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Senior Research Associate Jobs in Raleigh, NC (NOW HIRING)

NCSU

Research Associate, Roadway Safety

Raleigh, NC · Hybrid

The Research Associate will contribute to technical analyses, research tasks, report preparation, and implementation support activities under the guidance of senior research staff and project ...

UNC-Chapel Hill

Research Associate

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

The Research Associate will support a portfolio of applied research studies and data projects under the direction of the senior leadership and research personnel. Day-to-day work centers on the hands ...

UNC-Chapel Hill

Research Associate

Chapel Hill, NC · On-site

Position Summary The Department of Cell Biology and Physiology is seeking to fill a Research Associate and Senior Laboratory Manager position. This position will oversee and manage the day-to-day ...

Veranex

Sr Clinical Research Associate

Raleigh, NC · On-site

$98K - $140K/yr

Veranex has an exciting opportunity to join our team as a Senior Clinical Research Associate to support our Clinical Operations team. The Sr. CRA will participate in the planning, development, and ...

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Senior Research Associate information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

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$43

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How much do senior research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 10, 2026, the average hourly pay for senior research associate in Raleigh, NC is $43.78, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $36.92 and $49.09 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.
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Senior Research Associate jobs near you
Infographic showing various Senior Research Associate job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 68% Full Time, 28% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 97% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 2% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $91,072 per year, or $43.8 per hour.

Senior Research Scientist - Artificial Intelligence Engineer

Berriehill Research

Raleigh, NC

$87K - $111K/yr

Full-time

Re-posted 18 days ago

Job description

The Analytical and Spatial Intelligence Research Team (ASIRT) at Applied Research Associates, Inc. (ARA) is seeking scientists/researchers interested in developing artificial intelligence (AI), machine learning and computer vision software to solve challenging problems for the US defense and intelligence communities. We perform fundamental and applied research in many open areas, including GenAI, Agentic AI Systems, Large Language Models (LLMs), Vision Language Models (VLMs), backbone fine tuning, AI explainability, adversarial attacks and World Models. We are a close-knit team of creative thinkers from diverse backgrounds who collaborate to find non-standard solutions to challenging problems. We encourage candidates with a creative and entrepreneurial spirit who seek a research career within a stable industry to apply.  

Senior Research Scientist – Artificial Intelligence Engineer Position Highlights: 

  • Research, develop, test and deploy artificial intelligence, machine learning and computer vision software.  
  • Process and integrate data from different sources, including satellites, unmanned aerial vehicles, ground vehicles, human-wearables, and smart devices  
  • Team player able to communicate technical results effectively to others  
  • Enjoy a challenging technical career with opportunities for personal growth  
  • Position is located in the Raleigh, NC metropolitan area 

Senior Research Scientist – Artificial Intelligence Engineer Position Required Experience & Skills:  

  • US citizenship required(green card holders are not eligible for this position)  
  • Eligibility to apply for and hold a U.S. security clearance (selected applicants will undergo a security investigation and must meet eligibility requirements at the time of employment)  
  • BS Degree in Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or similar technical field along with 8-10 years of experience OR MS Degree with 6-8 years of experience
  • Solid mathematical background in linear algebra and probability theory  
  • Strong foundation and experience using AI/ML frameworks (TensorFlow, PyTorch) and software libraries (jax, scikit-learn, hugging-face, ollama, langchain, langgraph, or similar)  
  • 5+ years relevant work in software & algorithm development   
  • Experience in software development in Python and C/C++  
  • Experience working with AWS cloud computing  
  • Experience with collaborative software development and version control (Git)  
  • Proficiency in one of the following areas: mathematics, physics, robotics, sensor fusion, machine learning, computer vision or signal processing 

Senior Research Scientist – Artificial Intelligence Engineer Position Desirable Experience & Skills:  

  • Experience working with AWS, S3, Docker and Kubernetes   
  • Experience developing software for execution on edge devices (GPUs, mobile phones, deployed CPU)  
  • Experience working with and flying Class I unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)  
  • Experience writing technical proposals  
  • Experience working on intelligence and DoD programs  

Who is ARA?  

Do you want to work for a purpose? Applied Research Associates, Inc. (aka ARA) is an employee-owned international research and engineering company. We have been providing technically superior solutions to complex and challenging problems in the physical sciences since 1979. ARA has over 2,226 employee-owners and continues to grow rapidly. Together, our offices throughout the U.S. and Canada provide a broad range of technical expertise in defense, civil, and health technologies, computer software and simulation, systems analysis, environmental technologies, and testing and measurement.  

ARA also prides itself, on having a challenging culture where innovation & experimentation are the norm. The motto, “Engineering and Science for Fun and Profit” sums up the ARA experience. Employee ownership ensures you have a voice in what happens in the company.  

To find out more about what the Intelligence, Surveillance & Reconnaissance Division has to offer, visit our website at: https://www.ara.com/benefits/  

Apply