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Research Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

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Entry-Level Research Associate Location: Chapel Hill, NC Position Type: This is a full-time, hybrid position with some in-office work required. Overview If you are passionate about STEM education and ...

Be Seen First

Entry-Level Research Associate Location: Chapel Hill, NC Position Type: This is a full-time, hybrid position with some in-office work required. Overview If you are passionate about STEM education and ...

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Research information

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$5

$13

$25

How much do research jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 25, 2026, the average hourly pay for research in Raleigh, NC is $13.51, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $8.36 and $17.43 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is research?

Research jobs involve systematically investigating topics to discover new knowledge, analyze data, or solve specific problems. Professionals in these roles may work in academic, scientific, corporate, or government settings, conducting experiments, gathering data, and publishing findings. Common positions include research assistants, analysts, and scientists, each contributing to advancements in their field. Research jobs require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and the ability to communicate results effectively. These positions are essential for driving innovation and informed decision-making.

What are different careers that involve research?

Research is a vital aspect of many careers. History, anthropology, archeology, and sociology are just a few subjects that rely on the study of information. Other career paths with a heavy focus on data collection and analysis include forensic science technician, research analyst, medical scientist, agricultural and food science technician, computer and information research scientist, market researcher, archivist, and research associate. For each of these careers, you must be analytical, methodical, organized, and able to work with a team to be successful.

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

To thrive as a Researcher, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a relevant academic background, usually with at least a bachelor's or master's degree in your field. Familiarity with data analysis tools (such as SPSS, R, or Python), literature databases, and sometimes research certifications like CITI training are commonly required. Critical thinking, curiosity, and effective communication help researchers excel in synthesizing information, collaborating with peers, and presenting findings. These competencies enable rigorous, credible studies that advance knowledge and inform evidence-based decisions.

What are some common challenges faced by professionals in research roles, and how can they be addressed?

Professionals in research roles often encounter challenges such as securing funding, managing tight deadlines, and navigating ambiguous or inconclusive data. To address these, it's important to develop strong project management skills, maintain open communication with stakeholders, and stay adaptable when adjusting research methodologies. Collaborating closely with team members and seeking mentorship can also help overcome obstacles and promote successful outcomes.

What is the difference between Research vs Data Analyst?

AspectResearchData Analyst
Required CredentialsDegree in research-related fields, often with specialized certificationsDegree in statistics, data science, or related fields; certifications like SAS or Tableau
Work EnvironmentAcademic, corporate R&D, or market research settingsBusiness, finance, healthcare, or tech industries
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, corporationsCompanies, consulting firms, government agencies
Common Search & ComparisonResearch vs Data Analyst

Research professionals focus on generating new knowledge, conducting experiments, and analyzing data to support hypotheses. Data analysts interpret existing data sets to provide actionable insights for decision-making. While both roles involve data analysis, research emphasizes hypothesis testing and knowledge creation, whereas data analysis centers on data interpretation for business or operational purposes.

What degree do you need for research jobs?

Research jobs typically require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as science, social science, or engineering. Advanced positions often require a master's degree or Ph.D., especially in academic or specialized research roles. Relevant skills, experience, and familiarity with research tools can also be important factors.

What jobs can I do if I like research?

Research skills can be applied to a variety of jobs such as research analyst, market researcher, data analyst, scientific researcher, or policy analyst. These roles often require strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and proficiency with data analysis tools or research methodologies.

What kind of careers are in research?

Research careers include roles such as research scientist, research analyst, and research associate, working in fields like healthcare, technology, social sciences, and engineering. These positions often require strong analytical skills, familiarity with data analysis tools, and advanced degrees or specialized training depending on the industry.

What are the most commonly searched types of Research jobs in Raleigh, NC?

The most popular types of Research jobs in Raleigh, NC are:

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Research jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Research job openings:

Infographic showing various Research job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 80% Full Time, and 20% Part Time. Highlights an 60% In-person, and 40% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $28,093 per year, or $13.5 per hour.

