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Scientific Associate Jobs in Washington (NOW HIRING)

Data Scientist

Mclean, VA · On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Databricks Data Scientist Associate, AWS ML Specialty, Azure Data Scientist Associate, Google Professional Data Engineer. About steampunk Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary ...

Data Science Associate

Chantilly, VA · On-site

$65K - $68K/yr

Master's Degree in Data Science, Analytics, Statistics, Computer Science, or a related quantitative field preferred * Bachelor's Degree in a STEM discipline with strong analytical coursework ...

Associate Scientist

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$65K - $108K/yr

We are seeking an Associate Scientist to support formulation development, stability studies, analytical testing, and documentation for vaccine and biotherapeutic programs at the National Institute of ...

Associate Scientist

Gaithersburg, MD · On-site

$65K - $108K/yr

We are seeking an Associate Scientist to support formulation development, stability studies, analytical testing, and documentation for vaccine and biotherapeutic programs at the National Institute of ...

The incumbent Associate Research Scientist must be willing and able to take the lead in writing ... and scientific audiences. Preferred Qualifications: Experience with sustainable agriculture ...

Showing results 21-40

Scientific Associate information

See Washington salary details

$15

$35

$59

How much do scientific associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for scientific associate in Washington is $35.65, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $21.78 and $45.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

Thriving as a Scientific Associate requires a strong background in biological or chemical sciences, typically supported by a relevant bachelor's or master's degree and laboratory experience. Familiarity with laboratory information management systems (LIMS), data analysis software, and standard lab equipment is essential. Attention to detail, problem-solving abilities, and effective teamwork are crucial soft skills for this role. These competencies ensure accurate research results, efficient collaboration, and compliance with scientific and safety standards.

How does a scientific associate typically collaborate with senior scientists and other team members on ongoing research projects?

Scientific Associates play a key role in supporting research initiatives by working closely with senior scientists and cross-functional teams. They often assist with experimental design, data collection, and analysis, while also helping to troubleshoot technical issues in the lab. Regular communication and collaboration are essential, as Scientific Associates frequently participate in team meetings, present findings, and contribute to problem-solving discussions. This collaborative environment not only enhances project outcomes but also provides valuable opportunities for learning and professional development.

What is the difference between Scientific Associate vs Laboratory Technician?

AspectScientific AssociateLaboratory Technician
Required CredentialsBachelor's degree in science or related field; some roles may require a master'sAssociate's degree or relevant certification; some roles may require a bachelor's
Work EnvironmentResearch labs, pharmaceutical companies, academic institutionsClinical labs, research facilities, industrial laboratories
Employer & Industry UsageResearch and development, biotech, pharmaceuticals, academiaHealthcare, diagnostics, manufacturing, research

Both roles involve laboratory work, but Scientific Associates typically engage in more complex research tasks and data analysis, while Laboratory Technicians focus on routine testing and sample preparation. The choice depends on your education level and career goals within scientific and laboratory settings.

What does a scientific associate do?

A scientific associate conducts experiments, collects and analyzes data, and supports research projects in laboratories or field settings. They often use specialized tools and follow safety protocols, and may require knowledge of scientific methods and technical skills. Their work helps advance scientific understanding and supports research objectives.

What are the most commonly searched types of Scientific jobs in Washington?

The most popular types of Scientific jobs in Washington are:

What cities in Washington are hiring for Scientific Associate jobs?

Cities in Washington with the most Scientific Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Scientific Associate job openings in Washington as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 3% Temporary, and 5% Contract. Highlights an 92% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 7% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $74,154 per year, or $35.7 per hour.

Data Scientist

Steampunk

Mclean, VA • On-site

$125K - $160K/yr

Other

Re-posted 8 days ago


Job description

Overview
We are seeking aData Scientist to design, build, and deliver predictive analytics, machine learning models, and data-driven insights that support mission and business outcomes. This role requires strong analytical and modeling skills, hands-on experience with ML frameworks, and the ability to collaborate across engineering, data, and product teams. The Data Scientist will contribute to the full lifecycle of model development, from data exploration and feature engineering to model training, evaluation, and deployment, while supporting the articulation of insights and recommendations to technical and non-technical stakeholders.
Contributions
  • Conduct exploratory data analysis (EDA) to uncover trends, identify data quality issues, and determine modeling opportunities.
  • Develop machine learning models using frameworks such as scikit-learn, XGBoost, PyTorch, TensorFlow, or similar libraries.
  • Perform feature engineering, dataset preparation, and model optimization to improve predictive accuracy and operational performance.
  • Evaluate models using appropriate statistical methods and performance metrics, documenting findings and informing iterative improvements.
  • Work with Data Engineers to understand and enhance data pipelines, ensuring model-ready datasets are accurate, complete, and consistent.
  • Collaborate with AI Developers and LLMOps/MLOps Engineers to integrate ML models into production environments or decision-support applications.
  • Build visualizations, dashboards, data stories, and executive-friendly summaries to communicate insights clearly to stakeholders.
  • Support human-centered design processes by translating user needs into modeling requirements and refining model outputs based on feedback.
  • Contribute to reproducibility and auditability by maintaining well-organized code, notebooks, documentation, and experiment histories.
  • Stay current with modern data science methodologies, ML techniques, data processing tools, and cloud-enabled analytics workflows.
  • You will contribute to the growth of our AI & Data Exploitation Practice!

Qualifications
  • Ability to hold a position of public trust with the U.S. government.
  • Bachelor's or Master's degree in Data Science, Computer Science, Statistics, Mathematics, Analytics, Engineering, Economics, or a related field.
  • 6+ years of experience building and evaluating machine learning models or performing advanced analytics.
  • Proficiency in Python and core data science libraries (Pandas, NumPy, scikit-learn, Matplotlib/Seaborn).
  • Hands-on experience with at least one modern ML framework (e.g., PyTorch, TensorFlow, XGBoost).
  • Experience writing efficient SQL queries and working with structured or semi-structured data in cloud or database environments.
  • Familiarity with cloud data and ML platforms such as AWS, Azure, GCP, or Databricks.
  • Strong understanding of statistics, probability, experimental design, and model validation techniques.
  • Ability to communicate technical concepts clearly to stakeholders and collaborate across multidisciplinary teams.
  • Experience with dashboarding tools (Tableau, Power BI) or Python visualization libraries is a plus.
  • Curiosity and adaptability, with a drive to stay current in rapidly evolving data and ML practices.
  • Relevant certifications (helpful but not required): Databricks Data Scientist Associate, AWS ML Specialty, Azure Data Scientist Associate, Google Professional Data Engineer.

About steampunk
Steampunk relies on several factors to determine salary, including but not limited to geographic location, contractual requirements, education, knowledge, skills, competencies, and experience. The projected compensation range for this position is $125,000 to $160,000. The estimate displayed represents a typical annual salary range for this position. Annual salary is just one aspect of Steampunk's total compensation package for employees. Learn more about additional Steampunk benefits here.
Identity Statement
As part of the application process, you are expected to be on camera during interviews and assessments. We reserve the right to take your picture to verify your identity and prevent fraud.
Steampunk is a Change Agent in the Federal contracting industry, bringing new thinking to clients in the Homeland, Federal Civilian, Health and DoD sectors. Through our Human-Centered delivery methodology, we are fundamentally changing the expectations our Federal clients have for true shared accountability in solving their toughest mission challenges. As an employee owned company, we focus on investing in our employees to enable them to do the greatest work of their careers - and rewarding them for outstanding contributions to our growth. If you want to learn more about our story, visit http://www.steampunk.com.