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How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 20, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Tucson, AZ is $30.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.76 and $35.00 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 are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Tucson, AZ?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Tucson, AZ are:

What cities near Tucson, AZ are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Tucson, AZ with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Tucson, AZ as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 100% In-person job distribution, with an average salary of $63,995 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

University Of Arizona rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

363rd of 620 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Posting Number
req26711
Department
Elec Comp & Sftwr Engr Sch of
Department Website Link
ece.engineering.arizona.edu
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ECE) is accepting applications for a Postdoctoral Research Associate. The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research in quantum error correction and fault-tolerant quantum computing in collaboration with the faculty supervisor and members of the research group. The research focuses on applying coding theory to develop innovative fault-tolerance protocols that support scalable quantum computing architectures.
In addition to leading and contributing to research projects, the successful candidate will assist in developing competitive grant proposals, preparing technical reports and scholarly publications, and presenting research findings at national and international conferences.
The position also includes teaching and mentoring responsibilities. The successful candidate will support the supervisor's instructional activities, mentor undergraduate and graduate students within the research group, and contribute to a collaborative research environment.
While the position requires regular in-person interactions with the supervisor and the research group, it has flexibility in the work hours and hybrid work days based on circumstances and discussions with the supervisor. As long as this does not compromise the goals of the position and the quality of work, they are acceptable.
Visa sponsorship is not available for this position.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, vision, and life insurance; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more!
The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Research Excellence: Conduct high-quality research on the application of coding theory to develop novel fault tolerance protocols for scalable quantum architectures. This includes strong collaborations with other groups involved in the projects and requires good communication and writing skills.
  • Teaching Contributions: Assist the supervisor with teaching courses and mentoring the students in the research group. This includes reviewing paper drafts and providing feedback, building self-confidence in the students, and helping to navigate technical and logistical challenges in their academic and research pursuits.
  • Grant Writing: Develop novel grant proposals, document project reports, travel and present at conferences. This includes identifying new opportunities, keeping track of deadlines, and coordination skills.

Knowledge, Skills, and Abilities (KSAs):
  • Ability to conduct independent research.
  • Adapt to new technical research topics within quantum error correction and fault tolerance.
  • Ability to balance technical depth and the big picture of the research problems and physical quantum architectures.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively both within and outside the research group.
  • Strong writing and communication skills for research, mentoring and teaching.

Minimum Qualifications
  • Ph.D. upon hire in mathematics, engineering, computer science or related fields with a focus on classical and quantum coding theory.
  • Prior experience with teaching courses.

Preferred Qualifications
FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
11/9/2026
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Narayanan Rengaswamy,
Assistant Professor,
narayananr@arizona.edu
Open Date
8/4/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Resume, Cover Letter, and Four Additional Documents
Special Instructions to Applicant
Required documents:
  • Cover Letter
  • CV
  • 3 letters of recommendation highlighting the research and teaching capabilities of the candidate.
  • The writing sample must be a published journal paper.

Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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