and academic coursework. Some positions may prefer or require additional qualifications such as a related bachelor's degree or specific technical expertise.

Is being a graduate research assistant worth it?

A graduate research assistant role provides valuable research experience, skills in data analysis and academic writing, and networking opportunities within a university environment. However, it often involves low pay and a demanding schedule, so its worth depends on individual career goals and financial needs.
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What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Oak Ridge, TN?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

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The top searched job categories for Graduate Research Assistant jobs in Oak Ridge, TN are:

What cities near Oak Ridge, TN are hiring for Graduate Research Assistant jobs?

Cities near Oak Ridge, TN with the most Graduate Research Assistant job openings:

Graduate Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Assistant job openings in Oak Ridge, TN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $38,433 per year, or $18.5 per hour.

Electrical Engineering and Computer Science - Research Assistant/Associate/Full Professor

Knoxville, TN • On-site

The University of Tennessee Knoxville

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 59 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

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Learn more about The University of Tennessee Knoxvilleexternal

Full-time

Re-posted 14 days ago

Job description

Description
The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute (UT-ORII) is seeking highly qualified research faculty candidates at any rank in the areas of computer engineering and computer science. The successful candidate will contribute to an interdisciplinary collaboration focused on building construction to improve affordability, productivity, energy efficiency, and resilience. The candidate will be part of the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction Convergent Research Initiative (Buildings CRI). Potential research interests include, but are not limited to:
  • Research on applying computer vision, machine learning, and sensor fusion to automatically detect, classify, and localize defects, improving the scalability and reliability of building inspection.
  • Research on 3D reconstruction methods to generate as-built building models for the detection of dimensional deviations, installation errors, or design compliance issues.
  • Research into using robotics for automated, repeatable, and efficient inspection of buildings, including navigation, sensing, multi-robot coordination, data acquisition, and inspection-report automation.
  • Research on decision-support systems that integrate heterogeneous building data, enabling analytics, anomaly detection, compliance checking, predictive maintenance, and automated QA/QC workflows.

This position will be associated with the UT-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute's Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction Convergent Research Initiative (Buildings CRI), a collaboration between Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL) and the University of Tennessee. The Buildings CRI aims to transform the building industry through cutting-edge research in robotics, automation, advanced materials, and streamlined construction processes. At full strength, the Buildings CRI will recruit ~20 new investigators at ORNL and the University of Tennessee, Knoxville (UTK). The Buildings CRI supports its interdisciplinary researchers by offering networking opportunities with fellow researchers and construction-sector stakeholders, facilitating collaborative experiments and proposal development, providing mentorship from senior CRI researchers, and offering tailored professional development.
Roles and Responsibilities
The successful candidate will be expected to:
  • Develop a nationally and internationally recognized research program with interdisciplinary connections across the CRI network at UT and ORNL.
  • Contribute building and construction expertise to collaborative studies on the transition of the building construction industry.
  • Interface with UT-ORII programs to support the UT-ORII Buildings CRI's mission and goals.
  • Build partnerships and collaborations through the Office of Research Innovation and Economic Development (ORIED), Institute for Energy and Environment (IEE) gateway, Institute for a Secure and Sustainable Environment, the Tickle College of Engineering, the School of Architecture, the UT Institute of Agriculture, and current and future partners.

As a UT-ORII research faculty member, the successful candidate will collaborate with designated UT departments and researchers, as well as ORNL researchers, to address current and future affordability, productivity, energy efficiency, and resilience requirements for buildings. This includes conducting research, preparing and submitting proposals, supporting existing research projects, and mentoring graduate and undergraduate students.
Qualifications
  • PhD or terminal degree in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field.
  • A track record of publishing and seeking funding.
  • Collaborative research experience in areas supporting UT-ORII's Buildings CRI mission.
  • Demonstrated research track record supporting the candidate's potential to establish a nationally and internationally recognized research program aligned with UT-ORII's mission and goals.
  • A clear path to independence as a researcher is desired, though collaboration with more senior investigators is also encouraged.
  • Strong communication skills and the ability to work collaboratively in a team environment.
  • This position requires the ability to obtain a site-access badge for Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Additional Information
  • This is a 12-month, non-tenure track position.
  • The appointment will be with the University of Tennessee, Knoxville.
  • The primary work location for this position is on the University of Tennessee campus in Knoxville and may include visits to collaborator sites at ORNL and UTK.
  • The position will be implemented as an initial three-year contract with full salary support for the first year, followed by a gradual increase in expected external salary funding in subsequent years.
  • The applicant will be expected to recruit graduate students by year three.
  • A competitive startup package, including funds for graduate students and equipment, will be offered.
  • Salary and title/rank will be determined commensurate with experience.
  • Benefits will be consistent with those of exempt employees at the University of Tennessee.
  • The candidate must be eligible for initial clearance at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

Application Instructions
Application materials must be submitted to Interfolio at https://apply.interfolio.com/178934
Application reviews will begin immediately and will continue until the position is filled.
Applications must include:
  • a letter of interest
  • a comprehensive curriculum vitae
  • research plan
  • 3 Professional References including names, addresses, and telephone numbers
More About UT-ORII
The University of Tennessee-Oak Ridge Innovation Institute was launched by the University of Tennessee and Oak Ridge National Laboratory in 2021, in response to America's need for a stronger pool of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics, and increasingly life science talent.
UT-ORII is leveraging UT and ORNL's best capabilities and resources to accelerate collaborative discovery, innovation, and interdisciplinary graduate education; and to prepare the next generation of talent in areas of critical importance to the nation and the State of Tennessee. The institute's current research areas include Clean Manufacturing and Advanced Materials, Energy Storage and Transportation, Radiopharmaceutical Therapies, Circular Bioeconomy Systems, and Advanced Manufacturing for Affordable Building Construction. To learn more about UT-ORII, visit utorii.com.
More About UT Knoxville
UT Knoxville, which includes the UT Space Institute and the UT Institute of Agriculture, serves the state by educating its citizens, enhancing its culture, and making a difference in people's lives through research and service. It embodies excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, creative activity, outreach, and engagement. To learn more about UT Knoxville, visit UTK.edu.
More About ORNL
Leveraging the talents of its world-class researchers and exceptional support staff, Oak Ridge National Laboratory is helping solve critical scientific and technical challenges and, in so doing, creating economic opportunity for the nation.
ORNL provides access to unique facilities, laboratories, and equipment, drawing thousands of visiting researchers each year. To learn more about ORNL visit https://www.ornl.gov.
For questions, please contact Prof. Hairong Qi (hqi@utk.edu) or Prof. Mingzhou Jin (jin@utk.edu).

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