Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in Virginia
Research Associate, Life Sciences jobs in Virginia are actively in demand, concentrated in Northern Virginia's federal research corridor, the Richmond bioscience cluster, and the Hampton Roads region, with roles at every level from entry-level bench scientist to senior research associate. Major employers with lasting Virginia presences include Inova Health System, Leidos, and Booz Allen Hamilton, alongside NIH-affiliated contractors and pharmaceutical research groups. The most sought-after specialties in Virginia are molecular biology, cell culture, and clinical research operations. Scan the live roles below and apply to whichever ones fit.
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Turner & Townsend is a global professional services company with over 22,000 people in more than 60 countries.
Working with our clients across real estate, infrastructure, energy and natural resources, we transform together delivering outcomes that improve people’s lives. Working in partnership makes it possible to deliver the world’s most impactful projects and programs as we turn challenge into opportunity and complexity into success.
Our capabilities include program, project, cost, asset and commercial management, controls and performance, procurement and supply chain, net zero and digital solutions.
We are majority-owned by CBRE Group, Inc., the world’s largest commercial real estate services and investment firm, with our partners holding a significant minority interest. Turner & Townsend and CBRE work together to provide clients with the premier program, project and cost management offering in markets around the world.
Job Description
Turner & Townsend is seeking an experienced Senior Cost Manager / Quantity Surveyor to support the successful delivery of complex Life Sciences construction projects. Acting as the key day-to-day client interface, you will ensure client objectives are achieved through the delivery of a value-added cost management service across manufacturing, laboratory, R&D, and related capital projects.
To be successful in this role, you will possess excellent communication and stakeholder management skills and be comfortable operating in a client-facing environment. The ideal candidate will be self-motivated, driven, and able to work independently while collaborating effectively within multidisciplinary project teams. In this significant position, you will provide leadership and direction while embedding and promoting the purpose, values, and vision of Turner & Townsend.
Responsibilities:
- Estimating and negotiating change orders throughout the construction lifecycle.
- Provide estimate and cost planning to include producing and presenting the final cost plan.
- Review and participate with the design services team and general contractor in the development of cost estimates.
- Reconcile changes and assist the general contractor to ensure that their data is accurate.
- Communicate or meet with the general contractor and owner of project manager to gather status information to prepare a cost estimate update.
- Prepare written comments to the general contractor’s submissions, including the executive summary.
- Coordinate all sources of cost information for cost discussions and suppliers direct from NPA, subs, quantities from A/Es.
- Inform and drive engineering priorities based on cost impact.
- Work proactively with minimal supervision to resolve scheduling issues.
- Manage cost checks and carry out valuations on larger projects. Complete timely, accurate cost checking and valuation processes.
- Participate effectively with post-contract cost variances and the change of control processes.
- Manage Cost impact / contingency management and commitment tracking logs.
- Prepare funding data presentations and coordinate VE sessions with stakeholders.
- Developing cost plans and estimates through the design phase, delivering updated cost plans at appropriate design milestones.
- Providing commercial input to design optioneering and input into value engineering exercises.
- Reviewing contractor and subcontractor pricing and leading negotiations on behalf of the client to drive fair contract prices.
- Performing quantity surveying, cost controls, and change management activities throughout the project lifecycle.
- Ensuring that post-contract cost variances and change control processes are managed effectively.
- Ensuring that cost auditing and valuation work is managed effectively and that a robust process for cost validation is in place.
- Carrying out the production of monthly cost reports for presentation to the client.
- Ensuring that final accounts are negotiated and agreed upon in a timely manner.
- Compiling built cost estimate records for benchmarking purposes.
- Identify, coach and mentor talent to realize their potential and celebrate the success of others.
- Display excellence in leadership and service delivery on commissions is in line with the conditions of appointment
- Financial Management - Utilize internal software to track ongoing margin levels and monthly fee/resource forecasts for each commission and financial reports
- Implement and maintain the use of internal Business Management Systems and company delivery methodologies and tools in the office to ensure consistent delivery of best practice for Clients and the company
- Be a role model that drives a one business culture that achieves great outcomes by striking the right balance for our people, clients, stakeholders, and society.
- SOX control responsibilities may be part of this role, which are to be adhered to where applicable.
Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in construction management, cost management, quantity surveying, engineering or field related to construction.
- Minimum 5-7 years of relevant experience working in a cost management role in the construction industry.
- RICS accredited or working towards it is preferred.
- Experience of leading cost management on medium or large sized construction projects of medium to high complexity.
- Construction consultancy experience is strongly preferred.
- Good knowledge of construction industry technical matters, such as different procurement routes, value management, and value engineering.
- Excellent communication skills.
