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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Williammary

Postdoctoral Researcher

Gloucester Point, VA · On-site

$70K/yr

Faculty - Postdoctoral Research Associate (12 months) Worker Sub-Type: Fixed Term (requires end ... Work closely with faculty investigators, research collaborators, graduate students, and visiting ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

The postdoctoral associate will work closely with faculty, graduate students, and external collaborators, and is expected to contribute to technical proposal development, research and development ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Faculty Senior management: College of Science Department: Chemistry Location: Blacksburg ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Faculty Senior management: College of Science Department: Physics Location: Blacksburg ... The successful candidate will join a vibrant group of graduate students, postdoctoral scholars, and ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Postdoctoral Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 535677 Work type: Research Faculty ... researchers Mentoring undergraduate and graduate students Participating in proposal development ...

Virginia Tech

Postdoctoral Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Faculty Senior management: College of Engineering Department: Chemical Engineering ... graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a ...

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How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 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.

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.

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.

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.

Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Physics

Virginia Tech

Blacksburg, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 5 days ago

Virginia Tech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 66 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

229th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Associate/Research Scientist - Physics

Apply now Back to search results Job no: 534453
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: College of Science
Department: Physics
Location: Blacksburg, Virginia
Categories: Research / Scientific

Job Description

The Virginia Tech Physics Department invites applications for one postdoctoral associate/research scientist to work with Dr. Vsevolod Ivanov and Dr. Patrick Huber on the Quantum Sensing of Neutrinos (QuSen) project sponsored by DARPA. The successful candidate will conduct research in the areas of computational physics with the goal to develop a framework for understanding excess energy from defect formation in neutrino detectors. Duties may include supervising and coordinating the work of other researchers and personnel, including graduate and undergraduate students, as well as developing future efforts. The successful candidate will be based in Blacksburg, VA, but may be required to travel for conference presentations and international collaboration.
Successful candidates at the Research Scientist level will have additional responsibilities with mentoring junior group members, as well as assisting the PIs with grant proposals.
The successful candidate will be expected to interact with the broader quantum community at Virginia Tech, which includes the Center for Neutrino Physics, the Virginia Tech Center for Quantum Information Science and Engineering (vtq.vt.edu), the Center of Quantum Architecture and Software Development within the VT Innovation Campus, as well as the Quantum Economic Development Consortium (QED-C), of which Virginia Tech is a member.

Required Qualifications

The successful applicant must hold a Ph.D. in physics, material science, or a related field.
* Strong verbal and written communication skills that are reinforced by active listening skills
* Advanced knowledge of the principles of physics
* Advanced knowledge of the methods and techniques used for research in computational condensed matter physics
* Demonstrated experience of first-principles simulation codes such as VASP, Quantum Espresso, Wien2k or others
* Demonstrated experience with phonon and exciton calculations and related properties
* Research Scientist candidates must have previous postdoctoral research experience

Preferred Qualifications

* Demonstrated knowledge of simulating solid state defects, including formation processes with nudged elastic band, molecular dynamics, or related methods

 

Overtime Status

Exempt: Not eligible for overtime

Appointment Type

Restricted

Salary Information

Commensurate with experience

Hours per week

40 hours - exempt position 

Review Date

10/25/2025

Additional Information

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

About Virginia Tech

Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.

Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance.  These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.

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.

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

Advertised: October 16, 2025
Applications close:

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About Virginia Tech

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Virginia Tech, guided by its motto "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), embraces a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to educate scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. As a comprehensive land-grant institution, it enriches the quality of life in Virginia and worldwide, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. With over 280 majors, the university serves a diverse student body of more than 36,000 across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Virginia Tech's presence extends throughout Virginia, including campuses in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Newport News, and Richmond, along with multiple Extension offices and research centers. As a prominent global research institution, it conducts over $500 million in research annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Blacksburg, VA, US

Year founded

1872

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