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$15

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$43

How much do principal research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 27, 2026, the average hourly pay for principal research associate in Arizona is $30.32, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.42 and $34.52 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a principal research associate?

A Principal Research Associate is a senior-level research professional who leads and manages scientific research projects within an organization, often in academia, biotechnology, or pharmaceuticals. They are responsible for designing experiments, analyzing data, supervising junior staff, and ensuring that the research meets regulatory and quality standards. Principal Research Associates often collaborate with cross-functional teams, contribute to publications, and may be involved in grant writing or project proposals. This role requires significant experience in the field, strong leadership skills, and a deep understanding of research methodologies.

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

To thrive as a Principal Research Associate, you typically need an advanced degree in a scientific discipline, strong expertise in experimental design, and significant hands-on laboratory experience. Proficiency with specialized lab equipment, data analysis software (such as GraphPad Prism or FlowJo), and familiarity with regulatory standards like GLP or GMP are often required. Outstanding analytical thinking, attention to detail, and leadership abilities help you excel in managing projects and mentoring junior staff. These skills and qualifications are crucial for generating reliable research results, ensuring compliance, and driving scientific innovation within the organization.

How does a principal research associate typically collaborate with cross-functional teams in a research setting?

As a Principal Research Associate, you will frequently work alongside scientists, project managers, and other research professionals to advance complex studies. Collaboration often involves coordinating experimental design, sharing data, and troubleshooting protocols with team members from different specialties, such as analytical chemistry, biology, or clinical operations. Clear communication and the ability to translate technical findings for non-specialist colleagues are key. This collaborative environment not only accelerates project milestones but also provides opportunities to learn from diverse experts and contribute to multidisciplinary solutions.

What is the difference between Principal Research Associate vs Senior Research Associate?

AspectPrincipal Research AssociateSenior Research Associate
Required CredentialsMaster's or PhD, relevant research experienceMaster's degree, significant research experience
Work EnvironmentLead research projects, mentor junior staffConduct research, support project goals
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, academiaSimilar industries, often overlapping roles

The Principal Research Associate typically holds a higher level of responsibility, leading projects and mentoring others, whereas the Senior Research Associate focuses on executing research tasks and supporting project objectives. Both roles require advanced degrees and research experience, but the Principal Research Associate is more involved in strategic planning and leadership within research teams.

What cities in Arizona are hiring for Principal Research Associate jobs?

Cities in Arizona with the most Principal Research Associate job openings:

Principal Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Principal Research Associate job openings in Arizona as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,075 per year, or $30.3 per hour.

Postdoctoral Research Associate

University of Arizona

Tucson, AZ • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, PTO

Re-posted 9 days ago

University Of Arizona rating

7.3

Company rating: 7.3 out of 10

Based on 68 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

365th of 623 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Postdoctoral Research Associate
Posting Number
req26319
Department
Psychiatry
Department Website Link
https://medicine.arizona.edu/psychiatry
Location
Tucson Campus
Address
Tucson, AZ USA
Position Highlights
The College of Medicine Department of Psychiatry is now considering applications for a Post-Doctoral level associate. We are leading the effort to understand, diagnose, treat, and prevent psychiatric disorders, prepare future clinicians, provide state-of-the-art care, and give direction to community efforts to improve behavioral health. William "Scott" Killgore, PhD, is a Professor of Psychiatry, Psychology, and Neuroscience that joined the University of Arizona July 1, 2014. He brings an active research program from Harvard Medical School and McLean Hospital, including his Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience (SCAN) Laboratory. The Lab is devoted to the study of emotional intelligence, PTSD, mTBI, stress and related conditions. Dr. Killgore's innovative work is funded by the Department of Defense, and recent research focuses on effects of prolonged sleep deprivation, chronic sleep restriction, and the use of stimulant countermeasures on the cognitive-affective systems within the brain. A Postdoctoral Research Associate position is available within the Social, Cognitive, and Affective Neuroscience Laboratory directed by William "Scott" Killgore, PhD. https://scanlab.arizona.edu/ This position is focused on the area of emotional intelligence training and will work alongside Dr. Killgore to lead a study on the efficacy and refinement of an online emotional intelligence training program. The Postdoctoral Research Associate will work collaboratively with the Study Coordinator, Lab Manager, and Principal Investigator to play an integral role in all aspects of this research project.
Outstanding U of A benefits include health, dental, and vision insurance plans; life insurance and disability programs; paid vacation, sick leave, and holidays; U of A/ASU/NAU tuition reduction for the employee and qualified family members; retirement plans; access to U of A recreation and cultural activities; and more! The University of Arizona has been recognized for our innovative work-life programs. For more information about working at the University of Arizona and relocations services, please click here.
Duties & Responsibilities
  • Design emotional intelligence training materials.
  • Write protocols, reports, and grants.
  • Oversee overall study coordination including subject recruitment, research technician training and education.
  • Administer emotional, personality, and psychophysiological assessments.
  • Conduct statistical analysis of behavioral, psychophysiological, and neuroimaging data.
  • Publish findings in peer-reviewed journals, conference proceedings, and other venues.
  • Travel and assist with aspects of project that are conducted at remote sites, as necessary, and various other duties or projects as assigned.