Cheminformatics Lead Research Scientist - Chemical Insights Research Institute II

Morrisville, NC โ€ข On-site

UL Research Institutes
Scientific Research and Development Servicesย โ€ขย 51 - 200 employees

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Retirement, PTO

Posted 22 days ago


Job description

Job Description
We have an exciting opportunity for a Cheminformatics Lead Research Scientist II at UL Research Institutes Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI), based in our Morrisville, NC facility. The Cheminformatics Lead Research Scientist develops and applies advanced cheminformatics workflows to support the UL Research Institutes' Chemical Insights mission of advancing human and environmental health. This role focuses on developing requisite datasets and databases for characterizing chemicals with potential human exposure, including structure-based predictions for physiochemical properties, toxicological responses, toxicokinetic properties, and exposure-related functional uses. The Cheminformatics Lead Research Scientist works closely with CIRI scientists and external collaborators to deliver high-quality scientific outputs that inform chemical safety, risk assessment, regulatory policy, and public awareness.
UL Research Institutes:
At UL Research Institutes (ULRI), we expand the boundaries of safety science to create a more secure and sustainable world. For more than a century, we have studied the unintended consequences of innovation, designed solutions to mitigate risk and shared our findings with academia, scientists, manufacturers, and policymakers across industries. We identify critical safety and sustainability issues, asking the tough questions because we believe a safer world begins with knowledge.
Build a safer, more secure, and sustainable future with us. Join us and work with our Chemical Insight team who conduct the research required to produce that knowledge and put into practice.
Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI):
The Chemical Insights Research Institute (CIRI) contributes to the protection of public health and well-being by conducting scientific research. Our research and initiatives let people around the world know what chemicals are in the air we breathe and how they affect human health and the planet. We share our research and knowledge through information and application tools with leaders in the scientific, business, and policy communities to raise awareness of human health risks stemming from emerging technologies. To learn more, visit: chemicalinsights.org/
What you'll learn and achieve:
As the Cheminformatics Lead Research Scientist II , you will play a key role in the rapid growth of UL as you:
  • Design and implement innovative cheminformatic research initiatives linking chemical structure and physical properties to hazard and exposure.
  • Leads development of curated databases containing chemical structural representations, chemical identifiers, and physicochemical properties to expand understanding of chemicals with potential human exposure.
  • Develops and applies advanced cheminformatic workflows to create chemical structural representations, descriptor calculations, chemical taxonomy/classification, and physicochemical properties, working with software and data engineers to ensure reproducibility.
  • Leads and manages chemical curation efforts, both manual and computational, and collaborates with analytical chemists to incorporate curated chemical structures and properties into non-targeted analysis workflows.
  • Collaborates with and supports toxicologists, exposure scientists, and toxicokinetic scientists to provide high-quality chemistry information for linking cross-disciplinary data and computational modeling.
  • Builds machine learning-based quantitative structure-activity relationship models for physicochemical properties, analytical chemistry, toxicological endpoints, toxicokinetic properties, and exposure-related functional uses as needed.
  • Provide scientific and technical expertise in chemistry and cheminformatics to support chemical safety research projects, chemical prioritization efforts, and the development of software applications and decision-support tools.
  • Writes clean, maintainable, and well-documented code, following best practices and coding standards.
  • Stay current with emerging trends, technologies, and scientific literature in cheminformatic methods and workflows.
  • Present research findings at scientific conferences, stakeholder meetings, and technical forums, and serve as author on technical reports and peer-reviewed publications.
  • Assist in writing research proposals and securing funding from internal and external sources.
  • Mentor and guide junior researchers, post-doctoral scientists, and interns in cheminformatics methods, chemical curation, and computational modeling approaches.
  • Perform other duties as assigned.

