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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Arizona (NOW HIRING)

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Clinical Research Associate II

Phoenix, AZ

$91K - $114K/yr

Clinical Research Associate - Oncology - West Region ICON is a global healthcare intelligence and ... 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

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$7

$24

$46

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 15, 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:
Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
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 (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Electrical and Computer Engineering)

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Posted 29 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

345th of 555 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate (Electrical and Computer Engineering)
Posting Number
req24681
Department
Electrical and Computer Engr
Department Website Link
https://ece.engineering.arizona.edu/
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) Department at the University of Arizona is seeking a qualified and highly motivated Postdoctoral Research Associate with background on AI and machine learning for wireless networking and communications.
The successful candidate will work under the direction of Dr. Marwan Krunz, Director of the Wireless Communications and Networking (WICON) Lab, at the University of Arizona. The laboratory is actively involved in various projects related to wireless communications, networking, and security, with particular emphasis on resource allocation strategies, distributed protocol design, and security. The incumbent will contribute to various projects on NextGen/5G systems.
The laboratory has been involved in projects related to 5G cellular systems, mmWave protocols (beamforming, initial access, phased antenna arrays, wireless backhauling, etc.), cognitive/agile radios, dynamic and shared spectrum access, harmonious coexistence of heterogeneous wireless systems, full-duplex transmissions, ultra-low-latency mobile edge computing (MEC), network slicing, physical-layer wireless security, satellite communications, MIMO systems, energy management in wireless sensor networks, and streaming over wireless links.
We invite qualified candidates to join our group and participate in cutting-edge research related to these topics.
This position is eligible for J-1 visa sponsorship.
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
  • Conduct research on generative AI /ML, including application of generative adversarial and diffusion models for synthesis of 5G/6G coverage maps, channel characterization, medical imaging, and RF signal synthesis.
  • Study new reinforcement learning and DQN designs for beam tracking and management in mobile systems.
  • Investigate spectrum sharing over unlicensed and licensed bands.
  • Study the coexistence between active and passive systems.
  • Interact with industry partners, participate in and support various projects within the WISPER center.
  • Attend WISPER meetings.
  • Foster collaborations within the Department, with other units across the University, and with team members at other institutes.
  • Present research at national and international conferences.
  • Prepare manuscripts for publication in peer-reviewed journals.
  • Participate in grant writing, including generating preliminary data, submitting grant applications, and preparing progress reports.
  • Team up with other members of the WICON group to write joint papers for presentation at top-tier conferences and publication in high-quality archived journals.
  • Assist Dr. Krunz with mentoring graduate students.
  • Additional duties as assigned.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
  • Expert knowledge of AI and ML techniques, including but not limited to GANs, autoencoders, and diffusion models.
  • Some knowledge of wireless communications systems and Physical-layer security, including RF signal classification and wireless protocols (5G, LTE, and Wi-Fi).
  • Strong analysis skills, research, and technical writing skills.
  • Ability to communicate professionally in a clear, concise manner orally and in writing.

Minimum Qualifications
  • PhD degree in Electrical Engineering, Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, or a related field of study.
  • Selected applicant must have PhD conferred upon hire.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with wireless simulation tools (e.g., LabView, Matlab Toolboxes).
  • Experience with RF experimentations (e.g., USRP radios).
  • Experience with 5G cellular systems, LTE, and Wi-Fi protocols.
  • Experience with proposal writing and grant reporting.

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 Postdoc Salary Scale, 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
1/26/2026
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Dr. Marwan Krunz
krunz@arizona.edu
Open Date
12/5/2025
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Cover Letter: Should clearly indicate how your skills and professional employment experience meet the Minimum and the Preferred qualifications (if applicable).
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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