Lead Research Assistant Jobs
Lead research assistant jobs are open across academia, healthcare, pharmaceuticals, and think tanks, from entry-level to senior lead roles, with specializations in clinical research, policy analysis, and data collection. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Lead Operations Research Analyst to join our team in Tampa, FL.
The Lead Operations Research Analyst will architect, design, and validate advanced operations research frameworks, experimental designs, complex simulation models, and predictive analytics pipelines across enterprise special operations environments to optimize force employment and strategic decision-making.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Architect, design, and validate advanced operations research frameworks, complex simulation models, and predictive analytics pipelines across enterprise special operations environments.
- Formulate mathematical optimization models, multi-variate statistical distributions, and hypothesis testing architectures to inform high-level strategic decision-making.
- Direct the evaluation of linear and non-linear programming models, war-gaming simulations, and probabilistic risk assessments under deep uncertainty.
- Synthesize disparate multi-source data to quantify trade-offs, confidence intervals, and operational yields for executive leadership.
- Lead the deployment of advanced operations research, statistical modeling, and decision analytics within USPACOM, SOCPAC, and Theater Special Operations Command enclaves.
- Partner with joint commanders and mission directors to integrate quantitative simulations, game theory methodologies, and statistical inference into operational planning cycles.
- Establish rigorous analytical validation protocols for custom algorithms, automated data pipelines, and machine learning models deployed to forward warfighters, while providing leadership and mentoring to subordinate staff.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, or a related field with 10+ years of position-relevant experience (or Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or Ph.D. with 8+ years of relevant experience).
- Extensive experience in operations research, mathematical modeling, experimental design, and advanced statistical analysis within defense or national security environments.
- Demonstrated background developing and validating linear and non-linear programming models, probabilistic risk assessments, and complex simulation workflows.
- Proven experience partnering with joint commanders, mission directors, and senior stakeholders to integrate quantitative models and decision analytics into operational planning cycles.
- Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) or equivalent professional analytics certification.
- Demonstrated experience providing leadership, technical guidance, and mentorship to junior and mid-level analytical staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or Engineering.
- Advanced expertise in design of experiments (DoE), ANOVA, Monte Carlo simulations, game theory, Bayesian inference, and programming in Python, R, or SAS.
- Experience supporting Agile / SAFe Agile analytical project delivery workflows.
- Demonstrated alignment with the Special Operations Forces (SOF) ethos, characterized by a mission-first mindset, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to rapidly improvise to meet evolving tactical realities.
Clearance Requirements:
- Must possess an active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%.
- Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
MANTECH seeks a motivated, career and customer-oriented Lead Operations Research Analyst to join our team in Tampa, FL.
The Lead Operations Research Analyst will architect, design, and validate advanced operations research frameworks, experimental designs, complex simulation models, and predictive analytics pipelines across enterprise special operations environments to optimize force employment and strategic decision-making.
Responsibilities include but are not limited to:
- Architect, design, and validate advanced operations research frameworks, complex simulation models, and predictive analytics pipelines across enterprise special operations environments.
- Formulate mathematical optimization models, multi-variate statistical distributions, and hypothesis testing architectures to inform high-level strategic decision-making.
- Direct the evaluation of linear and non-linear programming models, war-gaming simulations, and probabilistic risk assessments under deep uncertainty.
- Synthesize disparate multi-source data to quantify trade-offs, confidence intervals, and operational yields for executive leadership.
- Lead the deployment of advanced operations research, statistical modeling, and decision analytics within USPACOM, SOCPAC, and Theater Special Operations Command enclaves.
- Partner with joint commanders and mission directors to integrate quantitative simulations, game theory methodologies, and statistical inference into operational planning cycles.
- Establish rigorous analytical validation protocols for custom algorithms, automated data pipelines, and machine learning models deployed to forward warfighters, while providing leadership and mentoring to subordinate staff.
Minimum Qualifications:
- Master's degree in Operations Research, Mathematics, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, Industrial Engineering, Data Science, or a related field with 10+ years of position-relevant experience (or Bachelor's degree with 12+ years of relevant experience, or Ph.D. with 8+ years of relevant experience).
- Extensive experience in operations research, mathematical modeling, experimental design, and advanced statistical analysis within defense or national security environments.
- Demonstrated background developing and validating linear and non-linear programming models, probabilistic risk assessments, and complex simulation workflows.
- Proven experience partnering with joint commanders, mission directors, and senior stakeholders to integrate quantitative models and decision analytics into operational planning cycles.
