Research Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
Research Scientist jobs in North Carolina are in strong demand, concentrated in pharmaceutical and biotech R&D, academic research, and government defense science, with openings at every level from early-career associates through principal scientists. The Research Triangle Park area anchors the market, making Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill the top hiring metros, while Charlotte and Wilmington add meaningful volume in applied and environmental research. Employers including GlaxoSmithKline, RTI International, and the University of North Carolina system consistently maintain research scientist hiring in the state. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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Showing 5 of 13+ Research Scientist jobs
- Carry out multistep organic syntheses, isolation, and purification of targeted products under supervision or direction of a senior member of the team.
- Must possess a basic understanding of modern organic synthesis methodologies.
- The chemist must have a fundamental understanding of modern analytical and spectroscopic techniques and may possess the ability to interpret the corresponding data and spectra.
- Must demonstrate a proficiency to carry out laboratory syntheses and purification techniques on scales ranging from milligrams to several kilograms.
- Require minimal supervision and be able to coordinate project activities and resource usage.
- Demonstrate ability to write comprehensive reports at the conclusion of projects for internal and customer use.
- With manager input, assist in advising clients on key regulatory guidance.
- Work to ensure that a spirit of teamwork and cooperation always exists within the group.
- Conduct laboratory operations in a safe manner. Maintain familiarity with the company’s chemical hygiene plan. Exhibit safety awareness and safe work practices.
- Work closely with manufacturing and GMP operations to coordinate project related equipment and activities.
- Maintain a clean, safe laboratory work area.
- This position works with and handles hazardous materials and wastes. Must have the appropriate qualifications to read, understand, apply, and communicate written and verbal information regarding handling and managing hazardous wastes. Training is required within 6 months of assuming duty and once a year thereafter. Responsible for recognizing emergency situation concerning hazardous materials and wastes.
Cross Discipline Knowledge: Improved understanding of the principles of cross-functional departments, including analytical chemistry and engineering.
GMP/Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of GMP as it relates to current work. With less manager input, can help to advise clients on key regulatory strategies.
Instrumentation: Demonstrated ability to use, train, investigate root cause issues with HPLC, GC, good understanding of MS, uses automated reactors, may have some experience with In-situ reaction monitoring.
Communication: Good written and oral communication skills, ability to handle client requests with manager review.
Problem Solving: Able to solve problems in the workplace and helps to lead investigations with manager support.
Time Management: Good understanding of time management and can self-organize with or without supervision.
Leadership: Regularly seeks to share ideas and learning across the group/site; pushes new initiatives from the ground up.
Technical Documentation and Review: Ability to write and review reports and technical documents with minimal RFT errors, keep current lab notebook while practicing GDP.
External Influence: Actively participates in regular internal project team meetings, including submission of key technical reports; organizes group level initiatives within the larger scientific team.
Industry Credibility and Rapport: Known as a solid scientific contributor within the department/group
Operational Excellence: Able to support key OE initiatives.
Change Orientation: Locally supports changes associated with larger Cambrex initiatives.
Hands on experience in pharmaceutical/chemical process development.
- Carry out multistep organic syntheses, isolation, and purification of targeted products under supervision or direction of a senior member of the team.
- Must possess a basic understanding of modern organic synthesis methodologies.
- The chemist must have a fundamental understanding of modern analytical and spectroscopic techniques and may possess the ability to interpret the corresponding data and spectra.
- Must demonstrate a proficiency to carry out laboratory syntheses and purification techniques on scales ranging from milligrams to several kilograms.
- Require minimal supervision and be able to coordinate project activities and resource usage.
- Demonstrate ability to write comprehensive reports at the conclusion of projects for internal and customer use.
- With manager input, assist in advising clients on key regulatory guidance.
- Work to ensure that a spirit of teamwork and cooperation always exists within the group.
- Conduct laboratory operations in a safe manner. Maintain familiarity with the company’s chemical hygiene plan. Exhibit safety awareness and safe work practices.
- Work closely with manufacturing and GMP operations to coordinate project related equipment and activities.
- Maintain a clean, safe laboratory work area.
- This position works with and handles hazardous materials and wastes. Must have the appropriate qualifications to read, understand, apply, and communicate written and verbal information regarding handling and managing hazardous wastes. Training is required within 6 months of assuming duty and once a year thereafter. Responsible for recognizing emergency situation concerning hazardous materials and wastes.
Cross Discipline Knowledge: Improved understanding of the principles of cross-functional departments, including analytical chemistry and engineering.
