ASSISTANT RESEARCH SCIENTIST JOB DESCRIPTION

A grant-funded research position translating field and laboratory data into publishable science. Assistant Research Scientists in university-affiliated environmental programs occupy an unusual seat: accountable for producing peer-reviewed manuscripts while simultaneously managing sample protocols, student mentors, and agency partner relationships. Few early-career research roles require simultaneous proficiency in statistical modeling and field data collection on large aquatic systems or engineered treatment processes. That combination shapes hiring at land-grant universities and state natural resource programs alike.

As the Assistant Research Scientist, you will design and execute research studies, analyze environmental or ecological data, and contribute authored manuscripts to peer-reviewed journals under the oversight of a Principal Investigator or faculty lead. You will work within a sponsored-research program funded by state, federal, or foundation grants, collaborating with agency partners, graduate students, and interdisciplinary project teams to advance applied environmental science objectives.

Career Impact: Producing first-authored publications and presenting at national professional meetings accelerates advancement toward independent research scientist or PI status within academic and government science careers.

Business Impact: The analyses and protocols produced by this role directly inform state resource management decisions and support continued grant funding for the research program.

Growth Opportunity: Experience managing student researchers, contributing to grant proposals, and co-authoring agency reports builds a track record that qualifies candidates for senior scientist and co-PI roles within three to five years.

• Design and execute field and laboratory research studies, including sample collection from rivers, lakes, or engineered treatment systems.
• Analyze ecological or environmental datasets using appropriate statistical and computational methods to evaluate research hypotheses.
• Author technical reports, peer-reviewed manuscripts, and sections of grant applications under PI supervision.
• Develop and implement standard operating procedures for physical, chemical, or biological sample analysis.
• Present research findings at departmental seminars, professional conferences, and public outreach events.
• Coordinate project activities with state agency, federal, and university partners to meet program milestones.
• Mentor and provide day-to-day direction to graduate students, undergraduate researchers, and hourly technical staff.
• Contribute to progress reports and documentation required by funding agencies.

• Bachelor's degree in Environmental Science, Ecology, Biology, Environmental Engineering, or equivalent work experience.
• 3 or more years of applied research experience in aquatic ecology, environmental science, or a related field, with demonstrated contribution to peer-reviewed publications.
• Proficiency in statistical analysis and data management, with demonstrated application to ecological or environmental datasets.
• Experience designing and executing field sampling protocols in aquatic or engineered environmental systems.
• Strong written and oral communication skills, as evidenced by scientific manuscripts, technical reports, or grant sections.
• Ability to work independently on research tasks with minimal supervision while coordinating effectively within a multidisciplinary team.
• Valid driver's license and ability to conduct fieldwork in variable outdoor conditions.

• Ph.D. in Environmental Engineering, Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries Science, or a closely related discipline.
• Experience writing or contributing to competitive grant proposals submitted to state or federal funding agencies.
• Prior experience supervising or training graduate or undergraduate research personnel.
• Familiarity with geospatial data analysis or computational modeling relevant to aquatic or wastewater systems.

• Peer-reviewed manuscripts submitted or accepted per grant year, reflecting independent research output.
• Grant progress reports delivered on schedule, measuring adherence to sponsor-required milestones.
• Student supervision hours and documented mentorship outcomes per academic term.
• Data collection protocol compliance rate, assessed against approved IACUC or IRB-equivalent standards where applicable.
• Proportion of field sampling campaigns completed within season and budget, reflecting logistical execution.
• Typical tools: Statistical computing platforms (commonly R or SAS); geospatial analysis software (commonly ArcGIS or equivalent).

• Base Salary Range: $52,000–$72,000 annually, varying by institution and grant funding
• Bonus: Rare in academic research; occasional merit increases tied to grant renewals
• Equity: Not applicable in academic or government-funded settings
• Health Benefits: Medical, dental, and vision coverage standard at most universities
• PTO: 15–22 days annually, plus university holidays and research travel
• Common Perks: Tuition benefits, professional development funds, conference travel support

Figures are estimates based on general US market benchmarks and may be outdated. Adjust based on location, company size, and seniority level.

