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Research Development Associate Jobs in Loudon, TN

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Research Development Associate information

See Loudon, TN salary details

$25.6K

$47.1K

$71.4K

How much do research development associate jobs pay per year?

As of Aug 29, 2026, the average yearly pay for research development associate in Loudon, TN is $47,104.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37,500.00 and $52,900.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research development associate?

Research Development Associates are professionals who support the development, coordination, and management of research projects, typically within universities, research institutes, or large organizations. Their responsibilities often include identifying funding opportunities, assisting with grant proposal preparation, fostering research collaborations, and ensuring compliance with funding agency guidelines. They serve as a bridge between researchers and administrative offices, helping to maximize research productivity and funding success. Research Development Associates play a key role in advancing institutional research goals and facilitating interdisciplinary initiatives.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a research development associate?

To thrive as a Research Development Associate, you need expertise in grant writing, project management, and research methodologies, often supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree. Familiarity with funding databases, proposal submission systems, and data analysis tools is typically required. Strong communication, collaboration, and organizational skills help build relationships with researchers and manage complex projects. These skills ensure effective acquisition of research funding and successful coordination of research initiatives.

How does a research development associate typically collaborate with faculty and research teams to support grant proposals?

As a Research Development Associate, you'll work closely with faculty, principal investigators, and research teams to identify funding opportunities, develop competitive grant proposals, and ensure compliance with institutional and sponsor guidelines. This often involves facilitating brainstorming sessions, coordinating interdisciplinary collaborations, and providing feedback on proposal drafts. You'll also serve as a liaison between researchers and administrative offices, helping to streamline the submission process and enhance the overall quality of proposals.

What is the difference between Research Development Associate vs Research Coordinator?

AspectResearch Development AssociateResearch Coordinator
CredentialsBachelor's or Master's in relevant field, research experienceBachelor's or Master's, often with project management skills
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, academic institutions, industry R&DResearch sites, labs, academic or healthcare settings
Employer & IndustryUniversities, biotech, pharma, research institutesHospitals, universities, research organizations
Primary FocusSupporting research development, grant writing, proposal preparationManaging research projects, data collection, compliance

The Research Development Associate primarily focuses on supporting research initiatives through grant writing and proposal development, while the Research Coordinator manages the day-to-day operations of research projects, including data collection and compliance. Both roles require research experience and are common in academic and industry research settings, but they differ in their core responsibilities and focus areas.

What cities near Loudon, TN are hiring for Research Development Associate jobs?

Cities near Loudon, TN with the most Research Development Associate job openings:

Research Development Associate jobs near you

R&D Associate - Data Center Thermal Management

Oak Ridge, TN • On-site

Oak Ridge National Laboratory
Scientific Research and Development Services • 5 - 10K employees

8.8

Company rating: 8.8 out of 10

Based on 16 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

14th of 120 rated laboratories

Great coworkers

People enjoy working here

Good employer

Learn more about Oak Ridge National Laboratoryexternal

$51K - $51K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 15 days ago

Job description

Requisition Id 16924
Overview:
We are seeking an R&D Associate who will focus on data center thermal management technologies. This position resides in the Multifunctional Equipment Integration Group in the Thermal Systems Science Section, Buildings and Transportation Science Division, Energy Science and Technology Directorate, at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL).
Major Duties/Responsibilities:
  • Designing, developing, and conducting experiments related to data center thermal management technologies, phase change heat transfer processes, dehumidification systems, heat exchangers, and related systems.
  • Analyzing experimental data.
  • Publishing research in leading peer-reviewed journals and conferences.
  • Collaborating with domain scientists and others to maintain a high level of scientific productivity.
  • Ensuring compliance with environment, safety, health, and quality program requirements.
  • Maintaining a strong commitment to the implementation and perpetuation of values and ethics.
  • Deliver ORNL's mission by aligning behaviors, priorities, and interactions with our core values of Impact, Integrity, Teamwork, Safety, and Service. Promote equal opportunity by fostering a respectful workplace - in how we treat one another, work together, and measure success.

