1

Research Associate Jobs in Chelsea, MI (NOW HIRING)

Design, execute, and optimize laboratory research related to organic synthesis, polymer development ... Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race ...

Design, execute, and optimize laboratory research related to organic synthesis, polymer development ... Employment opportunities are available to all applicants and associates without regard to race ...

RESEARCH ASST I (TEMP)

Ann Arbor, MI ยท On-site

$18.75 - $26/hr

High school diploma or equivalent required; associate or bachelor's degree in a life science, health science, or related field preferred. * Experience in a clinical, laboratory, or research setting ...

Showing results 21-40

Research Associate information

See Chelsea, MI salary details

$15

$30

$44

How much do research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 6, 2026, the average hourly pay for research associate in Chelsea, MI is $30.84, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $24.86 and $35.10 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research associate?

Research Associates are professionals who support research projects in academic, scientific, or business settings. They assist with designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports or publications. Research Associates often work under the supervision of principal investigators or senior researchers, contributing their expertise to advance the goals of the project. Their responsibilities can vary depending on the field, but typically involve both administrative and hands-on research tasks.

What does a research associate do?

As a research associate, you conduct research and analysis as directed by a senior researcher or project manager. Researchers work in a number of fields, including medical science, the social sciences, natural sciences, finance, management, and academia. Your specific duties and responsibilities differ depending on the field in which you work, but some features of your work are similar across industries. You typically do primary and secondary source research, organize and process data, analyze said data, and report on your findings to lead researchers or clinicians.

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

To thrive as a Research Associate, you need a strong background in research methodology, data analysis, and subject-specific knowledge, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with statistical software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), laboratory equipment, and research databases is often essential. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and clear written and verbal communication skills set outstanding Research Associates apart. These skills ensure accurate data collection, effective collaboration, and the production of reliable, impactful research outcomes.

What are some typical challenges a research associate might face when managing multiple research projects simultaneously?

As a Research Associate, juggling multiple projects often requires strong organizational skills and the ability to prioritize tasks effectively. You might encounter challenges such as balancing deadlines, coordinating with various team members, and adapting to shifting project goals or data requirements. Effective communication and proactive time management are essential to ensure each project progresses smoothly and meets its milestones. Many teams use project management tools and regular check-ins to help mitigate these challenges and support collaboration.

What is the difference between Research Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectResearch AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree in relevant fieldMaster's or PhD in relevant field
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research institutions, universitiesLaboratories, research institutions, industry settings
Employer & Industry UsageAcademic, government, non-profitAcademic, industry, biotech, pharma
Common Search & ComparisonYesYes

The main difference between a Research Associate and a Research Scientist lies in their educational requirements and level of experience. Research Associates typically hold a bachelor's or master's degree and assist in research projects, while Research Scientists usually have a PhD and lead research efforts. Both roles work in similar environments like labs and research institutions, but Research Scientists often have more independence and responsibility.

What qualifications do you need to be a research associate?

Research associates typically need a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as science, engineering, or social sciences. Many positions prefer or require a master's degree or higher, along with strong analytical skills, proficiency with research tools, and experience in data collection and analysis.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in Chelsea, MI?

The most popular types of Research jobs in Chelsea, MI are:

What cities near Chelsea, MI are hiring for Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Chelsea, MI with the most Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Research Associate job openings in Chelsea, MI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $64,148 per year, or $30.8 per hour.

Associate Research Scientist (Quality Assurance Lead)

Arbor Research Collaborative for Health

Ann Arbor, MI โ€ข On-site, Remote

$80K - $128K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 5 hours ago


Key responsibilities

  • Coordinate all quality assurance activities across all systems and ensure issue resolution processes are in place.

  • Lead a team of quality assurance analysts in designing and executing software tests, including automation testing and test coverage.

  • Oversee and develop comprehensive automation test plans and frameworks, and evaluate test cases for regression and new features.


