1

Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Utah (NOW HIRING)

Post Doc Fellow w/Ret

Salt Lake City, UT

$47K - $64K/yr

... Research Associate to join a growing portfolio of projects focused on infant and early childhood ... Develop mentoring, and supervision skills through collaboration with undergraduate and graduate ...

... Research Associate to join a growing portfolio of projects focused on infant and early childhood ... Develop mentoring, and supervision skills through collaboration with undergraduate and graduate ...

Coordinate with Business Service Center (BSC) to hire graduate research/teaching assistants and ... Four years of experience; or an associate degree/technical training plus two years of experience ...

Coordinate with Business Service Center (BSC) to hire graduate research/teaching assistants and ... Four years of experience; or an associate degree/technical training plus two years of experience ...

next page

Showing results 1-20

Graduate Research Associate information

See Utah salary details

$7

$22

$43

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Utah is $22.91, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.48 and $28.19 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.

Is being a graduate research associate worth it?

A graduate research associate role involves conducting research under supervision, often in academic or laboratory settings, and can provide valuable experience for careers in academia, industry, or further study. The position typically offers a stipend or salary, opportunities to develop technical skills, and networking connections, making it a worthwhile step for those pursuing research-oriented careers.

Do I need a PhD to be a graduate research associate?

A graduate research associate position typically requires at least a master's degree in a relevant field; a PhD is not usually required but may be preferred for advanced research roles. The specific educational requirements depend on the employer and the level of research involved. Skills in research methods, data analysis, and relevant tools are also important for this role.

What is a graduate research associate?

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 Utah? The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Utah are:
What cities in Utah are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs? Cities in Utah with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Utah as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,655 per year, or $22.9 per hour.

Clinical Research Associates (CRA)

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • On-site

$65K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 28 days ago


University Of Utah rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 159 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

382nd of 617 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Announcement
Details
Open Date
07/14/2026
Requisition Number
PRN45648B
Job Title
Clinical Research Associates (CRA)
Working Title
Research Associate
Career Progression Track
P00
Track Level
P3 - Career
FLSA Code
Administrative
Patient Sensitive Job Code?
No
Standard Hours per Week
40
Full Time or Part Time?
Full Time
Shift
Day
Work Schedule Summary
Monday - Friday
VP Area
U of U Health - Academics
Department
00269 - Orthopedic Surgery Operations
Location
Campus
City
Salt Lake City, UT
Type of Recruitment
External Posting
Pay Rate Range
$65,000
Close Date
10/14/2026
Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time)
Job Summary
The Research Associate supports the laboratory's research mission through leadership of research studies, development of competitive grant proposals, scholarly dissemination of findings, and mentorship of students and research personnel. This position provides expertise in biomechanics, motion analysis, computational modeling, and statistical methods while contributing to the laboratory's scientific productivity and long-term research objectives.
Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu
Responsibilities
Research Leadership
  • Lead study design, data collection, and statistical analysis activities for ongoing research projects.
  • Serve as a primary scientific contributor to the development and submission of a NIH R01, including generation and analysis of preliminary and pilot data.
  • Assist in the preparation, writing, and submission of peer-reviewed manuscripts.
  • Spearhead dissemination of research findings through scientific publications, presentations, and reports.
  • Collaborate with investigators and research partners to develop innovative research questions and methodologies.

Research Compliance
  • Maintain compliance with Institutional Review Board (IRB) requirements through study documentation, protocol management, continuing reviews, amendments, and report preparation.
  • Ensure accurate and complete documentation of research procedures and study records.
  • Support adherence to institutional, sponsor, and regulatory requirements for human subjects research.
  • Technical Responsibilities
  • Validate and verify research algorithms, analytical methods, and software tools.
  • Develop and maintain shared laboratory code, software workflows, and standard operating procedures (SOPs).
  • Develop biomechanical and computational models of human joints and musculoskeletal systems.
  • Collect, process, and analyze motion capture and related biomechanical datasets.
  • Implement and improve data processing pipelines and analytical workflows to support laboratory research objectives.

Mentorship and Training
  • Train and mentor students, staff, and trainees in image processing, biomechanical analysis, motion capture methods, and MATLAB-based workflows.
  • Provide technical guidance and support on laboratory software, coding practices, and data analysis techniques.
  • Promote best practices in data management, reproducible research, and scientific computing.
  • Assist in the professional development of undergraduate, graduate, and research personnel.

Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).
Clinical Research Associate (CRA), III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
Preferences
Type
Benefited Staff
Special Instructions Summary
Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah Non-Discrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu
https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/ This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

What University Of Utah employees say

Pay

Benefits

Hours and flexibility

Workplace

Get the full story on Breakroom


University of Utah logo

About University of Utah

Sourced by ZipRecruiter

The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Salt Lake City, UT, US

Year founded

1850