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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Buffalo, NY (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Research Associate information

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How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Buffalo, NY is $31.52, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.38 and $35.87 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 Buffalo, NY?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Buffalo, NY are:

What cities near Buffalo, NY are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Buffalo, NY with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Buffalo, NY 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 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $65,564 per year, or $31.5 per hour.

Postdoctoral Associate in Early Literacy Research and Development

University at Buffalo

Buffalo, NY • On-site

$60K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 21 days ago


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Job description

Posting Details
Position Information
Fiscal Year
2025-2026
Position Title
Postdoctoral Associate in Early Literacy Research and Development
Classification Title
Postdoctoral Associate
Department
Learning and Instruction
Posting Number
R260090
Posting Link
https://www.ubjobs.buffalo.edu/postings/62946
Employer
Research Foundation
Position Type
RF Professional
Job Type
Full-Time
Appointment Term
Salary Grade
E.89
Posting Detail Information
Position Summary
The University at Buffalo (UB), The State University of New York (SUNY), invites applications for a Postdoctoral Associate to join the Center for Early Literacy and Responsible AI (CELaRAI), an Institute of Education Sciences (IES) funded national research and development (R&D) center supported.
CELaRAI (LinkedIn: CELaRAI) is a multi-institutional, interdisciplinary initiative focused on advancing responsible artificial intelligence (AI) for early literacy education,particularly for children in kindergarten through grade 2. CELaRAI brings together researchers across AI, learning sciences, early literacy, and AI ethics to design, study, and scale innovative AI-powered tools that support early literacy development.
The Postdoctoral Associate will support the multidisciplinary R&D project. The position is ideal for a scholar with expertise in early literacy and interest in collaborative research at the intersection of literacy, educational technology, and classroom implementation.
The Postdoctoral Associate will play a central role in coordinating literacy-focused research and development activities, supporting study implementation, collaborating with interdisciplinary partners, and contributing to dissemination products. This position requires strong organizational skills; research expertise; experience assessing and teaching literacy with young children; and the ability to work across research, design, and school partnership contexts.
Primary Responsibilities
The Postdoctoral Associate will:
  • Coordinate day-to-day literacy-related research and development activities for the project
  • Support the design and refinement of literacy tasks, prompts, scaffolds, and instructional supports related to decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and comprehension
  • Assist with the design and implementation of research studies in school and classroom settings
  • Coordinate data collection, organization, and management across project activities
  • Conduct or support qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed-methods data analysis
  • Prepare research materials, protocols, summaries, and project documentation
  • Supervise and support graduate and undergraduate research assistants, as needed
  • Collaborate with faculty and interdisciplinary project team members across literacy, learning sciences, and technology-related areas
  • Participate in regular project meetings, planning sessions, and cross-team coordination
  • Contribute to manuscripts, conference presentations, technical reports, grant proposals, and other dissemination products
  • Support communication and relationship-building with school and community partners
  • Assist with iterative design and refinement processes based on classroom feedback, user data, and research findings

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities
Successful candidates will demonstrate:
  • Strong understanding of early literacy development and evidence-based instruction
  • Ability to translate literacy research into developmentally appropriate research and design recommendations
  • Ability to work independently while also contributing effectively to collaborative team-based work
  • Attention to detail and the ability to maintain high-quality research documentation
  • Commitment to equity-oriented and community-responsive research and development

Expected Contributions
The Postdoctoral Associate will contribute to a dynamic project designed to improve literacy outcomes for young children through research-based innovation. The position offers opportunities for scholarship, interdisciplinary collaboration, mentorship, and participation in large-scale project development and dissemination.
Learn more:
  • Our benefits, where we prioritize your well-being and success to enhance every aspect of your life.
  • Being a part of the University at Buffalo community.

This position is based on grant funding and will be reviewed year to year up to 3 years.
Minimum Qualifications
Applicants must have:
  • An earned doctorate by 8/1/26 in literacy or reading education, child development, early childhood education, learning sciences, or another closely related field, with specific expertise in early literacy
  • Demonstrated expertise in early literacy development, assessment, and instruction, especially in one or more of the following areas: decoding, fluency, vocabulary, and/or comprehension
  • Experience conducting education or literacy research in schools, classrooms, or other applied learning settings
  • Experience with qualitative, quantitative, and/or mixed-methods research design, data collection, and analysis
  • Evidence of scholarly writing and dissemination, such as peer-reviewed publications, reports, dissertations, or conference presentations
  • Strong organizational skills, including the ability to manage multiple tasks, timelines, and collaborative projects
  • Strong written, oral, and interpersonal communication skills
  • Ability to work effectively and collaboratively with faculty, teachers, school partners, and research assistants

Preferred Qualifications
Preference may be given to candidates with:
  • Experience in K-2 literacy research, instruction, and/or intervention design
  • Experience with design-based research, iterative development, improvement science, and/or user-centered design
  • Experience supporting teacher professional learning, instructional coaching, and/or classroom implementation of interventions
  • Experience supervising graduate or undergraduate research assistants
  • Experience with educational technology, AI-supported learning tools, speech/language data, and/or digital literacy research
  • Experience working with multilingual learners, low-income students, and/or historically underserved student populations
  • Experience collaborating on interdisciplinary research teams.

Our University Community
Physical Demands
Driving Requirements
This position does not drive a university owned vehicle
Salary Range
$60,000 - $65,000
Additional Salary Information
The salary range reflects our good faith and reasonable estimate of the possible compensation at the time of posting, the role and associated responsibilities, and the experience, education, and training of the selected candidate.
Work Hours
8:30am - 5:00 pm Monday - Friday, may involve some evenings or weekends occasionally, and traveling to local schools or to the CELaRAI subaward sites (e.g., North Carolina).
Campus
As Assigned
Posting Alerts
Special Instructions Summary
Applicants should submit:
  • Cover letter describing qualifications, research interests, and fit with CELaRAI
  • Curriculum vitae
  • One or two representative publications

Is a background check required for this posting?
Yes
Background Check Notification
Employment in this position will be contingent on the university's verification of credentials and any other information required by federal or state law, and University at Buffalo policies, including the completion of a criminal history check.
Contact Information
Contact's Name
Dr. X Christine Wang
Contact's Pronouns
Contact's Title
Professor and Search Committee Chair
Contact's Email
wangxc@buffalo.edu
Contact's Phone
716-645-4056
Posting Dates
Posted
06/16/2026
Deadline for applicants
Open Until Filled
Date to be filled
08/01/2026
References
Number of references required
3
Reference Cutoff Date
Instructions to Applicant

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