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Phd Science Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

MS with 5+ years of experience or PhD * Proficient with scientific databases * Must be a US Citizen with an active TS/SCI clearance with polygraph Our client in Chantilly, VA isseeking a Research ...

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Phd Science information

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$24.3K

$48K

$78.3K

How much do phd science jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average yearly pay for phd science in Virginia is $47,976.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,200.00 and $51,600.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a PhD in science?

A PhD in Science is the highest academic degree awarded in scientific fields such as biology, chemistry, physics, or environmental science. It typically involves several years of advanced coursework, followed by original research that contributes new knowledge to the field. Graduates must defend a dissertation before a panel of experts. Earning a PhD in Science prepares individuals for careers in academia, research, industry, and leadership roles within scientific organizations.

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

To thrive as a PhD Scientist, you need advanced expertise in your scientific discipline, strong research skills, and a doctoral degree (PhD) in a relevant field. Familiarity with specialized laboratory equipment, data analysis software (such as R or Python), and publication processes is typically required. Critical thinking, attention to detail, and effective communication are vital soft skills for presenting complex findings and collaborating with peers. These skills and qualifications are crucial for driving innovative research, producing publishable results, and contributing to scientific advancement.

What are the typical career advancement paths for someone with a PhD in science in academia and industry?

Individuals with a PhD in Science often start in postdoctoral or entry-level research positions, where they build specialized expertise and publish their findings. In academia, advancement typically involves progressing to assistant, associate, and full professor roles, with additional opportunities to lead research groups or departments. In industry, PhD holders can move into senior scientist, project manager, or R&D director roles, with the potential to transition into leadership, policy, or consulting positions. Building a strong professional network, publishing impactful research, and developing leadership skills are key to advancing in both sectors.

What is the difference between Phd Science vs Data Scientist?

AspectPhd ScienceData Scientist
Required CredentialsPhD in a scientific field, research experienceBachelor's or Master's in CS, stats, or related field; often a PhD preferred
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academia, industry R&DTech companies, finance, healthcare, consulting
Industry UsageResearch roles, scientific analysis, product developmentData analysis, machine learning, predictive modeling

While both roles involve analytical skills and data handling, Phd Science focuses on scientific research and experimentation, often in academic or R&D settings. Data Scientists primarily analyze large datasets to inform business decisions and develop models in industry environments. The key difference lies in their application areas and typical work environments.

Is a PhD worth it in science?

A PhD in science is valuable for careers in research, academia, and specialized industry roles that require advanced expertise and critical thinking skills. However, it often involves several years of study and research, and job prospects can vary depending on the field and geographic location. The decision to pursue a PhD should consider personal career goals and the demand for advanced scientific skills in the job market.

What can a PhD in science get you?

A PhD in science can lead to careers in research, academia, industry, or government, often involving roles such as scientist, researcher, or professor. It demonstrates advanced expertise and critical thinking skills, and may require additional certifications or experience depending on the field and position.

What is the salary of a PhD scientist?

The salary of a PhD scientist varies depending on the industry, experience, and location, but typically ranges from $70,000 to over $120,000 annually. Advanced skills, research experience, and specialized knowledge can lead to higher compensation, especially in biotech, pharmaceuticals, or research institutions.

What jobs can I do with a PhD in science?

A PhD in science qualifies individuals for research scientist, university professor, laboratory manager, or scientific consultant roles. These positions often require strong analytical skills, familiarity with laboratory tools, and the ability to conduct independent research or teach at higher education institutions.

What cities in Virginia are hiring for Phd Science jobs?

Cities in Virginia with the most Phd Science job openings:

Infographic showing various Phd Science job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 19% Part Time, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 76% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 21% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,976 per year, or $23.1 per hour.

PhD Graduate Research Assistant BME

Old Dominion University

Norfolk, VA • On-site

Other

Posted 2 days ago

New


Old Dominion University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 28 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

316th of 629 rated colleges and universities


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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