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Research And Development Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

JOB TITLE: R&D Associate Manager FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Research & Development REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development SALARY RANGE : $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual Position ...

R&D Associate Manager

Lake Forest, CA · On-site

$89K - $110K/yr

JOB TITLE: R&D Associate Manager FLSA STATUS: Exempt DEPARTMENT: Research & Development REPORTS TO: Director of Culinary Research & Development SALARY RANGE : $89,000 - $110,000 / Annual Position ...

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Research And Development Associate information

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$29K

$53.4K

$81K

How much do research and development associate jobs pay per year?

As of Jun 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for research and development associate in the United States is $53,418.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $42,500.00 and $60,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research And Development Associate vs Quality Control Technician?

AspectResearch And Development AssociateQuality Control Technician
CredentialsBachelor's degree in science or engineeringBachelor's degree in science or related field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, R&D departments, product development teamsManufacturing facilities, labs, quality assurance departments
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, consumer goods, biotech companiesFood production, pharmaceuticals, manufacturing plants
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

Research And Development Associates focus on creating and improving products through experimentation and innovation, working mainly in labs and development teams. Quality Control Technicians primarily ensure product quality by testing and inspecting products during manufacturing. While both roles require scientific knowledge and lab skills, R&D Associates are more involved in development, whereas QC Technicians focus on quality assurance during production.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Research and Development Associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research and Development Associate, you need a strong background in scientific research, data analysis, and typically a relevant degree such as in chemistry, biology, or engineering. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software, and research documentation systems is commonly required. Creativity, problem-solving, and teamwork are standout soft skills for this role. These skills and qualifications are essential for driving innovation, ensuring accurate results, and effectively collaborating on new product or process development.

What are some common challenges Research and Development Associates face when transitioning from academia to industry roles?

Research and Development Associates often encounter challenges when shifting from academia to industry, such as adapting to faster-paced project timelines, balancing multiple concurrent projects, and focusing on practical, commercially viable solutions rather than purely theoretical research. Collaboration with cross-functional teams—like marketing, production, and quality assurance—is also more prevalent, requiring strong communication and project management skills. Embracing a results-driven approach and learning to effectively communicate findings to both technical and non-technical stakeholders are key to success in this role.

What are Research and Development Associates?

Research and Development (R&D) Associates are professionals who support the creation and improvement of products, services, or processes within an organization. They typically conduct experiments, analyze data, and collaborate with scientists, engineers, or product managers to innovate and solve technical challenges. R&D Associates play a vital role in helping companies remain competitive by driving new ideas from concept to reality. Their work often involves staying up-to-date with the latest industry trends and scientific advancements.
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What cities are hiring for Research And Development Associate jobs? Cities with the most Research And Development Associate job openings:
What are the most commonly searched types of Research And Development jobs? The most popular types of Research And Development jobs are:
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What states have the most Research And Development Associate jobs? States with the most job openings for Research And Development Associate jobs include:
What job categories do people searching Research And Development Associate jobs look for? The top searched job categories for Research And Development Associate jobs are:
Infographic showing various Research And Development Associate job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 20% Full Time, 63% Part Time, and 17% Contract. Highlights an 89% Physical, 3% Hybrid, and 8% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $53,418 per year, or $25.7 per hour.
Research Development Associate

Research Development Associate

University of Utah

Salt Lake City, UT • Hybrid

$70K - $95K/yr

Full-time

Retirement

Posted 8 days ago


University Of Utah rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 157 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

335th of 537 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Details
Open Date 06/02/2026 Requisition Number PRN45231B Job Title Research Development Associate Working Title Research Development Associate Career Progression Track P00 Track Level P4 - Advanced, P3 - Career FLSA Code Administrative Patient Sensitive Job Code? No Standard Hours per Week 40 Full Time or Part Time? Full Time Shift Day Work Schedule Summary
This role will will typically be M-F & standard business hours. This position supports and contributes to a wide variety of external grants with different deadlines. Some nights and weekends may be required based on needs of the business. This is a hybrid position with a required 2-3 days in office, on campus. No fully-remote option is available.
VP Area President Department 00639 - VP for Research Location Campus City Salt Lake City, UT Type of Recruitment External Posting Pay Rate Range $70,000 - $95,000 Close Date 08/29/2026 Priority Review Date (Note - Posting may close at any time) 06/19/2026 Job Summary

The University of Utah is seeking an experienced Research Development Associate to support the development of large, complex, interdisciplinary research proposals. This position is part of the Large Infrastructure Funding Team (LIFT) within the Office of the Associate Vice President for Research.
LIFT supports center-scale, multi-investigator, and other large strategic funding opportunities - most commonly federal proposals exceeding $5M. The team partners with faculty to shape, coordinate, and strengthen proposals to maximize competitiveness.
This position is full time, benefited position with a hybrid schedule (approximately two days per week on campus).
About the Role
This role focuses on strategic proposal development and integration. Faculty authors develop the scientific content; this position ensures that proposals are well-framed, coherent, funder-aligned, and executable.
The Research Development Associate will serve as a lead integrator on large-scale proposals, working closely with faculty, proposal team members, and research administration staff to guide proposals from concept through submission.
Core responsibilities include:
  • Strategic framing and concept development for large-scale proposals aligned with university priorities
  • Narrative integration and substantive editing of multi-author documents
  • Proposal architecture and planning, including structuring sections and aligning content to sponsor expectations
  • Facilitation of interdisciplinary teams, including guiding key decisions related to scope, positioning, and partnerships

