Associate Scientist Jobs in Virginia

Associate Scientist jobs in Virginia are in strong and steady demand, concentrated in the life sciences, defense research, and federal contracting sectors, with openings at every level from entry-level lab technician to senior research associate. The busiest hiring markets are Northern Virginia, Richmond, and the Hampton Roads area, where employers like Leidos, Booz Allen Hamilton, and Pfizer maintain significant research operations. Analytical chemistry, molecular biology, and environmental testing are among the most consistently recruited specialties across the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Associate Scientist Jobs

Overview

Open roles26
Top employerCapital One
Top cityMcLean, VA
Cities hiring5
Work type100% On-site
Top industryBanking

Showing 5 of 26+ Associate Scientist jobs

Capital One
Principal Associate, Data Scientist - AI in Credit
We won't show you this job again
Capital One
Added 2d ago
Principal Associate, Data Scientist - AI in Credit
Capital One
McLean, Virginia
Business Operations
Business Strategy
Project Management
Master's degree in business administration
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Principal Associate, Data Scientist - AI in Credit
We won't show you this job again
Information Technology Senior Management Forum
Added 3d ago
Principal Associate, Data Scientist - AI in Credit
Information Technology Senior Management Forum
McLean, Virginia
Administrative & Office Support
Customer Service
Customer Support
$147k - $201k/yr
Doctoral degree in statistics
51-200

Have you applied for this role?

The MIL Corporation
Associate AI/ML Data Scientist (Systems Architecture, Associate)
We won't show you this job again
The MIL Corporation
Added 3d ago
Associate AI/ML Data Scientist (Systems Architecture, Associate)
The MIL Corporation
Reston, Virginia
Cloud & DevOps
Data Engineering
Data Science
$150k - $180k/yr
Bachelor of Science
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

The MIL Corporation
Principal AI/ML Data Scientist (Systems Architecture, Senior Associate)
We won't show you this job again
The MIL Corporation
Added 3d ago
Principal AI/ML Data Scientist (Systems Architecture, Senior Associate)
The MIL Corporation
Reston, Virginia
Cloud & DevOps
Data Engineering
Data Science
$190k - $245k/yr
Bachelor of Science
501-1,000

Have you applied for this role?

General Dynamics Information Technology
Data Scientist Associate
We won't show you this job again
General Dynamics Information Technology
Added 4d ago
Data Scientist Associate
General Dynamics Information Technology
Sterling, Virginia
Engineering (Non-Software)
Project Management
Technical Program Management
$42k - $57k/yr
Bachelor of Science
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 26 Associate Scientist Jobs in Virginia

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

Find Associate Scientist Jobs

Associate Scientist Jobs by City in Virginia

Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Reston
2 jobs
Richmond
2 jobs
Sterling
2 jobs
Charlottesville
1 job

Associate Scientist Job Market in Virginia

A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

  • Capital One
    Capital One14
  • Information Technology Senior Management Forum
    Information Technology Senior Management Forum6
  • The MIL Corporation
    The MIL Corporation2
  • Signature Science
    Signature Science1
  • Thermo Fisher Scientific
    Thermo Fisher Scientific1

Top Industries Hiring

  • Banking & Financial Services
  • Fintech

What Virginia Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in associate scientist jobs across Virginia.

  • Bachelor's degree in biology, chemistry, biochemistry, or a closely related scientific discipline
  • Hands-on laboratory experience with standard analytical or molecular techniques
  • Proficiency with data analysis software and scientific documentation practices
  • Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice standards and quality control procedures
  • Ability to obtain and maintain a federal security clearance for defense or government contractor roles
  • Strong written communication skills for research reporting and cross-functional collaboration

Associate Scientist Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a associate scientist in Virginia?

Most associate scientist positions in Virginia require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a natural or applied science such as biology, chemistry, or environmental science, with many employers preferring candidates who have laboratory coursework or research experience. Virginia does not issue a state license for the associate scientist title, but roles in clinical or environmental testing labs may require the lab to hold CLIA certification or Virginia Department of Health accreditation, indirectly shaping what credentials hiring managers value. Completing a thesis-based research project or a co-op program strengthens applications considerably.

Which companies hire associate scientists in Virginia?

Employers hiring associate scientists in Virginia right now include Capital One, Information Technology Senior Management Forum, and The MIL Corporation, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's heavy concentration of federal agencies, defense contractors, and life sciences firms means hiring is spread across both established government support organizations and privately held research companies with long-term contracts in the state.

Which Virginia cities have the most associate scientist jobs?

McLean, Reston, and Richmond lead associate scientist openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and defense contractors drives the largest share of postings, while Richmond's pharmaceutical and biotech cluster and Hampton Roads' naval research and environmental science operations account for a meaningful portion of listings outside the D.C. suburbs.

Are there remote associate scientist jobs in Virginia?

Yes, but they're rare. Most associate scientist roles involve hands-on laboratory, fieldwork, or secure facility requirements that cannot be performed remotely. About 0% of associate scientist openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those that do offer flexibility tend to be data analysis, regulatory writing, or scientific project coordination positions rather than bench or field roles.

How can I get hired as a associate scientist in Virginia with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for research assistant or laboratory technician roles at Virginia universities, hospital systems, or federal contractor sites, which frequently serve as the direct stepping stone to associate scientist titles. Large employers like Leidos and the Virginia Department of Environmental Quality hire new graduates into structured associate programs and rotational research roles. Completing a capstone research project, earning an EPA-recognized environmental certification, or gaining CLIA-adjacent laboratory exposure through a community college program gives candidates a measurable edge over other entry-level applicants.

Where can I find and apply to associate scientist jobs in Virginia?

You can find and apply to associate scientist jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings across industries and experience levels. Search the listings to see roles that match your background and location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 26 Associate Scientist Jobs in Virginia

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

Find Associate Scientist Jobs