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Graduate Research Associate Jobs in Worcester, MA

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Graduate Research Associate information

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$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:

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.

Senior Associate Director of Experiential Learning

Brandeis University

Waltham, MA โ€ข On-site

$120 - $160/hr

Other

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

About the Role

Weโ€™re seeking a Senior Associate Director of Experiential Learning to help lead the transformation of experiential learning at Brandeis. This newly created role offers the opportunity to shape a university-wide initiative from the ground up, establishing standards, scalable processes, strategic partnerships, and defining how experiential learning is delivered across the university. The position will serve undergraduate and graduate students across all five schools.

ResponsibilitiesProgram Development and External Partnerships (50%)

Build and grow Brandeisโ€™s portfolio of experiential learning opportunitiesโ€”internships, research partnerships, fellowships, and community-engaged workโ€”across all five schools. Set the standards for what qualifies as an endorsed experience, including the universityโ€™s new second transcript. Partner with Career Programs and Employer Relations to develop employerโ€‘led projects, alumniโ€‘connected experiences, and giftโ€‘funded initiatives.

Operations, Systems, and Student Access (30%)

Design and maintain a student platform for experiential learning opportunities in partnership with University IT. Keep the opportunity catalog accurate and easy for students and advisors to navigate. Standardize how the university documents highโ€‘impact experiences and work with studentโ€‘facing teams on the resources students need to find and use them.

Assessment and Data (10%)

Build and maintain a framework for tracking participation, program quality, and outcomes in partnership with the Centerโ€™s data team. Use that data to evaluate impact and contribute to universityโ€‘level reporting on experiential learning.

Team Leadership (10%)

Supervise and develop one assistant director. Represent the experiential learning function across the university, working with faculty, IT, career counseling staff, deans, and senior leadership.

Qualifications
  • Bachelorโ€™s degree required, Masterโ€™s preferred.
  • Five to eight years of progressively responsible experience in experiential learning, internship programs, career services, or a closely related field.
  • A track record of building programs and processes.
  • Strong relationshipโ€‘building skills across employers, faculty, donors, students, IT colleagues, and senior university leadership, with a record of turning those relationships into active, sustained partnerships.
  • Sound operational judgment and the ability to move work forward in a complex, multiโ€‘stakeholder environment.
  • At least one year of supervisory experience managing professional staff.
  • Clear, direct communication skills, in writing and in person, with the presence to represent the Center credibly across a wide range of audiences.
Nice to Have
  • Masterโ€™s degree in higher education administration, student affairs, counseling, or a related field.
  • Experience navigating a complex, decentralized, multiโ€‘school university environment.
  • Experience with Handshake, Salesforce, Workday, or similar platforms.
  • Working knowledge of CPT/OPT and international student work authorization.
  • Familiarity with experiential learning credentialing frameworks, coโ€‘curricular records, or similar models for documenting student experiences.
  • Experience working with donors or development colleagues on endowed programs, named fellowships, or giftโ€‘funded initiatives.
Pay Range Disclosure

The Universityโ€™s pay ranges represent a good faith estimate of what Brandeis reasonably expects to pay for a position at the time of posting. The pay offered to a selected candidate during hiring will be based on factors such as (but not limited to) the scope and responsibilities of the position, the candidateโ€™s work experience and education/training, internal peer equity, and applicable legal requirements.

Reporting

Reports to: Executive Director of External Engagement. Direct reports: One assistant director.

Why Brandeis?

Brandeis University is making a significant investment in experiential learning as part of its vision for the future of liberal arts education. Students are already participating in exceptional internships, research, communityโ€‘engaged learning, and applied projects across the university. The next step is building a coordinated, universityโ€‘wide ecosystem that expands access to highโ€‘quality experiential learning, strengthens partnerships across the university, and makes these opportunities a defined and recognized part of every Brandeis studentโ€™s education.

Equal Opportunity Statement

Brandeis University is an equal opportunity employer which does not discriminate against any applicant or employee on the basis of race, color, ancestry, religious creed, gender identity and expression, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, pregnancy, age, genetic information, disability, caste, military or veteran status or any other category protected by law (also known as membership in a "protected class").

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