Learn more about the great benefits of working for University of Utah: benefits.utah.edu

The department may choose to hire at any of the below job levels and associated pay rates based on their business need and budget.
Responsibilities
Applicants must demonstrate the ability to perform the essential functions of the position. Responsibilities include, but are not limited to:
Strategic Proposal Development
Lead early-stage concept development and framing discussions with faculty teams
Translate complex scientific ideas into clear, funder-aligned positioning
Identify competitive strengths, gaps, and opportunities relative to sponsor priorities
Narrative Integration & Editing
Integrate contributions from multiple authors into a cohesive, compelling proposal
Provide substantive editing focused on clarity, structure, and reviewer perspective
Ensure alignment with sponsor review criteria and expectations
Proposal Planning & Team Facilitation
Establish timelines, milestones, and deliverables
Facilitate meetings to drive progress and decision-making
Guide teams through key proposal development phases, including red-team reviews
Collaboration & Coordination
Partner with research administration, pre-award staff, and leadership
Coordinate interdisciplinary teams and external partners
Contribute to proposal tools, templates, and best practices
Funding Strategy & Landscape Awareness
Interpret and identify funding opportunity announcements and sponsor priorities
Provide strategic guidance on targeting and positioning proposals
Support development of teams for future center-scale opportunities
What This Role Does NOT Do
Does not write full scientific proposals on behalf of faculty
Does not manage submission systems (e.g., Cayuse)
Does not replace departmental pre-award or budget development functions


Minimum Qualifications
EQUIVALENCY STATEMENT: 1 year of higher education can be substituted for 1 year of directly related work experience (Example: bachelor's degree = 4 years of directly related work experience).

Department may hire employee at one of the following job levels:

Research Development Associate, III: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 6 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 4 years of directly related work experience.
Research Development Associate, IV: Requires a bachelor's (or equivalency) + 8 years or a master's (or equivalency) + 6 years of directly related work experience.

Preferences
Strong candidates will demonstrate:
1. Experience supporting large, complex, multi-investigator proposals (center-scale preferred)
2. Ability to interpret funding solicitations and align proposals to sponsor priorities
3. Exceptional writing and editing skills with technical content
4. Experience facilitating interdisciplinary teams
5. Strong organizational skills in deadline-driven environments
6. Ability to provide constructive guidance to senior faculty and stakeholders
7. Willingness to work flexibly to meet proposal deadlines
Ideal Candidate Profile
The ideal candidate:
Thinks strategically about how to position research ideas for funding success
Is comfortable working with senior faculty and guiding complex discussions
Can balance big-picture thinking with attention to detail
Excels at synthesizing and integrating information from multiple sources
Thrives in a collaborative, fast-paced, deadline-driven environment
Type Benefited Staff Special Instructions Summary Additional Information
The University is a participating employer with Utah Retirement Systems ("URS"). Eligible new hires with prior URS service, may elect to enroll in URS if they make the election before they become eligible for retirement (usually the first day of work). Contact Human Resources at (801) 581-7447 for information. Individuals who previously retired and are receiving monthly retirement benefits from URS are subject to URS' post-retirement rules and restrictions. Please contact Utah Retirement Systems at (801) 366-7770 or (800) 695-4877 or University Human Resource Management at (801) 581-7447 if you have questions regarding the post-retirement rules.
This position may require the successful completion of a criminal background check and/or drug screen.
The University of Utah values candidates who have experience working in settings with students and possess a strong commitment to improving access to higher education.
Veterans' preference is extended to qualified applicants, upon request and consistent with University policy and Utah state law. Upon request, reasonable accommodations in the application process will be provided to individuals with disabilities.
Consistent with state and federal law, the University of Utah does not discriminate based upon race, ethnicity, color, religion, national origin, age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, pregnancy-related conditions, genetic information, or protected veteran's status. The University does not discriminate on the basis of sex in the education program or activity that it operates, as required by Title IX and 34 CFR part 106. The requirement not to discriminate in education programs or activities extends to admission and employment. Inquiries about the application of Title IX and its regulations may be referred to the Title IX Coordinator, to the Department of Education, Office for Civil Rights, or both.
To request a reasonable accommodation for a disability or if you or someone you know has experienced discrimination or sexual misconduct including sexual harassment, you may contact the Director/Title IX Coordinator in the Office of Equal Opportunity and Title IX (OEO). More information, including the Director/Title IX Coordinator's office address, electronic mail address, and telephone number can be located at the: University of Utah NonDiscrimination page.
Online reports may be submitted at https://oeo.utah.edu

https://publicsafety.utah.edu/safetyreport/
This report includes statistics about criminal offenses, hate crimes, arrests and referrals for disciplinary action, and Violence Against Women Act offenses. They also provide information about safety and security-related services offered by the University of Utah. A paper copy can be obtained by request at the Department of Public Safety located at 1658 East 500 South.
As per University of Utah policy 5-108: Transfer of Benefits Eligible Staff Members, a new hire to the University of Utah who is still serving a 12 month probationary period will not be hired into another University of Utah job (a transfer) until the successful completion of the probationary period.

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About University of Utah

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The University of Utah is the state’s flagship institution of higher education, with 18 schools and colleges, more than 100 undergraduate majors and graduate programs, and an enrollment of more than 38,000 students. It is a member of the Association of American Universities—an invitation-only, prestigious group of 71 leading research institutions. The U is advancing a new national model for higher education that delivers societal impact through education, research, health care, and community service, while making social, economic, and cultural contributions that improve lives across Utah and around the world.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Salt Lake City, UT, US

Year founded

1850