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Graduate Research Assistant Jobs in Rochester, MI

General Motors

Design Release Engineer

Pontiac, MI · Hybrid

$40 - $45.75/hr

... Graduate Research Assistant, or related role. OR Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field, and three (3) years of experience as a ...

General Motors

Design Release Engineer

Pontiac, MI · On-site

$40 - $45.75/hr

... Graduate Research Assistant, or related role. OR Master's degree in Mechanical Engineering, Electrical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, or related field, and three (3) years of experience as a ...

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All JobsGraduate Research JobsGraduate Research Assistant JobsGraduate Research Assistant Jobs in Rochester, MI

Graduate Research Assistant information

See Rochester, MI salary details

$5

$17

$28

How much do graduate research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research assistant in Rochester, MI is $17.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.70 and $21.25 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

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 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 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 does a graduate research assistant do?

A graduate research assistant supports faculty or research teams by conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, reviewing literature, and preparing reports or presentations. They often work in laboratories or academic settings, using specialized tools and methods relevant to their field of study. This role typically requires strong research skills, attention to detail, and familiarity with relevant software or equipment.

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 coursework in the field. Some positions may prefer or require additional qualifications such as a related bachelor's degree or specific certifications.

Is being a graduate research assistant worth it?

A graduate research assistant position provides valuable research experience, skills in data analysis and academic writing, and networking opportunities within a university environment. However, it often involves a low stipend and requires balancing work with coursework, so its worth depends on individual career goals and financial needs.
More about Graduate Research Assistant jobs
What job categories do people searching Graduate Research Assistant jobs in Rochester, MI look for? The top searched job categories for Graduate Research Assistant jobs in Rochester, MI are:
What cities near Rochester, MI are hiring for Graduate Research Assistant jobs? Cities near Rochester, MI with the most Graduate Research Assistant job openings:
Graduate Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Assistant job openings in Rochester, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, 2% Contract, and 1% Nights. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $37,002 per year, or $17.8 per hour.

Research Assistant Grade II/III

Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute

Detroit, MI • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 2 days ago

Job description

As the Research Assistant (RA Grade I-III), you will play a key role in supporting advanced cell culture and organoid-based research within NGNRI's Cell Culture and Organoid Facility. This position is open to candidates at varying experience levels, with responsibilities tailored accordingly. The successful candidate will begin with hands-on training in a Henry Ford Health laboratory, gaining experience in stem cell culture, organoid systems, and experimental workflows. You will then transition to NGNRI to help establish and operate its in-house organoid platform. This is an opportunity to contribute directly to high-impact research, supporting the delivery of robust, reproducible experimental systems that drive discovery and therapeutic development.
About the role
  • Perform routine and advanced mammalian cell culture, including maintenance of primary cells, stem cells, and derived cell types
  • Support generation, maintenance, and characterization of organoids and related 3D culture systems
  • Execute experimental protocols under supervision, including differentiation, treatment, and assay workflows
  • Maintain accurate and detailed laboratory records in accordance with NGNRI standards
  • Assist in optimization and standardization of protocols to improve reproducibility and scalability
  • Prepare reagents, media, and materials required for experiments
  • Perform basic quality control procedures (e.g., cell viability, contamination monitoring, morphological assessment)
  • Support implementation of laboratory organization, inventory management, and equipment maintenance
  • Collaborate with other platform teams (e.g., screening, genome engineering) as needed
  • Adhere to all biosafety, regulatory, and ethical guidelines

During initial assignment at Henry Ford Health:
  • Participate in structured, hands-on training in organoid and stem cell methodologies
  • Learn and apply best practices in experimental design, execution, and documentation
  • Work closely with HFH scientists and staff to gain proficiency in relevant technologies
  • Demonstrate progressive independence and technical competency over the training period

About you
  • High integrity and commitment to rigorous scientific standards
  • Eager to learn and develop new technical skills
  • Reliable, organized, and detail-oriented
  • Collaborative and team-oriented mindset
  • Adaptable and responsive to feedback
  • Motivated by contributing to meaningful biomedical research

Preferred Qualifications
RA Grade II (Intermediate):
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree with 1-3+ years of relevant laboratory experience
  • Minimum of 2 years hands-on experience with mammalian cell culture
  • Familiarity with sterile technique and basic cell-based assays
  • Ability to execute experiments with moderate independence

RA Grade III (Advanced):
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree with 3-5+ years of relevant experience
  • Proven experience with stem cell culture, organoids, or complex in vitro systems
  • Ability to troubleshoot experiments and optimize protocols
  • Demonstrated capability to work independently and support junior staff

All Levels:
  • Strong attention to detail and commitment to reproducibility
  • Maintain excellent organization and meticulous documentation of experimental procedures and results
  • Proficiency in both spoken and written English communication
  • Effective communication and teamwork abilities
  • Willingness to work in a dynamic, fast-paced research environment

What you'll get
Our team members fuel our strategy, innovation and growth, so we ensure the health and well-being of not just you, but your family, too! We go above and beyond to give you the support you need on an individual level and offer all sorts of ways to help you live your best life. We are proud to offer eligible team members perks and health benefits that will help you have peace of mind. Simply put: We've got your back. Check out our full list of Benefits and Perks.
About us
The Nick Gilbert Neurofibromatosis Research Institute (NGNRI) is a nonprofit organization focused on developing treatments and cures for Neurofibromatosis type 1 (NF1) and other neurological disorders and cancers with significant unmet need. Backed by the Gilbert Family Foundation and created in partnership with Michigan State University (MSU) and Henry Ford Health (HFH), NGNRI brings together leading scientific and clinical expertise to accelerate translational discovery.
Located within a new, state-of-the-art research facility in midtown Detroit, NGNRI offers a highly collaborative environment alongside MSU and HFH. The institute is equipped with advanced platforms-including organoid and stem cell models, AI-driven analysis, FACS, and CRISPR technologies-and provides access to extensive shared core facilities.
NGNRI supports both in-house researchers and visiting scientists, creating a dynamic, mission-driven ecosystem designed to advance innovation and deliver impact in an underserved field. As part of Detroit's rapidly growing medical research campus, NGNRI offers a unique opportunity to contribute to cutting-edge science within a vibrant and expanding hub.
This job description is an outline of the primary responsibilities of this position and may be modified at the discretion of the company at any time. Decisions related to employment are not based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, physical or mental disability, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, military or veteran status or any other characteristic protected by state or federal law. The company provides reasonable accommodations to qualified individuals with disabilities in accordance with applicable state and federal laws. Applicants requiring reasonable accommodations in completing the application and/or participating in the application process should contact a member of the Human Resources team, at Careers@Rocket.com.

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