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Senior Research Associate Jobs in Indiana (NOW HIRING)

  • Medical

  • Life

The Senior Clinical Research Associate (Sr. CRA) is an experienced clinical operations professional responsible for managing site monitoring and relationship activities across multiple clinical ...

New

Research Scientist Senior

Indianapolis, IN · On-site

$94K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Research Scientist Senior Research Scientist Senior This role requires associates to be in-office 1 - 2 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support ...

New

Research Scientist Senior

Indianapolis, IN · On-site +1

$94K - $120K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Research Scientist Senior Research Scientist Senior This role requires associates to be in-office 1 - 2 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support ...

New

Research Scientist Senior

Indianapolis, IN · On-site +1

$94K - $119K/yr

  • Medical

  • Dental

  • Vision

  • Life

  • Retirement

  • PTO

Research Scientist Senior This role requires associates to be in-office 1 - 2 days per week, fostering collaboration and connectivity, while providing flexibility to support productivity and work ...

New

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Showing results 1-20

Senior Research Associate information

See Indiana salary details

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$42

$61

How much do senior research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 14, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior research associate in Indiana is $42.86, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.15 and $48.03 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What are some common challenges faced by senior research associates in managing multiple projects simultaneously?

Senior Research Associates often juggle several projects at once, which can make prioritization and time management challenging. Balancing hands-on experimental work, data analysis, and documentation while meeting project deadlines requires strong organizational skills and clear communication with team members. Proactively coordinating with principal investigators and cross-functional teams helps ensure that expectations are aligned, resources are available, and progress stays on track. Utilizing project management tools and regular team meetings can also aid in overcoming these challenges.

What is the difference between Senior Research Associate vs Research Scientist?

AspectSenior Research AssociateResearch Scientist
Required CredentialsBachelor's or Master's degree, relevant experienceMaster's or Ph.D., specialized research training
Work EnvironmentLaboratories, research teams, industry or academiaAdvanced research settings, independent projects
Employer & Industry UsagePharmaceuticals, biotech, academia, governmentResearch institutions, biotech firms, academia
Common Search & ComparisonOften compared for career progression, responsibilitiesMore specialized, higher-level research roles

The main difference between a Senior Research Associate and a Research Scientist lies in their experience, level of independence, and research responsibilities. Senior Research Associates typically support research projects with substantial experience, while Research Scientists often lead projects and require advanced degrees like a Ph.D. for more independent research roles. Both roles are vital in research environments, but Research Scientists usually hold a higher level of expertise and responsibility.

How much does a senior research associate make in the US?

A senior research associate in the US typically earns between $60,000 and $90,000 annually, depending on the industry, location, and level of experience. Salaries can vary based on the organization and whether the role requires specialized skills or advanced degrees.

What is a senior research associate?

A senior research associate is a clinical or social scientist who runs experiments or studies at a medical center, think tank, university, or for a pharmaceutical company. As a senior research associate, your job duties include performing clinical research, complex testing of samples, data collection, and analysis of results. In this job, you direct researchers in your lab and collaborate with other scientific professionals to design experiments or compare results. Qualifications and skills needed for this career include a bachelor’s degree in a field related to your work and several years of experience as a research associate. A master’s degree or Ph.D. with significant research or laboratory components can substitute for some job experience.

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

To thrive as a Senior Research Associate, you need advanced research skills, data analysis expertise, and a relevant degree (often a master's or PhD) in a scientific or technical field. Familiarity with laboratory equipment, statistical software (such as SPSS or R), and compliance with regulatory standards is typically required. Strong problem-solving abilities, attention to detail, and effective communication make someone stand out in this position. These skills and qualities are essential for ensuring accurate research outcomes, fostering innovation, and supporting collaboration within research teams.

What is a senior research associate?

A Senior Research Associate is an experienced professional who leads and conducts advanced research projects within academic, scientific, or corporate environments. They are responsible for designing experiments, analyzing data, supervising junior staff, and contributing to publications and grant proposals. Senior Research Associates often act as key members of research teams, providing expertise and ensuring projects are completed efficiently and accurately. Their role requires a strong background in their field, excellent analytical skills, and the ability to manage multiple projects simultaneously.

What are popular job titles related to Senior Research Associate jobs in Indiana?

