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Research Assistant Position Jobs in Reston, VA (NOW HIRING)

Howard University

Summer Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$17.25 - $21.75/hr

The Talent Acquisition department hires qualified candidates to fill positions which contribute to the overall strategic success of Howard University. Hiring staff "for fit" makes significant ...

Umd

Assistant Research Professor

College Park, MD

This Professional Track, Assistant Research Professor position will have a primary appointment as a ... The position will be supported primarily by research funds through the Public Health Aerobiology ...

Umd

Assistant Research Professor

College Park, MD

$110K - $130K/yr

The Institute for Bioscience and Biotechnology Research (IBBR) is seeking an Assistant Research ... Net Online Search Firm Managed Recruitment There are some positions that are not advertised on this ...

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All JobsResearch Position JobsResearch Assistant Position JobsResearch Assistant Position Jobs in Reston, VA

Research Assistant Position information

See Reston, VA salary details

$8

$22

$33

How much do research assistant position jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 11, 2026, the average hourly pay for research assistant position in Reston, VA is $22.79, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.28 and $26.49 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research assistant job salary?

The salary for a research assistant position varies depending on factors such as location, experience, and field of research. In the United States, entry-level research assistants typically earn between $30,000 and $50,000 annually, with higher salaries for those with advanced skills or graduate degrees. Part-time roles may pay hourly, often ranging from $15 to $25 per hour.

What is the difference between Research Assistant Position vs Research Associate?

AspectResearch Assistant PositionResearch Associate
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often required; some roles may need a master'sMaster's or Ph.D. often preferred; more specialized experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, research institutions, healthcare settingsResearch labs, universities, industry R&D departments
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, government agencies, non-profitsUniversities, private companies, biotech firms
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for entry-level research rolesViewed as a more advanced research position

The Research Assistant Position typically involves supporting research activities under supervision, requiring a bachelor's degree. In contrast, a Research Associate usually has more experience or advanced degrees, taking on more independent responsibilities. Both roles are common in academic and research settings, but the Research Associate position generally demands a higher level of expertise and specialization.

What work does a research assistant do?

A research assistant supports research projects by collecting, analyzing, and organizing data, conducting literature reviews, and assisting with experiments or fieldwork. They often use tools like spreadsheets and statistical software and may work under the supervision of a lead researcher or professor.

Is it hard to get a job as a research assistant?

Securing a research assistant position can be competitive and often requires relevant academic background, strong organizational skills, and sometimes prior research experience. Candidates who demonstrate proficiency with research tools and methods, such as data analysis or laboratory techniques, tend to have better chances of obtaining the role.

What qualifications do I need to be a research assistant?

Research assistants typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as science, social science, or engineering. Strong organizational skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with research tools or software are also important qualifications for the role.
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What job categories do people searching Research Assistant Position jobs in Reston, VA look for? The top searched job categories for Research Assistant Position jobs in Reston, VA are:
What cities near Reston, VA are hiring for Research Assistant Position jobs? Cities near Reston, VA with the most Research Assistant Position job openings:
Research Assistant Position jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Assistant Position job openings in Reston, VA as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 22% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 99% Physical, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,410 per year, or $22.8 per hour.
Research Assistant, Higher Education

Research Assistant, Higher Education

United States Institute of Peace

Washington, DC

$21.75 - $30/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

Who We Are

Peace is our commitment. The United States Institute of Peace represents the American people’s shared values and commitment to peace worldwide. We know that Peace is Security – it advances both U.S. and international security by preventing, managing, and mitigating violent conflict.

We are an independent, non-partisan institution and are actively engaged with peacebuilding efforts worldwide. Together we tackle the most challenging problems and hold fast to the possibility of a more peaceful world. To learn more about USIP programs and job openings, go to https://www.usip.org/about/careers.

If you have a passion for making the world a better place and want to have a front-row seat on the world stage, USIP is the place for you.

BRIEF

The Higher Education Engagement (HEE) team is hiring a research assistant (RA) to support its work within USIP’s Civic Engagement and Scholarship (CES) Unit. HEE programmatic work is grounded in USIP’s role as a public institution and its congressional mandate to serve as a resource for the American public. HEE compliments the longstanding work of Public Engagement and Scholastic Competitions by focusing on the higher education community of colleges, universities, and higher education associations. HEE seeks to enhance awareness within the higher education community about the Institute’s resources for research, programming, and training.

Pay: $17.50 - $18.50

Work schedule: 20 Hours/Week

Expected Start Date: November 2024

MAJOR DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

  • Conduct research in support of the team’s outreach to diverse domestic audiences, including identifying avenues for reaching new audiences and expanding USIP’s contacts and relationships across the U.S.
  • Support existing HEE initiatives, including programs for professors and university students, onsite engagements at USIP’s headquarters, and overall expansion of HEE’s work.
  • Provide support for the team’s work to track contacts and relationships across the country, including updating databases and mapping connections.
  • Assist in HEE’s research initiative exploring how public institutions work alongside higher education institutions in the promotion and development of global peace.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

QUALIFICATIONS

  • Excellent written communication skills – the ability to prepare drafts quickly, and to write in an accessible way for non-expert audiences.
  • Strong research skills – the ability to find information quickly, to analyze based on guidance and priorities, and to summarize and synthesize findings in useful formats.
  • Strong interpersonal skills, including good humor and sound judgement.
  • Prior experience creating content on social media (LinkedIn) is preferred.
  • Experience with databases that track contacts and relationships is highly desirable; experience with Salesforce is especially useful.
  • Previous work experience in a fast-paced office environment is required.
  • Candidates must be a current, full-time Undergraduate or Masters student studying higher education, international and comparative education, public policy, communications, peace and justice, conflict resolution, international relations, or another related subject.

Although USIP's Research Assistant program is administered through the Consortium of Universities in the Washington Metropolitan area, any full-time university student based in the U.S. is eligible for these positions.

All USIP contract and employee positions are contingent upon the favorable completion of a suitability background investigation.

Compensation is commensurate with qualifications and experience.

HOW TO APPLY: To be considered for this position, please submit a complete application package consisting of:

  1. Completed employment application.
  2. Cover letter
  3. Resume
  4. Writing Sample

For questions about this position, please email recruitment@usip.org. Do not send resumes or attachments to this email address.

Only those applicants that are selected for further discussions will be contacted.

No Phone Calls. Interviews will be scheduled by appointment only.

USIP is an equal opportunity employer. It is the policy and practice of USIP to offer equal employment opportunities to all qualified applicants and employees without regard to race, color, age, religion, national origin, sex, marital status, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, genetic information, HIV/AIDS status, political affiliations or belief, pregnancy, or any other characteristic protected by law.

Learn More About USIP (click here)

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