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Phd Graduate Student Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Job Summary The Graduate Engagement Strategist (GES) develops and manages relationships with a portfolio of PhD students within the IHS network. Reporting to the Associate Director of Intellectual ...

PDFI

Mclean, VA · On-site

$68K - $75K/yr

... graduate student to introduce high schoolers to the scientific process with an engaging, accessible project that focuses on submarine basalt volcanism. Required Experience & Education * PhD in Earth ...

New

... graduate students, as assigned by the Department. CORE COMPETENCIES: Effective pedagogical skills. MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS: Minimum of a MS in the area of Data Science or Data Analytics or PhD in ...

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Phd Graduate Student information

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How much do phd graduate student jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 8, 2026, the average hourly pay for phd graduate student in Washington is $18.77, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $16.59 and $20.96 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD graduate student?

PhD graduate students are individuals who have completed an undergraduate degree and are pursuing a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in a specific field. Their primary focus is conducting original research, contributing new knowledge to their area of study, and completing advanced coursework. PhD students typically work under the supervision of faculty advisors, participate in academic conferences, and may also teach or assist with undergraduate courses. The program usually culminates in the defense of a dissertation, which is a substantial piece of original research.

Can PhD graduate students get another job?

PhD graduate students can typically hold additional employment, but they must adhere to university policies, visa restrictions if applicable, and maintain academic commitments. Many students work part-time or research assistant roles alongside their studies to gain experience or supplement income.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a PhD graduate student?

To thrive as a PhD Graduate Student, you need strong research skills, critical thinking, and a relevant undergraduate or master's degree in your field. Proficiency with data analysis software, laboratory techniques, or discipline-specific tools, along with familiarity with academic publishing systems, is often required. Exceptional time management, perseverance, and effective communication are standout soft skills for navigating the demands of independent research and collaboration. These competencies are vital for producing original research, meeting program milestones, and contributing meaningfully to academic communities.

Is 24 too old to start a PhD Graduate Student?

Starting a PhD as a graduate student at age 24 is common and generally not considered too old. Many students begin their doctoral studies in their mid-20s or later, bringing valuable life and work experience that can benefit their research and academic environment.

What jobs do PhD graduate students get?

PhD graduate students often pursue careers in academia as university professors or researchers, but they also find roles in industry such as data scientists, research scientists, policy analysts, and technical consultants. These positions typically require advanced research skills, specialized knowledge, and often involve project management and data analysis tools.

What are some typical challenges PhD graduate students face when balancing research, coursework, and teaching responsibilities?

PhD graduate students often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting original research, completing coursework, and sometimes teaching or assisting in undergraduate classes. Managing time effectively can be challenging, especially when research deadlines conflict with grading or class preparation. Many students find it helpful to set clear priorities, communicate proactively with advisors and supervisors, and utilize campus resources like writing centers or time management workshops. Developing strong organizational skills and seeking peer support can make it easier to navigate these demands and maintain a healthy work-life balance.
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What job categories do people searching Phd Graduate Student jobs in Washington look for? The top searched job categories for Phd Graduate Student jobs in Washington are:
What cities in Washington are hiring for Phd Graduate Student jobs? Cities in Washington with the most Phd Graduate Student job openings:
Infographic showing various Phd Graduate Student job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 59% Full Time, 37% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 82% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 17% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $39,034 per year, or $18.8 per hour.