GMP/Regulatory Knowledge: Demonstrated understanding of GMP as it relates to current work. With less manager input, can help to advise clients on key regulatory strategies.
Instrumentation: Demonstrated ability to use, train, investigate root cause issues with HPLC, GC, good understanding of MS, uses automated reactors, may have some experience with In-situ reaction monitoring.
Communication: Good written and oral communication skills, ability to handle client requests with manager review.
Problem Solving: Able to solve problems in the workplace and helps to lead investigations with manager support.
Time Management: Good understanding of time management and can self-organize with or without supervision.
Leadership: Regularly seeks to share ideas and learning across the group/site; pushes new initiatives from the ground up.
Technical Documentation and Review: Ability to write and review reports and technical documents with minimal RFT errors, keep current lab notebook while practicing GDP.
External Influence: Actively participates in regular internal project team meetings, including submission of key technical reports; organizes group level initiatives within the larger scientific team.
Industry Credibility and Rapport: Known as a solid scientific contributor within the department/group
Operational Excellence: Able to support key OE initiatives.
Change Orientation: Locally supports changes associated with larger Cambrex initiatives.
Hands on experience in pharmaceutical/chemical process development.
See All 13 Research Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
Find Research Scientist JobsResearch Scientist Jobs by City in North Carolina
Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.
Research Scientist Job Market in North Carolina
A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Science & Research
- Technology & Software
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals
- Education
- Manufacturing
What North Carolina Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research scientist jobs across North Carolina.
- PhD or master's degree in a relevant scientific discipline required by most North Carolina employers
- Hands-on laboratory research experience with demonstrated proficiency in experimental design and data analysis
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice standards common in North Carolina pharmaceutical and contract research organizations
- Publication record or documented contribution to peer-reviewed research in the relevant scientific field
- Experience with statistical analysis software such as R, SAS, or Python used across North Carolina research sectors
- Ability to collaborate on cross-functional teams within North Carolina academic, government, or industry research settings
Research Scientist Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions
How do you become a research scientist in North Carolina?
Most research scientist positions in North Carolina require at minimum a master's degree, and industry or federal roles typically prefer a PhD in a relevant field such as chemistry, biology, or environmental science. North Carolina does not issue a general state license for research scientists, so hiring decisions center on education, institutional credentials, and demonstrated lab or analytical experience. Candidates targeting pharmaceutical or biotech roles in the Research Triangle should also pursue GLP or GMP training, which North Carolina employers consistently flag as a differentiator.
Which companies hire research scientists in North Carolina?
Employers hiring research scientists in North Carolina right now include Cambrex, Flatiron Health, and NVIDIA, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. North Carolina's Research Triangle Park concentration of pharmaceutical firms, federal agencies like the EPA and NIH field offices, and major university systems means sustained, year-round research scientist hiring across a broad range of disciplines.
Which North Carolina cities have the most research scientist jobs?
Durham, High Point, and Raleigh lead North Carolina for research scientist openings. The Raleigh-Durham-Chapel Hill triangle dominates because Research Triangle Park houses hundreds of life science, technology, and federal research organizations alongside the University of North Carolina and Duke University systems, while Charlotte's growing biomedical and environmental consulting sectors and Wilmington's marine and environmental research community drive additional demand in those markets.
Are there remote research scientist jobs in North Carolina?
Yes, but they're limited. Much of research science is hands-on lab work that requires an on-site presence, which keeps fully remote openings relatively rare compared to purely analytical fields. About 33% of research scientist openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of August 2026, and the roles most likely to offer flexibility are in computational biology, bioinformatics, data science research, and certain regulatory affairs or research coordination positions that don't require bench work.
How can I get hired as a research scientist in North Carolina with little or no experience?
The most realistic entry path is a postdoctoral fellowship or research associate role, which major North Carolina institutions including Duke University, UNC-Chapel Hill, and NC State University post regularly for new graduates. Candidates can also move laterally from research technician, laboratory analyst, or clinical research coordinator positions at North Carolina contract research organizations and hospital systems. Building a portfolio of published or presented work and completing GLP certification strengthens applications considerably for roles at pharma and biotech employers in Research Triangle Park.
Where can I find and apply to research scientist jobs in North Carolina?
You can find and apply to research scientist jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings across the state's research hubs including the Research Triangle, Charlotte, and Wilmington. Search the listings by location or specialty, find roles that fit your background, and apply directly to the ones that match.
See All 13 Research Scientist Jobs in North Carolina
Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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