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Research Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD (NOW HIRING)

Howard University

Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$21.75 - $30/hr

The employee may provide task-based guidance to students, trainees, or junior research assistants on project-specific data organization and documentation workflows as assigned. NATURE AND SCOPE: The ...

Howard

Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$40K - $47K/yr

The Research Assistant will work under the direct supervision of the Principal Investigator within our Lab. The scope of the work includes processing RNA-seq datasets and collaborating with lab ...

Howard University

Research Assistant

Washington, DC · On-site

$20/hr

PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES: * Assist in the design and execution of research experiments, surveys, or data collection protocols * Collect, record, and maintain accurate research data in accordance ...

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All JobsResearch Assistant JobsResearch Assistant Jobs in Silver Spring, MD

Research Assistant information

See Silver Spring, MD salary details

$8

$22

$32

How much do research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Jun 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for research assistant in Silver Spring, MD is $22.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $19.13 and $26.35 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Research Assistant vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectResearch AssistantLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree often in a related field; some roles require a master'sAssociate's degree or certification in laboratory techniques
Work EnvironmentAcademic, research institutions, or corporate R&D settingsLaboratories, hospitals, or industrial labs
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, biotech companiesHospitals, diagnostic labs, manufacturing plants
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

The main difference between a Research Assistant and a Laboratory Technician lies in their roles and qualifications. Research Assistants typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and focus on supporting research projects, data analysis, and academic studies. Laboratory Technicians usually have an associate's degree or certification and perform routine lab tests and maintenance. Both roles work in laboratory environments but serve different functions within research and clinical settings.

What are some common challenges Research Assistants face when balancing multiple projects, and how can they effectively manage their workload?

Research Assistants often juggle several projects simultaneously, which can lead to competing deadlines and shifting priorities. To manage these challenges, it's important to maintain clear communication with supervising researchers, use organizational tools such as project management software or detailed timelines, and regularly review progress with the team. Setting realistic expectations and proactively seeking clarification on priorities can also help ensure tasks are completed efficiently. Developing these time management and collaboration skills is crucial for success in a dynamic research environment.

How much is a research assistant paid?

Research assistants typically earn between $12 and $25 per hour, depending on their experience, education level, and the industry or institution. In some cases, they may receive stipends or salaries ranging from $25,000 to $50,000 annually for full-time positions, especially in academic or research settings.

What Does a Research Assistant Do?

Research assistants gather and document information for their employer. As a research assistant, your responsibilities vary depending on the setting and field in which you work. Most research assistants work in academia, either in the science or humanities departments at a university, or for research institutes. Duties may include collecting data from the library and other sources, conducting surveys, and recruiting volunteers. In a laboratory setting, you may prepare, clean, and maintain lab equipment, assist with experiments, and log readings and results.

What qualifications do I need to be a research assistant?

Research assistants typically need at least a high school diploma or equivalent, with many positions requiring 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.

What exactly does a research assistant do?

A research assistant supports research projects by collecting, analyzing, and organizing data, often using tools like spreadsheets or statistical software. They may also review literature, prepare reports, and assist with experiments or fieldwork under the supervision of a lead researcher or professor.

How to get work as a research assistant?

To work as a research assistant, candidates typically need a relevant educational background such as a bachelor's or master's degree in a related field. Gaining experience through internships, developing skills in research methods and data analysis, and applying to positions through university departments, research institutions, or online job boards are common steps. Strong organizational skills and proficiency with tools like statistical software can improve chances of employment.

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

To thrive as a Research Assistant, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a relevant academic background, often with a bachelor's or master's degree in the field. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Excel), literature databases, and sometimes laboratory equipment is typically required. Effective communication, organization, and problem-solving abilities help Research Assistants collaborate and manage complex tasks efficiently. These skills are crucial for producing accurate, reliable research results and supporting the project's overall success.

What are research assistants?

Research assistants are individuals who support research projects by helping with data collection, analysis, literature reviews, and administrative tasks. They often work under the supervision of a lead researcher or professor in academic, scientific, or industry settings. Research assistants may also contribute to the preparation of reports, presentations, and publications. Their role is essential in ensuring that research projects are conducted efficiently and accurately.
More about Research Assistant jobs
What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in Silver Spring, MD? The most popular types of Research jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What are popular job titles related to Research Assistant jobs in Silver Spring, MD? For Research Assistant jobs in Silver Spring, MD, the most frequently searched job titles are:
What job categories do people searching Research Assistant jobs in Silver Spring, MD look for? The top searched job categories for Research Assistant jobs in Silver Spring, MD are:
What cities near Silver Spring, MD are hiring for Research Assistant jobs? Cities near Silver Spring, MD with the most Research Assistant job openings:
Research Assistant jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Assistant job openings in Silver Spring, MD as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 89% Full Time, and 11% Part Time. Highlights an 93% In-person, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $47,110 per year, or $22.6 per hour.
Research Assistant