- Certified Analytics Professional (CAP) or equivalent professional analytics certification.
- Demonstrated experience providing leadership, technical guidance, and mentorship to junior and mid-level analytical staff.
Preferred Qualifications:
- Doctoral degree in Operations Research, Statistics, Applied Mathematics, or Engineering.
- Advanced expertise in design of experiments (DoE), ANOVA, Monte Carlo simulations, game theory, Bayesian inference, and programming in Python, R, or SAS.
- Experience supporting Agile / SAFe Agile analytical project delivery workflows.
- Demonstrated alignment with the Special Operations Forces (SOF) ethos, characterized by a mission-first mindset, intellectual curiosity, and the ability to rapidly improvise to meet evolving tactical realities.
Clearance Requirements:
- Must possess an active Secret clearance with the ability to obtain a TS/SCI.
Physical Requirements:
- Must be able to remain in a stationary position 50%.
- Needs to occasionally move about inside the office to access file cabinets, office machinery, etc.
- Frequently communicates with co-workers, management, and customers, which may involve delivering presentations. Must be able to exchange accurate information in these situations.
Lead Research Assistant Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Lead Research Assistant JobsLead Research Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Technology & Software
- Science & Research
- Electronics & Hardware
- Healthcare & Medical Services
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in lead research assistant jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant scientific, social science, or academic field
- Experience designing and managing research studies or projects from start to finish
- Proficiency with statistical software such as SPSS, SAS, R, or Stata
- Knowledge of IRB protocols and research ethics compliance requirements
- Demonstrated ability to supervise, train, and coordinate junior research staff
- Strong scientific writing skills for reports, manuscripts, and grant applications
Tips for Your Lead Research Assistant Job Search
Tailor your resume to research methodology
Lead research assistant roles prioritize your methods experience above all else. Call out the specific research designs you've run, whether that's randomized controlled trials, ethnographic fieldwork, or systematic literature reviews, and name the tools you used to execute them.
Highlight your data management experience
Hiring managers want to know you can own a dataset end to end. List the databases, statistical software, and coding standards you've used to clean, store, and analyze data, and note whether you've trained junior staff on those same systems.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists lead research assistant 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 phase
Some lead research assistant openings focus on design and protocol development, others on active data collection, and others on analysis and write-up. Read each posting carefully and pitch the experience you have that maps to where the project actually is right now.
Prepare a methods walk-through for interviews
Expect at least one interview question that asks you to walk through a study you led from start to finish. Practice narrating your decisions at each stage, including how you handled IRB requirements, protocol deviations, or unexpected data quality issues.
Negotiate scope alongside compensation
Lead research assistant offers often leave room to negotiate team size, budget authority, and publication credit, not just pay. Before you accept, confirm whether you'll have autonomy over hiring junior staff and whether your name appears on resulting publications.
Lead Research Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most lead research assistants?
Emory University, Takeda Pharmaceuticals, and St. Jude Children's Research Hospital are hiring the most lead research assistants right now, with openings concentrated in California, New York, and Massachusetts, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Demand is especially consistent at research universities, academic medical centers, and government-contracted research organizations.
How many lead research assistant jobs are remote?
About 73% of lead research assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, though availability varies significantly by research type. Roles focused on literature review, data analysis, qualitative coding, and policy research tend to offer the most remote flexibility, while positions involving lab work, clinical data collection, or fieldwork are almost always on-site.
How do you become a lead research assistant?
Start by earning a bachelor's degree in a field tied to your target research area, such as biology, psychology, public health, or economics. Build hands-on experience as a junior research assistant, then take on progressively more independent responsibilities like protocol design and staff coordination. Demonstrating IRB knowledge, strong data management skills, and the ability to mentor others is what moves you into a lead role.
Can you get hired as a lead research assistant with little experience?
It's possible if you can show depth in a specific research skill even without broad experience. Candidates who have independently managed a thesis project, led a lab rotation, or completed intensive research internships often get considered for entry-level lead roles at smaller organizations. Framing your experience around project ownership, decision-making, and any supervision of peers strengthens a thinner resume considerably.
What does the lead research assistant interview process look like?
Most hiring processes include an initial screening call with HR or a research coordinator, followed by a technical interview where you walk through a past study in detail. Many employers then add a skills assessment or writing sample, and a final panel interview with senior researchers or the principal investigator. References from academic or scientific supervisors are almost always required before an offer is extended.
Where can I find and apply to lead research assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to lead research assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing.
See All 204+ Lead Research Assistant Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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