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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Washington, DC

NCSU

DRIVES Research Associate

Beltsville, MD · On-site

The Associate will be responsible for database expansion and enhancing interoperability using data ... Mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, disseminating research in publications and ...

Pewtrusts

Research Associate, Science

Washington, DC · Hybrid

$95K/yr

As a Research Associate on the Science and Society team, you'll study how the public understands ... Often includes significant graduate training in statistics and research methods, or equivalent ...

Icon plc

Sr. Clinical Research Associate

Washington, DC

$110K - $138K/yr

Senior Clinical Research Associate - Oncology (Myelofibrosis) - West Region ICON is a global health ... A graduate with a Bachelor's degree in Life Sciences or equivalent, or a qualified RN * Eligible to ...

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Graduate Research Associate information

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How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 28, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Washington, DC is $36.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $29.66 and $41.92 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 Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Washington, DC are:

Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 63% Full Time, 34% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $76,660 per year, or $36.9 per hour.

DRIVES Research Associate

NCSU

Beltsville, MD • On-site

Full-time, Part-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago

North Carolina State University rating

6.8

Company rating: 6.8 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

465th of 625 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Posting Information
Posting Number PG194802EP Internal Recruitment No Working Title DRIVES Research Associate Anticipated Hiring Range Commensurate with experience ($65,000 - $70,000) Work Schedule Monday - Friday, 8 am - 5 pm Job Location Beltsville, MD Department Crop and Soil Sciences About the Department
The Agroecology Lab at NC State works to create more sustainable, resilient, and varied farming systems by:
  • Understanding how varied cropping systems support healthy soil, clean water, and other natural benefits, and reduce the risk of adverse weather
  • Finding practical ways to increase the variety of crops grown on farms
  • Exploring how these practices fit into real-world farming and food systems

Through hands-on research, teaching, and collaboration with students, farmers, and the community, we aim to build a more sustainable and just food future for North Carolina and beyond.
Wolfpack Perks and Benefits
As a Pack member, you belong here, and can enjoy exclusive perks designed to enhance your personal and professional well-being. As you consider this opportunity, we encourage you to review our Employee Value Proposition and learn more about what makes NC State the best place to learn and work for everyone.

What we offer:
  • Medical, Dental, and Vision
  • Flexible Spending Account
  • Retirement Programs
  • Disability Plans
  • Life Insurance
  • Accident Plan
  • Paid Time Off and Other Leave Programs
  • 12 Holidays Each Year
  • Tuition and Academic Assistance
  • And so much more!

Attain Work-life balance with our Childcare benefits, Wellness & Recreation Membership, and Wellness Programs that aim to build a thriving wolfpack community.
Disclaimer: Perks and Benefit eligibility is based on Part-Time or Full-Time Employment status. Eligibility and Employer Sponsored Plans can be found within each of the links offered.
Essential Job Duties
The DRIVES Agroecology Research Associate will work under the supervision of the Agroecology Professor to support the growth of the Agroecology Lab's research program about the impacts of crop diversification. Key responsibilities will include organizing and maintaining the Diverse Rotation Improve Valuable Ecosystem Services (DRIVES) database (drives-network.org) and conducting synthesis research on crop diversification across a range of environmental conditions.
The DRIVES database is a network of data from long-term cropping systems experiments. The Associate will be responsible for database expansion and enhancing interoperability using data dictionaries and controlled vocabularies when including additional variables. They will lead database content development and write code to assess the linkages between rotational diversity and economic performance and soil health. They will prepare publications for peer-reviewed journals and develop partnerships across the long-term cropping systems research community.
Duties include:
Research Data Management & Database Development 
  • Organize, maintain, and expand the Diverse Rotation Improve Valuable Ecosystem Services (DRIVES) database.
  • Enhance database interoperability by developing and implementing data dictionaries and controlled vocabularies.
  • Integrate and validate data from long-term cropping systems experiments across multiple research sites.
  • Ensure data quality, consistency, and accessibility to support collaborative agroecology research.
Research Analysis & Scholarly Publications 
  • Conduct synthesis research evaluating the impacts of crop diversification across diverse environmental conditions.
  • Develop and maintain analytical code to examine relationships between rotational diversity, economic performance, and soil health.
  • Interpret research findings and prepare manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
  • Present research findings and contribute to reports, publications, and other scholarly products.
Collaboration & Research Network Development 
  • Develop and maintain partnerships with collaborators across the long-term cropping systems research community.
  • Coordinate with researchers to facilitate data sharing and database expansion.
  • Participate in project meetings and communicate project progress with internal and external stakeholders.
  • Contribute to advancing the Agroecology Lab's research program through collaborative initiatives.

