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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Indianapolis, IN

Schmidt Associates

Graduate Architect

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

Graduate Architect Schmidt Associates is a prominent multi-state architecture and engineering firm ... research, and community facilities. We empower our clients by offering strategic facility and ...

Bose McKinney & Evans LLP

Associate

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$100 - $125/hr

Position requires superior communication, advocacy, drafting, writing, research and analytical ... Graduate in top 20% of reputable and accredited law school.* Although not limited to candidates ...

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All JobsGraduate Research Associate JobsGraduate Research Associate Jobs in Indianapolis, IN

Graduate Research Associate information

See Indianapolis, IN salary details

$15

$31

$44

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Indianapolis, IN is $31.10, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $25.05 and $35.38 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 Indianapolis, IN?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Indianapolis, IN are:

What cities near Indianapolis, IN are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Indianapolis, IN with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Indianapolis, IN as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,698 per year, or $31.1 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI-Driven Software & Systems Research

Purdue University

Indianapolis, IN • On-site

$50K - $60K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago

Key responsibilities

  • Conduct research aligned with ISC's strategic directions in AI-driven software and systems.

  • Publish research findings in top-tier conferences and journals.

  • Collaborate with faculty, students, and industry partners on research initiatives.

Purdue University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 136 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

316th of 631 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate - AI-Driven Software & Systems Research
City: Indianapolis
Job Description:
Overview
Postdoctoral Research Associate Positions
AI-Driven Software & Systems Research
The newly established Intelligent Software & Systems Center (ISC) in the College of Engineering at Purdue University invites applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate position in the broad area of AI-driven software and systems research. These are highly collaborative positions offering the opportunity to help shape a new interdisciplinary research center at one of the nation's leading engineering institutions.
The appointments are expected to begin in Fall 2026 and are initially for 2 years, with possible extension depending on performance and funding availability.
VISION
Position Purdue as a national leader in AI-driven software and systems research spanning edge computing, cloud and distributed systems, high-performance computing (HPC), autonomous software infrastructures, and AI-enabled engineering systems.
RESEARCH AREAS
Area 1 - AI for Programming Systems
Research topics include AI-assisted compilation and optimization, intelligent runtime systems, code generation and transformation, HPC, parallel and distributed computing, compiler infrastructures, heterogeneous systems, and autonomous system optimization.
Desired expertise includes compilers, runtime systems, programming languages, HPC, systems for AI/ML, performance optimization, and distributed systems.
Area 2 - AI for Software Engineering
Research topics include AI-assisted software development, intelligent software architecture and design, automated testing and verification, code generation and repair, DevOps and deployment
automation, software maintenance and evolution, software reliability and security, and self-adaptive software systems.
Desired expertise includes software engineering, AI for SE, software architecture, testing and QA, DevOps, software security, software analytics, program analysis, and automated software engineering.
About ISC
ISC is a newly founded research center within the College of Engineering at Purdue University. The center aims to pioneer the next generation of intelligent software systems that are adaptive, efficient, trustworthy, and capable of continuous self-improvement.
ISC will serve as a cross-disciplinary hub connecting researchers in Electrical and Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Industrial Engineering, Artificial Intelligence, High-Performance Computing, and related areas to accelerate innovation in intelligent software technologies.
Responsibilities
• Conduct cutting-edge research aligned with ISC's strategic directions
• Publish in top-tier conferences and journals
• Collaborate with faculty, students, and industry partners
• Contribute to interdisciplinary research initiatives
• Help coordinate research activities and community-building efforts within ISC
• Assist with proposal development and collaborative projects
• Mentor graduate and undergraduate students
Compensation and Benefits
• Competitive salary: $50,000-$60,000/year plus benefits
• Full Purdue employee benefits package
• Professional travel support for conferences and collaborations
• Access to Purdue's advanced computing and research infrastructure
• Opportunities for collaboration across Purdue's West Lafayette and Indianapolis campuses
Location
The position spans Purdue's two rapidly growing Indiana campuses:
West Lafayette, Indiana - Home to Purdue's flagship campus and internationally recognized engineering and computing programs.
Indianapolis, Indiana - A vibrant urban innovation hub with strong connections to industry, healthcare, advanced manufacturing, and technology ecosystems.
Postdoctoral researchers will have workspace access at both locations and may choose one campus as their primary workplace while collaborating regularly with researchers at the other campus.
Qualifications
Applicants should have:
• A Ph.D. in Computer Science, Computer Engineering, Electrical Engineering, or a closely related field by the start date
• Strong publication record or demonstrated research potential
• Excellent communication and collaboration skills
• Ability to work in interdisciplinary environments
Application Materials
Interested applicants should submit:
1. Curriculum Vitae (CV)
2. Research statement
3. Representative publications
4. Contact information for 2-3 references
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the positions are filled.
For inquiries, please contact: Xipeng Shen (shen810@purdue.edu)

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