Research Specialist Jobs
Research Specialist jobs are open across academia, healthcare, government, and private research organizations, at every level from entry-level research assistant to senior specialist, with common specializations in clinical research, market research, and policy analysis. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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Ocean science and atmospheric research do not stop at national borders — and neither do you. As the International Activities & Research Partnerships Specialist supporting NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) International Activities Office, you will serve as a critical link between NOAA's world-class research enterprise and the global scientific, diplomatic, and interagency communities that depend on it. You will prepare briefing materials for senior NOAA leadership heading into international meetings, synthesize complex information from across the OAR portfolio into actionable documents for government and foreign counterparts, track international travel and engagement across OAR labs and programs, and help develop and expand NOAA's relationships with the embassies, research institutions, and international organizations that advance shared scientific goals. This role is built for someone with the analytical depth to understand research priorities, the diplomatic instinct to navigate the international space, and the organizational discipline to keep a complex global portfolio moving without missing a beat.
Work Schedule and Location:
Remote:
- This position is primarily remote with ad hoc in-person support at SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 as needed
- Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays
- Local and non-local travel may be required, including international travel; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
- Review, analyze, and synthesize information from a variety of sources into portfolio summaries, implementation plans, and other documents for review by and submission to OAR and NOAA leadership and international counterparts
- Prepare briefing materials, memos, and talking points for OAR International Activities colleagues, OAR leadership, and NOAA leadership in preparation for interagency and international meetings and events
- Attend seminars, conferences, presentations, and laboratory and program reviews to deepen understanding of NOAA and OAR programs, U.S. foreign policy objectives, and ongoing international affairs in support of NOAA's international research goals
- Provide substantive and logistical staff support for the preparation, execution, and follow-up of international meetings, workshops, and events related to the assigned portfolio
- Refresh and maintain up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for routine activities including the international travel process and best practices for office records management
- Track OAR international engagements, liaise with government points of contact from assigned labs and programs to obtain additional information, and support the OAR IA team lead in tracking approved and in-process submissions
- Maintain materials summarizing OAR laboratory and program capabilities and priorities in the international space; produce alternate versions as appropriate for NOAA leadership, the science community, international partners, and interagency leadership
- Develop and expand relationships with relevant counterparts from the national and international science community, embassies, and institutions relevant to assigned geographic and subject matter responsibilities
- Liaise and coordinate with OAR headquarters, lab, and program staff as assigned
- BA/BS in a technical or business discipline — International Relations, Political Science, Environmental Science, Ocean or Atmospheric Science, Public Policy, or a closely related field preferred; advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience
- 8+ years of professional and/or academic experience
- Demonstrated experience supporting international activities, bilateral partnerships, or interagency coordination for a federal science agency or research organization
- Experience preparing executive-level briefing materials, talking points, and portfolio summaries for senior government or diplomatic audiences
- Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy objectives relevant to science diplomacy, environmental research, and international ocean or atmospheric programs
- Strong analytical and synthesis skills; ability to distill complex, multi-source information into clear, concise documents under tight deadlines
- Experience coordinating international travel logistics, processing travel requests, and maintaining engagement tracking systems for a federal program
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with counterparts from foreign governments, international scientific organizations, and embassies
- Experience attending and providing staff support for international conferences, workshops, or diplomatic meetings
- Proficiency in one or more foreign languages relevant to NOAA's international partnerships is a plus
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-risk federal security clearance; international travel required
At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) Plan
- Holiday Pay
- Paid Time Off
Ocean science and atmospheric research do not stop at national borders — and neither do you. As the International Activities & Research Partnerships Specialist supporting NOAA's Oceanic and Atmospheric Research (OAR) International Activities Office, you will serve as a critical link between NOAA's world-class research enterprise and the global scientific, diplomatic, and interagency communities that depend on it. You will prepare briefing materials for senior NOAA leadership heading into international meetings, synthesize complex information from across the OAR portfolio into actionable documents for government and foreign counterparts, track international travel and engagement across OAR labs and programs, and help develop and expand NOAA's relationships with the embassies, research institutions, and international organizations that advance shared scientific goals. This role is built for someone with the analytical depth to understand research priorities, the diplomatic instinct to navigate the international space, and the organizational discipline to keep a complex global portfolio moving without missing a beat.