Basic Qualifications:
  • A PhD degree in Mechanical Engineering or a related discipline
  • 2 years of experience in data center thermal management analytical, modeling, and/or experimental research and development.
  • Flexibility to adapt evolving research scope and programmatic needs.
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills.
  • Motivated self-starter with the ability to work independently and to participate creatively in collaborative teams across the laboratory.
  • Ability to function well in a fast-paced research environment, set priorities to accomplish multiple tasks within deadlines, and adapt to ever changing needs.

Preferred Qualifications:
  • Strong background in experimental systems related to heat and mass transfer systems.
  • Knowledge of CFD tools and analytical modelling is preferred.
  • Experience with data center cooling system design is preferred.

Special Requirements:
  • Letters of Recommendation: Please submit three letters of reference when applying for this position. You may upload these directly to your application or have them sent to ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov with the position title and number referenced in the subject line.
  • Instructions to upload documents to your candidate profile:
    • Login to your account via jobs.ornl.gov
    • View Profile
    • Under the My Documents section, select Add a Document
  • Security, Credentialing and Eligibility Requirements: For employment at Oak Ridge National Laboratory (ORNL), a Real ID compliant form of identification will be required. Additionally, ORNL is subject to Department of Energy (DOE) access restrictions. All employees must also be able to obtain and maintain a federal Personal Identity Verification (PIV) card as mandated by Homeland Security Presidential Directive 12 (HSPD-12) and Department of Energy (DOE) Order 473.1A, which requires a favorable post-employment background investigation.

To obtain this credential, new employees must successfully complete and pass a Federal Tier 1 background check investigation. This investigation includes a declaration of illegal drug activities, including use, supply, possession, or manufacture within the last year. This includes marijuana and cannabis derivatives, which are still considered illegal under federal law, regardless of state laws.
For foreign national candidates:
If you have not resided in the U.S. for three consecutive years, you are not eligible for the PIV credential and instead will need to obtain a favorable Local Site Specific Only (LSSO) risk determination to maintain employment. Once you meet the three-year residency requirement, you will be required to obtain a PIV credential to maintain employment.
About ORNL:
As a U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) Office of Science national laboratory, ORNL has an impressive 80-year legacy of addressing the nation's most pressing challenges. Our team is made up of over 7,000 dedicated and innovative individuals! Our goal is to create an environment where a variety of perspectives and backgrounds are valued, ensuring ORNL is known as a top choice for employment. These principles are essential for supporting our broader mission to drive scientific breakthroughs and translate them into solutions for energy, environmental, and security challenges facing the nation.
ORNL offers competitive pay and benefits programs to attract and retain individuals who demonstrate exceptional work behaviors. The laboratory provides a range of employee benefits, including medical and retirement plans and flexible work hours, to support the well-being of you and your family. Employee amenities such as on-site fitness, banking, and cafeteria facilities are also available for added convenience.
Other benefits include the following: Prescription Drug Plan, Dental Plan, Vision Plan, 401(k) Retirement Plan, Contributory Pension Plan, Life Insurance, Disability Benefits, Generous Vacation and Holidays, Parental Leave, Legal Insurance with Identity Theft Protection, Employee Assistance Plan, Flexible Spending Accounts, Health Savings Accounts, Wellness Programs, Educational Assistance, Relocation Assistance, and Employee Discounts.
This position will remain open for a minimum of 5 days after which it will close when a qualified candidate is identified and/or hired.
We accept Word (.doc, .docx), Adobe (unsecured .pdf), Rich Text Format (.rtf), and HTML (.htm, .html) up to 5MB in size. Resumes from third party vendors will not be accepted; these resumes will be deleted and the candidates submitted will not be considered for employment.
If you have trouble applying for a position, please email ORNLRecruiting@ornl.gov.
ORNL is an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants, including individuals with disabilities and protected veterans, are encouraged to apply. UT-Battelle is an E-Verify employer.

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