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

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Trainee Research Associate information

See Raleigh, NC salary details

$24.3K

$50.9K

$88K

How much do trainee research associate jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 10, 2026, the average yearly pay for trainee research associate in Raleigh, NC is $50,895.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $38,900.00 and $57,800.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

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

To thrive as a Trainee Research Associate, you generally need a bachelor’s or master’s degree in a relevant scientific or technical field and a solid understanding of research methodologies. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), laboratory equipment, and compliance with research protocols is often required. Attention to detail, critical thinking, and strong written and verbal communication skills distinguish top candidates. These skills and qualifications ensure accurate data collection, effective teamwork, and meaningful contributions to research projects.

What are some typical challenges trainee research associates face when transitioning from academic study to professional research environments?

Trainee Research Associates often find the transition from academic study to professional research challenging due to the faster pace, higher expectations for collaboration, and the need to quickly adapt to new methodologies and technologies. Unlike academic projects, professional research frequently involves working in multidisciplinary teams, meeting strict deadlines, and aligning research objectives with organizational goals. Developing effective communication skills and learning to manage multiple projects simultaneously are crucial for success. Support from mentors and team members is common, but proactive learning and adaptability are key to thriving in the role.

What is the difference between Trainee Research Associate vs Research Associate?

AspectTrainee Research AssociateResearch Associate
QualificationsTypically requires a bachelor's degree; some roles may prefer a master'sUsually requires a master's or PhD in a relevant field
Work ExperienceEntry-level, often a training positionMore experienced, with some independent project responsibilities
Work EnvironmentTraining labs, supervised tasksIndependent research, collaborative teams
Job ResponsibilitiesAssisting with experiments, learning protocolsDesigning experiments, analyzing data, publishing results

The main difference between a Trainee Research Associate and a Research Associate lies in experience and responsibilities. Trainee Research Associates are typically entry-level, focusing on learning and assisting under supervision, while Research Associates are more experienced, handling independent projects and complex tasks.

What cities near Raleigh, NC are hiring for Trainee Research Associate jobs?

Cities near Raleigh, NC with the most Trainee Research Associate job openings:

Infographic showing various Trainee Research Associate job openings in Raleigh, NC as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 73% Full Time, 23% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 95% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 4% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $50,898 per year, or $24.5 per hour.

Post-Doc Research Associate

Chapel Hill, NC • On-site

UNC-Chapel Hill
Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools • 10K+ employees

