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Senior Research Associate Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Harris

Sr. Corporate Development Associate

Nevada, IA · On-site

$80K - $120K/yr

TSX) company, is seeking an experienced, hands-on Senior Corporate Development Associate to build ... Research markets, assess strategic fit and investment potential, and prioritize the opportunities ...

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$42

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How much do senior research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 22, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior research associate in Iowa is $42.31, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $35.67 and $47.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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 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 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 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.

Do I need a PhD to be a senior research associate?

A senior research associate typically does not require a PhD, but many employers prefer candidates with a master's degree or equivalent experience in the relevant field. Relevant skills, research experience, and technical proficiency often play a more significant role than the highest degree held.

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.
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Infographic showing various Senior Research Associate job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 2% As Needed, 69% Full Time, 27% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $87,998 per year, or $42.3 per hour.

Senior Associate Scientist - Analytical Development

Elanco Animal Health Incorporated

Fort Dodge, IA • On-site

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Re-posted 7 days ago

Elanco rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 25 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

50th of 86 rated pharmaceutical

Job description

At Elanco (NYSE: ELAN) - it all starts with animals!
As a global leader in animal health, we are dedicated to innovation and delivering products and services to prevent and treat disease in farm animals and pets. At Elanco, we are driven by our vision of Food and Companionship Enriching Life and our purpose - all to Go Beyond for Animals, Customers, Society and Our People.
At Elanco, we pride ourselves on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment. We believe that diversity is the driving force behind innovation, creativity, and overall business success. Here, you'll be part of a company that values and champions new ways of thinking, work with dynamic individuals, and acquire new skills and experiences that will propel your career to new heights.
Making animals' lives better makes life better - join our team today!
Your Role:
Senior Associate Scientist - Analytical Development
The Associate Scientist in Vaccine Technical Development will assist in the design and execution of studies involving enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays (ELISA), colony forming unit (CFU) assays, viral titration assays, and mammalian cell culture. The goal of this work is to develop, license, and transfer vaccine processes. This role provides an opportunity to learn and apply both technical and practical principles supporting the full innovation cycle, contributing to the successful development, validation, and licensure of vaccine products. The position relies heavily on communication and collaboration across multi-functional project teams which include Process Development, Clinical Development, Quality Assurance, and Manufacturing. All work is focused on supporting Elanco's biologics R&D portfolio for both U.S. and international markets.
Your Responsibilities:
  • Apply scientific knowledge and skills to drive timely progress of Technical Development projects.

  • Independently execute experimental methods and protocols involving bacterial counts, mammalian cell cultivation, virus titration assays, and quantitative/qualitative ELISAs. Generate methods for technical activities, under the guidance of a qualified scientist.

  • Actively contribute to a safe, compliant, and productive work environment for all research associates.

  • Train others under the guidance of a lead scientist and educate self and others on complex issues.

  • Propose initial interpretations of data to the lead scientist for evaluation and suggests next steps within the method.

  • Demonstrate flexibility and high learning agility to perform and adapt in a fast paced, rapidly changing environment.

What You Need to Succeed (minimum qualifications):
  • Education: Bachelor's degree in a relevant scientific discipline (e.g., Chemical Engineering, Microbiology, Immunology, Molecular Biology, Bioprocessing) or equivalent combination of education and years of professional experience.

  • Experience: Experience working in a laboratory environment.

  • Skills:

  • Strong verbal and written communication skills.

  • Proficiency with micropipetting and the operation and maintenance of basic laboratory instrumentation.

  • Qualified candidates must be legally authorized to be employed in the United States. Elanco does not anticipate providing sponsorship for employment visa status (e.g. H-1B, or TN status) for this employment position.

What will give you a competitive edge (preferred qualifications):
  • Experience with protein concentration and purification techniques and related equipment.

  • Experience working with biohazardous organisms.

  • Previous experience in developing animal health products.

  • Familiarity with USDA regulatory requirements for animal health product development.

Additional Information:
  • Travel: 10%

  • Location: Fort Dodge, IA - On-site Work Environment - Relocation packages available!

Don't meet every single requirement? Studies have shown underrecognized groups are less likely to apply to jobs unless they meet every single qualification. At Elanco we are dedicated to building a diverse and inclusive work environment. If you think you might be a good fit for a role but don't necessarily meet every requirement, we encourage you to apply. You may be the right candidate for this role or other roles!
Elanco Benefits and Perks:
We offer a comprehensive benefits package focusing on financial, physical, and mental well-being while encouraging our employees to pursue our purpose! Some highlights include:
  • Multiple relocation packages

  • Two weeklong shutdowns (mid-summer and year-end) in the US (in addition to PTO)

  • 8-week parental leave

  • 9 Employee Resource Groups

  • Annual bonus offering

  • Flexible work arrangements

  • Up to 6% 401K matching

Elanco is an EEO/Affirmative Action Employer and does not discriminate on the basis of age, race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, protected veteran status, disability or any other legally protected status
Elanco may use automated tools, including AI, to support parts of our recruitment process, such as reviewing applications against job-related criteria and/or transferrable skills. These tools help ensure a consistent, structured evaluation, but they do not make hiring decisions. All decisions involve a human reviewer. For more information on how we handle personal data, please see our Elanco Workforce Privacy Notice.

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