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Research Assistant Professor Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

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Research Assistant Professor information

See Indiana salary details

$31.4K

$87.7K

$164.1K

How much do research assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 26, 2026, the average yearly pay for research assistant professor in Indiana is $87,726.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,900.00 and $102,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a Research Assistant Professor?

A Research Assistant Professor is an academic professional who primarily focuses on conducting research rather than teaching. They usually hold a doctoral degree and work on specific research projects, often funded by grants. Unlike tenure-track professors, Research Assistant Professors are typically on non-tenure-track appointments. Their responsibilities may include designing experiments, publishing scholarly articles, and mentoring graduate students. These positions are often temporary and can serve as a stepping stone to more permanent academic roles.

What is the difference between Research Assistant Professor vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch Assistant ProfessorResearch Scientist
Required credentialsDoctoral degree (Ph.D.) often requiredMaster's or Ph.D., depending on field
Work environmentAcademic institutions, research labsIndustry, corporate research labs, academia
Employer and industry usageUniversities, research institutesBiotech, pharma, tech companies
Common search intentAcademic research roles, faculty pathwaysIndustry research roles, R&D positions

Research Assistant Professors typically work in academic settings, focusing on research and publishing, often with a pathway toward tenure. Research Scientists are more industry-focused, working in corporate labs or biotech firms, emphasizing product development and applied research. While both roles require advanced degrees, their work environments and career paths differ significantly.

What are some typical challenges faced by Research Assistant Professors when balancing research and teaching responsibilities?

Research Assistant Professors often encounter challenges in managing their time between research projects and teaching duties. While the primary focus of the role is usually on conducting original research and securing funding, they may also be expected to mentor students, assist with departmental tasks, or occasionally teach courses. Navigating grant deadlines, publishing requirements, and student supervision can make effective time management crucial. Open communication with department leadership and collaborators can help clarify expectations and create a manageable workload.

What Is a Research Assistant Professor?

A research assistant professor works in academia as a non-tenure track faculty member in a specified department. This role is somewhat different from an associate professor or an adjunct professor because it is often the first step for a recent Ph.D. graduate and is typically a temporary position within the college or university. In this career, you may work under a fellowship that allows the university funds to pay you for a specified period, as long as you complete research that is under the guidelines of that fellowship. Your additional responsibilities as a research assistant professor may include teaching, student advisement, participation in faculty meetings and votes, and more. However, not all of these roles require you to be an instructor. Some stick to strictly research duties.

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

To thrive as a Research Assistant Professor, you need advanced expertise in your academic field, a doctoral degree (PhD or equivalent), and a strong record of research publications. Familiarity with specialized research software, laboratory equipment, grant-writing processes, and data analysis tools is typically necessary. Strong written and verbal communication, collaboration, and project management skills distinguish high performers in this role. These qualifications are crucial for producing impactful research, securing funding, and contributing to the academic community.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Professor jobs in Indiana? The most popular types of Research Professor jobs in Indiana are:
What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant Professor jobs in Indiana? For Research Assistant Professor jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What cities in Indiana are hiring for Research Assistant Professor jobs? Cities in Indiana with the most Research Assistant Professor job openings:
What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant Professor jobs in IN? For Research Assistant Professor jobs in IN, the most frequently searched job titles are:
Infographic showing various Research Assistant Professor job openings in Indiana as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 78% Full Time, 17% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,726 per year, or $42.2 per hour.
Professor Research Assistant

Professor Research Assistant

Purdue University

West Lafayette, IN • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Life, Retirement

Posted 23 days ago


Purdue University rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 136 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

306th of 611 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Professor Research Assistant
City: West Lafayette
Job Description:
Position Summary:
The Department of Entomology at Purdue University invites applications for a non-tenure track Assistant/Associate Research Professor, Biology and Management of Urban Pests. The successful candidate will engage with the national pest management industry and conduct high-impact research in one or more areas of basic and applied urban pest management, with an emphasis on pests of built environments such as cockroaches and bed bugs. Research could encompass the biology and behavior of pests, their response to pesticides, including physiological and genetic mechanisms of resistance, innovations in applied pest management research (e.g., molecular, computational modeling, or artificial intelligence based approaches) and the development of sustainable pest management technologies. The successful candidate will become an integral member of the Center for Urban and Industrial Pest Management (CUIPM) which is nationally recognized for leadership in urban entomology. The position will synergize a number of related urban entomology faculty and programs at Purdue and engage with stakeholder groups to address pressing issues associated with urban pests. This is a nine-month appointment with a focus on research and minor instructional responsibilities. The position may contribute to undergraduate learning through research experiential courses (ENTM 39300 Insect Biology Practicum and ENTM 49300 Insect Biology Capstone), and training and mentorship of graduate students, postdoctoral and visiting scientists. Start date may be as early as 1 June, 2025.
Responsibilities:
  • Lead a nationally recognized research program focused on the basic biology of urban pests and advancement of modern, sustainable pest management solutions and technologies.
  • Secure external funding through grants, industry contracts and partnerships to support ongoing research
  • Publish research findings in peer-reviewed journals and present results at national and international conferences.
  • Organize and lead seminars, workshops and industry-specific training sessions to disseminate research findings and best practices for indoor pest management.
  • Maintain ongoing communication with stakeholders to foster collaborations, gather feedback on research priorities and ensure that research is aligned with industry needs and challenges.
  • Represent the CUIPM at industry meetings and conferences to promote research capabilities and develop new collaborations.
  • Work synergistically with faculty from within the department of entomology and across the university to further elevate discovery.
  • Mentor graduate students, postdoctoral scientists and visiting scholars and contribute to the achievement of instructional outcomes by supporting undergraduate student training.

Qualifications
  • Ph.D. and minimum one year postdoctoral training in entomology or related discipline. Experience in computational modeling and artificial intelligence is desirable.
  • Records of excellence in research, publication, project management, and mentoring required.
  • Inter-disciplinary research experience, the ability to interact with a broad spectrum of researchers and clientele groups, and willingness to engage the urban pest management industry are highly desirable.

Salary and Benefits:
This is a 9-month non-tenure track position with a focus on research. Salary is commensurate with qualifications and experience. Excellent fringe benefit package that includes Fidelity retirement program, medical, and life and disability insurance. Opportunities for promotion within the research faculty are available, and more information can be found in the Procedures for Research Faculty Appointment, Review, and Promotion linked here: Office of the Provost - Purdue University https://www.purdue.edu/provost/policies/promotion-research.html .
To Apply:
Applications should include a cover letter addressing the applicant's qualifications
and experience, a statement of research goals, curriculum vitae, and contact information for three references. All materials must be combined into one PDF and submitted electronically via this site: https://careers.purdue.edu/job/Professor-Research-Assistant/36790-en_US/
Application review will begin May 12th and continue until a successful candidate is identified. For more information, please contact the Search Committee Chairs, Dr. Jose Pietri (jpietric@purdue.edu) and Dr. Douglas Richmond (drichmond@purdue.edu).
The Department is an integral part of the College of Agriculture, one of the world's leading colleges of agricultural, food, life, and natural resource sciences and ranked fifth in the world in the 2024 QS World University Rankings. The College is deeply committed to the three land-grant missions (teaching, research, and extension), to international activities and perspectives that span all missions, and to excellence in all we do. The College has 11 academic departments, 290 faculty, 2984 undergraduate students, and 690 graduate students.
A background check is required for employment in this position
Purdue University is an equal opportunity/equal access university.

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