Research Associate Jobs in Durham, NC
Research Associate jobs in Durham are in strong demand, concentrated in Research Triangle Park, Duke University Medical Center, and the Ninth Street and Brightleaf districts, across life sciences, clinical research, and academic medicine. Employers hiring right now include Fortrea, IQVIA, and Cambridge Pharma Consulting. See the openings below and apply to the ones that match your experience.
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About Diorasis Therapeutics
Diorasis Therapeutics is a preclinical-stage gene therapy company developing AAV-based treatments for glaucoma. We are a small, IND-focused team working out of a newly built lab at BioLabs North Carolina in downtown Durham.
This is an early hire on the Durham site. The experiments you run will go directly into a regulatory package rather than into a queue behind fifty other programs, and you will see the whole arc of a program: construct design, vector characterization, and IND-enabling studies. That is a different seat from the one a large RTP employer can offer you.
What you'll do
- Plan and run cell-based and molecular experiments supporting our AAV vector programs, working closely with the Director of R&D
- Maintain mammalian cell culture, including aseptic technique, transfection, and eukaryotic electroporation
- Run molecular assays: PCR, qPCR, plasmid preparation, and cloning support
- Run protein and tissue assays: immunoblotting, ELISA, and immunohistochemistry
- Support development, optimization, and qualification of potency and characterization assays
- Analyze and interpret your own data, and bring conclusions rather than raw output
- Keep clear, contemporaneous lab notebook records to a standard that supports regulatory filings
- Contribute sections and figures to technical reports and internal presentations
- Help keep a young lab running: reagent ordering, equipment qualification, and basic troubleshooting
What we're looking forRequired
- Bachelor's degree in biology, molecular biology, genetics, biochemistry, or a related field
- 2+ years of hands-on laboratory experience in biotech, pharma, a CRO, or an equivalent academic research setting
- Mammalian cell culture, including aseptic technique
- Molecular biology: PCR and qPCR
- Protein methods: at least one of immunoblotting, ELISA, or immunohistochemistry
- Careful documentation habits and genuine attention to detail
- Comfort working independently in a small team, where the protocol does not always exist yet
Preferred
- Master's degree in a relevant field
- Experience with AAV or other viral vectors
- Transfection and electroporation experience
- Flow cytometry
- Ophthalmic or ocular tissue experience
- Assay development or qualification experience
Job Type: Full-time
Pay: $70,000.00 - $80,000.00 per year
Benefits:
- 401(k) matching
- Flexible schedule
- Paid time off
- Professional development assistance
- Stock options
Work Location: In person
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Find Research Associate JobsResearch Associate Job Market in Durham
Who's Hiring
- Fortrea14
- IQVIA11
- Cambridge Pharma Consulting6
- Labcorp3
Top Industries Hiring
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Science & Research
- Consulting & Professional Services
Research Associate Jobs in Durham: Frequently Asked Questions
How do I get a research associate job in Durham?
Focus your search on Durham's core hiring sectors: pharmaceutical and biotech companies in Research Triangle Park, clinical research organizations near Duke University Health System, and academic labs at Duke and North Carolina Central University. Candidates with hands-on lab experience, GCP training, or familiarity with clinical trial protocols have a clear edge locally. Networking through the Research Triangle Park biotech community and attending local life sciences meetups also opens doors faster than applying cold.
Which companies hire research associates in Durham?
Durham research associate roles are posted by Fortrea, IQVIA, and Cambridge Pharma Consulting and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. The local market is anchored by large academic medical systems, mid-size contract research organizations, and biotech firms clustered around Research Triangle Park.
Are there remote research associate jobs in Durham?
Yes, but only for certain types of roles. Research associate work is often hands-on and lab-based, so fully remote positions are less common than in desk-heavy fields. About 43% of research associate openings tied to Durham are remote or hybrid as of September 2026, with remote availability concentrated in data analysis, regulatory affairs, and clinical data management roles rather than wet-lab or specimen-handling positions.
How can I get a research associate job in Durham with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path in Durham is through a research assistant or lab technician role at Duke University, North Carolina Central University, or one of the contract research organizations in Research Triangle Park. Many of these employers hire candidates with a bachelor's in biology, chemistry, or a related field and offer structured onboarding. Volunteering with a Duke research lab, completing a GCP certification, or joining a clinical trial coordinator training program gives local candidates a concrete advantage.
Which industries hire the most research associates in Durham?
The sectors hiring the most research associates in Durham are Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals, Science & Research, and Consulting & Professional Services, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of September 2026. Durham's position at the center of the Research Triangle makes it one of the densest concentrations of biomedical research and clinical development activity in the country, which directly drives that industry mix.
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