Job description

Characteristic Duties and Responsibilitiesย 

  • ย As Quality Assurance Lead for the OPTN Patient Safety and Compliance task order, coordinates all QA across all systems and ensure there is a process in place for issue resolution across all teams/orgs. Maintains familiarity with modern quality assurance standards and tools. Champions automated testing and test coverage.
  • ย Leads of team of Quality assurance analysts that design and execute software tests to identify problems and learn how the software works.
  • ย Oversee, develop and execute comprehensive suites of automation test plans and test cases, maintaining and adding to existing automation framework, continued evaluation of test cases for inclusion in regression, automation for new features, and development of toolsets to augment QA and development testing.
  • Contribute to major research projects and provide input into new directions for existing program areas.ย 
  • Participate in successful proposals for new research studies that meaningfully support or extend Arbor Researchโ€™s portfolio. Lead proposals for supplementary support, including individual training grants.ย 
  • Develop and carry out methodological and/or applied research leading to peer-reviewed publications, reports to sponsoring agencies, and other dissemination strategies. Research agendas will be formulated to target both individual and organizational development goals and may be supported by funded project activity and dedicated organizational resources.ย 
  • Provide scientific and operational oversight for research projects. Work with a Project Manager to oversee the management of individual and team tasks and timelines.ย 
  • Make significant contributions to study protocol development and analytic approaches. Provide mentorship and/or guidance to the analytic staff.ย 
  • Present seminars, talks, and lectures externally on behalf of Arbor Research, and internally for staff advancement and education.ย 
  • Work creatively to identify additional ways to translate research findings into improving health services practice and policy.ย 
  • Lead projects including those focused on providing expert technical assistance to clients or health care organizations, implementation of health policies or health care delivery models, monitoring, program evaluation, and learning collaboratives.ย 
  • Provide operational oversight for projects, often including as a project director, deputy project director, or task lead. Work with a Project Manager to oversee the management of individual and team tasks and timelines. Build and maintain relationships with project sponsors, external partners, and internal managers and staff.ย 

A successful Associate Research Scientist typically advances to Research Scientist in one to three years.ย 

Core Valuesย 

Our core values define who we are as an organization and serve as the foundation of our code of ethics. Arbor Research expects all employees to embody these and demonstrate them in our day-to-day work.ย 

  • Collaborative Spiritย 

We expect each staff member to learn from and teach one another and ask each to exhibit a curiosity and respect for the contributions of others.ย 

  • Creativityย 

We strive to cultivate a challenging, stimulating, and supportive environment where our employees are expected to be inquisitive, take initiative, and demonstrate ingenuity.ย 

  • Credibilityย 

Our employees are smart, thoughtful, and objective in their work. We expect them to be technically solid in their area of expertise, and for those conducting research to demonstrate scientific rigor.ย 

  • Dedicationย 

Our team achieves success because of our dedication to carrying out high quality work and delivering trusted results.ย 

Supervisionย ย 

Associate Research Scientists work closely with a formal mentor to initiate and guide their own work. Additional opportunities for mentorship and collaboration will be made available among the organizationโ€™s methodological and clinical teams. Formal supervision is provided by a Senior Research Scientist (or other senior research staff member) who may or may not also be the formal mentor.ย 

Required Qualificationsย 

  • MD, PhD or master's degree and/or relative experience in health services research, biostatistics, epidemiology, health economics, health policy or other social science fieldย 
  • Capability to succeed in research, as demonstrated by development of specific content-area expertise, lead, or senior authorship on refereed publications, and/or invited presentationsย 
  • Demonstrated potential to meaningfully contribute to research projects, as well as securing funding for new projects consistent with the Arbor Research missionย ย ย 
  • Strong oral and written communication skillsย ย 
  • Ability to travel, including international, with several nights away from home per yearย 

Annual Salary Rangeย 

$80,000 - $128,500ย (US National Average)ย 

Base Compensation Determination

Base Compensation is determined by market range and geographic location pay zones. Base Compensation also includes various individual factors unique to each candidate such as job level, prior experience, skill set, certification and educational which may impact the compensation structure.

This position is classified as exempt according to FLSA guidelinesย