Research Associate Jobs in Washington
Research Associate jobs in Washington are in strong demand, concentrated in biomedical research, clinical trials, environmental science, and technology-driven social science across a wide range from entry-level lab assistants through senior research staff. Seattle, Bellevue, and Spokane lead hiring activity, anchored by institutions and employers such as the University of Washington, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and Microsoft Research, which maintain consistent research associate pipelines year-round. Genomics, computational biology, and health policy analysis are among the most in-demand specialties in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 29+ Research Associate jobs
Research Associate I – Tissue Processing & Electrophysiology
The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.
The goal of the Brain Science accelerator is to produce three interlocking resources: cell type atlases that catalog every kind of brain cell across ages and species, connectomes that chart the brain's intricate wiring, and a knowledge platform that knits it all together with powerful analysis tools. Every dataset is freely shared, so discoveries made here fuel discoveries everywhere.
This Research Associate will support projects aimed to classify cell types within the brain through generation of high-quality patch-clamp electrophysiology and transcriptomic data. The individual will be responsible for executing a variety of laboratory tasks and experiments in a high-throughput laboratory and animal care environment following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Good judgment and problem-solving skills are required for recognizing process deviations, participating in troubleshooting, and operation of complex laboratory instrumentation.
This role is expected to comply with regulatory requirements, adhere to SOPs, initiate individual experiments and to work efficiently in a team environment.
At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.
We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Essential Functions
- Performance of acute surgical procedures and tissue dissections
- Handling of mice
- Processing mouse, human, non-human primate (NHP), and porpoise brain tissue
- Perform patch-seq experiments from mouse, NHP and human brain slice preparations
- Apply established quality control (QC) criteria in all experimental designs. Help develop new analytical criteria and insights from, both electrophysiological, molecular biology and imaging data
- Pilot and optimize tissue preparations for advanced imaging techniques
- Work in dynamic core facilities with tight deadlines
- Dissociation and preparation of single cell/nuclei samples for analysis
- Cell and tissue histological staining
- Follow SOPs, good laboratory practices, and regulatory requirements
- Maintain accurate laboratory documentation and reporting using established methods
- Work with supervisor to appropriately manage time and prioritize tasks
- Contribute to a cohesive and efficient team environment
*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a life science or related field
Preferred Education and Experience
- 1+ years of related work experience and/or training preferred
- Exceptional manual dexterity and attention to detail
- Basic knowledge of mouse neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, genetics, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and/or cell biology
- Experience working with mice, NHP, human or other tissue samples
- Experience with fluorescence and/or dissection microscopy
- Ability to critically interpret and analyze scientific data
- Intermediate level ability with Microsoft Office suite and the ability to learn other custom software systems
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a collaborative team
Work Environment
- Laboratory environment with possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances
- Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
- Work requires proper use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls
- Laboratory duties involve safely handling or working near chemical, biological or other hazardous substances
Animal Care Services
- Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
- Perform euthanasia, surgical procedures, and tissue collections
Physical Demands
- Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
- Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office and lab equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipment
- Push/pull a cart
- Stooping, bending, crouching, sitting
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- This is an essential job and expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions
- Rotating evening on-call coverage
- Occasional evening hours required
- This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
- All employees who work with live animals must complete an Occupational Health medical history form and/or consultation with an Occupational Health Provider and receive clearance to work with animals. Depending on your health history and job responsibilities, an annual respiratory health screening and clearance to use a respirator may also be required.
Annualized Salary Range
- $54,250 - $66,450*
- Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.
Benefits
- Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institute's Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.
It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
Research Associate I – Tissue Processing & Electrophysiology
The Allen Institute accelerates science for a healthier world through large-scale research designed to answer some of the most complex questions in biology. Our multi-disciplinary teams generate foundational knowledge, tools, and data to understand how our brain, cells, and immune system work. We share our work openly so others can build on it, move faster, and ask bigger questions. We drive discovery forward and create new possibilities for improving human health.