Position is contingent on availability of funds, potentially 6 months to 1.5 years
Other Responsibilities
  • Mentorship of graduate and undergraduate students, disseminating research in publications and outreach training activities.
  • Communicate with the IT services and maintain the website and the virtual machine.
Qualifications
Minimum Education and Experience
  • Relevant Master's degree, or
  • Relevant Bachelor's and 3 or more years of relevant experience, relevant independent experience and education.
Other Required Qualifications
  • The Research Associate must be a clear communicator, have strong organizational skills, be able to work with diverse individuals, and work independently as needed.
Preferred Qualifications
  • PhD in agronomy, soil science, or ecology,
  • Mastery in R, expertise in addressing spatiotemporal elements of research questions related to crop diversification,
  • Experience working with long-term cropping systems data,
  • Experience handling legacy datasets for organization and analysis, experience with large publicly available datasets,
  • Expertise in Bayesian statistics, experience working with supercomputers.
Required License(s) or Certification(s)
  • N/A
Valid NC Driver's License required No Commercial Driver's License required No
Recruitment Dates and Special Instructions
Job Open Date 08/06/2026 Anticipated Close Date Open Until Filled Special Instructions to Applicants
Please attach a Cover Letter, resume/CV, and contact information for three (3) professional references. 
Position Details
Position Number 00112240 Position Type EPS/SAAO Full Time Equivalent (FTE) (1.0 = 40 hours/week) 1.00 Appointment 12 Month Recurring Mandatory Designation - Adverse Weather Non Mandatory - Adverse Weather Mandatory Designation - Emergency Events Non Mandatory - Emergency Event Department ID 110901 - Crop and Soil Sciences EEO
NC State University is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive equal opportunities for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex (including pregnancy), sexual orientation, and veteran status. The University encourages all qualified applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities, to apply. Individuals with disabilities requiring disability-related accommodations in the application and interview process are welcome to contact 919-513-0574 to speak with a representative of the Office of Equal Opportunity.
If you have general questions about the application process, you may contact Human Resources at (919) 515-2135 or workatncstate@ncsu.edu.
Final candidates are subject to criminal & sex offender background checks. Some vacancies also require credit or motor vehicle checks. Degree(s) must be obtained prior to start date in order to meet qualifications and receive credit.
NC State University participates in E-Verify. Federal law requires all employers to verify the identity and employment eligibility of all persons hired to work in the United States.

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About North Carolina State University

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North Carolina State University (NCSU), located in Raleigh, NC, US, is a leading educational institution with a strong emphasis on research, academics, and public service. Established in 1887, NCSU operates in the education industry and endeavors to foster student success, and promote economic development by providing high-quality, affordable education, and conducting groundbreaking research across a variety of disciplines. With more than 100 majors, its academic offerings range from undergraduates to postgraduates along with doctoral studies - in various fields like engineering, natural resources, humanities, and social sciences. NCSU is firmly anchored on the core values of respect, responsibility, integrity, and innovation. Its mission is to create economic, societal, and intellectual prosperity for the people of North Carolina and the nation.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Raleigh, NC, US

Year founded

1887

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