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Graduate Student Research Assistant Jobs in Reston, VA

Research Assistant

Fairfax, VA · On-site

$21.49 - $35.03/hr

Tuition and Student Loan Assistance : offering up to $5,250 per year in education assistance and up ... Research Assistant The Research Assistant assists in the collection, validation and entry of data ...

Research Assistant

Fairfax, VA

$19.75 - $27/hr

Tuition and Student Loan Assistance : offering up to $5,250 per year in education assistance and up ... Research Assistant The Research Assistant assists in the collection, validation and entry of data ...

Senior Research Assistant

Reston, VA · On-site

$20.25 - $28/hr

Supervise or mentor junior research assistants, interns, or students. * Assistwith participant recruitment and data collection where applicable. Required Qualifications * Bachelor's or Master'sdegree ...

The Research Assistant conducts research across HIAS's programmatic areas, including HIAS research ... This position will interact with faculty, staff, students, and internal and external contacts.

The Research Assistant supports ongoing research projects by performing literature reviews ... students, and trainees, and promote adherence to established research protocols and quality ...

The purpose of CASA is to enhance the academic experience for SPH students and to assist them in ... Higher education research projects to assist staff with support current projects as needed

Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$40K - $47K/yr

The Research Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator within ... Undergraduate Student in Biology Compliance Salary Range Disclosure $40,000-$47,000

Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$21.75 - $30/hr

Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and Project Manager, the Research Assistant I ... Master's degree or doctoral student preferred. 1-3 years of research experience is required.

Showing results 21-40

Graduate Student Research Assistant information

See Reston, VA salary details

$7

$17

$25

How much do graduate student research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate student research assistant in Reston, VA is $17.24, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $15.24 and $19.28 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a graduate student research assistant?

To thrive as a Graduate Student Research Assistant, you need strong analytical abilities, subject-specific knowledge, and enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with research software, data analysis tools (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), and academic databases is typically required. Excellent time management, communication, and problem-solving skills help you collaborate effectively and balance research with academic responsibilities. These skills are crucial for producing high-quality research, contributing to academic projects, and advancing your academic career.

How much do graduate student research assistants make in the US?

Graduate student research assistants in the US typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, with annual stipends ranging from $20,000 to $35,000 depending on the institution, field, and experience. Many positions also include tuition waivers and benefits, and work schedules often involve part-time hours during academic terms.

What is a graduate student research assistant?

Graduate Student Research Assistants are graduate-level students who assist faculty or principal investigators in conducting research projects, often as part of their academic training. Their duties may include data collection, analysis, literature reviews, laboratory work, and preparing reports or presentations. These positions provide valuable hands-on research experience and may be funded through grants or university programs. Typically, Graduate Student Research Assistants work part-time while pursuing their graduate degrees, contributing to both their professional development and the progress of the research project.

How does a graduate student research assistant typically collaborate with faculty and other researchers in a university setting?

Graduate Student Research Assistants often work closely with faculty members, postdoctoral researchers, and other graduate students. They may participate in regular lab meetings, contribute to group discussions, and assist in designing and conducting experiments or data analysis. Collaboration is key, as assistants are frequently expected to share findings, provide feedback on others' work, and sometimes co-author papers or presentations. This teamwork not only enhances the research itself but also provides valuable mentorship and networking opportunities for career development.

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

AspectGraduate Student Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsEnrolled graduate student, relevant coursework or degreeUndergraduate or graduate student, often less specialized
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, university settings, ongoing research projectsResearch labs, industry settings, short-term projects
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, academic research institutionsCorporations, research firms, industry R&D
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic research roles, career developmentIndustry experience, internship opportunities

The main difference is that Graduate Student Research Assistants are enrolled students working on academic research projects within universities, often as part of their degree requirements. Research Interns are typically students or early-career individuals gaining industry experience through short-term internships. While both roles involve research tasks, the setting, credentials, and career focus differ.

Is being a graduate student research assistant good for grad school?

Being a graduate student research assistant provides valuable experience in research methods, data analysis, and academic collaboration, which can strengthen a graduate student's skills and resume. It also offers networking opportunities and often provides financial support through stipends or tuition waivers, benefiting overall graduate school success.

Can graduate students be research assistants?

Yes, graduate students commonly serve as research assistants in academic settings, supporting faculty with research projects, data analysis, and lab work. These positions often require relevant coursework, strong research skills, and sometimes specific certifications or tools, and they typically offer part-time schedules alongside coursework.
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Library and Research Intern (Graduate Student)

AARP

Washington, DC • On-site

$28/hr

Internship

This job post has expired today. Applications are no longer accepted.


