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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Davis, CA (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Research Associate information

See Davis, CA salary details

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$35

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How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 31, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Davis, CA is $35.17, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $28.32 and $40.00 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 Davis, CA are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Davis, CA with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Davis, CA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 31% Part Time, 2% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $73,160 per year, or $35.2 per hour.

Endowed Chair in Urologic Cancer Research - Associate/Full Professor

UC Davis Health

West Sacramento, CA • On-site

$200K - $400K/yr

Other

Posted 21 days ago


UC Davis Health rating

8.9

Company rating: 8.9 out of 10

Based on 51 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

1st of 896 rated healthcare providers


Job description

AUBURN COMMUNITY CANCER ENDOWED CHAIR IN BASIC SCIENCE

The Department of Urologic Surgery at the University of California, Davis, School of Medicine, is recruiting for a full-time faculty member in the In-Residence series at the Associate or Full Professor rank to be the holder of the Auburn Community Cancer Endowed Chair in Basic Science with expertise in the field of urologic oncology research. Faculty in this series are expected to engage in teaching, independent research and creative work, demonstrate professional competence and activity, and provide University and public service.

The successful candidate will be expected to establish and sustain a nationally recognized research program in the area of urologic cancer. The candidate will not only demonstrate excellence in this research area but also be able to teach courses to a variety of learners. Specific expectations include, but are not limited to:

* Define and lead research projects and secure substantial extramural funding to support research activities

* Design, develop and oversee advanced experimental protocols and translational research strategies

* Disseminate research findings through high-impacted publications, national and international presentations, and collaborative initiatives

* Teach and mentor a diverse group of learners, including medical students, residents, fellows, undergraduate students, graduate students, postgraduate students

* Participate in appropriate professional societies and educational organizations, including taking a leadership role in organizations

* Participate in non-university service such as on research review boards

* Provide service to department, school and campus committees

* Ability to foster collegiality and work collaboratively in a diverse environment

* Ability to adhere to University policies and procedures

This recruitment is conducted at the associate or full professor rank. The resulting hire will be at the associate or full professor rank, regardless of the proposed appointee's qualifications.

Appointments and/or reappointments will follow the established university procedures for endowed chair appointments (APM 191, UCD 191) with annual reporting requirement for the Fund's use.

The endowment payout will provide supplemental support for teaching, research, outreach, and related purposes to the holder's academic excellence and innovative research, as to further the missions of both the Department of Urologic Surgery and the UC Davis Comprehensive Cancer Center.

A reasonable salary estimate for this position is $200,000 - $400,000. This position includes membership in the Health Sciences Compensation Plan.

QUALIFICATIONS

Candidates must possess or be eligible for the following:

* M.D., Ph.D., M.D./Ph.D. or equivalent terminal degree

* A nationally recognized record of research excellence, innovation, and sustained scholarly productivity

* Demonstrated success in developing, securing, and maintaining an extramurally funded prostate cancer research program

* Teaching experience at the undergraduate and graduate level

* Demonstrated ability to communicate and collaborate across disciplines in a complex academic health system

* Preferred expertise in biologically grounded artificial intelligence, computational pathology, multimodal biomedical data, functional disease models, and clinical translation to advance precision health.

* Demonstrated success in bridging basic, translation, and clinical research to impact patient outcomes

* Legally authorized to work in the United States. Sponsorship of a visa for this position will not be offered.

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

For the full position description and to apply, visit https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/JPF07671. This position will remain open until filled.

Qualified applicants should upload a Cover Letter, Curriculum Vitae, Statement of Teaching Accomplishments, Statement of Research, Authorization to Release Information Form, and 3-5 professional contact information.

Please visit the Department of Urologic Surgery at UC Davis to learn more about the department.

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

  • "Misconduct" means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant's previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the employer.

  • UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

  • UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

  • APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

To implement this process, UC Davis requires all applicants for any open search to complete, sign, and upload the form entitled, "Authorization to Release Information" into UC RECRUIT as part of their application. If an applicant does not include the signed authorization with the application materials, the application will be considered incomplete, and as with any incomplete application, will not receive further consideration.

UC Davis is a smoke and tobacco-free campus.

The University of California is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state for federal law.

Under Federal law, the University of California may employ only individuals who are legally able to work in the United States as established by providing documents as specified in the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986. Certain UC Davis positions funded by federal contracts or sub-contracts require the selected candidate to pass an E-Verify check.


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