Background screening, including verification of education and employment history, is a condition of employment for all positions. Work authorization in the United States is required; sponsorship availability varies by institution. Applicants are evaluated without regard to race, color, national origin, religion, sex, age, disability, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or any other characteristic protected under applicable federal, state, or local law. Reasonable accommodations for qualified individuals with disabilities are available upon request throughout the hiring process.

The Assistant Research Scientist owns a cross-institutional research program centered on fish length and age data analysis, evaluating sampling protocols and estimator methods to inform river fisheries management. Collaborating with state, federal, and university partners, this role delivers peer-reviewed publications, technical reports, and outreach that translate scientific findings into actionable management guidance.

Key Responsibilities

• Assimilate and explore fish length and age data from published and agency sources, identify data needs, and develop solutions to fill data gaps.
• Compare underutilized length-based estimators to age-based methods to determine species and conditions in which each is appropriate.
• Evaluate current designs, sample sizes, gears, and effort allocations used to sample fish communities in rivers, and identify a standard protocol to best meet management objectives.
• Coordinate efforts between state, federal, and university partners associated with the project.
• Analyze data, synthesize results, and author annual technical reports and manuscripts for submission to peer-reviewed scientific journals.
• Assist other biologists with experimental design, analysis, and writing for aquatic ecology-related projects.
• Disseminate research findings to management agencies, the scientific community, and the public through presentations, outreach activities, and written reports.
• Respond to requests for scientific and technical information and communicate effectively with collaborators.
• Participate in community outreach and service events, and mentor hourly staff.
• Perform other duties as needed to further the mission and goals of the survey.
• Keep abreast of developments in the discipline.

Required Qualifications

• Master's degree in Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Statistics, Ecological Statistics, or a related field.
• Ph.D. in Biology, Aquatic Ecology, Fisheries, Statistics, Ecological Statistics, or a related field preferred.
• Minimum of 5 years of experience applying analytical and statistical methods to ecology-based research questions, with a demonstrated record of peer-reviewed publications.
• Experience driving boats on rivers or other large bodies of water.
• Experience analyzing stock-assessment data or similar analyses, with familiarity with ecological and multivariate models preferred.
• Experience managing and analyzing large datasets.
• Strong proficiency with R or SAS statistical software and its application to ecological statistics.
• Proficiency in Microsoft Office and GIS software.
• Ability to write clearly and scientifically, as demonstrated through prior publications.
• Excellent organizational, interpersonal, and oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to work independently, collect and analyze field data, and communicate findings to granting agencies and scientific and public communities.
• Ability to perform effectively in a fast-paced environment with multiple and changing priorities, stringent deadlines, and minimal supervision.
• Attention to detail, sound judgment, and strong conflict resolution skills.

Embedded within a sponsored research environment focused on Great Lakes water quality and aquatic ecosystem mapping, the Assistant Research Scientist builds data analysis workflows for remote sensing and geospatial data exploitation. Working closely with principal investigators, this role shapes scientific output across field investigations, database management, and research publications that address governmental and societal needs.

Core Functions

• Support principal investigators with sponsored research related to Great Lakes water quality and satellite mapping of water depth and bottom features.
• Support field studies of Great Lakes bio-optical properties, including conducting ship-based field investigations.
• Develop data analysis workflows for efficient remote sensing and geospatial data exploitation.
• Assist in developing research programs related to remote sensing of aquatic ecosystems.
• Contribute to the writing of reports, research articles, sponsor briefings, and similar project output materials.
• Assist in proposal writing and development of research projects in a team environment.
• Support data management for remote sensing projects through the design and maintenance of scientific databases.
• Stay current with new technologies and data analysis products through educational opportunities, professional publications, and participation in professional organizations.

