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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - West Region ICON is a global healthcare ... A graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or equivalent, or a qualified RN * Eligible to ...

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Graduate Research Associate information

See Arizona salary details

$7

$24

$46

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Arizona is $24.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.74 and $30.34 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Research Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Associate, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies, typically supported by enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly lab equipment or coding languages is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, attention to detail, and time management are critical soft skills for producing high-quality research and collaborating with faculty and peers. These skills are vital for conducting rigorous research, contributing to academic publications, and advancing both individual and institutional research goals.

What are Graduate Research Associates?

Graduate Research Associates are graduate students, often pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, who assist faculty members or research teams with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include collecting and analyzing data, conducting literature reviews, preparing research reports, and sometimes co-authoring publications. These positions help students gain practical research experience and develop skills relevant to their academic and professional careers.

What are some typical challenges Graduate Research Associates face when balancing research responsibilities with coursework or teaching duties?

Graduate Research Associates often juggle multiple commitments, including research, coursework, and sometimes teaching assistantships. Managing time effectively can be challenging, especially when project deadlines and academic requirements overlap. Many associates develop strong organizational and communication skills to handle shifting priorities, and it's common to coordinate closely with advisors to set realistic goals and expectations. Proactively seeking support from peers and utilizing university resources can also help in maintaining a healthy work-life balance.

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

AspectGraduate Research AssociateResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically enrolled in a graduate program; may have a bachelor's degreeUsually holds a bachelor's degree; some roles require a master's
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, or industry R&D departmentsResearch labs, academic settings, or fieldwork environments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, and industry R&D teamsUniversities, government agencies, and private companies

The Graduate Research Associate role generally involves advanced research responsibilities within academic or industry settings and often requires enrollment in a graduate program. Research Assistants typically support research projects with less independent responsibility and may have fewer educational prerequisites. Both roles are essential for research projects but differ mainly in educational status and scope of responsibilities.

What are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Arizona? The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Arizona are:
What cities in Arizona are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs? Cities in Arizona with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Arizona as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,281 per year, or $24.7 per hour.
Postdoctoral Research Associate

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 21 days ago


University Of Arizona rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 67 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

338th of 546 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Posting Number
req24907
Department
UAHS Brain Science
Department Website Link
https://cibs.arizona.edu/
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The laboratory of Dr. Fei Yin in the Center for Innovation in Brain Science (CIBS) and Department of Pharmacology at the University of Arizona is currently seeking a Postdoctoral Research Associate to work on research projects related to mitochondrial function, brain metabolism, and neuroinflammation in Alzheimer's disease and other neurodegenerative diseases. Ongoing research in the Yin lab focuses on investigating the cell type-specific role of mitochondria and mitochondrion-derived signals in the onset and progression of Alzheimer's disease, their interaction with peripheral metabolic organs, as well as the development of novel therapeutics by targeting these pathways. Candidates are expected to have research experience in neuroscience, molecular biology, immunology, or endocrinology, be able to conduct research both independently and collaboratively, and be comfortable and efficient in a fast-paced and growing research environment.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Plan, design, and carry out innovative research projects related to neurodegenerative diseases
  • Perform experiments utilizing molecular, genetic, cellular and imaging approaches in both rodent and cell models.
  • Participate in the development and validation of rodent and cell models for discovery research and therapeutic development.
  • Analyze research data and provide interpretations.
  • Prepare manuscript for publication and assist with grant applications.
  • Present research findings at group meetings, and national and international conferences.
  • Share supervisory responsibility for graduate and undergraduate students.
  • Work collaboratively with other members and laboratories in CIBS.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Demonstrated ability to independently prepare technical reports, graphics and manuscripts.
  • Demonstrated productivity in related field.

Physical Requirements and Environmental Demands:
  • Hazards: Includes a variety of physical conditions, such as proximity to moving mechanical parts, moving vehicles, electrical current, working on scaffolding and high places, or exposure to chemicals in a work setting.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Ph.D. or equivalent degree in Molecular Biology, Cell Biology, Pharmacology, Immunology, Neuroscience or related field

Preferred Qualifications
  • Previous experience in the design, modification and construction of plasmids, vectors and viral deliveries for genetic manipulations in rodent and cell models.
  • Rodent-related experience, including animal model development and maintenance, rodent surgeries and treatment, and behavioral, electrophysiological, and biochemical analyses of rodent models.
  • Previous experience in drug screening and development and human-derived iPSC models.
  • Strong background and research experience in molecular biology and immunology.

FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Gloria Bloomer gbloomer@arizona.edu
Open Date
1/16/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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