For Senior Research Associate jobs in Indiana, the most frequently searched job titles are:

What job categories do people searching Senior Research Associate jobs in Indiana look for?

The top searched job categories for Senior Research Associate jobs in Indiana are:

What cities in Indiana are hiring for Senior Research Associate jobs?

Cities in Indiana with the most Senior Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Senior Research Associate job openings in Indiana as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 26% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $89,150 per year, or $42.9 per hour.

Full-time

Re-posted 13 days ago


Job description

Position Details
Title Research Associate, Biology Appointment Status Non-Tenure Track Department IU Bloomington Biology Location Bloomington Position Summary
The Department of Biology is a large, unified department with strong undergraduate degrees, nationally-ranked graduate programs, and world-class research spanning the breadth of biological questions and experimental systems - from ecosystems to microbiology and developmental biology, from evolution to cell biology, from molecular biology to systems biology, bioinformatics, and genomics. It is always an exciting time for Biology - enormous advances in global genome analysis coupled with unprecedented developments in interdisciplinary research have made the 21st century the Century of Biology. For more information about the department, you can find it here: About: Department of Biology: Indiana University Bloomington.

The Fuqua Lab in the Department of Biology at Indiana University, Bloomington is seeking a Research Associate. Our lab in the Microbiology section is focused on complex bacterial behaviors, including biofilm formation and host interactions, using the plant pathogen Agrobacterium tumefaciens as a model. The overarching goal for this position is to make timely progress on our NIH grant entitled "Mechanisms of pterin-dependent regulation in proteobacterial systems" (Grant number R01 GM160733) which explores a new regulatory mechanism that controls biofilm formation we have discovered based on excreted metabolites called pterins (for details see Greenwich et al. 2024; PNAS, doi:10.1073/pnas.2319903121). The Fuqua lab research team is currently comprised of graduate students, a senior research scientist, and undergraduates. All members of our team contribute to the projects of other team members -this may include assistance with a research protocol, feedback on presentations, edits on manuscripts, and so on. The lab philosophy is that a collaborative and supportive research environment benefits everyone involved. We are seeking an individual to join this team, contribute to the lab in general, and further the goals of the NIH grant.
Basic Qualifications
Core job duties include: (1) Learning, conducting and teaching other lab members our key research protocols. In the lab, this will include: DNA purification, Molecular Cloning, Gel Electrophoresis, DNA Sequencing, Polymerase Chain Reaction, Bacterial Transformation, Microbiological Cultivation, SDS-PAGE, Western Blotting. These and other experimental approaches will be applied as needed to the experimental plan for the pterin project. (2) Management of pterin grant meetings and material exchanges between collaborating laboratories. (3) Laboratory management and ordering. (4) Participation in general laboratory task rotations (5) Written summaries of research (for annual grant reporting and for manuscript preparation), and research presentations (lab meetings, grant meetings, and conferences).
Required skills

Effective time management
Accurate and organized record keeping
Ability to work in a team
Receptivity to training and new techniques
Proficiency in written and oral communication
Problem solving and pro-active approach to preventing problems
Dependability and punctuality
Flexibility for research tasks and prioritization of experiments.
Preferred skills

Molecular biology experience
DNA sequence analysis
Aseptic technique and microbiology
Familiarity with data analysis and statistics
Working conditions: Laboratory research with periods of intense focus and technical clarity. Organization, planning and record keeping for experiments are crucial and this work requires careful and deliberate effort. Effective communication between lab members is critical.
Department Contact for Questions
To apply: Please submit (1) a cover letter describing your interests and background, why you are interested in the position, and the date you are able to start, (2) a CV or resume, (3) names and contact information for two references. This can be submitted to the following link: https://indiana.peopleadmin.com/postings/33480. For questions about the position, contact Clay Fuqua (cfuqua@iu.edu).
Timing and compensation: Applicant review will begin on June 1, 2026. The initial appointment is for one year, with reappointment contingent on performance and continued funding. Salary will be commensurate with experience and full benefits are included. Best consideration date is 6/16/26 and expected start date is 7/1/26.
Additional Qualifications Salary and Rank Special Instructions For Best Consideration Date 06/16/2026 Expected Start Date 07/01/2026 Posting Number IU-101580-2026