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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 534727 Work type: Research Faculty ... Required Qualifications Graduate degree in biology, health sciences, biochemistry, exercise ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 537382 Work type: Research Faculty ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 537246 Work type: Research Faculty ... The incumbent will collaborate with industry partners, faculty, graduate students, and research ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 537240 Work type: Research Faculty ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536733 Work type: Research Faculty ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 537481 Work type: Research Faculty ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate - ECE

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate - ECE Apply now Back to search results Job no: 536454 Work type: Research ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

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All JobsGraduate Research Associate JobsGraduate Research Associate Jobs in Virginia

Graduate Research Associate information

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How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Virginia is $24.70, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.77 and $30.39 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 Virginia?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Virginia are:

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,369 per year, or $24.7 per hour.

Research Associate

The Chronicle Of Higher Education, Inc.

Roanoke, VA • On-site

$50 - $70/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago

Job description

Job Description

The Lessard Laboratory is seeking an enthusiastic and motivated research associate to work on laboratory studies related to exercise physiology, nutrition, metabolism, and diabetes. The lab is located within the Center for Exercise Medicine Research (CEMR) in the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute (FBRI) in Roanoke, Virginia. The successful candidate will work on NIH‑funded research projects to determine how exercise training, in combination with dietary and pharmacological therapies, influence health and metabolism.

The primary responsibilities of this position will be to manage and supervise various experimental protocols including tissue culture systems, mouse husbandry and physiology, and molecular biology assays. The research associate will also spend significant time and effort on general lab maintenance and organization. The successful candidate should be detail oriented and highly organized with excellent communication skills. Additional duties include data management and analysis, and training/supervising new research staff and students. Benefits of this position include gaining high‑level research experience, authorship on scientific publications, and working in a collaborative and intellectually stimulating environment. This is an excellent position for candidates with previous research lab management experience who wish to pursue a career in medical research.

Required Qualifications
  • Graduate degree in biology, health sciences, biochemistry, exercise physiology, or another related field
  • Demonstrated research and lab management experience
  • Demonstrated organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Demonstrated ability and desire to succeed in a fast‑paced research environment with multiple concurrent duties
  • Excellent communication skills
  • Experience working with aseptic technique and tissue culture
  • Knowledge and training in biochemistry and molecular biology
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience supervising undergraduate and graduate research students
  • Proficiency in various molecular biology techniques including Western blotting, PCR, and immunofluorescence
  • Experience working with and handling live mice
  • Experience with mouse metabolic testing including glucose tolerance testing, indirect calorimetry, body composition measurement, and exercise testing
  • Knowledge and/or experience in exercise physiology, metabolism, or diabetes research

Overtime Status: Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type: Restricted

Salary Information: Commensurate with experience

Hours per week: 40+

Review Date: 11/21/2025

Additional Information: The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.

If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Brittany Shelton at sheltb@vtc.vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.

Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.

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