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$31K

$86.7K

$162.3K

How much do research assistant professor jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 4, 2026, the average yearly pay for research assistant professor in Rio Rancho, NM is $86,716.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $60,200.00 and $101,600.00 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 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?

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 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 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.

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What cities near Rio Rancho, NM are hiring for Research Assistant Professor jobs?

Cities near Rio Rancho, NM with the most Research Assistant Professor job openings:

Research Assistant Professor jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Assistant Professor job openings in Rio Rancho, NM as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 74% Full Time, 21% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $86,716 per year, or $41.7 per hour.

Research Asst Professor

University of New Mexico

Albuquerque, NM

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

University Of New Mexico rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

Based on 56 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

128th of 629 rated colleges and universities

Job description

UNM Nuclear Engineering Department seeks a Research Assistant Professor to lead modeling, simulation, and experimental work on passive decay heat removal in fluoride-salt-cooled high-temperature reactors (FHRs) under molten salt leakage accident conditions. The position supports a funded research program spanning system-level modeling, transient multi-physics simulation, comparative analysis of ex-core cooling strategies (RCCS and PRACS), and validation against a reduced-scale salt leak test facility. The successful candidate will conduct independent research, contribute to proposals and publications, and help mentor graduate students. This is a full-time, grant-funded appointment with an initial one-year term and the possibility of renewal.
Key Responsibilities
Develop system-level models of FHR cores and reactor cavity cooling systems to capture transient decay heat generation and removal under salt-loss conditions, using MATLAB or Python.
Perform coupled neutronics, thermal-hydraulics, and burn-up analysis, and conduct CFD studies (RANS with conjugate heat transfer) to identify post-shutdown temperature hotspots.
Compare ex-core decay heat removal strategies (RCCS versus PRACS) using in-house models and/or MELCOR, and quantify removal efficiency, response time, and safety margins.
Support scaling analysis and the design, construction, and operation of a reduced-scale RCCS and salt facility, and use the experimental data to validate and refine the computational models.
Prepare technical reports, peer-reviewed publications, and proposal material, and present results to sponsors and at conferences.
Co-advise and train graduate and undergraduate researchers

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