Full-time

Re-posted 10 days ago


University Of North Carolina At Chapel Hill rating

7.5

Company rating: 7.5 out of 10

Based on 48 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz


Job description

Posting Details
Department Globl Hlth and Infect Disease - 427801 Posting Open Date 08/17/2022 Application Deadline Open Until Filled No Position Type Postdoctoral Scholar Position Title Post-Doc Research Associate Vacancy ID PDS003564 Full-time/Part-time Full-Time Temporary Hours per week 40 FTE 1 Work Location Chapel Hill, NC Position Location North Carolina, US Hiring Range Dependent on Qualifications/Experience Proposed Start Date 01/01/2023 Estimated Duration of Appointment 24 Months
Position Information
Be a Tar Heel! Primary Purpose of Organizational Unit
The UNC School of Medicine has a rich tradition of excellence and care. Our mission is to improve the health and wellbeing of North Carolinians, and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research. We strive to promote faculty, staff, and learner development in a diverse, respectful environment where our colleagues demonstrate professionalism, enhance learning, and create personal and professional sustainability. We optimize our partnership with the UNC Health System through close collaboration and commitment to service. 
OUR VISION
Our vision is to be the nation's leading public school of medicine. We are ranked 2nd in primary care education among all US schools of medicine and 5th among public peers in NIH research funding. Our Allied Health Department is home to five top-ranked divisions, and we are home to 18 top-ranked clinical and basic science departments in NIH research funding.
OUR MISSION
Our mission is to improve the health and well-being of North Carolinians and others whom we serve. We accomplish this by providing leadership and excellence in the interrelated areas of patient care, education, and research.
Patient Care: We will promote health and provide superb clinical care while maintaining our strong tradition of reaching underserved populations and reducing health disparities across North Carolina and beyond.
Education: We will prepare tomorrow's health care professionals and biomedical researchers by facilitating learning within innovative curricula and team-oriented interprofessional education. We will cultivate outstanding teaching and research faculty, and we will recruit outstanding students and trainees from highly diverse backgrounds to create a socially responsible, highly skilled workforce.
Research: We will develop and support a rich array of outstanding health sciences research programs, centers, and resources. We will provide infrastructure and opportunities for collaboration among disciplines throughout and beyond our University to support outstanding research. We will foster programs in the areas of basic, translational, mechanistic, and population research.
Position Summary
We are seeking highly motivated postdoctoral research associates to perform basic and translational research in the laboratories of Drs. Angela Wahl, Martina Kovarova and J. Victor Garcia, Institute for Global Health and Infectious Diseases and Center for AIDS Research at the University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill. 
We work with a multidisciplinary team of investigators from academia, government, and industry to develop and use precision animal models to study fundamental aspects of the immune system during health and disease and interactions between human-specific pathogens and their host. Our work is funded by multiple NIH grant awards, private foundation investments, and federal government contracts. Areas of research in our laboratories include: 
1) HIV Persistence and Cure: We are using state of the art precision animal models to study the contribution of different cell types and compartments throughout the body to the establishment and maintenance of the long-lived HIV reservoir (Nature Medicine, 2017, 23(5):638; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, 126: 424; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2018, 128(7):2862). We also use these models to evaluate the efficacy of new HIV cure strategies (Nature, 2020, 578(7793):160; Nature, 2020, 578(7793):154; Cell Reports, 2017, 21(3):600; PLoS Pathogens, 2014, 10(1):1003872). 
2) HIV Transmission and Prevention: In collaboration with academic, government, and industry partners, we are studying the mechanisms of HIV transmission (sexual, intravenous, mother-to-child) to aid the development of novel HIV prevention and therapeutic approaches. (Nature Communications, 2018, 10(1):4324; Science Translational Medicine, 2019, 11(499):eaap8756, Nature Communications, 2019, 9(1): 4156; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, 126(4):1353; Journal of Clinical Investigation, 2016, 126(3):892; Cell, 2015, 163(3):746; PLoS Pathogens, 2015, 11(8):e1005075; PLoS Pathogens, 2012, 8(6):e1002732) 
3) The Microbiome in Health and Disease: Together with our industry and government partners, we are developing novel precision animal models to investigate the role of the human microbiome in health and disease and its interactions with human pathogens of high clinical relevance. We are particularly interested in the role of the microbiome in drug metabolism, cancer development, and infectious disease. We currently have a large multi-institutional NIH-funded program to evaluate the role of human gut microbiota in HIV acquisition, pathogenesis, and persistence. This work is also supported in part by the National Gnotobiotic Rodent Resource Center located at UNC. 
4) In vivo analysis of the interaction between clinically relevant human pathogens and their host including COVID-19: We are also interested in collaborative studies that use the novel precision animal models developed in our laboratories to perform basic and translational research on a variety of emerging and highly clinically relevant human pathogens such as SARS-CoV-2, MERS-CoV, SARS-CoV, Zika virus, EBV, RSV, Rhinovirus, Metapneumovirus, Influenza virus, mycobacteria, and CMV (Nature Biotechnology, 2019, 37:1163). 
Postdoctoral research associates will be highly encouraged to submit applications for postdoctoral fellowship awards from relevant institutional, government and foundation organizations. Postdoctoral research associates will also have the opportunity to prepare and submit abstracts to attend national and international conferences.
Minimum Education and Experience Requirements
A D.V.M., M.D., and/or Ph.D. in Microbiology, Virology, Molecular Biology, or other related fields is required.
Required Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
Candidates should be self-motivated and have strong laboratory and analytical skills as demonstrated by a strong track record of relevant publications. Outstanding communication skills, as well as the ability to work well in a highly collaborative team environment, are essential.
Preferred Qualifications, Competencies, and Experience
previous experience in a clinical research setting
Special Physical/Mental Requirements Special Instructions
For information on UNC Postdoctoral Benefits and Services click here
Quick Link https://unc.peopleadmin.com/postings/238294
Posting Contact Information
Department Contact Name and Title Octavia Bullard, HR Consultant Department Contact Telephone or Email octavia_bullard@med.unc.edu Postdoctoral Affairs Contact Information

If you experience any problems accessing the system or have questions about the application process, please contact the University's Equal Employment Opportunity office at (919) 966-3576 or send an email to equalopportunity@unc.edu.

Please note: The Equal Employment Opportunity office will not be able to provide specific updates regarding position or application status.

Equal Opportunity Employer Statement
The University is an equal opportunity, employer and welcomes all to apply without regard to age, color, gender, gender expression, gender identity, genetic information, national origin, race, religion, sex, or sexual orientation. We encourage all qualified applicants to apply, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.

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About University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill

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The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill (UNC-Chapel Hill), located in Chapel Hill, NC, US, is renowned for being one of the leading research institutes in the world. Operating within the education industry, this public research university offers a broad range of undergraduate, graduate, and professional programs across various disciplines. UNC-Chapel Hill was chartered in 1789 and has maintained its legacy of academic excellence and innovative research for more than two centuries. The institution operates under the core values of excellence, innovation, engagement, accessibility, diversity, and inclusivity. Their mission is to serve the people of North Carolina and the United States by teaching a diverse community of students to become the next generation of leaders.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

10,000+ Employees

Headquarters location

Chapel Hill, NC, US

Year founded

1789