The goal of the Brain Science accelerator is to produce three interlocking resources: cell type atlases that catalog every kind of brain cell across ages and species, connectomes that chart the brain's intricate wiring, and a knowledge platform that knits it all together with powerful analysis tools. Every dataset is freely shared, so discoveries made here fuel discoveries everywhere.
This Research Associate will support projects aimed to classify cell types within the brain through generation of high-quality patch-clamp electrophysiology and transcriptomic data. The individual will be responsible for executing a variety of laboratory tasks and experiments in a high-throughput laboratory and animal care environment following Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs). Good judgment and problem-solving skills are required for recognizing process deviations, participating in troubleshooting, and operation of complex laboratory instrumentation.
This role is expected to comply with regulatory requirements, adhere to SOPs, initiate individual experiments and to work efficiently in a team environment.
At the Allen Institute, we believe that science is for everyone – and should be open to everyone. We are dedicated to combating biases and reducing barriers to STEM careers more broadly.
We also believe that science is better when it includes different perspectives and voices. We strive to make the Allen Institute a place where everyone feels like they belong and are empowered to do their best work in a supportive environment.
We are an equal-opportunity employer and strongly encourage people from all backgrounds to apply for our open positions.
Essential Functions
- Performance of acute surgical procedures and tissue dissections
- Handling of mice
- Processing mouse, human, non-human primate (NHP), and porpoise brain tissue
- Perform patch-seq experiments from mouse, NHP and human brain slice preparations
- Apply established quality control (QC) criteria in all experimental designs. Help develop new analytical criteria and insights from, both electrophysiological, molecular biology and imaging data
- Pilot and optimize tissue preparations for advanced imaging techniques
- Work in dynamic core facilities with tight deadlines
- Dissociation and preparation of single cell/nuclei samples for analysis
- Cell and tissue histological staining
- Follow SOPs, good laboratory practices, and regulatory requirements
- Maintain accurate laboratory documentation and reporting using established methods
- Work with supervisor to appropriately manage time and prioritize tasks
- Contribute to a cohesive and efficient team environment
*Note: Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. This description reflects management’s assignment of essential functions; it does not proscribe or restrict the tasks that may be assigned.*
Required Education and Experience
- Bachelor’s degree in a life science or related field
Preferred Education and Experience
- 1+ years of related work experience and/or training preferred
- Exceptional manual dexterity and attention to detail
- Basic knowledge of mouse neuroanatomy, electrophysiology, genetics, flow cytometry, RNA sequencing, and/or cell biology
- Experience working with mice, NHP, human or other tissue samples
- Experience with fluorescence and/or dissection microscopy
- Ability to critically interpret and analyze scientific data
- Intermediate level ability with Microsoft Office suite and the ability to learn other custom software systems
- Ability to work independently and as a part of a collaborative team
Work Environment
- Laboratory environment with possible exposure to chemical, biological, or other hazardous substances
- Possible exposure to BioSafety Level 2 organisms, such as recombinant viruses
- Work requires proper use of personal protective equipment and engineering controls
- Laboratory duties involve safely handling or working near chemical, biological or other hazardous substances
Animal Care Services
- Exposure to and handling of laboratory animals required
- Perform euthanasia, surgical procedures, and tissue collections
Physical Demands
- Occasional lifting up to 30 pounds
- Fine motor movements in fingers/hands to operate computers and other office and lab equipment; repetitive motion with lab equipment
- Push/pull a cart
- Stooping, bending, crouching, sitting
Position Type/Expected Hours of Work
- This is an essential job and expected to report for work regardless of weather and/or other conditions
- Rotating evening on-call coverage
- Occasional evening hours required
- This role is currently working onsite and is expected to work onsite for the majority of working hours. The primary work location for this role is 615 Westlake Ave N., with flexibility to work remotely on a limited basis.
