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Research Lab Jobs in Washington, DC (NOW HIRING)

Cape Fox SS

Clinical Research Coordinator

Bethesda, MD · On-site

$26 - $34.50/hr

... Lab. Supports the collection of data from patient charts, medical records, interviews ... Supports assembly, development and review of new research projects. - Work with staff on manuscript ...

TAP Engineering

Research Project Manager

College Park, MD · On-site

$140K - $165K/yr

This program supports a government research lab, and as a contractor, TAP is responsible for providing world-class research scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff to drive advancements ...

TAP Engineering

Research Project Manager

College Park, MD · On-site

$125K - $140K/yr

This program supports a government research lab, and as a contractor, TAP is responsible for providing world-class research scientists, engineers, technicians, and support staff to drive advancements ...

Trace Systems

Help Desk Specialist II

Washington, DC · On-site

Naval Research Lab, Washington, DC Job Responsibilities Join our dynamic team at Trace Systems as we seek a talented and cleared Help Desk Specialist II to play a pivotal role in supporting the ...

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Research Lab information

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How much do research lab jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 18, 2026, the average hourly pay for research lab in Washington, DC is $24.94, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $17.40 and $31.01 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a research lab?

A research lab is a specialized facility where scientists, researchers, or students conduct experiments and investigations to advance knowledge in a particular field. Research labs can be found in universities, hospitals, private companies, or government institutions and are equipped with tools and equipment tailored to their focus area. These labs support a variety of activities, such as basic or applied research, testing, and product development, often following strict safety and ethical guidelines.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive in a research lab position, and why are they important?

To thrive in a Research Lab position, you need strong analytical skills, scientific knowledge in your field, and typically at least a bachelor's or advanced degree in a related discipline. Familiarity with lab equipment, data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), and adherence to safety protocols are commonly required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for success. These abilities ensure accurate experimentation, meaningful results, and a safe, collaborative research environment.

What are some common challenges faced when working in a research lab environment?

Working in a research lab often involves navigating tight deadlines, adapting to rapidly changing project priorities, and troubleshooting experimental setbacks. Collaboration is key, as you'll frequently work alongside other researchers, lab technicians, and sometimes students, which requires strong communication skills. Additionally, maintaining meticulous records and adhering to strict safety protocols are essential to ensure the accuracy and reproducibility of research findings. Overcoming these challenges can be highly rewarding and can help foster valuable problem-solving and teamwork skills for your future career.

What is the difference between Research Lab vs Research Assistant?

AspectResearch LabResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsTypically advanced degrees (Master's or PhD)Bachelor's or ongoing graduate studies
Work EnvironmentLaboratory settings, research facilitiesAssist in experiments, data collection in labs or field
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, corporate R&DUniversities, research projects, government agencies

Research Lab refers to a facility or organization conducting scientific research, often led by senior researchers. A Research Assistant is a role within a research lab, supporting experiments and data analysis. While both are involved in research activities, Research Lab is the environment or organization, whereas Research Assistant is a specific job position within that environment.

How to become a researcher in a research lab?

To become a researcher in a research lab, typically a bachelor's degree in a relevant field is required, with many positions favoring or requiring a master's or Ph.D. for advanced roles. Gaining experience through internships, developing strong analytical and technical skills, and familiarity with laboratory tools or software can improve prospects. Building a solid publication record or research portfolio also enhances eligibility for research positions.

How to join a research lab with no experience?

Research labs often accept volunteers or interns with little to no experience, especially if you demonstrate enthusiasm and a willingness to learn. You can start by reaching out to faculty or lab managers, expressing your interest, and highlighting any relevant skills or coursework; gaining basic knowledge of research methods or laboratory tools can also improve your chances.

What does a research lab do?

A research lab conducts experiments, collects data, and analyzes results to advance knowledge in a specific field. Researchers in labs use specialized tools and techniques, often working with equipment like microscopes or computers, to develop new products, solutions, or understanding. The work typically involves following protocols, documenting findings, and collaborating with other scientists or professionals.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research Lab jobs in Washington, DC?

The most popular types of Research Lab jobs in Washington, DC are:

Research Lab jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Lab job openings in Washington, DC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% Internship, 1% As Needed, 84% Full Time, 11% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 85% Physical, 4% Hybrid, and 11% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $51,871 per year, or $24.9 per hour.

Head of Policy & Security Research Lab

Scale AI, Inc.