Qualifications & Experience

• One year of experience in spatial data analysis and image processing.
• One year of experience conducting research in aquatic science.
• Experience with ocean color remote sensing processing and analysis.
• Experience with ship-based data collection and collection, filtering, and processing of water for algal sampling.
• Experience with data management.
• Knowledge of phytoplankton ecology.
• Proficiency with ArcGIS, R, and Python.
• Demonstrated abilities in processing and analysis of remote sensing imagery and in scientific writing and manuscript generation.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills, with demonstrated organizational ability and attention to detail.
• Ability to work independently, exercise discretion and independent judgment, and communicate effectively across cultural boundaries and with diverse groups.

Reporting to laboratory leadership, the Assistant Research Scientist leads molecular fingerprinting analysis of human serum samples, operating across BSL II and clean room environments while building SOPs and bioinformatics workflows for a clinical trial program. Partnering with research and data science teams, this role delivers reproducible experimental records, RNA sequencing outputs, and a fully operational clinical lab that supports translational research goals.

Primary Duties

• Analyze molecular fingerprints from a large set of human serum samples.
• Catalog and maintain a clinical sample database.
• Process and ensure proper storage of samples.
• Carry out general lab duties, including ordering, inventory, and management of reagents.
• Create and follow SOPs for molecular biology workflows.
• Maintain detailed experimental records.
• Design and improve the analytic workflow for routine molecular fingerprinting analysis.
• Set up a clinical lab and carry out clinical trial studies.
• Carry out RNA sequencing and analysis workflows.
• Perform bioinformatics and data science workflows.

Education & Experience

• Master's degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, immunology, medical laboratory sciences, biophysics, molecular diagnostics, or a related discipline; Ph.D. preferred.
• Minimum of 1 year of combined experience in academic research labs, biotech industry, or biotech startups.
• Experience with BSL II and clean room environments.
• Knowledge of basic molecular biology techniques, including nucleic acid purification and RNA analysis.
• Bioinformatics and data science experience.
• Strong proficiency in Microsoft Excel, Python, and/or R.
• Strong analytical skills and exceptional lab notebook skills.
• Strong communication, presentation, and time management skills.
• Willingness to work in a fast-paced, dynamic, lean-startup environment.

Sitting at the intersection of in vivo pharmacology and translational immunology research, the Assistant Research Scientist II plans and executes animal studies covering pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy to evaluate lead optimization programs. Operating across tumor model development, flow cytometry, and ex vivo sample processing, this role ensures IACUC and AAALAC compliance while advancing project team objectives through collaborative data presentation and scientific rigor.

Duties

• Assist in the planning, design, and implementation of animal studies of pharmacokinetics, pharmacodynamics, and efficacy to evaluate and differentiate lead validation and lead optimization programs.
• Ensure compliance with IACUC protocols and AAALAC regulations in conducting research duties.
• Prepare and organize data for presentation using analysis and visualization software, and present data and project status reports at individual, group, and departmental research meetings.
• Maintain familiarity with current scientific literature relevant to research experiments and programs.
• Maintain a laboratory notebook in a complete, consistent, and concise manner in accordance with intellectual property policies.
• Adhere to health and safety practices and comply with applicable EH&S rules, including participation in mandatory safety training programs.
• Apply proficiency in in vivo techniques, including IV, IP, SC, and PO administration and blood collection methods such as tail vein, retroorbital, cardiac puncture, and submandibular.
• Execute animal tumor model development and studies, including syngeneic, xenograft, and humanized mouse models.
• Practice sterile cell culture and scale-up for tumor implantation.
• Conduct organ harvesting, transcardial perfusion, and fixation from small animals.
• Process samples, perform homogenization, and generate single-cell suspensions for ex vivo analysis.
• Collaborate with project team members on research activities.

