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Graduate Research Associate information

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$14

$29

$42

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Chattanooga, TN is $29.63, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.85 and $33.70 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 cities near Chattanooga, TN are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Chattanooga, TN with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Chattanooga, TN as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 76% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $61,629 per year, or $29.6 per hour.

Two Tenure-Track Faculty Positions in Quantum Physics, Department of Physics and Astronomy - UT Chat

The University of Tennessee-Chattanooga

Chattanooga, TN • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 9 days ago

Job description

Description
The Department of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Tennessee at Chattanooga (UTC) invites applications for two tenure-track faculty positions in Physics to help build a new interdisciplinary PhD and undergraduate program in Quantum Information Science and Engineering. The positions will be at the Assistant Professor or Associate Professor level, pre-tenure, beginning January 1 or August 1, 2027. One of the tenure-track positions requires a strong experimental background with particular emphasis on quantum sensing and networking, while the other is open to any area of Quantum Information Science that aligns with the needs of the Physics Department (theoretical or experimental).
Senior candidates are encouraged to apply for our Governor's Chair position (separate search). UTC is also in the process of hiring Research Faculty to support our Quantum Center. The UTCQC is an integral part of the rapidly emerging quantum techno-economic ecosystem in Chattanooga that includes the Chattanooga Quantum Collaborative (CQC). UTC's focus is on use-inspired R&D in QISE and on offering QISE educational programs at all levels.
Qualifications
Tenure-Track Position Description:
  • Educational Requirement: A Ph.D. in Physics or a closely related field, completed by the start date.
  • Research Experience: Postdoctoral research experience is strongly preferred.
  • Teaching Experience: Prior teaching experience is advantageous.
  • Assistant or Associate: level at hire is negotiable, based on experience.
  • Teaching: Deliver a broad range of QISE and general physics courses at the undergraduate and graduate level.
  • Research: Establish and maintain a productive research program involving both undergraduate and graduate students. Opportunities for collaboration exist within the campus community, including the UTC Quantum Center, and with external institutions such as Oak Ridge National Laboratory and the CQC.
  • Instructional Modalities: Engage in various teaching methods, including online instruction, to support UTC's strategic goals.

Application Instructions
Application Process:
Applicants must submit a single PDF file electronically through the UTC Faculty Career Site. The PDF file should be named in the format "First name Last name Application" (e.g., Jane Smith Application) and must include:
  • A letter of interest.
  • Current curriculum vitae (include names, titles, and email addresses for three professional references on the last page).
  • Undergraduate and graduate transcripts.
  • A one-page statement of teaching philosophy.
  • A description of research interests, including research opportunities for undergraduate and graduate students (no more than three pages).

Application Deadlines:
Complete applications received by September 8, 2026, will receive full consideration. Review of applications will continue until the positions are filled.
Department Highlights:
  • Faculty Composition: The department comprises 8 faculty members and 3 staff.
  • Student Body: Approximately 30 physics majors enrolled across four academic tracks (Physics, Biophysics, Quantum, and STEM Education).
  • Experiential Learning: Renowned for high-quality undergraduate education and research opportunities and a nationally-recognized chapter in the Society of Physics Students.
  • Quantum Network Infrastructure: UTC is distinguished as the first university globally to have a permanent node on a commercial fiber-optic metro-scale quantum network infrastructure in downtown Chattanooga.

For more information about the department and its programs, please visit the Department of Physics and Astronomy | University of Tennessee at Chattanooga.
For inquiries regarding the position, please contact the department at CHPH@utc.edu.
About the University and the City of Chattanooga:
The University of Tennessee at Chattanooga is in the heart of one of Tennessee's largest and most dynamic cities. As a national model for metropolitan universities, UTC collaborates with its many regional partners to offer an experiential learning environment with outstanding teaching scholars in 128 undergraduate degree programs and 55 graduate programs-at both the master's and doctoral levels. UTC and Chattanooga-nationally recognized for its downtown redevelopment and wealth of outdoor recreation-are inextricably linked, and the University is central to the workforce and economic development efforts of the region and the state.
Colleges of Arts and Sciences; Business; Engineering and Computer Science; Health, Education and Professional Studies; Nursing; and the Honors College are home to an array of award-winning programs from Nursing to Computer Science, Entrepreneurship to Veteran Student Support. Innovation is a strategic focus, and UTC research and development in smart city technology is an industry leader. UTC is the first and only university in the country with access to a managed, commercial quantum computing network, and we are introducing an artificial intelligence initiative involving entities across campus and engaging partners throughout the region.
From our deep ties to the city of Chattanooga to our national reputation for innovation and hands-on learning, UTC stands out as a university where students thrive, faculty inspire, and partnerships create real impact.
Equal Employment Opportunity Statement
The University of Tennessee is an EEO/AA/Title VI/Title IX/Section 504/ADA/ADEA institution in the provision of its education and employment programs and services. All qualified applicants will receive equal consideration for employment without regard to, and will not be discriminated against on the basis of, race, color, national origin, religion, sex, pregnancy, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, age, physical or mental disability, or covered veteran status.
Inquiries and charges of violation of Title VI (race, color, national origin), Title IX (sex), Section 504 (disability), ADA (disability), ADEA (age), sexual orientation, or veteran status should be directed to the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at (423) 425-5824. Requests for accommodation of a disability should be directed to the ADA Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Accessibility at (423) 425-5760.

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