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Graduate Research Intern Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Design Research Intern

Niles, IL · Hybrid

$23 - $43/hr

The twelve-week program is offered to undergraduate and graduate students. We offer internships ... The Design Research Intern will work with cross-functional team members, conducting research ...

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Graduate Research Intern information

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How much do graduate research intern jobs pay per month?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average monthly pay for graduate research intern in the United States is $6,439.50, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $4,416.67 and $7,666.67 per month, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research intern?

A Graduate Research Intern is a graduate student who temporarily works in a research setting, such as a university lab, private company, or government agency, to gain practical experience in their field of study. Their primary role is to assist with ongoing research projects, conduct experiments, analyze data, and sometimes contribute to scholarly publications. This internship helps students apply theoretical knowledge from their coursework to real-world research challenges, build professional networks, and enhance their academic and career prospects. Graduate Research Internships are typically short-term and may be paid or unpaid, depending on the institution and funding.

What are some common challenges faced by graduate research interns, and how can they be effectively managed?

Graduate Research Interns often encounter challenges such as adapting to new research methodologies, balancing multiple tasks under tight deadlines, and navigating the expectations of both academic and industry mentors. Effective communication with supervisors and proactive time management are key to overcoming these hurdles. Building strong relationships with team members and seeking feedback regularly can also help interns develop their skills and contribute meaningfully to research projects.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate research intern, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Intern, you need strong analytical abilities, research methodology knowledge, and typically enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), literature review tools, and sometimes laboratory equipment is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, adaptability, and teamwork are valuable soft skills for collaborating on research projects and presenting findings. These competencies ensure effective contribution to research objectives, high-quality results, and professional development in academic or industry settings.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Intern vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate Research InternResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled in or recent graduate of a relevant graduate programUndergraduate or graduate student, often with relevant coursework
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, research institutions, universitiesUniversities, research centers, sometimes industry
Employer & Industry UsagePrimarily academic and research institutionsUniversities, government agencies, private research firms
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding internship roles for graduate studentsClarifying research support roles in academic settings

The main difference is that Graduate Research Interns are typically enrolled in or recent graduates of graduate programs, focusing on gaining research experience during their studies. Research Assistants may be undergraduate or graduate students supporting ongoing research projects. Interns often have structured programs with specific learning objectives, while Research Assistants usually work more regularly within academic research teams.

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Infographic showing various Graduate Research Intern job openings in the United States as of September 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 88% Full Time, 9% Part Time, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 79% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 18% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $77,274 per year, or $37.2 per hour.

Graduate R&D Intern - Materials Science

Cranberry Township, PA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Graduate R&D Intern in Materials Science at MSA Safety

Are you someone who is passionate, motivated, and driven to make a difference? If so, MSA Safety is the perfect fit for your career. At MSA, SAFETY is who we are AND it is what we do. We are a purpose-driven company committed to deploying innovation and technology to deliver on our Mission to help protect people and assets all around the world. We continue to be relentless in our pursuit of solving our customers greatest problems so they can go home safe each and every day. Are you in? Read on for more details about this particular role.

MSA Safety's Materials Science team is looking for an engaged and inquisitive team member with a passion for materials science and continuous improvement. If you like materials and technology, have a customer-focused mindset, and are imaginative, creative, and hands-on, we want to hear from you! As a Graduate R&D Intern in Materials Science at MSA Safety, you will support the design and development of the next generation of safety equipment. This challenging but exciting work helps to keep people safe in the most dangerous environments, and ultimately safeguards workers and their communities.

In this role, you will:

  • Apply technical expertise and instrumental analysis to troubleshoot and resolve a broad variety of materials-related product, production, and/or sourcing challenges.
  • Support the continuous improvement of MSA product performance in demanding, real-world applications through materials-related investigations.
  • Coordinate and perform exploratory destructive and non-destructive testing on product samples to better understand expected mechanical, thermal, and chemical performance.
  • Utilize in-house analytical equipment to support engineering conclusions and recommendations.
  • Analyze and interpret data, making recommendations on next steps.
  • Capture technical decision-making in reports and presentations that are appropriate for broad technical audiences.
  • Keep informed of relevant material innovations and trends that could enable the next generation of safety equipment.
  • Research relevant new materials, conduct probing experiments into feasibility, and share results with engineering leadership and product development teams.

This role is an extended internship opportunity (i.e. 9 months - 1 year) for students currently pursuing and/or recently completed an advanced graduate degree in Materials Science and Engineering.

This role is right for you if:

  • You can commit to a continuous extended internship (i.e. 9 months - 1 year duration).
  • You want your work to be meaningful.
  • You are eager to learn and adaptable.
  • You like your work to be dynamic and varied from day-to-day.
  • You enjoy working within global teams and with a diverse group of peers, whose experience may range from interns to PhD-level experts.
  • You have a solid technical foundation in material properties and behaviors.
  • You have a deep understanding of mechanical, chemical, and thermal material properties, and how they relate to material failure and part design.
  • You are interested in a broad range of material domains, including thermoplastics/polymers, polymeric coatings, metals, and/or composites.
  • You have experience working with a variety of analytical instruments, such as FTIR, GC-MS, DSC, XRF, XRD, and/or SEM.
  • You have strong interpersonal and communication skills.
  • You have demonstrated the ability to manage your time across multiple simultaneous projects.

Nice-to-have skills and experiences include:

  • Experience with Atlassian Confluence & JIRA, Microsoft 365, Miro, Minitab, PowerBI
  • Experience in applying Design for Six Sigma (DFSS) principles and/or inferential statistics
  • Education required: Currently pursuing and/or successful completion of an advanced graduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) in Materials Science and Engineering