2026 PhD Graduate - Statistics and Data Science

Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory

Laurel, MD • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 25 days ago


Johns Hopkins Applied Physics Laboratory rating

9.6

Company rating: 9.6 out of 10

Based on 8 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

2nd of 73 rated research


Job description

Description
Do you enjoy exploring and analyzing data to find data-driven solution to complex problems?
Do you want to contribute to work that is crucial to maintaining our national security and strength?
Are you continuously searching for new ways to grow your knowledge and improve your skills?
If you are graduating with a PhD in Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field, we would love to have you join our team! We are seeking a new PhD graduate with expertise in statistics to support multi-disciplinary teams performing a variety of quantitative tasks for defense and national security applications. You will be joining a varied team of engineers, software developers, statisticians, data scientists, and analysts who are committed to advancing the state-of-the-art in performance evaluation of the nation's strategic weapons systems throughout their lifecycle. We believe in continually growing our capabilities and cultivating a work environment that embraces innovation, integrity, trust, and teamwork.
As a member of our team, you will...
  • Work with multi-disciplinary teams to support development of data collection, processing, and analysis efforts to assess the performance of a number of systems supporting the Navy and Air Force.
  • Develop and evaluate statistical models for complex defense applications, including uncertainty quantification, inference, forecasting, and decision support.
  • Apply statistical reasoning for data-driven studies, selecting appropriate methods (e.g., Bayesian or frequentist approaches) based on the problem.
  • Quantify and communicate uncertainty, assumptions, and limitations to support sound decision-making in complex, real-world setting.
  • Use internal funding opportunities to shape the direction of future research.
  • Communicate technical knowledge by articulating ideas clearly through papers and presentations to technical staff, management, and government decision makers.

Qualifications
You meet our minimum qualifications for the job if you...
  • Have a PhD in Data Science, Statistics, Physics, Mathematics, Computer Science or a related field.
  • Demonstrate strong interpersonal skills and the ability to work independently and on a team.
  • Have strong foundations in statistical inference, probability, statistical modeling, and experimental design.
  • Have experience using scientific programming tools such as Python, R, or similar languages for quantitative analysis.
  • Have experience investigating and adapting modern statistical and computational methods to address emerging analysis challenges in sparse, noisy, or high-dimensional data setting.
  • Demonstrate experience with statistical modeling, inference, or experimental design approaches such as Bayesian methods, regression, causal inference, or hypothesis testing...
  • Are able to obtain Interim Secret level security clearance by your start date and can ultimately obtain Top Secret level clearance. If selected, you will be subject to a government security clearance investigation and must meet the requirements for access to classified information. Eligibility requirements include U.S. citizenship.

You will go above and beyond our minimum requirements if you...
  • Have experience in project management or leading technical teams.
  • Have experience in writing technical proposals, particularly to government research projects.
  • Have experience mentoring students, teaching, or communicating complex technical concepts in academic, research, or professional settings.
  • Have contributed to peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, or presentations in statistics, machine learning, applied mathematics, or related fields.
  • Have experience using probabilistic programming frameworks such as Stan, PyMC, or similar tools.
  • Have research or professional experience developing reproducible analytical workflows, computational research tools, or statistical methodologies for complex quantitative problems.

About Us
Why Work at APL?
The Johns Hopkins University Applied Physics Laboratory (APL) brings world-class expertise to our nation's most critical defense, security, space and science challenges. While we are dedicated to solving complex challenges and pioneering new technologies, what makes us truly outstanding is our culture. We offer a vibrant, welcoming atmosphere where you can bring your authentic self to work, continue to grow, and build strong connections with inspiring teammates.
At APL, we celebrate our differences of perspectives and encourage creativity and bold, new ideas. Our employees enjoy generous benefits, including a robust education assistance program, unparalleled retirement contributions, and a healthy work/life balance. APL's campus is located in the Baltimore-Washington metro area. Learn more about our career opportunities at https://www.jhuapl.edu/careers.
All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, creed, color, religion, sex, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, age, physical or mental disability, genetic information, veteran status, occupation, marital or familial status, political opinion, personal appearance, or any other characteristic protected by applicable law. APL is committed to providing reasonable accommodation to individuals of all abilities, including those with disabilities. If you require a reasonable accommodation to participate in any part of the hiring process, please contact Accessibility@jhuapl.edu.
The referenced pay range is based on JHU APL's good faith belief at the time of posting. Actual compensation may vary based on factors such as geographic location, work experience, market conditions, education/training and skill level with consideration for internal parity. For salaried employees scheduled to work less than 40 hours per week, annual salary will be prorated based on the number of hours worked. APL may offer bonuses or other forms of compensation per internal policy and/or contractual designation. Additional compensation may be provided in the form of a sign-on bonus, relocation benefits, locality allowance or discretionary payments for exceptional performance. APL provides eligible staff with a comprehensive benefits package including retirement plans, paid time off, medical, dental, vision, life insurance, short-term disability, long-term disability, flexible spending accounts, education assistance, and training and development. Applications are accepted on a rolling basis.
Minimum Rate
$105,000 Annually
Maximum Rate
$245,000 Annually

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