Research Specialist Jobs in North Carolina

Research Specialist jobs in North Carolina are consistently active, with strong demand concentrated in academic research, pharmaceutical and biotech sciences, healthcare systems, and public policy analysis from entry-level coordinators through senior research scientists. The heaviest hiring is in the Research Triangle area, Charlotte, and Greensboro, where institutions and employers like RTI International, Duke University Health System, and GlaxoSmithKline have long maintained research operations. The most in-demand specialties right now are clinical research coordination, behavioral and social science research, and data-intensive policy research. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.

Find Research Specialist Jobs

Overview

Open roles16
Top employerNorth Carolina State University
Top cityChapel Hill, NC
Cities hiring9
Work type80% Hybrid
Top industryEducation

Showing 4 of 16+ Research Specialist jobs

Temporary Research Specialist -- Center for Marine Science
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Temporary Research Specialist -- Center for Marine Science
University Of North Carolina Wilmington
Wilmington, North Carolina
Higher Education
Research & Academia
Teaching & Instruction
$22 - $30/hr
Bachelor's degree
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

Research Specialist
We won't show you this job again
Added 3d ago
Research Specialist
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Support
Laboratory Science
$23 - $25/hr
Bachelor's degree
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Senior Research Administration Specialist
We won't show you this job again
Added 4d ago
Senior Research Administration Specialist
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill
Chapel Hill, North Carolina
Project & Program Management
Partnerships & Business Development
Project Management
$85k/yr
Hybrid
Master's
10,000+

Have you applied for this role?

Temporary Forensic Science Research Specialist
We won't show you this job again
Added 1w ago
Temporary Forensic Science Research Specialist
Fayetteville State University
Fayetteville, North Carolina
Biotech & Life Sciences
Clinical Trials & Medical Research
Data Science
Research & Academia
Bachelor's degree in biological science
1,001-5,000

Have you applied for this role?

See All 16 Research Specialist Jobs in North Carolina

Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Specialist Jobs

Research Specialist Jobs by City in North Carolina

Where North Carolina roles are concentrated, by current openings.

Chapel Hill
3 jobs
Fayetteville
3 jobs
Raleigh
2 jobs
Greensboro
2 jobs
Winston-Salem
2 jobs
Bailey
1 job
Durham
1 job
Kannapolis
1 job
Wilmington
1 job

Research Specialist Job Market in North Carolina

A snapshot from current North Carolina openings, updated as new roles post.

Who's Hiring

North Carolina State University3 open roles
University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill3 open roles
North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University2 open roles

Top Industries Hiring

  • Education

What North Carolina Employers Look For

The qualifications that appear most often in research specialist jobs across North Carolina.

  • Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as public health, social sciences, or life sciences
  • Experience designing and executing quantitative or qualitative research studies
  • Proficiency with statistical analysis software such as SPSS, SAS, or R
  • Strong scientific writing skills for reports, grants, or peer-reviewed publications
  • Familiarity with IRB protocols and human subjects research compliance requirements
  • Ability to manage multiple research projects and meet sponsor or institutional deadlines

Research Specialist Jobs in North Carolina: Frequently Asked Questions

How do you become a research specialist in North Carolina?

Most research specialist roles in North Carolina require at minimum a bachelor's degree in a field aligned to the employer's research focus, such as public health, social sciences, biology, or psychology. There is no single state license required to work as a research specialist, but roles involving human subjects research typically require Good Clinical Practice certification and familiarity with IRB submission processes used by institutions like UNC Chapel Hill, Duke, or NC State. A graduate degree strengthens competitiveness for senior positions.

Which companies hire research specialists in North Carolina?

Employers hiring research specialists in North Carolina right now include North Carolina State University, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, and North Carolina Agricultural and Technical State University, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. North Carolina's Research Triangle concentration of universities, contract research organizations, and pharmaceutical companies makes it one of the more active states for research specialist hiring in the Southeast.

Which North Carolina cities have the most research specialist jobs?

The cities with the most research specialist openings in North Carolina are Chapel Hill, Fayetteville, and Raleigh. The Research Triangle, anchored by Raleigh, Durham, and Chapel Hill, drives the largest share of demand thanks to the density of research universities, federal agencies, and biotech and pharmaceutical firms clustered in and around Research Triangle Park, while Charlotte's growth in healthcare and financial services research accounts for much of the activity outside the Triangle.

Are there remote research specialist jobs in North Carolina?

Yes, and more than many comparable roles, since a significant portion of research specialist work involving data analysis, literature review, grant writing, and reporting can be done remotely. About 80% of research specialist openings tied to North Carolina are remote or hybrid as of November 2026, reflecting the desk-based nature of much of the work. Roles tied to laboratory work, on-site data collection, or participant-facing clinical studies remain predominantly in person.

How can I get hired as a research specialist in North Carolina with little or no experience?

The most realistic entry path is applying for a research assistant or research coordinator position at one of North Carolina's major research universities or hospital systems, such as UNC Health, Duke Health, or NC State University, which regularly post entry-level roles that do not require prior professional research experience. A completed undergraduate thesis, a certificate in clinical research coordination, or familiarity with IRB processes gives candidates a concrete edge. Adjacent roles like data analyst, program associate, or survey administrator are common lateral entry points at research nonprofits and state agencies.

Where can I find and apply to research specialist jobs in North Carolina?

You can find and apply to research specialist jobs in North Carolina on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers hiring in the state right now. Search the listings to find roles that match your experience, location, and research focus, then apply directly to the ones that fit.

See All 16 Research Specialist Jobs in North Carolina

Find roles in North Carolina that match your experience and apply in just a few clicks.

Find Research Specialist Jobs