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Research Project Associate Jobs (NOW HIRING)

Mercor

Strategic Project Associate

San Francisco, CA · On-site

$120K/yr

You'll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the ... As a Strategic Project Associate (SPA) at Mercor, you will work with Strategic Project Leads to ...

The Pennsylvania State University

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Individuals hired as Project Associates will either work with assigned faculty on a research project or provide technical and classroom management support for instructors. Project Associates hired ...

The Pennsylvania State University

$14.75 - $18.25/hr

Individuals hired as Project Associates will either work with assigned faculty on a research project or provide technical and classroom management support for instructors. Project Associates hired ...

A COMMUNITY OF FRIENDS

Senior Project Associate

Los Angeles, CA · On-site

$80K - $90K/yr

... researching site zoning and possible entitlement paths, obtaining, and reviewing title information ... If a Project Associate is assigned to Senior Project Associates' projects, provide leadership and ...

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How much do research project associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Jul 2, 2026, the average hourly pay for research project associate in the United States is $30.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $20.19 and $35.58 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Research Project Associate, you need strong analytical skills, project management experience, and typically a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant field. Familiarity with data analysis tools (such as SPSS, R, or Excel), research databases, and project management software is often required. Outstanding organization, attention to detail, and effective communication are crucial soft skills for coordinating tasks and collaborating with research teams. These competencies ensure projects are executed efficiently, data is accurately managed, and findings are clearly communicated to stakeholders.

What are some typical challenges faced by Research Project Associates when managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Research Project Associates often handle several projects at once, which can make prioritization and time management challenging. Balancing deadlines, coordinating with diverse teams, and ensuring data integrity across projects requires strong organizational and communication skills. Effective use of project management tools and regular check-ins with team members help in navigating these challenges and maintaining project momentum.

What are Research Project Associates?

Research Project Associates are professionals who manage and coordinate research projects, often within academic, scientific, or healthcare settings. They support principal investigators by handling project logistics, data collection, regulatory compliance, and reporting. Their role ensures that research studies are conducted efficiently, ethically, and in accordance with institutional and governmental guidelines. Research Project Associates often act as a bridge between researchers, sponsors, and administrative staff to facilitate smooth project execution.
What are the most commonly searched types of Research Project jobs? The most popular types of Research Project jobs are:
Research Project Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Research Project Associate job openings in the United States as of June 2026, with employment types broken down into 65% Full Time, 32% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $63,044 per year, or $30.3 per hour.
Strategic Project Associate

Strategic Project Associate

Mercor

San Francisco, CA • On-site

$120K/yr

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Retirement

Posted 19 days ago

Job description

About Mercor
Mercor's mission is to organize human intelligence to power the AI economy. We partner with leading AI labs and enterprises to provide the human intelligence essential to AI development. Our vast talent network trains frontier AI models in the same way teachers teach students: by sharing knowledge, experience, and context that can't be captured in code alone. Today, more than 30,000 experts in our network collectively earn over $3 million a day.
Mercor is creating a new category of work where expertise powers AI advancement. Achieving this requires an ambitious, fast-paced and deeply committed team. You'll work alongside researchers, operators, and AI companies at the forefront of shaping the systems that are redefining society. Mercor is a profitable Series C company valued at $10 billion. We work in-person five days a week in our San Francisco, NYC, or London offices.
About the Role
Silicon Valley's top AI companies work with Mercor to find domain experts who can help train and evaluate their models. As a Strategic Project Associate (SPA) at Mercor, you will work with Strategic Project Leads to drive the tactical execution of these projects, ensure top-notch service to customers, and single-handedly drive millions of dollars in revenue. In doing so, you will have a significant impact on Mercor's long-term growth. Strategic Project Associates will report to a Strategic Project Lead.
Our Strategic Project Associate program is designed for exceptional recent grads (targeted graduation date of December '25 or May/June '26) and will provide a fast-paced introduction to running large scale human data projects. Promotions to Strategic Project Lead will be considered on a quarterly basis (with a target of ~6-12 months). We're an early-stage startup that operates with intensity. That means occasionally being responsive on weekends and always holding a high bar for output. The upside - performance incentives, career trajectory, and meaningful equity - reflects that.
Key Responsibilities
  • Generate $10M+ in revenue by executing large-scale projects on behalf of leading AI labs and tech companies
  • Source, vet, and manage the performance of hundreds of domain experts from different disciplines (e.g., software engineering, medicine, law)
  • Foster strong relationships with researchers at leading AI labs and tech companies, anticipating client needs and identifying opportunities for project expansion
  • Collaborate closely with the wider Operations team to execute project strategies, meet client objectives, and drive process optimizations
  • Interface with the Engineering & Machine Learning team to improve the Mercor platform
What Are We Looking For?
  • Experience in consulting, finance, startups, or similar organizations
  • Strong analytical and communication skills
  • Experience working with customers
Compensation
  • Base cash compensation $120k
  • Generous equity grant vested over 4 years
  • A $7.5K relocation bonus (if moving to the Bay Area)
  • $10K proximity bonus (if you live within 0.5 miles of our office)
  • $1.5K monthly stipend for meals
  • Free Equinox membership
  • $200 monthly laundry reimbursement
  • $200 monthly personal wellness reimbursement
  • Health, Dental, Vision insurance401(k) with company match

We consider all qualified applicants without regard to legally protected characteristics and provide reasonable accommodations upon request.

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