What you'll experience working at UL Research Institutes: We have pursued our mission of working for a safer, more secure, and sustainable world for nearly 130 years, embedding conscientious stewardship into everything we do.
  • People: Our people make us special. You'll work with a diverse team of experts respected for their independence and transparency and build a network, because our approach is collaborative. We collaborate across disciplines, organizations, and geographies to build the global scientific response that today's global challenges require.
  • Interesting work: Every day is different for us here. We see what's on the horizon and use our expertise to build the foundations of a safer future. You'll have the opportunity to push the boundaries of human understanding as part of a team working to advance the public good.
  • Grow and achieve: We learn, work, and grow together through targeted development, reward, and recognition programs.
  • Values. Four core values guide our work: collaboration, respect, integrity, and beneficence. By living our values, we inspire the trust essential to fulfilling our mission and foster the partnerships that enable us to pursue a beneficent future in which we all can thrive.
  • Total Rewards: All employees at UL Research Institutes are eligible for bonus compensation. We offer comprehensive medical, dental, vision, and life insurance plans and a generous 401k matching structure of up to 5% of eligible pay. Moreover, we invest an additional 4% into your retirement saving fund after your first year of continuous employment. Depending on your role, you may be able to discuss flexible working arrangements with your manager. We also provide employees with paid time off, including vacation, holiday, sick, and volunteer days.

What makes you a great fit:
While no one candidate will embody every quality, the successful candidate will bring many of the following professional competencies and personal attributes:
  • Expert-level knowledge in chemistry, cheminformatics, and related scientific disciplines.
  • Expert understanding of molecular structure representations, descriptor calculation, and chemical taxonomy/classification.
  • Demonstrated contributions related to chemistry topics relevant to toxicology, exposure science, non-targeted analysis, or toxicokinetics.
  • Proficiency in Python, R, and/or Java, along with experience using or creating SQL, noSQL, or other database solutions.
  • Demonstrated ability to independently execute cheminformatic workflows and oversee all research project phases from design to dissemination.
  • Proven track record of publishing in peer-reviewed journals and presenting at scientific meetings.
  • Clearly communicate complex chemistry and cheminformatic concepts to diverse technical and non-technical audiences and translate findings into actionable insights.
  • Strong problem-solving skills and the ability to integrate chemical structural and property data with broader public health research.
  • Ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams.
  • Demonstrated ability to mentor and develop junior scientists, post-doctoral researchers, and interns while fostering a collaborative research environment.

Professional education and experience requirements for the role include:
  • PhD in chemistry, computational chemistry, or a related field.
  • Minimum 8 years of post-graduate experience in cheminformatics, computational chemistry, or related disciplines.
  • Demonstrated experience in developing cheminformatic workflows using code to manage and utilize chemical structural representations, descriptor calculations, chemical taxonomy/classification, and physicochemical properties in chemical safety applications.
  • Direct experience in chemistry sufficient to lead chemical structure and property curation.
  • Experience in developing structure-based methods for selecting representative chemicals from larger chemical space.
  • Experience developing machine-learning based models for predicting hazard or physical properties from chemical structure.
  • Proven track record of peer-reviewed publications, technical presentations to diverse audiences, and service on expert panels.

About UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement
UL Research Institutes and UL Standards & Engagement are nonprofit organizations dedicated to advancing safety science research through the discovery and application of scientific knowledge. We conduct rigorous independent research and analyze safety data, convene experts worldwide to address risks, share knowledge through safety education and public outreach initiatives, and develop standards to guide safe commercialization of evolving technologies. We foster communities of safety, from grassroots initiatives for neighborhoods to summits of world leaders. Our organization employs collaborative and scientific approaches with partners and stakeholders to drive innovation and progress toward improving safety, security, and sustainability, ultimately enhancing societal well-being.
To learn more, visit our websites UL.org and ULSE.org.
Salary Range:
$119,260.28-$163,982.88
Pay Type:
Salary