Knowledges, Skills, and Abilities:
  • Technological knowledge base in graphic design, computer programming and/or user interface design.
  • Skilled in developing web-based intervention platforms.
  • Background in computational methods used in neuroimaging (e.g., Matlab, UNIX, LINUX, C/C++, SPM, AFNI, Freesurfer, FSL, TrackVis,CONN).
  • Exceptional skills in experimental design, quantitative methods, and statistical analysis, and the ability to carry out independent data manipulation and sophisticated statistical analyses using standard software packages (e.g., SPSS, R, STATA, BMDP, JMP, SAS).

Minimum Qualifications
  • Ph.D. in psychology, affective neuroscience, cognitive/social neuroscience, and/or other related field.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Background in studying emotional/social processes using psychophysiological (e.g., EEG, skin conductance, heart rate variability, biomarkers) or neuroimaging (e.g., fMRI, DTI, VBM, PET, connectivity) methods.
  • Background in computational methods used in neuroimaging (e.g., Matlab, UNIX, LINUX, C/C++, SPM, AFNI, Freesurfer, FSL, TrackVis,CONN).
  • Strong peer-reviewed publication record in the area of emotional intelligence, social cognition, or affective neuroscience.
  • History of work on projects relating to emotional intelligence, emotional/social cognition, and/or affective neuroscience.
  • Demonstrated solid mastery of written English. -Interest in sleep research.
  • Experience in neuroimaging and/or psychophysiological data collection and analysis.

FLSA
Exempt
Full Time/Part Time
Full Time
Number of Hours Worked per Week
40
Job FTE
1.0
Work Calendar
Fiscal
Job Category
Research
Benefits Eligible
Yes - Full Benefits
Rate of Pay
NIH salary guidelines, Depends on Experience
Compensation Type
salary at 1.0 full-time equivalency (FTE)
Type of criminal background check required:
Name-based criminal background check (non-security sensitive)
Number of Vacancies
1
Target Hire Date
Expected End Date
Contact Information for Candidates
Sarah Green srgreen1@arizona.edu
Open Date
6/22/2026
Open Until Filled
Yes
Documents Needed to Apply
Curriculum Vitae (CV) and Cover Letter
Special Instructions to Applicant
Notice of Availability of the Annual Security and Fire Safety Report
In compliance with the Jeanne Clery Campus Safety Act (Clery Act), each year the University of Arizona releases an Annual Security Report (ASR) for each of the University's campuses.Thesereports disclose information including Clery crime statistics for the previous three calendar years and policies, procedures, and programs the University uses to keep students and employees safe, including how to report crimes or other emergencies and resources for crime victims. As a campus with residential housing facilities, the Main Campus ASR also includes a combined Annual Fire Safety report with information on fire statistics and fire safety systems, policies, and procedures.
Paper copies of the Reports can be obtained by contacting the University Compliance Office at cleryact@arizona.edu.

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