Research Assistant

Howard University

Washington, DC • On-site

$21.75 - $30/hr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Howard University rating

8.7

Company rating: 8.7 out of 10

Based on 7 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

40th of 537 rated colleges and universities

Job description

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 contributions to Howard University's overall mission.
At Howard University, we prioritize well-being and professional growth.
Here is what we offer:
  • Health & Wellness: Comprehensive medical, dental, and vision insurance, plus mental health support
  • Work-Life Balance: PTO, paid holidays, flexible work arrangements
  • Financial Wellness: Competitive salary, 403(b) with company match
  • Professional Development: Ongoing training, tuition reimbursement, and career advancement paths
  • Additional Perks: Wellness programs, commuter benefits, and a vibrant company culture

Join Howard University and thrive with us!
https://hr.howard.edu/benefits-wellness
  • JOB PURPOSE:
    Support grant-funded biomedical and behavioral research activities for the Neuropsychopharmacology AI/ML Laboratory and related Howard University College of Medicine initiatives by organizing, cleaning, documenting, integrating, and preparing research datasets for analysis.
    The position will assist with All of Us data workflows, substance use disorder cohort organization, survey data restructuring, documentation of genetics/genomics variables, quality-control checks, and manuscript- or grant-related deliverables under faculty supervision.
    SUPERVISORY AUTHORITY:
    This position has no formal supervisory authority. The employee may provide task-based guidance to students, trainees, or junior research assistants on project-specific data organization and documentation workflows as assigned.
    NATURE AND SCOPE:
    The position operates in a grant-funded academic research environment and supports data-centered research projects involving biomedical, behavioral, survey, clinical, substance use disorder, health disparities, and genetics/genomics data.
    Work requires accuracy, confidentiality, reproducibility, and clear documentation. The employee will interact with faculty investigators, research staff, trainees, collaborators, and university administrative personnel, and must follow applicable institutional, grant, IRB, data-use, and privacy requirements.
    Assignments may include preparing analysis-ready files, reviewing data dictionaries and survey instruments, documenting genomic and phenotypic variables, resolving participant-count discrepancies, and supporting manuscript preparation.
    PRINCIPAL ACCOUNTABILITIES:
    • Organize, clean, and prepare survey, phenotypic, behavioral, clinical, substance use disorder, and genetics/genomics datasets for analysis.
    • Support All of Us research workflows, including cohort organization, variable identification, data extraction planning, and documentation of analytic datasets.
    • Restructure survey data into participant-level analytic formats when needed and assist with combining multiple data types into unified datasets.
    • Write and maintain clear definitions for genetic/genomic and phenotype data elements used in assigned research projects.
    • Investigate, document, and communicate discrepancies in participant counts, data availability, coding, or cohort definitions.
    • Prepare data dictionaries, codebooks, workflow notes, and reproducibility documentation for internal research use.
    • Assist with statistical, bioinformatics, or machine-learning preparation tasks, including variable organization and documentation of assumptions or limitations.
    • Contribute to manuscript preparation, including methods documentation, data summaries, table or figure support, references, and revision tracking.
    • Support grant-related deliverables, reports, presentations, meeting updates, and other research-related duties as assigned.
    • Maintain secure and confidential handling of research data in accordance with Howard University policies, grant requirements, IRB requirements, and data-use agreements.

    CORE COMPETENCIES:
    • Strong attention to detail and commitment to data accuracy.
    • Ability to organize complex datasets and document analytic decisions clearly.
    • Working knowledge of data cleaning, variable coding, and dataset preparation.
    • Ability to communicate data issues clearly to technical and non-technical audiences.
    • Commitment to confidentiality, research ethics, and responsible data stewardship.
    • Ability to manage multiple tasks and deadlines in a grant-funded research environment. Strong written communication skills for documentation, reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
    • Willingness to learn new data platforms, coding workflows, and analytic methods.

    MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:
    Bachelor's degree in biology, neuroscience, psychology, public health, bioinformatics, data science, statistics, computer science, or a related field required; master's degree preferred. At least one year of experience working with research data, biomedical datasets, survey data, clinical data, genetics/genomics data, or related analytic workflows preferred. Relevant coursework, internships, thesis work, or laboratory experience may be considered. Experience with one or more data-analysis tools or programming environments preferred, such as R, Python, SQL, SAS, SPSS, Stata, Jupyter notebooks, or cloud-based research workspaces. Familiarity with data dictionaries, codebooks, reproducible workflows, and research documentation preferred. Experience or interest in substance use disorder, addiction neuroscience, neuropsychopharmacology, health disparities, machine learning, genetics/genomics, or large-scale biomedical datasets preferred. Must be able to maintain confidentiality and comply with all university, grant, IRB, and data-use requirements.

Compliance Salary Range Disclosure
Expected Pay Range: $40,000- $50,000

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