Research Assistant Jobs in Michigan
Research assistant jobs in Michigan are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and life sciences, and behavioral and social science sectors, drawing candidates from entry-level through senior researcher positions. Ann Arbor, Detroit, and Grand Rapids are the state's primary hiring hubs, anchored by institutions like the University of Michigan, Michigan State University, and Henry Ford Health System, all of which maintain ongoing research assistant pipelines. The most in-demand specialties include clinical research coordination, laboratory research support, and data collection and analysis. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Research Assistant - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology
Wayne State University is searching for an experienced Research Assistant - Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology at its Detroit campus location.
Wayne State is a premier, public, urban research university located in the heart of Detroit, Michigan where students from all backgrounds are offered a rich, high-quality education. Our deep-rooted commitment to excellence, collaboration, integrity, diversity and inclusion creates exceptional educational opportunities which prepare students for success in a global society.
Essential functions (job duties):
Unique duties:
The Rodriguez-Garcia lab is seeking enthusiastic candidates for a Research Assistant position. The Rodriguez-Garcia lab studies mucosal immune protection against infections in the human female reproductive tract and how aging modifies immune responses. Under the supervision of the Principal Investigator, the Research Assistant will be responsible for conducting research, data analysis, and generation of reports, lab organization and ordering, and assisting postdoctoral fellows and graduate students as needed. The ideal candidate will have strong organizational skills and enjoy working in a collaborative environment. The candidate must be comfortable working with HIV in enhanced biosafety level 2 conditions (BSL2+). Unique Duties: Routine processing of human tissue specimens and blood under sterile conditions. Perform immunological and molecular biology techniques including histology, cell isolation, cell culture, microscopy, flow cytometry, ELISA, RNA extraction, PCR, and Western blot. Generate and maintain viral stocks (HIV) under BSL2+ conditions. Develop and implement standard operating procedures (SOPs) for laboratory techniques Participate in implementing research objectives, ensuring compliance with all legal, regulatory, and protocol guidelines, including biosafety and chemical safety compliance. Maintain the laboratory work areas, including routine maintenance on laboratory equipment as required. Order and organize research supplies and records. Maintain laboratory cleanliness and organization. Perform and maintain inventory of biological specimens and reagents. Assist postdoctoral fellows and graduate students in their projects as needed. Assist with writing methods and summarizing/organizing data for presentations and submission to academic and scholarly peer-reviewed journals
Qualifications:
Preferred qualifications:
Education: Bachelor's degree Bachelor's in Cell Biology, Molecular Biology, Microbiology, or a related biomedical field, preferred. Experience: Entry-level (less than a year of job-related experience) Experience performing basic research techniques, preferred. Prior research experience in a biomedical laboratory will be a plus. Knowledge, Skills and Abilities: Ability to work independently. Ability to analyze, summarize, and interpret research findings and data in reports and spreadsheets and communicate results. Knowledge of scientific integrity principles. Excellent time management and organization skills. Excellent interpersonal and communication skills and demonstrated ability to work with others in a collaborative environment. Microsoft Office software skills.
School/College/Division:
H06 - School of Medicine
Primary department:
H0610
Employment type:
- Regular Employee
- Job type: Full Time
- Job category: Research
Funding/salary information:
- Compensation type: Annual Salary
- Hourly rate:
- Salary minimum: TBD
- Salary hire maximum: TBD
Working conditions:
Typical work environment may include a laboratory and/or office environment. May require working non-standard business hours, including evenings and weekends. May be required to travel to scientific conferences.
Job openings:
- Number of openings: 1
- Reposted position: No
- Reposted reason: None (New Requisition)
- Prior posting/requisition number:
Background check requirements:
University policy requires certain persons who are offered employment to undergo a background check, including a criminal history check, before starting work. If you are offered employment, the university will inform you if a background check is required.
See All 30 Research Assistant Jobs in Michigan
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Find Research Assistant JobsResearch Assistant Jobs by City in Michigan
Where Michigan roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Assistant Job Market in Michigan
A snapshot from current Michigan openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- Wayne State University11

- Ferris State University3

- Michigan State University3

- The University of Michigan3

- Henry Ford Health2

Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Healthcare & Medical Services
- Transportation & Logistics
What Michigan Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research assistant jobs across Michigan.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, psychology, or social science required
- Hands-on experience with data collection, entry, and basic statistical analysis preferred
- Familiarity with IRB protocols and human subjects research compliance standards expected
- Proficiency in research software such as SPSS, R, or REDCap commonly listed
- Strong written communication skills for drafting reports, summaries, and research notes
- Ability to manage multiple tasks independently within a structured research environment
Research Assistant Jobs in Michigan: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research assistant in Michigan?
Most research assistant positions in Michigan require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field related to the research area, such as biology, psychology, public health, or social science. No state-issued license is required for the general research assistant role in Michigan. Candidates entering clinical research may strengthen their profile by earning the Certified Clinical Research Coordinator credential through the Association of Clinical Research Professionals, which Michigan's major academic medical centers recognize when hiring.
Which companies hire research assistants in Michigan?
Employers hiring research assistants in Michigan right now include Wayne State University, Ferris State University, and Michigan State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Michigan's deep concentration of university research programs, academic health systems, and life sciences companies means openings surface year-round across a range of disciplines and seniority levels.
Which Michigan cities have the most research assistant jobs?
Detroit, Ann Arbor, and Big Rapids have the most research assistant openings in Michigan. Ann Arbor's concentration is driven by the University of Michigan and its affiliated health system, Detroit draws demand from Wayne State University, Henry Ford Health System, and a growing biotech corridor, while Grand Rapids benefits from Spectrum Health and the Van Andel Institute anchoring a strong life sciences research community.
Are there remote research assistant jobs in Michigan?
Yes, but they're less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research assistant roles require on-site lab work, in-person data collection, or direct participant interaction. About 38% of research assistant openings tied to Michigan are remote or hybrid as of August 2026. The positions most likely to offer remote flexibility are those focused on literature reviews, data coding, qualitative analysis, and survey administration.
How can I get hired as a research assistant in Michigan with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying for undergraduate or post-baccalaureate research assistant roles at Michigan's major universities, where no prior professional research experience is typically required. The University of Michigan and Michigan State University both post entry-level research assistant and research technician openings suited to new graduates. Volunteering with a faculty lab, completing a relevant senior thesis, or moving laterally from adjacent roles like clinical data coordinator or laboratory technician can open the door, and earning even a foundational research certificate strengthens a candidate's application considerably.
Where can I find and apply to research assistant jobs in Michigan?
You can find and apply to research assistant jobs in Michigan on Migrate Mate, which lists current Michigan openings across academic, clinical, and private-sector research environments. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 30 Research Assistant Jobs in Michigan
Find roles in Michigan that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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