Virginia Beach Research Jobs Overview
Do you often ask questions that are difficult to answer? Are you an introvert with a curious mind? If so, you may want to consider a career in research, where you can get paid to search for answers to the unknown. Research jobs span all scientific fields, from the social sciences to natural science.
There are many different types of research positions in both higher education and the private sector. Researchers may choose to work in academia so they can enjoy independence—at a commercial lab, your aim as a researcher is to serve a business's goals rather than to answer your own burning questions.
Common academic research positions include:
- Research assistant (RA): RAs assist senior researchers in collecting and analyzing data, reviewing literature, preparing reports, and writing articles. For studies involving human subjects, research assistants also recruit and interview study participants.
- Research associate: Being a research associate is often a postdoc job—a temporary position which allows Ph.D. graduates to continue their training under a supervisor.
- Research fellow: Research fellows typically work on a specific study. This means that the salary is paid by grants or an endowment and the position is temporary.
- Research scientist: Research scientists plan and conduct experiments, interpret results, and write academic articles. They also supervise junior researchers and work on grant proposals and presentations. Some research scientists at academic institutions are also part-time professors.
You can expand your search for higher ed jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Virginia Beach, Virginia
Looking for Virginia Beach jobs? Here’s what you need to know about this seaside city. Virginia Beach lies between Chesapeake Bay and the Atlantic Ocean. The city is popular as a year-round tourist destination and a vibrant hub for dining, arts, entertainment, and maritime history. When you’re not touring a colonial brick house, you can bask in the sand by the ocean, order a seafood platter on the boardwalk, or enjoy a drink from the Tarnished Truth Distilling Company. Do you love the outdoors? Virginia Beach offers plenty of outdoor activities, including kayaking, ziplining, and paddleboarding.
Ready to weigh your anchor and move to Virginia Beach? You should know that it boasts a healthy job market index in comparison to similarly sized metro areas. Plus, the unemployment rate here is lower than the national average. And, if you’re looking for jobs outside the city, opportunities in Chesapeake, Newport News, and Norfolk are only a stone’s throw away.
Update Your Virginia Beach Research Resume
Since research positions require a lot of writing, having a well-written resume and cover letter is essential. Start by reading our resume writing tips and cover letter tips. Then learn more about what specifics to include in our examples of a research assistant cover letter and a research scientist resume.
How Much Do Research Jobs Pay in Virginia Beach, Virginia?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in research jobs in Virginia Beach, Virginia, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median research associate pay in Virginia Beach is $54,372 per year, which is 14% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next Virginia Beach Research Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in research? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those research jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Virginia Beach, how to nail your job interview, and more.