AARP rating

7.9

Company rating: 7.9 out of 10

Based on 6 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

139th of 771 rated non-profit organizations


Job description

Overview
AARP is the nation's largest nonprofit, nonpartisan organization dedicated to empowering people 50 and older to choose how they live as they age. With a nationwide presence, AARP strengthens communities and advocates for what matters most to the more than 100 million Americans 50-plus and their families: health and financial security, and personal fulfillment. AARP also works for individuals in the marketplace by sparking new solutions and allowing carefully chosen, high-quality products and services to carry the AARP name. As a trusted source for news and information, AARP produces the nation's largest-circulation publications, AARP The Magazine and the AARP Bulletin.
AARP's Policy, Research and International Affairs leads the development and communication of AARP's public policies and, research and insights on the issues that matter to people 50-plus.
The AARP Library & Strategic Services team seeks a master's-level graduate student who is pursuing a master's in library science, to intern with our dynamic group focused on research, insights, synthesis, innovation, personal growth, and emerging technologies. This internship provides hands-on opportunities to conduct, interpret, and synthesize secondary research using licensed databases and internal research and is best suited for a student pursuing a career in reference services. You'll also gain practical experience designing and building SharePoint web pages and build valuable technical services skills.
Throughout the internship, we will challenge you to think creatively and work innovatively on real-world projects. By the end of the experience, you will have developed a strong foundation that prepares you for a range of career paths within the library and information field. AARP is committed to your growth and to cultivating your continued learning and professional development. This paid internship is anticipated to begin in Summer 2026 and continue through the end of the year, with a possible extension into 2027. Finalist must be available to work from AARP's Headquarters in Washington, DC. Local candidates are preferred.
Responsibilities
  • Synthesize research findings from AARP's collection of resources, including primary and secondary research, surveys, consumer and market research databases, academic journals, etc
  • Analyze and write up findings and insights; apply innovative thinking and problem-solving; utilize approved AI research tools
  • Conduct literature reviews and market scans for stakeholders throughout the association, and perform company due diligence and people vetting
  • Support technical services activities, including collection development, database management, building web pages, promoting library events, and programming via internal channels
  • Proactively distribute research from a collection of resources to internal stakeholders, including contributing relevant research to issue area newsletters enterprise-wide
  • Provide face-to-face interactions at the Library's Reference Desk and monitor and provide timely responses via the library's internal communication channels to help manage project intake
  • Manage several projects simultaneously and answer ad-hoc research requests as assigned; assist in managing special projects and marketing internal library events
  • Explore and demonstrate emerging technologies in the AARP Library collection, such as virtual reality (VR) technology, and AI capabilities within research and knowledge management tools

Qualifications
  • Prospective intern must be enrolled in a Master's-level program in Library and Information Science college or university in the DC, Maryland or Virginia area, and remain academically enrolled throughout the internship
  • Availability to work on-site at the National Office located in downtown Washington, DC is required. Local students are preferred. (We observe Monday and Friday as teleworking days, with Tuesday-Thursday in the office)
  • Experience with research databases (eg, ProQuest, Westlaw, EBSCOhost, LexisNexis)
  • Excellent written, oral communication, and critical thinking skills, and the ability to synthesize research findings
  • Ability to identify, analyze, and creatively solve problems, with strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and a curiosity to learn more about reference services
  • Ability to work independently and collaboratively as a member of the team
  • Ability to handle multiple tasks simultaneously and shift priorities as directed
  • A strong commitment to providing outstanding customer service
  • Advanced computer skills, including Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, Outlook)

AARP will not sponsor an employment visa for this position at this time.
Additional Requirements
  • Regular and reliable job attendance
  • Exhibit respect and understanding of others to maintain professional relationships
  • In office/open office environment with the ability to work effectively surrounded by moderate noise

Hybrid Work Environment
AARP observes Mondays and Fridays as remote workdays, except for essential functions. Remote work can only be done within the United States and its territories.
Compensation and Benefits
The hourly range is $18.40 for undergraduates, $21 for graduate students, and $28 for Ph.D. candidates. Internships are non-exempt positions and are not eligible for employee benefits.
Equal Employment Opportunity
AARP is an equal opportunity employer committed to hiring a diverse workforce and sustaining an inclusive culture. AARP does not discriminate on the basis of race, ethnicity, religion, sex, color, national origin, age, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, mental or physical disability, genetic information, veteran status, or on any other basis prohibited by applicable law.

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