Additional Eligibility Qualifications
- All employees who work with live animals must complete an Occupational Health medical history form and/or consultation with an Occupational Health Provider and receive clearance to work with animals. Depending on your health history and job responsibilities, an annual respiratory health screening and clearance to use a respirator may also be required.
Annualized Salary Range
- $54,250 - $66,450*
- Final salary depends on required education for the role, experience, and level of skills relevant to the role, along with work location, where applicable.
Benefits
- Employees (and their families) are eligible to enroll in benefits per eligibility rules outlined in the Allen Institute’s Benefits Guide. These benefits include medical, dental, vision, and basic life insurance. Employees are also eligible to enroll in the Allen Institute’s 401k plan. Paid time off is also available as outlined in the Allen Institute's Benefits Guide. Details on the Allen Institute’s benefits offering are located at the following link to the Benefits Guide: https://alleninstitute.org/careers/benefits.
It is the policy of the Allen Institute to provide equal employment opportunity (EEO) to all persons regardless of age, color, national origin, citizenship status, physical or mental disability, race, religion, creed, gender, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity and/or expression, genetic information, marital status, status with regard to public assistance, veteran status, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local law. In addition, the Allen Institute will provide reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities.
See All 29 Research Associate Jobs in Washington
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Find Research Associate JobsResearch Associate Jobs by City in Washington
Where Washington roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Associate Job Market in Washington
A snapshot from current Washington openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
What Washington Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research associate jobs across Washington.
- Bachelor's degree in life sciences, social sciences, public health, or a related field
- Experience with statistical analysis tools such as R, Python, SPSS, or SAS
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, human subjects research, or GCP compliance
- Demonstrated ability to collect, clean, and interpret large research datasets
- Strong scientific writing skills for reports, grant summaries, and publications
- Proficiency with laboratory techniques or field research methods relevant to the discipline
Research Associate Jobs in Washington: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research associate in Washington?
Most research associate roles in Washington require at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline such as biology, public health, psychology, or data science. Washington does not issue a state license specific to the research associate title, so entry depends on education, hands-on lab or field experience, and sometimes a graduate degree for clinical or policy-focused roles. Candidates targeting university or hospital-affiliated positions benefit from research experience gained through UW or WSU programs.
Which companies hire research associates in Washington?
Employers hiring research associates in Washington right now include ALLEN INSTITUTE, Systimmune, and University Of Washington, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Washington's concentration of academic medical centers, biotech firms, and federally funded research institutes means consistent hiring across both the public and private sectors throughout the year.
Which Washington cities have the most research associate jobs?
The cities with the most research associate openings in Washington are Seattle, Bothell, and Pullman. Seattle dominates because of the University of Washington Medical Center, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center, and a dense biotech and tech research corridor, while Bellevue and Spokane benefit from corporate R&D presence and Washington State University's research programs, respectively.
Are there remote research associate jobs in Washington?
Yes, but they are less common than in purely desk-based fields, since many research associate roles involve lab work, clinical data collection, or in-person fieldwork. About 21% of research associate openings tied to Washington are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting selective flexibility. The sub-areas most likely to offer remote arrangements are data analysis, health policy research, and social science survey work.
How can I get hired as a research associate in Washington with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research assistant or junior research coordinator roles at Washington's academic medical centers and universities, particularly the University of Washington, which runs structured research training programs and frequently posts entry-level openings. Volunteering or interning through a UW or WSU lab, completing a research methods certificate, or transitioning from adjacent roles such as clinical data coordinator or lab technician gives candidates a concrete edge with Washington employers who prioritize demonstrated hands-on exposure over years of experience.
Where can I find and apply to research associate jobs in Washington?
You can find and apply to research associate jobs in Washington on Migrate Mate, which lists current Washington openings from employers actively hiring. Search the listings, find a role that fits your background and location, and apply directly through the posting without any detour.
See All 29 Research Associate Jobs in Washington
Find roles in Washington that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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