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How much do undergraduate research associate jobs pay per hour?

As of Aug 15, 2026, the average hourly pay for undergraduate research associate in the United States is $32.54, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $26.20 and $37.02 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Undergraduate Research Associate vs Research Intern?

AspectUndergraduate Research AssociateResearch Intern
Required CredentialsUndergraduate status, relevant courseworkTypically undergraduate or graduate students, sometimes recent graduates
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, research institutionsResearch labs, industry settings, academic institutions
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research centersCorporations, research organizations, universities
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

The Undergraduate Research Associate and Research Intern roles both involve assisting with research projects, often requiring similar educational backgrounds. However, Undergraduate Research Associates are typically enrolled undergraduates working within academic settings, focusing on gaining research experience, while Research Interns may be students or recent graduates working in industry or research organizations. The roles overlap in credentials and work environment but differ mainly in context and employer type.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as an undergraduate research associate, and why are they important?

To thrive as an Undergraduate Research Associate, you need a solid academic background in your field of study, strong analytical skills, and attention to detail, typically supported by relevant coursework or laboratory experience. Familiarity with data analysis software, laboratory equipment, and research documentation tools is often required. Initiative, effective communication, and the ability to collaborate within a research team are standout soft skills. These competencies ensure the accuracy and integrity of research, support productive teamwork, and contribute to meaningful scientific outcomes.

What are some typical challenges undergraduate research associates face when balancing research duties with academic coursework?

Undergraduate Research Associates often juggle research responsibilities alongside a full academic schedule, which can be challenging in terms of time management and prioritization. Meeting project deadlines while keeping up with class assignments requires effective organization and communication with both research mentors and professors. Many students find it helpful to set clear expectations with their research supervisors regarding hours and workload, and to proactively communicate any conflicts. Developing strong time management skills early on can help alleviate stress and ensure success in both research and coursework.

What is an undergraduate research associate?

Undergraduate Research Associates are students enrolled in a college or university who assist faculty or research staff with scholarly projects. They typically work under supervision and gain hands-on experience with data collection, analysis, literature reviews, or laboratory work depending on the field. These roles help students develop critical thinking, technical skills, and a deeper understanding of academic research. Participation as a Research Associate can also strengthen a student's resume and prepare them for graduate school or research-oriented careers.

What cities are hiring for Undergraduate Research Associate jobs?

Cities with the most Undergraduate Research Associate job openings:

What are the most commonly searched types of Undergraduate Research jobs?

The most popular types of Undergraduate Research jobs are:

What states have the most Undergraduate Research Associate jobs?

States with the most job openings for Undergraduate Research Associate jobs include:

Undergraduate Research Associate jobs near you

Undergraduate Research Associate

Los Alamos National Laboratory

Los Alamos, NM • On-site

Full-time

Re-posted 28 days ago

Los Alamos National Laboratory rating

9.2

Company rating: 9.2 out of 10

Based on 33 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

8th of 120 rated laboratories

Job description

Job Summary:
Los Alamos National Laboratory is a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security. They are seeking an Undergraduate Research Associate to support research projects in computational materials science and data-driven experimental design, focusing on nuclear fuel systems and advanced computational methods for experimental design.
Responsibilities:
• Identify spatial and compositional patterns in multi-element mapping datasets (e.g., gradients, segregation, inclusions, clustering, interfaces, and anomalous regions);
• Recommend follow-on measurement actions to maximize information gain, including:
• Identifying regions where additional raster scans should be performed,
• Suggesting locations for higher-resolution or higher-statistics scans,
• Proposing targeted point analyses to refine compositional estimates;
• Optimize acquisition parameters (e.g., dwell time, step size, spatial resolution, and count-statistics proxies) to enhance data quality while respecting operational and instrument constraints;
• Detect and manage out-of-bounds or invalid parameter selections by incorporating safe operating limits into the decision-making framework;
• Integrate uncertainty quantification and data-quality metrics to prioritize measurements and avoid low-value or unreliable regions.
• The student will implement the developed methods in Python-based, open-source software with emphasis on reproducibility, modular architecture, and transparency. The resulting codebase will be structured as a generalizable, community-accessible framework suitable for peer-reviewed publication and broad dissemination.
Qualifications:
Required:
• Strong programming experience in Python, including scientific computing libraries (NumPy, SciPy, scikit-learn, PyTorch/TensorFlow, etc.)
• Experience with machine learning, AI methods, or data-driven modeling
• Familiarity with uncertainty quantification, statistical inference, or Bayesian experimental design
• Experience analyzing spatially resolved or imaging datasets
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement modular, reproducible scientific software
• Demonstrated ability to conduct independent and collaborative research
• Strong written and oral communication skills
• Enrolled in a Ph.D. program in materials science, computer engineering, or a closely related discipline
• Documentation of acceptance into a graduate program
• Successfully completed a minimum of 6 graduate credit hours per semester (or the equivalent of full-time enrollment)
• Have and maintain a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.5 on 4.0 scale
• Pass a new employment drug test
Preferred:
• Experience working with scientific instrumentation data or experimental workflows
Company:
Los Alamos National Laboratory, a multidisciplinary research institution engaged in strategic science on behalf of national security, is Founded in 1943, the company is headquartered in Los Alamos, USA, with a team of 10001+ employees. The company is currently Late Stage.

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