Research Assistant Jobs in North Carolina

Research Assistant jobs in North Carolina are in strong and steady demand, concentrated in university research programs, pharmaceutical and biotech firms, academic medical centers, and public health agencies, with openings ranging from entry-level lab and clinical positions through senior research coordinator roles. The heaviest hiring is in the Research Triangle (Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill), Charlotte, and Winston-Salem, where institutions such as Duke University, UNC Health, and RTI International maintain ongoing research operations and regularly bring on research assistants across disciplines. The most in-demand specialties include clinical research, social and behavioral science, and life sciences lab support. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

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Overview

Open roles17
Top cityChapel Hill, NC
Cities hiring9
Work type67% On-site
Top industryEducation
Companies hiring11

Showing 5 of 17+ Research Assistant jobs

Thermo Fisher Scientific
FSP - Assistant Clinical Research Associate (ACRA)
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Thermo Fisher Scientific
Added 1d ago
FSP - Assistant Clinical Research Associate (ACRA)
Thermo Fisher Scientific
North Carolina
Program Management
Project & Program Management
Project Management
On-Site
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Clinical Research Assistant
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Added 2d ago
Clinical Research Assistant
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Biotech & Life Sciences
Environmental & Physical Sciences
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$23 - $25/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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State of North Carolina
Research Assistant I
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State of North Carolina
Added 4d ago
Research Assistant I
State of North Carolina
Wake County, NC
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
On-Site
10,000+

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Social/Clinical Research Assistant
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Added 4d ago
Social/Clinical Research Assistant
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Clinical Support
Healthcare Administration
Human Resources
$25 - $30/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Soc/Clin Research Assistant-CIND
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University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Added 5d ago
Soc/Clin Research Assistant-CIND
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Clinical Trials
Laboratory Research
Research & Academia
$21 - $25/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

See All 17 Research Assistant Jobs in North Carolina

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Research Assistant Jobs by City in North Carolina

Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chapel Hill
6 jobs
Raleigh
2 jobs
Charlotte
1 job
Fort Bragg
1 job
Greensboro
1 job
Greenville
1 job
Statesville
1 job
Morehead City
1 job
Winston-Salem
1 job

Research Assistant Job Market in North Carolina

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

Who's Hiring

University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill5 open roles
North Carolina State University
North Carolina State University3 open roles
Atrium Health
Atrium Health1 open role

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What North Carolina Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research assistant jobs across North Carolina.

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, psychology, public health, or social science
  • Experience with research data collection, entry, and management using standard software
  • Familiarity with IRB protocols and human subjects research regulations
  • Strong written communication skills for preparing reports, summaries, and study documentation
  • Ability to coordinate across research teams and maintain detailed, accurate records
  • Proficiency with statistical or data analysis tools such as SPSS, R, or REDCap

Research Assistant Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research assistant in North Carolina?

Most research assistant positions in North Carolina require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field aligned with the research focus, such as biology, public health, psychology, or a social science. There is no state-issued license required for the role itself, though clinical research assistants working on human subjects studies must follow IRB guidelines and may need Good Clinical Practice certification. Positions at North Carolina universities, medical centers, and research institutes frequently require demonstrated lab or data management experience alongside the degree.

Which companies hire research assistants in North Carolina?

Employers hiring research assistants in North Carolina right now include University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, North Carolina State University, and Atrium Health, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's Research Triangle region is particularly active, with universities, hospital systems, and contract research organizations driving a large share of ongoing openings.

Which North Carolina cities have the most research assistant jobs?

Chapel Hill, Raleigh, and North Carolina have the most research assistant openings in North Carolina. The Research Triangle concentration reflects the density of research universities, academic medical centers, and biotech and pharmaceutical firms in that corridor, while Charlotte's growth in healthcare systems and corporate research functions and Winston-Salem's academic medical presence at Wake Forest Baptist Health account for activity in those markets.

Are there remote research assistant jobs in North Carolina?

Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research assistant roles involve on-site lab work, clinical data collection, or in-person participant coordination. About 33% of research assistant openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to concentrate in data analysis, survey research, and literature review functions rather than hands-on lab or clinical work.

How can I get hired as a research assistant in North Carolina with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for undergraduate or post-baccalaureate research assistant openings at North Carolina's large research universities, including UNC-Chapel Hill, Duke, and NC State, which regularly post positions designed for candidates with no prior professional research experience. Volunteering or completing a practicum in a university lab, gaining familiarity with REDCap or basic statistical software, and completing a Good Clinical Practice training certificate all strengthen an application. Adjacent roles such as data entry coordinator or clinical trials administrator are also common stepping stones into research assistant work at North Carolina hospital systems and contract research organizations.

Where can I find and apply to research assistant jobs in North Carolina?

You can find and apply to research assistant jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state. Find roles that fit your background and apply directly to the ones that match.

See All 17 Research Assistant Jobs in North Carolina

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

Find Research Assistant Jobs