Work Schedule and Location:
Remote:
- This position is primarily remote with ad hoc in-person support at SSMC3, 1315 East-West Highway, Silver Spring, MD 20910 as needed
- Normal work hours are Monday through Friday, 8 hours per day / 40 hours per week, excluding federal holidays
- Local and non-local travel may be required, including international travel; all unplanned travel must be approved in writing by the COR at least 10 calendar days in advance
- Review, analyze, and synthesize information from a variety of sources into portfolio summaries, implementation plans, and other documents for review by and submission to OAR and NOAA leadership and international counterparts
- Prepare briefing materials, memos, and talking points for OAR International Activities colleagues, OAR leadership, and NOAA leadership in preparation for interagency and international meetings and events
- Attend seminars, conferences, presentations, and laboratory and program reviews to deepen understanding of NOAA and OAR programs, U.S. foreign policy objectives, and ongoing international affairs in support of NOAA's international research goals
- Provide substantive and logistical staff support for the preparation, execution, and follow-up of international meetings, workshops, and events related to the assigned portfolio
- Refresh and maintain up-to-date Standard Operating Procedures (SOPs) for routine activities including the international travel process and best practices for office records management
- Track OAR international engagements, liaise with government points of contact from assigned labs and programs to obtain additional information, and support the OAR IA team lead in tracking approved and in-process submissions
- Maintain materials summarizing OAR laboratory and program capabilities and priorities in the international space; produce alternate versions as appropriate for NOAA leadership, the science community, international partners, and interagency leadership
- Develop and expand relationships with relevant counterparts from the national and international science community, embassies, and institutions relevant to assigned geographic and subject matter responsibilities
- Liaise and coordinate with OAR headquarters, lab, and program staff as assigned
- BA/BS in a technical or business discipline — International Relations, Political Science, Environmental Science, Ocean or Atmospheric Science, Public Policy, or a closely related field preferred; advanced degrees or certifications may qualify for shorter periods of required experience
- 8+ years of professional and/or academic experience
- Demonstrated experience supporting international activities, bilateral partnerships, or interagency coordination for a federal science agency or research organization
- Experience preparing executive-level briefing materials, talking points, and portfolio summaries for senior government or diplomatic audiences
- Familiarity with U.S. foreign policy objectives relevant to science diplomacy, environmental research, and international ocean or atmospheric programs
- Strong analytical and synthesis skills; ability to distill complex, multi-source information into clear, concise documents under tight deadlines
- Experience coordinating international travel logistics, processing travel requests, and maintaining engagement tracking systems for a federal program
- Demonstrated ability to build and maintain professional relationships with counterparts from foreign governments, international scientific organizations, and embassies
- Experience attending and providing staff support for international conferences, workshops, or diplomatic meetings
- Proficiency in one or more foreign languages relevant to NOAA's international partnerships is a plus
- Ability to obtain and maintain a Low-risk federal security clearance; international travel required
At FWI, we place the highest importance on creating an exceptional employee experience. You'll have opportunities to achieve your career aspirations through internal promotions, professional development, and other recognition and rewards programs. Join our team and take advantage of the many benefits we offer, including:
- Health Insurance
- Dental Insurance
- Vision Insurance
- Long-term and Short-term Disability Insurance
- Life Insurance
- 401(k) Plan
- Holiday Pay
- Paid Time Off
Research Specialist Jobs by Experience Level
Top Cities Hiring Research Specialists
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Find Research Specialist JobsResearch Specialist Job Market
Who's Hiring
- Emory University31
- University of Pennsylvania11
- Kaiser Permanente10
- Johns Hopkins University10
- University of Miami7
Top Industries Hiring
- Education95
- Healthcare & Medical Services41
- Science & Research10
- Technology & Software8
- Consulting & Professional Services6
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs.
- Bachelor's or master's degree in a relevant field such as social science, public health, or biology
- Experience designing or executing quantitative or qualitative research studies
- Proficiency with statistical or qualitative analysis software such as SPSS, Stata, R, or NVivo
- Strong written communication skills for producing reports, briefs, or academic manuscripts
- Familiarity with IRB protocols, research ethics standards, or regulatory compliance requirements
- Experience conducting literature reviews and synthesizing findings from peer-reviewed sources
Tips for Your Research Specialist Job Search
Tailor your resume to the research method
Research specialist postings often specify qualitative, quantitative, or mixed-methods experience. Align your resume to the exact methodology named in each posting, calling out the tools you used, such as SPSS, NVivo, or R, rather than listing research generically.
Lead with your publications or deliverables
Hiring managers in research roles want evidence of output. List reports, white papers, or datasets you produced and name the audience or decision they informed. A single concrete deliverable carries more weight than a paragraph describing your responsibilities.
Filter openings by sector before you apply
Research specialist roles vary sharply across healthcare, think tanks, and market research firms. Narrowing your search by sector first saves time and lets you customize your application language to match the vocabulary each field uses.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research specialist openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Prepare a methods walk-through for interviews
Research specialist interviews frequently include a question asking you to walk through a study or project end to end. Prepare a two-minute explanation of your data collection choice, how you handled gaps or outliers, and what the findings led to.
Negotiate start date around institutional calendars
Academic and government research employers often tie hiring to grant cycles or fiscal quarters. Asking about timeline flexibility during the offer stage signals awareness of how research organizations operate and can open room on start date without touching compensation.
Research Specialist Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research specialists?
The companies hiring the most research specialists right now include Emory University, University of Pennsylvania, and Kaiser Permanente, with the largest share of openings in California, Texas, and Florida, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of August 2026. Demand is spread across healthcare systems, research universities, federal contractors, and market research firms.
How many research specialist jobs are remote?
About 45% of research specialist openings are fully remote or hybrid as of August 2026, making it one of the more flexible professional roles. Remote availability is highest in market research, policy analysis, and secondary data roles, while clinical research and lab-based positions almost always require an on-site presence.
How do you become a research specialist?
Most research specialist roles require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a related field, such as public health, social science, psychology, or biology. From there, building hands-on experience through internships, research assistant positions, or graduate coursework is essential. Developing proficiency in at least one analysis tool and assembling a portfolio of completed research outputs will differentiate you when applying.
Can you get hired as a research specialist with little experience?
Entry-level research specialist roles exist and are often labeled as junior specialist, research associate, or research coordinator. Employers at this level prioritize demonstrated methodology knowledge over years on the job. Coursework projects, thesis research, or volunteer data collection work can substitute for paid experience if you present them as concrete deliverables with named methods and outcomes.
What does the research specialist interview process look like?
Research specialist interviews typically involve an initial phone or video screen with a recruiter or hiring manager, followed by a deeper technical interview where you walk through a past project and explain your methodology choices. Some employers add a written exercise asking you to summarize findings from a sample dataset or literature. Final rounds often include a panel with team members who will work directly with you.
Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs?
You can find and apply to research specialist jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits.
See All 511+ Research Specialist Jobs
Find roles that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.
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