Additional Information
*On-site presence and requirements may change depending on our client's needs.
The base salary range for this role is $118K-$140K USD. This range reflects the company's good faith estimate of the base salary for this position at the time of the posting. Final compensation will be determined based on factors including experience, skills, qualifications, and internal equity. In addition to base salary, employees may be eligible for bonuses and a comprehensive benefits package.
Our inspired people share our vision and mission. We provide a great place to work, where each person has the opportunity and voice to affect change.
We want our people to succeed both in work and life. To support this we promote a healthy, productive and flexible working environment that respects work-life balance.
Turner & Townsend is an equal opportunity employer. We celebrate diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive environment for all employees and actively encourage applications from all sectors of the community.
Please find out more about us at www.turnerandtownsend.com/ and https://www.heery.com/
All your information will be kept confidential according to EEO guidelines.
Join our social media conversations for more information about Turner & Townsend and our exciting future projects:
It is strictly against Turner & Townsend policy for candidates to pay any fee in relation to our recruitment process. No recruitment agency working with Turner & Townsend will ask candidates to pay a fee at any time.
Any unsolicited resumes/CVs submitted through our website or to Turner & Townsend personal e-mail accounts, are considered property of Turner & Townsend and are not subject to payment of agency fees. In order to be an authorised Recruitment Agency/Search Firm for Turner & Townsend, there must be a formal written agreement in place and the agency must be invited, by the Recruitment Team, to submit candidates for review.
See All 10 Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in Virginia
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Where Virginia roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Associate, Life Sciences Job Market in Virginia
A snapshot from current Virginia openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring



Top Industries Hiring
- Consulting & Professional Services
What Virginia Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research Associate, life sciences jobs across Virginia.
- Bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, or a closely related life sciences field
- Hands-on laboratory experience with standard techniques such as PCR, ELISA, or cell culture
- Familiarity with GLP or GMP compliance standards in a regulated research environment
- Proficiency with data recording, analysis software, and scientific documentation protocols
- Ability to work collaboratively within cross-functional research teams on time-sensitive projects
- Strong written communication skills for preparing research reports, SOPs, and technical summaries
Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in Virginia: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research associate, life sciences in Virginia?
Most Virginia employers require a bachelor's degree in biology, biochemistry, chemistry, or a related life sciences discipline as the foundation for this role. Virginia does not issue a state license specifically for research associates, so entry depends on education and demonstrated laboratory competency. Candidates who complete internships or co-ops with Virginia universities such as Virginia Commonwealth University or George Mason University, or who hold relevant certifications like the American Society for Clinical Laboratory Science credential, gain a meaningful advantage in the hiring process.
Which companies hire research associate, life sciencess in Virginia?
Virginia research associate, life sciences roles are posted by Accenture, Turner & Townsend Pty Limited, and Amazon Web Services and others right now, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Virginia's concentration of federal health agencies, defense research contractors, and growing biotech clusters in Northern Virginia and Richmond makes it a consistent market for this role year-round.
Which Virginia cities have the most research associate, life sciences jobs?
Arlington, Richmond, and Sterling account for the largest share of research associate, life sciences openings in Virginia. Northern Virginia's proximity to federal agencies and NIH-affiliated contractors drives the highest volume, while Richmond's expanding pharmaceutical and clinical research sector anchors activity further south, and smaller hubs like Charlottesville benefit from the presence of the University of Virginia's research enterprise.
Are there remote research associate, life sciences jobs in Virginia?
Yes, but they're rare. Bench and laboratory-based research associate work is inherently hands-on, so fully remote roles represent a small fraction of total openings. About 100% of research associate, life sciences openings tied to Virginia are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and those positions tend to involve data analysis, literature review, regulatory writing, or clinical trial coordination rather than direct laboratory work.
How can I get hired as a research associate, life sciences in Virginia with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is applying to research assistant or laboratory technician roles at Virginia's major academic medical centers and research universities, including Inova, VCU Health, and UVA, which regularly onboard candidates directly from undergraduate programs. Many large Virginia biotech and government contractors also offer rotational research programs or contract-to-hire positions that serve as structured entry points. Completing a relevant internship, obtaining a certified laboratory assistant credential, and building familiarity with standard documentation practices such as SOPs and lab notebooks gives candidates a clear advantage over those with coursework alone.
Where can I find and apply to research associate, life sciences jobs in Virginia?
You can find and apply to research associate, life sciences jobs in Virginia on Migrate Mate, which lists current Virginia openings from employers across the state. Search the listings to find roles that match your background, experience level, and preferred location, then apply directly to the ones that fit.
See All 10 Research Associate, Life Sciences Jobs in Virginia
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