Skills & Qualifications

• Experience with immunology-related biological assays, flow cytometry, MSD, and Luminex preferred.
• General knowledge of pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and immunology techniques, theories, and practices.
• General understanding of how individual experiments fit within a larger research program.
• General understanding and application of scientific principles, theories, and concepts in the field of specialty and related disciplines.
• Understanding of regulatory requirements for operating an in vivo facility.
• Excellent data analysis skills and experience with scientific software applications preferred.
• Proficiency in MS Word, MS PowerPoint, and MS Excel.
• Strong communication skills, excellent work ethic, and ability to work effectively in a team environment or independently.
• Ability to perform in a fast-paced environment, adapt to changing work conditions, and manage multiple tasks with attention to detail.

A key member of the Iowa Wastewater and Waste-to-Energy Research Program team, the Assistant Research Scientist performs experiments, simulations, and data analysis across wastewater treatment and waste-to-energy processes within a specified two-year term position. Collaborating across investigators, graduate students, and external clients, this role builds grant proposals, mentors research staff, and publishes findings that advance environmental engineering science and regulatory compliance.

Functions

• Perform experiments, simulations, or theoretical investigations in wastewater treatment and waste-to-energy processes.
• Collect data, evaluate relevance and data integrity, and compare results of scientific investigations to previously published work.
• Develop and implement research plans, either independently or in conjunction with other investigators.
• Conduct critical analysis of current literature to develop novel research approaches.
• Develop, troubleshoot, and formulate protocols, hypotheses, and computational models such as BioWin.
• Establish and implement standard operating procedures for the physical, chemical, and biological analysis of wastewater and biomass products.
• Write papers, manuscripts, and grant applications, and publish results.
• Present results in departmental seminars and local and national meetings, and contribute to progress reports required by funding agencies.
• Serve as co-PI on grants or proposals, and contribute to new and continuing research grant proposals.
• Supervise adherence to safety programs and compliance guidelines, and provide service to the scientific community and the public.
• Review submitted manuscripts and research proposals, and consult and collaborate with the research community.
• Mentor research staff, graduate students, and undergraduate students, providing direction, assignments, feedback, coaching, and counseling.

Experience & Qualifications

• Ph.D. in environmental engineering.
• Three to five years of experience using remediation, wastewater treatment, and waste-to-energy research methodologies, tools, and techniques.
• At least two years of project management experience and at least two years of relevant experience maintaining and troubleshooting equipment and instrumentation used in wastewater treatment and waste-to-energy research.
• Experience writing grant proposals and operating a wastewater treatment facility.
• Experience with plant-based water treatment approaches, such as algae.
• Experience supervising or training others.
• Experience with computer-aided design software and BioWin computational modeling software.
• Experience with anaerobic digestion for renewable natural gas production.
• Knowledge of safety and environmental regulations for the operation of research laboratories and treatment facilities.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills, with a demonstrated commitment to working effectively with diverse teams.
• Strong research and publication record.

Sustained improvement across nearly 500 outpatient mental health clinics in New York State depends on the Assistant Research Scientist, who coordinates data collection, training, and technical assistance for quality improvement initiatives tied to the PSYCKES web-based application. Based within a public health research team, this role serves as a primary support contact for provider agencies, county governments, and managed care organizations, enabling clinical decision-making through rigorous data analysis and responsive user engagement.

Accountabilities

• Coordinate data collection activities, including creating and updating data collection instruments such as online surveys and PDF forms.
• Establish and maintain systems for recording, tracking, and updating project materials.
• Develop tracking spreadsheets and monthly and quarterly progress reports.
• Schedule meetings and conference calls, prepare meeting materials, and take detailed minutes and notes.
• Send electronic mass mailings.
• Conduct qualitative and quantitative data analysis, and support the development of dissemination products, including presentations, written reports, and manuscripts.
• Provide support via phone and email to application users and project participants, including processing information requests, investigating and resolving reported issues, and managing databases.
• Coordinate and lead trainings via online webinars.
• Participate in meetings to refine and modify the application, develop test cases, track defects, and communicate with the data analysis and programming team.
• Develop and update training materials, manage registration processes, and provide technical support during trainings.

