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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Worcester, MA

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 ...

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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 Sep 4, 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 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 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, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $67,538 per year, or $32.5 per hour.

Research Associate I

University of Massachusetts Medical School

Worcester, MA • On-site

$40K - $43K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago

Job description

General Summary

Under the direction of the Principal Investigator (PI) or designee, the Research Associate I provides operational support to the laboratory. The Research Associate I will perform research experiments as defined by the PI.

The Alkema laboratory in the Department of Neurobiology at UMass Chan Medical School is seeking a full-time research technician to support studies of neural circuit function, behavior, and interactions between animals and their microbial environment.

Our laboratory uses C. elegans to investigate the molecular and neural coding of gut-brain communication. The technician will contribute to ongoing projects involving behavioral state transitions, neuromodulator release, gastro-intestinal signaling and host–microbe interaction


Responsibilities may include:

• Maintaining C. elegans strains and bacterial cultures

• Performing genetic crosses and phenotypic analyses

• Conducting molecular biology, cloning, PCR, and genotyping

• Generating transgenic strains and genome-edited lines

• Performing fluorescence microscopy and quantitative behavioral assays

• Preparing samples for biochemical or metabolomic analysis

• Maintaining accurate experimental records and laboratory inventories

• Assisting with general laboratory organization • Working with laboratory members to design, conduct, and analyze experiments

You will receive training in C. elegans genetics, microbiology, molecular biology, imaging, and quantitative behavioral analysis.

Depending on experience and interests, the successful applicant will have opportunities to take responsibility for an independent research project and contribute to publications. This position is well suited to someone seeking additional research experience before applying to graduate or professional school, although applicants interested in a longer-term technical position are also encouraged to apply


Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in Biological or Natural Science, or equivalent experience
  • Basic understanding of lab safety and protocols
  • Knowledge of Microsoft Office products
  • Ability to analyze data in a quantitative and objective manner.
  • Ability to work in a team environment

Prefered Qualifications

  • Bachelor’s degree in biology, neuroscience, genetics, microbiology, biochemistry, bioinformatics or a related field.
  • Previous laboratory research experience is preferred.
  • Experience with C. elegans, microbiology, fluorescence microscopy, molecular cloning, or quantitative data analysis

The successful candidate should be reliable, enthusiastic, organized, attentive to detail, and comfortable working both independently and as part of a collaborative research group.


Applicants should submit:

• A brief cover letter describing their research experience, interests, and career goals

• A curriculum vitae or résumé

• Contact information for two or three references

Please submit a cover letter with your formal application addressed to Dr. Mark Alkema

Applications will be reviewed as they are received and will continue until the position is fille


Apply