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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Worcester, MA

Vistera Inc

Senior Scientist, Research

Waltham, MA · On-site

$152K - $183K/yr

... graduate research experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting. Prior experience ... A proven track record of working in a dynamic team of scientists, early-career research associates ...

Vistera Inc

Senior Scientist, Research

Waltham, MA · On-site

$107K - $136K/yr

... graduate research experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting. Prior experience ... A proven track record of working in a dynamic team of scientists, early-career research associates ...

Visterra

Senior Scientist, Research

Waltham, MA · On-site

$107K - $136K/yr

... graduate research experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting. Prior experience ... A proven track record of working in a dynamic team of scientists, early-career research associates ...

Visterra

Senior Scientist, Research

Waltham, MA · On-site

... graduate research experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting. Prior experience ... A proven track record of working in a dynamic team of scientists, early-career research associates ...

Worcester Polytech

Post Doctoral Fellow

Worcester, MA · On-site

$55K - $60K/yr

The research associate is expected to work under Prof. Rong R. Wang's supervision and will focus on ... Collaborate with faculty, graduate students, and external research partners in an interdisciplinary ...

Assumption University

Associate Provost

Worcester, MA · On-site

... graduate students. With an average class size of 18, students study under the close mentorship of ... Institutional Research. 4. Provides oversight of faculty recruitment, hiring, and evaluation ...

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All JobsGraduate Research Associate JobsGraduate Research Associate Jobs in Worcester, MA

Graduate Research Associate information

See Worcester, MA salary details

$16

$32

$46

How much do graduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research associate in Worcester, MA is $32.47, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.15 and $36.92 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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.

Is being a graduate research associate worth it?

A graduate research associate role involves conducting research under supervision, often in academic or laboratory settings, and can provide valuable experience for careers in academia, industry, or further study. The position typically offers a stipend or salary, opportunities to develop technical skills, and networking connections, making it a worthwhile step for those pursuing research-oriented careers.

Do I need a PhD to be a graduate research associate?

A graduate research associate position typically requires at least a master's degree in a relevant field; a PhD is not usually required but may be preferred for advanced research roles. The specific educational requirements depend on the employer and the level of research involved. Skills in research methods, data analysis, and relevant tools are also important for this role.

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 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 Worcester, MA?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Worcester, MA are:

What cities near Worcester, MA are hiring for Graduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Worcester, MA with the most Graduate Research Associate job openings:

Graduate Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Associate job openings in Worcester, MA as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,538 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Senior Scientist, Research

Vistera Inc

Waltham, MA • On-site

$152K - $183K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 7 days ago

Job description

Summary
Visterra, Inc. is seeking to hire a Senior Scientist with strong expertise in immunology and a deep understanding of immune-related diseases, along with broad experience in the discovery and development of antibody-based therapeutics.
This individual will play a key role in drug discovery programs by conceiving, developing, and implementing assays to support the discovery and validation of therapeutic antibody candidates. The successful candidate will be a collaborative team player, an effective manager, a critical thinker, and a clear communicator. The ideal candidate will have an advanced degree (Ph.D. or equivalent) in immunology, biology, biochemistry, or a related field, along with a minimum of 3 years of post-graduate research experience in a biotechnology or pharmaceutical setting. Prior experience managing early-career research scientists is required.
This is a full-time, on-site position located at Visterra's headquarters in Waltham, MA.
Responsibilities
  • Design and execute experiments involving immunization strategies, antibody library generation, antibody engineering, and in vitro/in vivo characterization of antibody-antigen interactions.
  • Provide scientific leadership on project-based team, advancing therapeutic programs from conception through pre-clinical studies.
  • Effectively contributes to project strategy development by demonstrating a strong understanding of target biology and aligning experimental approaches with overall program goals.
  • Independently and critically analyze scientific results, troubleshoot methods, and conceive creative solutions and workflows to address challenges.
  • Document, analyze and interpret data for internal decision making, publications, presentations, patents and regulatory filings.
  • Develop research plans and manage multiple workflows and
  • Manage activities at contract research organizations (CROs).
  • Maintain expertise in the field by staying current to relevant literature and attending relevant conferences.

Requirements
  • A Ph.D. or equivalent advanced degree in Immunology, Biochemistry, Biology, Biotechnology, or a related field, with a minimum of three years of post-graduate research experience in the biotechnology or pharmaceutical industry.
  • Experience working with immune-related diseases, with a strong understanding of disease biology relevant to therapeutic development.
  • Expertise in antibody discovery, including protein engineering, expression and purification, and automation of screening and characterization workflows.
  • Skilled in designing and executing in vitro and in vivo studies to investigate disease biology and assess efficacy, PK, PD, and mechanism of action of drug candidates.
  • Strong data analysis skills, with the ability to interpret complex experimental results and draw meaningful conclusions.
  • Excellent scientific communication skills, both written and oral, including the ability to clearly present data and concepts in meetings, reports, and publications.
  • Self-motivated and capable of independent work in a laboratory setting, while also contributing effectively to collaborative team environments.

Other Qualifications
  • Experience with antibody discovery platforms, such as phage display, yeast display, and next-generation sequencing (NGS), as well as antibody binding characterization techniques such as biolayer interferometry (BLI) and surface plasmon resonance (SPR).
  • Experience with flow cytometry (FACS) and a range of immunological techniques, such as ELISA, multiplex cytokine assays, and immune cell profiling.
  • Experience with high-throughput automation technologies, such as a Tecan liquid handling robot.
  • A proven track record of working in a dynamic team of scientists, early-career research associates

Company
Visterra is a clinical stage biotechnology company committed to developing innovative antibody-based therapies for the treatment of patients with kidney, immune-mediated and other hard-to-treat diseases. Our proprietary technology platform enables the design and engineering of precision antibody-based product candidates that specifically bind to, and modulate, key disease targets. Applying this technology to disease targets that are not adequately addressed by traditional therapeutic approaches, we are developing a robust pipeline of novel therapies for patients with unmet needs. Visterra's pipeline has multiple clinical-stage assets and one approved therapeutic, sibeprenlimab.
As a member of the Otsuka family of companies, we are uniquely positioned as a small, dynamic, nimble and innovative organization where individuals and teams are empowered to make big impacts - while benefiting from the support, strength, stability and long-term perspective of a 100-year-old global company. Visterra has approximately 105 employees and is located in Waltham, Massachusetts.
Visterra provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.

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