Position Requirements

• Bachelor's degree in psychology, sociology, social work, public health, or a related social science field.
• Master's degree in psychology, sociology, social work, public health, or a related social science, clinical, or research field preferred.
• One year of full-time work experience in any setting, or 30 credit hours of graduate study in an appropriate field as a substitute.
• Two or more years of full-time work experience in any setting preferred.
• One year of experience in a health or mental health setting and/or with health or mental health services research.
• One year of experience maintaining databases and one year of customer service experience.
• Two or more years of customer service experience preferred.
• One year of experience with all Microsoft Office applications, including Excel and PowerPoint.
• Familiarity with front-end applications and information technology systems.
• Experience using online survey-making tools.
• Highly organized with strong attention to detail and the ability to work independently and collaboratively with diverse stakeholders.

As the Assistant Research Scientist, this role leads quantitative analysis of multimodal MRI and biomarker data from longitudinal studies examining substance use disorders and traumatic brain injury at NCIRE in San Francisco. The neuroimaging and addiction research team relies on this work to generate hypotheses, secure new funding through grant writing, and produce first-author publications and conference presentations that advance personalized treatment approaches.

Technical Responsibilities

• Conduct quantitative analysis of neuropsychological tests, multimodal MR imaging, and biomarker data from longitudinal studies in addiction and traumatic brain injury.
• Work with the principal investigator to generate hypotheses, plan analyses, and interpret data.
• Develop new approaches to using MRI and biomarker data for personalized treatment of addiction and traumatic brain injury.
• Seek out new funding opportunities and assist with writing grants and proposals.
• Write manuscripts and abstracts, and present findings at scientific meetings and conferences.

Professional Experience

• Ph.D. or doctorate in psychology, neuroscience, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of demonstrated academic research experience in MRI data analysis, with a focus on multimodal imaging data analysis.
• Demonstrated research experience and first-author publications in substance use disorder and traumatic brain injury.
• Experience with at least one applied programming language, such as MATLAB, R, or Python.
• Experience with imaging analysis software, such as SPM, FSL, Freesurfer, Conn, DSI Studio, or ExploreDTI.
• Experience in scientific writing, as demonstrated through first-author peer-reviewed articles and poster presentations.
• Experience with experimental design and implementation, and with writing grants and proposals.
• Additional experience with peripheral or neurostimulation methods, such as TMS or tDCS, is a plus.
• Strong organizational ability and the ability to work independently with strong communication skills.

Assistant Research Scientist designs, conducts, and publishes field and laboratory research on rare and imperiled invertebrate species, collaborating with internal and external partners to advance conservation and management objectives. The work directly supports taxonomic identification, biological specimen collection, and outreach responsibilities that serve state and regional imperiled species programs.

Job Functions

• Design, conduct, analyze, and publish field and laboratory research in collaboration with supervisor.
• Communicate research results in reports, scientific publications, and presentations.
• Collaborate with internal and external partners and colleagues, including by serving on teams, committees, and groups, to advance imperiled invertebrate research and accomplish management and conservation objectives.
• Perform routine identifications, both in the field and in the laboratory, and cooperate with taxonomic experts.
• Collect biological specimens and samples.
• Perform related administrative and outreach responsibilities as required.

Background & Experience

• Bachelor's degree in a physical or natural science with two years of relevant experience.
• Master's degree substituting for one year of the required experience, or a doctorate substituting for all required experience.
• Master of Science or doctorate in Biology, Wildlife Ecology, Zoology, or Entomology preferred.
• Experience conducting ecological research and surveys targeting invertebrates.
• Experience working with rare and imperiled species.