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Phd Graduate Researcher Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Seeking a PhD graduate in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, Mechanical Engineering, or a ... The successful candidate will conduct cutting-edge research at the intersection of large language ...

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Phd Graduate Researcher information

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$30K

$113.1K

$164.5K

How much do phd graduate researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd graduate researcher in the United States is $113,102.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $67,000.00 and $154,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD graduate researcher?

PhD Graduate Researchers are advanced students enrolled in doctoral programs who conduct original research as part of their studies. Their work often involves designing experiments, analyzing data, publishing scholarly articles, and contributing new knowledge to their academic field. In addition to research, they may also assist with teaching or mentoring undergraduate students. Their ultimate goal is to complete a dissertation and earn a PhD degree, preparing them for careers in academia, industry, or research-focused roles.

What skills and qualifications are needed to thrive as a PhD graduate researcher?

To thrive as a PhD Graduate Researcher, you need advanced subject matter expertise, strong analytical skills, and experience in designing and conducting independent research, typically demonstrated by enrollment in a doctoral program. Familiarity with research methodologies, academic databases, data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), and sometimes laboratory equipment is critical. Outstanding problem-solving abilities, perseverance, and effective communication—both written and verbal—set successful researchers apart. These skills and qualities are essential for producing original research, navigating complex challenges, and contributing meaningful knowledge to your academic field.

What are common challenges faced by a PhD graduate researcher, and how can they be managed effectively?

PhD Graduate Researchers often encounter challenges such as managing long-term projects with uncertain outcomes, balancing research with coursework or teaching responsibilities, and overcoming periods of low motivation or research setbacks. Effective time management, regular communication with advisors, and actively seeking feedback from peers can help address these challenges. Additionally, building a supportive network within your research group and attending academic workshops or conferences can provide valuable resources and motivation throughout your PhD journey.

What is the difference between Phd Graduate Researcher vs Postdoctoral Researcher?

AspectPhd Graduate ResearcherPostdoctoral Researcher
Required CredentialsPhD candidate or recent PhD graduatePhD degree completed
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, research institutions, universitiesResearch labs, academic institutions, industry collaborations
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesUniversities, research institutes, industry R&D departments
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding entry-level research roles after PhDClarifying post-PhD career stages and responsibilities

In summary, a Phd Graduate Researcher is typically a student or recent graduate engaged in research projects, often within academic settings. A Postdoctoral Researcher has completed their PhD and focuses on advanced research, often leading projects and preparing for academic or industry careers. Both roles involve research but differ mainly in experience level and career stage.

What cities are hiring for Phd Graduate Researcher jobs?

Cities with the most Phd Graduate Researcher job openings:

What states have the most Phd Graduate Researcher jobs?

States with the most job openings for Phd Graduate Researcher jobs include:

What are popular job titles related to Phd Graduate Researcher jobs?

For Phd Graduate Researcher jobs, the most frequently searched job titles are:

PhD Graduate Research Assistant BME

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Old Dominion University
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 1 - 5K employees

Other

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


Old Dominion University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Fully funded PhD Graduate Research Assistantship at Old Dominion University (ODU).

This position must be filled urgently for Fall 2026; therefore, we are looking only for U.S. citizens and permanent residents.


Join a translational research team led by Prof. Colunga Biancatelli in building machine-learning-powered digital twins for regenerative medicine on a modern Google Cloud / Vertex AI stack. Ideal for candidates in bioengineering, biomedical engineering, or computational science who want to work at the intersection of ML, mechanistic modeling, and real biomedical impact.


We are seeking a motivated PhD student to serve as the primary data engineer and modeler for a funded research project developing predictive digital twins of biological systems. In this role, you will own the end-to-end data and modeling pipeline, from curating and harmonizing complex experimental datasets to building, validating, and deploying machine-learning models in the cloud. You will work closely with an interdisciplinary team spanning computational science, bioengineering, and biomedical research.


This position is funded by the Forward Focuses Centennial Research Initiative Grant of Old Dominion University to celebrate ODU's 100th Birthday.


The GRA will work across digital modeling and of wet lab experimentation pipeline, including cell culture.


Key Responsibilities

●    Wet lab experimentation including cell culture, extracellular vesicles isolation, characterization (NTA/TRPS), WB (CD9, CD63, TSG01, Alix), RNA extraction, miRNA profiles, and functional assays (barrier function, scratch assay, polarization) within human endothelial cells and T lymphocytes.

●   Design and maintain the digital-twin data pipeline: data curation, harmonization, controlled vocabularies, and quality control.

●    Build and validate machine-learning models for small-data regimes, including Gaussian Process regression (multi-output), gradient-boosted trees (XGBoost), and calibrated uncertainty quantification.

●   Contribute to manuscripts, technical reports, and grant deliverables, and present findings to the research team and collaborators.


Required Qualifications

●    Wet lab expertise in EV research (WB, PCR, NTA, RNAseq)

●    Excellent written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work in an interdisciplinary team.

●    Foundation in machine learning and statistics, with an interest in uncertainty quantification and small-data methods.

●    Experience with data engineering and reproducible, versioned data workflows.


Preferred Qualifications

●    Hands-on experience with cloud MLOps, especially Google Vertex AI, BigQuery, and Kubeflow Pipelines.

●    Domain literacy in multi-omic (RNA-seq), biomaterials, or extracellular vesicle (EV) / bioassay data.

●    Background or interest in tissue engineering and regenerative medicine.

●    A track record of peer-reviewed publications and interest in translational (NIH/DoD) research.


What We Offer

●    A fully funded Graduate Research Assistantship (competitive annual stipend plus tuition support).

●    Access to a modern cloud research environment (MonarchSphere on Google Cloud Platform).

●    Mentorship, co-authorship opportunities, and a clear path toward a strong dissertation.

●    A collaborative, interdisciplinary team working on high-impact translational research.


  • To apply, please submit your CV/resume, a brief cover letter describing your research interests and relevant experience, and the names of two references to Ruben M.L. Colunga Biancatelli. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis until the position is filled. We encourage candidates from all backgrounds to apply.

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