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Senior Research Associate Jobs in Virginia (NOW HIRING)

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA

Research Faculty Senior management: Vice President for Research Department: Fralin Biomedical Res ... Research Associate to support AHA-funded research programs focused on heart failure, cardiac ...

Virginia Tech

Research Associate

Blacksburg, VA · On-site

Research Associate Apply now Back to search results Job no: 537306 Work type ... Research Faculty Senior management: College of Engineering Department: Biomedical Engineering ...

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How much do senior research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 17, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior research associate in Virginia is $44.66, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $37.64 and $50.05 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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For Senior Research Associate jobs in Virginia, the most frequently searched job titles are:

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

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Senior Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Research Associate job openings in Virginia as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 64% Full Time, 33% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 1% Contract. Highlights an 96% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 3% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $92,884 per year, or $44.7 per hour.

Research Associate

Virginia Polytechnic Institute and State University

Roanoke, VA • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 20 days ago

Virginia Tech rating

7.8

Company rating: 7.8 out of 10

Based on 66 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

229th of 618 rated colleges and universities

Job description

Research Associate
Job no: 536733
Work type: Research Faculty
Senior management: Vice President for Research
Department: Fralin Biomedical Res. Institute
Location: Roanoke, Virginia
Categories: Research / Scientific
Job Description
The Mishra Lab at the Fralin Biomedical Research Institute at VTC in Roanoke, VA, is seeking a highly skilled Research Associate to support AHA-funded research programs focused on heart failure, cardiac remodeling, and cardiometabolic disease and perform Small-Animal Cardiovascular Surgery.
The primary responsibility of this position is the performance of mouse cardiovascular surgeries, including transverse aortic constriction (TAC), myocardial infarction (MI), ischemia-reperfusion injury, and related surgical models of cardiovascular disease. The individual will also assist with animal colony management, post-operative monitoring, echocardiography, physiological phenotyping, tissue collection, and general laboratory operations. The successful candidate should have exceptional technical expertise in rodent cardiovascular surgery, maintain detailed records, and be committed to high standards of animal welfare and scientific rigor.
Required Qualifications
• Master's in Veterinary Sciences, Physiology, Biology, Biomedical Sciences, or a related field, or equivalent related experience.
• Demonstrated expertise in mouse cardiovascular surgery, including TAC, MI, and related cardiac injury models.
• Experience with perioperative care, animal monitoring, anesthesia, analgesia, and survival surgery techniques.
• Experience with mouse handling, colony management, tissue harvesting, and animal research protocols.
• Ability to maintain detailed surgical and experimental records.
• Strong organizational skills and ability to work independently.
• Ability to stand, walk, bend and stoop for long periods of time.
Preferred Qualifications
• Experience with pressure-volume loop analysis, telemetry, or other in vivo cardiovascular measurements.
• Experience working in cardiovascular, heart failure, or translational research laboratories.
• Veterinary training or certification in laboratory animal science is highly desirable.
Overtime Status
Exempt: Not eligible for overtime
Appointment Type
Restricted
Salary Information
55k-60k
Hours per week
40+
Review Date
7/6/26
Additional Information
The successful candidate will be required to have a criminal conviction check.
About Virginia Tech
Dedicated to its motto, Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), Virginia Tech pushes the boundaries of knowledge by taking a hands-on, transdisciplinary approach to preparing scholars to be leaders and problem-solvers. A comprehensive land-grant institution that enhances the quality of life in Virginia and throughout the world, Virginia Tech is an inclusive community dedicated to knowledge, discovery, and creativity. The university offers more than 280 majors to a diverse enrollment of more than 36,000 undergraduate, graduate, and professional students in eight undergraduate colleges, a school of medicine, a veterinary medicine college, Graduate School, and Honors College. The university has a significant presence across Virginia, including Blacksburg, the greater Washington, D.C. area, the Health Sciences and Technology Campus in Roanoke, sites in Newport News and Richmond, and numerous Extension offices and research institutes. A leading global research institution, Virginia Tech conducts more than $650 million in research annually.
Virginia Tech endorses and encourages participation in professional development opportunities and university shared governance. These valuable contributions to university shared governance provide important representation and perspective, along with opportunities for unique and impactful professional development.
Virginia Tech does not discriminate against employees, students, or applicants on the basis of age, color, disability, sex (including pregnancy), gender, gender identity, gender expression, genetic information, ethnicity or national origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sexual orientation, or military status, or otherwise discriminate against employees or applicants who inquire about, discuss, or disclose their compensation or the compensation of other employees or applicants, or on any other basis protected by law.
If you are an individual with a disability and desire an accommodation, please contact Brittany Shelton at sheltb@vtc.vt.edu during regular business hours at least 10 business days prior to the event.
Advertised: June 23, 2026
Applications close:
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About Virginia Tech

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Virginia Tech, guided by its motto "Ut Prosim" (That I May Serve), embraces a hands-on, interdisciplinary approach to educate scholars as leaders and problem-solvers. As a comprehensive land-grant institution, it enriches the quality of life in Virginia and worldwide, fostering an inclusive community focused on knowledge, discovery, and creativity. With over 280 majors, the university serves a diverse student body of more than 36,000 across undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs. Virginia Tech's presence extends throughout Virginia, including campuses in Northern Virginia, Roanoke, Newport News, and Richmond, along with multiple Extension offices and research centers. As a prominent global research institution, it conducts over $500 million in research annually.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

5,001 - 10,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Blacksburg, VA, US

Year founded

1872

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