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Principal Research Associate Jobs in Spring, TX (NOW HIRING)

Research Nurse II

Houston, TX · On-site

$39K - $46K/yr

Follows subjects' progress and advises the Principal Investigator. * Travels to TCH health centers ... Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. * Two years of relevant experience as a ...

Research Nurse II

Houston, TX · On-site

$39K - $46K/yr

Follows subjects' progress and advises the Principal Investigator. * Travels to TCH health centers ... Associate's Degree or Bachelor's Degree in Nursing. * Two years of relevant experience as a ...

Showing results 21-40

Principal Research Associate information

See Spring, TX salary details

$14

$28

$41

How much do principal research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 13, 2026, the average hourly pay for principal research associate in Spring, TX is $28.96, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $23.32 and $32.93 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

How much does a principal research associate make?

A principal research associate typically earns between $80,000 and $130,000 annually, depending on experience, industry, and location. They often hold advanced degrees and have specialized skills in research methodologies and data analysis.

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 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 cities near Spring, TX are hiring for Principal Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Spring, TX with the most Principal Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Principal Research Associate job openings in Spring, TX as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $60,233 per year, or $29 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 16 days ago


Baylor College of Medicine rating

8.0

Company rating: 8.0 out of 10

Based on 24 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

188th of 618 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Summary

Postdoctoral positions in cheminformatics are available in the Zhi Tan laboratory at Baylor College of Medicine (Houston, TX), an interdisciplinary group using deep learning, computational chemistry, medicinal chemistry, chemical biology, and molecular cell biology to develop novel therapeutics to tackle complex diseases such as cancers. Postdoctoral Associate with a proven track record in developing open-source machine learning, deep learning, or cheminformatics tools.

Baylor College of Medicine typically follows similar to the NIH stipulated stipend guidelines for Postdoctoral Associates.

Job Duties
  • Plans, directs and conducts research experiments.
  • Develops research techniques and perform applications required for specific research projects.
  • Conducts literature searches and summarize information in an appropriate format for a particular study.
  • Documents results of experiments and reports to principal investigators. 
  • Performs other job-related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications
  • MD or Ph.D. in Basic Science, Health Science, or a related field.
  • No experience required.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Doctoral Degree in Computational Chemistry, bioinformatics, computational biology, or related discipline. Experience may not be substituted in lieu of degree.
  • Experience in cheminformatics software development.
  • Experience in developing machine learning, deep learning tools, especially with application in drug discovery.
  • Experience with high performance computing environment (HPC) / cluster job submission.
  • Knowledge of statistical methods, data science algorithms, scientific and numerical computation.
  • Familiarity with common Python tools including Pandas, Numpy, Scipy, Django, RDKit.
  • Proficiency in coding and debugging in Pytho.
  • Strong knowledge and experience with relational databases (e.g. Oracle, SQL, MySQL).
  • Comfortable working in a Linux environment.
  • Experience with data processing pipelines and data analysis.
  • Excellent communication skills with a diverse team of biological and chemical scientists.
  • Experience with development of open-source computational tools (machine learning, deep learning, cheminformatics), especially with application in drug discovery.

Baylor College of Medicine is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action/Equal Access Employer.


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