Washington, DC • On-site

Other

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement, PTO

This job post has expired 1 day ago. Applications are no longer accepted.

Scale AI rating

8.5

Company rating: 8.5 out of 10

Based on 9 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

78th of 245 rated software companies

Job description

We are seeking a highly experienced, strategic and mission-driven leader to drive the policy research priorities of Scale Labs. This is a unique opportunity to lead a team of research scientists, policy experts and engineers on foundational AI safety and security work.

You will:

  • Own day-to-day responsibilities for the strategy, direction and execution of Scale's Policy Research Lab
  • Collaborate with a team of internal researchers, leading research labs across governments, industry, and academia.
  • Working alongside a team of internal researchers drive initiatives related to frameworks and benchmarks for frontier AI models.
  • Remain deeply engaged with the policy and research communities to understand and set trends.
  • Manage and coordinate the lab's projects, partnerships and strategy, including direct work with global AI safety institutes.
  • Finalize, coordinate, and execute the lab's recruiting plan and research agenda.

Ideally you'd have:

  • 6+ years of relevant academic or work experience
  • A track record of impactful research and/or policy contributions
  • Experience leading teams in relevant areas including AI Safety Policy, Thought Leadership and Research publications
  • Strong written and verbal communication skills for cross-functional collaboration.
  • Experience building and mentoring teams of research scientists and engineers.
  • A strong technical and policy background with a deep understanding of the AI safety space.
  • Extensive knowledge of frontier risk evaluations, AI control, and preparedness research.
  • Established connections with government partners, particularly AI safety institutes.

Nice to have:

  • Publications at major machine learning/AI conferences (e.g., NeurIPS, ICML, ICLR, ACL, EMNLP, CVPR) and/or journals.

Compensation packages at Scale for eligible roles include base salary, equity, and benefits. The range displayed on each job posting reflects the minimum and maximum target for new hire salaries for the position and may be inclusive of several career levels at Scale; it will be determined during the interview process based on work location and additional factors, including job-related skills, experience, qualifications, interview performance, and relevant education or training. Scale employees in eligible roles are also granted equity based compensation, subject to Board of Director approval. Your recruiter can share more about the specific salary range for your preferred location during the hiring process, and confirm whether the hired role will be eligible for equity grant. You'll also receive benefits including, but not limited to: comprehensive health, dental and vision coverage, retirement benefits, a learning and development stipend, and generous PTO. Additionally, this role may be eligible for additional benefits such as a commuter stipend.

Please reference the job posting's subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the locations of San Francisco, New York, Seattle is:
$198,000—$247,000 USD
Please reference the job posting's subtitle for where this position will be located. For pay transparency purposes, the base salary range for this full-time position in the locations of Washington DC, Texas, Colorado, Hawaii is:
$177,600—$247,000 USD

PLEASE NOTE:Our policy requires a 90-day waiting period before reconsidering candidates for the same role. This allows us to ensure a fair and thorough evaluation of all applicants.

About Us:

At Scale, our mission is to develop reliable AI systems for the world's most important decisions. Our products provide the high-quality data and full-stack technologies that power the world's leading models, and help enterprises and governments build, deploy, and oversee AI applications that deliver real impact. We work closely with industry leaders like Meta, Ernst & Young, Mayo Clinic, Time Inc., the Government of Qatar, and U.S. government agencies including the Army and Air Force. We are expanding our team to accelerate the development of AI applications.

We believe that everyone should be able to bring their whole selves to work, which is why we are proud to be an inclusive and equal opportunity workplace. We are committed to equal employment opportunity regardless of race, color, ancestry, religion, sex, national origin, sexual orientation, age, citizenship, marital status, disability status, gender identity or Veteran status.

We are committed to working with and providing reasonable accommodations to applicants with physical and mental disabilities. If you need assistance and/or a reasonable accommodation in the application or recruiting process due to a disability, please contact us at accommodations@scale.com. Please see the United States Department of Labor's Know Your Rights poster for additional information.

We comply with the United States Department of Labor's Pay Transparency provision.

PLEASE NOTE: We collect, retain and use personal data for our professional business purposes, including notifying you of job opportunities that may be of interest and sharing with our affiliates. We limit the personal data we collect to that which we believe is appropriate and necessary to manage applicants' needs, provide our services, and comply with applicable laws. Any information we collect in connection with your application will be treated in accordance with our internal policies and programs designed to protect personal data. Please see our privacy policy for additional information.

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