Academic Researcher Jobs

Academic Researcher jobs are open across universities, government agencies, think tanks, biotech firms, and corporate R&D divisions, from research assistant and postdoctoral fellow to senior scientist and principal investigator, with specializations in quantitative analysis, experimental design, and policy research. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.

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Overview

Open roles31
Top stateGeorgia
Top employerEmory University
Top cityAtlanta, GA
Work type46% On-site
Top industryEducation

Showing 5 of 31+ Academic Researcher jobs

Research Intern (Academic Credit) - Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Per Diem (On-site)
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Added 2d ago
Research Intern (Academic Credit) - Karsh Division of Gastroenterology and Hepatology - Per Diem (On-site)
Cedars-Sinai Medical Center
Los Angeles, California
Accounting
Business Operations
Tax
On-Site
High school diploma or GED
10,000+

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Associate Academic Research Scientist | School of Medicine - Pediatrics, Emory LOBP
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Added 3d ago
Associate Academic Research Scientist | School of Medicine - Pediatrics, Emory LOBP
Emory University
Atlanta, Georgia
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Environmental Science
On-Site
Doctorate in microbiology
10,000+

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Program Manager, Arts Research & Academic Engagement
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Added 4d ago
Program Manager, Arts Research & Academic Engagement
University of Notre Dame
Notre Dame, Indiana
Community & Nonprofit Services
Human Resources
Social Work & Counseling
$55k - $65k/yr
Bachelor's degree

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Data Developer II - Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success, UT System Administration
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Added 6d ago
Data Developer II - Academic Affairs, Research and Student Success, UT System Administration
University of Tennessee Health Science Center
Knoxville, Tennessee
Business Development
Partnerships & Business Development
Sales
$75k - $85k/yr
Master's degree
10,000+

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Research Coordinator II - Academic Offices of Clinical Trials
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Added 1w ago
Research Coordinator II - Academic Offices of Clinical Trials
Houston Methodist
Houston, Texas
Administrative & Office Support
Office Management
Project Management
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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Academic Researcher Job Market

Who's Hiring

Emory University9 open roles
UC Davis2 open roles
Amazon2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education
  • Retail
  • Technology & Software
  • Healthcare & Medical Services
  • E-Commerce & Online Marketplaces

What Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in academic researcher jobs.

  • Master's or doctoral degree in a relevant field such as biology, economics, psychology, or public policy
  • Demonstrated experience designing, executing, and reporting independent research projects
  • Proficiency in statistical or data analysis tools such as R, Python, SPSS, or STATA
  • Peer-reviewed publications, conference presentations, or technical reports relevant to the research area
  • Experience writing and contributing to grant proposals or funding applications
  • Familiarity with IRB protocols, research ethics standards, and regulatory compliance for human or animal subjects

Tips for Your Academic Researcher Job Search

Tailor your CV to each position

Hiring committees read dozens of applications. Align your publications, grants, and methodological skills to the specific research agenda listed in each job posting. Generic CVs that don't reflect the lab's focus or the department's priorities get passed over quickly.

Highlight methodology, not just findings

Employers want to know what you can do, not only what you found. Name the specific methods you used: regression discontinuity, flow cytometry, ethnographic coding, or computational modeling. This signals you can contribute on day one.

Apply early to roles that fit

Migrate Mate lists academic researcher openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.

Target postings by research stage

Some roles focus on data collection, others on analysis or dissemination. Reading the job description for phrases like 'independent research agenda' versus 'support PI activities' tells you whether the role fits your autonomy and experience level before you spend time applying.

Prepare a research statement before interviews

Many academic and R&D employers ask you to present your past work and future research direction. Draft a clear two-to-three paragraph research statement before your first interview so you can adapt it quickly to each audience, from department chairs to industry hiring panels.

Negotiate startup funds and protected research time

In academic and research-institute settings, your offer isn't only about compensation. Lab setup funds, graduate student support, course release, and conference travel budgets are often negotiable and directly affect your ability to produce output in your first two years.

Academic Researcher Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions

Which companies are hiring the most academic researchers?

The most active employers for academic researchers right now are Emory University, UC Davis, and Amazon, and the most openings are in Georgia, California, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially high at research universities, federal agencies, and life sciences companies with active R&D pipelines.

How many academic researcher jobs are remote?

About 54% of academic researcher openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with availability varying significantly by discipline. Policy research, computational work, and social science roles tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions involving wet labs, clinical populations, or specialized equipment almost always require on-site presence.

How do you become an academic researcher?

Most academic researcher roles require at least a master's degree, and many require a doctorate in a relevant field. Building your profile means completing original research during graduate training, publishing or presenting findings, and developing hands-on skills in the methods your target employers use. Postdoctoral fellowships are a common bridge between a PhD and an independent research or faculty position, particularly in the sciences and social sciences.

How do you get hired as an academic researcher with little experience?

Start by targeting research assistant, junior analyst, or lab coordinator roles, which are designed for candidates early in their careers. Emphasize any research exposure you have, including thesis work, independent study projects, or volunteer research contributions. A strong writing sample or technical portfolio that demonstrates you can structure a research question and analyze data is often more persuasive than years of experience for entry-level postings.

What does the academic researcher interview process look like?

Most academic researcher hiring processes include an initial screening call with HR or a faculty hiring contact, followed by one or more technical or panel interviews where you discuss your research background and methodological skills. University and institute roles frequently include a research presentation or job talk where you present past work and outline a future research agenda. Industry R&D roles may also include a skills assessment or case-based exercise before a final offer.

Where can I find and apply to academic researcher jobs?

You can find and apply to academic researcher jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from universities, research institutes, government agencies, and private R&D employers across the United States. Find the roles that fit your discipline, experience level, and location, and apply directly to each listing from the page.

See All 31 Academic Researcher Jobs

Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

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