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Research Assistant Programmer Jobs in Chantilly, VA

... Research Assistant join our team Arlington, Virginia.      You will enjoy this role if ... Bachelor's degree in Finance, Accounting, engineering, or related field desired, but not absolutely ...

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Research Assistant Programmer information

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$11.3K

$115.5K

$132.1K

How much do research assistant programmer jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average yearly pay for research assistant programmer in Chantilly, VA is $115,484.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $104,400.00 and $132,100.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research assistant programmer?

A Research Assistant Programmer is a professional who supports academic or scientific research projects by developing, maintaining, and optimizing software and code needed for experiments, data analysis, or simulations. They often work closely with researchers to translate technical requirements into functioning programs, scripts, or tools. Their duties may include writing code, managing databases, debugging software, and ensuring computational reproducibility. Research Assistant Programmers play a vital role in facilitating data-driven insights and advancing research outcomes.

How do research assistant programmers typically collaborate with researchers and other team members during a project?

Research Assistant Programmers work closely with principal investigators, graduate students, and other researchers to design, implement, and maintain software tools that support research objectives. They often participate in regular team meetings to discuss project goals, troubleshoot technical challenges, and provide input on experimental design from a programming perspective. Collaboration may also involve documenting code, sharing progress updates, and integrating feedback from both technical and non-technical team members. Effective communication and adaptability are key, as project requirements can evolve based on research findings.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research assistant programmer, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Research Assistant Programmer, you need a strong background in computer science, programming (often in Python, R, or MATLAB), and data analysis, typically supported by a relevant degree or coursework. Familiarity with version control systems (like Git), statistical software, and experience with research databases or high-performance computing are valuable technical assets. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective collaboration skills distinguish top performers in this role. These competencies are essential for ensuring accurate research outcomes, efficient project workflows, and productive teamwork in academic or research environments.

Do I need a PhD to be a research assistant programmer?

A research assistant programmer typically does not need a PhD; most positions require a bachelor's or master's degree in computer science, programming, or related fields. Relevant skills, such as proficiency in programming languages and experience with research tools, are often more important than advanced degrees for entry-level roles.

How much does a research assistant programmer get paid?

Research assistant programmers typically earn between $15 and $30 per hour, depending on experience, education level, and the organization. Salaries can vary based on whether the position is part-time or full-time and the geographic location of the job.

What job categories do people searching Research Assistant Programmer jobs in Chantilly, VA look for?

The top searched job categories for Research Assistant Programmer jobs in Chantilly, VA are:

What cities near Chantilly, VA are hiring for Research Assistant Programmer jobs?

Cities near Chantilly, VA with the most Research Assistant Programmer job openings:

Research Assistant Professor

George Mason University

Fairfax, VA • On-site

Other

Re-posted 11 days ago


George Mason University rating

8.3

Company rating: 8.3 out of 10

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Job description

Research Assistant Professor
  • 10003688
  • Research Faculty
  • Opening on: Jan 26 2026
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Department: College of Science

Classification: 12-month Research Faculty

Job Category: Research Faculty

Job Type: Full-Time

Work Schedule: Full-time (1.0 FTE, 40 hrs/wk)

Location: Remote

Workplace Type: Remote Eligible

Sponsorship Eligibility: Eligible for visa sponsorship

Salary: Salary commensurate with education and experience

Restricted: Yes

Criminal Background Check: Yes

About the Department:

The Center for Spatial Information Science and Systems (CSISS) is an interdisciplinary research center affiliated with the College of Science at George Mason University. The mission of the Center is to conduct world-class research in spatial information science and system and provide state-of-art research training to post-doctoral fellows, Ph.D. and Master students in the field. For more information about the center, please visit http://csiss.gmu.edu/.
George Mason University College of Science (Mason Science) is committed to advancing inclusive excellence and fostering an environment free from discrimination, harassment, and retaliation throughout our STEM community. At Mason Science, our values include cultivating an organizational culture that promotes belonging, respect, and civility. We believe that varied opinions, cultures, and perspectives are what provides vibrancy, innovation, and growth to an academic community. By prioritizing cultural responsiveness in academics, teaching, research, and global engagement, we strive to attract faculty and staff who exemplify the Mason Science mission and vision.

About the Position:

This position is funded by a USDA-funded research project. The primary purpose of the position is to monitor the conditions of crop, pasture, and their growth environment to support agricultural decision making with advanced remote sensing and geospatial technologies.

Responsibilities:

  • Develops advanced Agro-geoinformatic algorithms for monitoring and predicting the conditions of crop, pasture, and their environment with advanced remote sensing and geospatial technologies;
  • Develops and refines algorithms and workflows for crop and pasture monitoring, modeling, prediction, and decision support and automation;
  • Supervises graduate research assistants and student interns working on the project; and
  • Publishes and disseminates research at top-tier journals and conferences.

Required Qualifications:

  • Terminal degree in a related field;
  • One-year post-Ph.D. research experience in related field at the time of appointment;
  • Research experience in agricultural remote sensing, crop and pasture modeling, or agricultural environment monitoring and prediction;
  • Knowledge of remote sensing, geospatial information systems, crop modeling and prediction, Agro-AI/ML, or agricultural digital twin; and
  • Knowledge of relevant programming skills.

Preferred Qualifications:

  • At least two-years post-Ph.D. research experience in related fields;
  • Track record that demonstrates the ability to work well with an interdisciplinary research team;
  • Excellent publication records;
  • Experience in large-scale earth observation analytics;
  • Experience in integrating multi-source remote sensing data with process-based or data-driven models to characterize agricultural and ecological systems;
  • Experience in applying advanced Artificial Intelligence/Machine Learning (AI/ML) methods in agriculture (Agro-AI/ML); and
  • Experience in programming with multiple languages (e.g., Java, C/C++, Python) for geospatial information systems, agro-informatic applications, agricultural monitoring and modeling, Agro-AI/ML, or digital twin.

Instructions to Applicants:

For full consideration, applicants must apply for the Research Assistant Professor at https://jobs.gmu.edu/. Complete and submit the online application to include three professional references with contact information, and provide a cover letter and CV for review.

Posting Open Date: January 26, 2026

For Full Consideration, Apply by: February 9, 2026

Open Until Filled: Yes


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