Post job

How to hire an associate scientist, research and development

Associate scientist, research and development hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring associate scientists, research and development in the United States:

  • HR departments typically spend 15% of their expenses on recruitment.
  • It usually takes about 12 weeks for a new employee to reach full productivity levels.
  • It typically takes 36-42 days to fill a job opening.
  • The median cost to hire an associate scientist, research and development is $1,633.
  • Small businesses spend an average of $1,105 per associate scientist, research and development on training each year, while large companies spend $658.
  • There are currently 13,521 associate scientists, research and development in the US and 128,474 job openings.
  • Kenilworth, NJ, has the highest demand for associate scientists, research and development, with 5 job openings.
  • Elkhart, IN has the highest concentration of associate scientists, research and development.

How to hire an associate scientist, research and development, step by step

To hire an associate scientist, research and development, you should clearly understand the skills and experience you are looking for in a candidate, and allocate a budget for the position. You will also need to post and promote the job opening to reach potential candidates. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire an associate scientist, research and development:

Here's a step-by-step associate scientist, research and development hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write an associate scientist, research and development job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new associate scientist, research and development
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
jobs
Post an associate scientist, research and development job for free, promote it for a fee
  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you start hiring an associate scientist, research and development, identify what type of worker you actually need. Certain positions might call for a full-time employee, while others can be done by a part-time worker or contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect associate scientist, research and development also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    The following list breaks down different types of associate scientists, research and development and their corresponding salaries.

    Type of Associate Scientist, Research And DevelopmentDescriptionHourly rate
    Associate Scientist, Research And DevelopmentMedical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.$28-54
    Chemical TechnicianA chemical technician is responsible for supporting chemists and laboratory technicians in performing laboratory investigations and examining chemical components and structures. Chemical technicians ensure the stability of laboratory tools and equipment, performing proper sterilization and segregation of disposable materials, and maintaining the adequacy of inventory... Show more$14-27
    Quality ControlAs the name entails, the job of a quality control inspector is to inspect, maintain, and improve the quality and standard of products. They are responsible for ensuring the company's reputation is not damaged due to defective products or inferior manufacturing processes... Show more$11-21
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • R
    • Data Analysis
    • Cell Culture
    • HPLC
    • Method Development
    • GMP
    • PCR
    • Analytical Methods
    • Assay Development
    • Test Methods
    • Next-Generation Sequencing
    • Elisa
    • Product Development
    • Technical Reports
    Check all skills
    Responsibilities:
    • Manage sample inventory via in-house laboratory information management system (LIMS) and implement additional systems for sample and chemical organization.
    • Develop and validate HPLC, GC and Karl Fischer methods for lead compounds/intermediates and relate materials.
    • Participate as validation representative in FDA and ISO audits.
    • Authore, validate and transfer HPLC standard test procedures to commercial QC group.
    • Co-Authore an SBIR and an FDA research grants and are a co-author of at least one company patent.
    • Develop purification processes used for GMP manufacturing.
  3. Make a budget

    Including a salary range in your associate scientist, research and development job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. An associate scientist, research and development salary can vary based on several factors:
    • Location. For example, associate scientists, research and development' average salary in iowa is 50% less than in tennessee.
    • Seniority. Entry-level associate scientists, research and development earn 48% less than senior-level associate scientists, research and development.
    • Certifications. An associate scientist, research and development with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
    • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in an associate scientist, research and development's salary.

    Average associate scientist, research and development salary

    $82,581yearly

    $39.70 hourly rate

    Entry-level associate scientist, research and development salary
    $59,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 27, 2026
  4. Writing an associate scientist, research and development job description

    A job description for an associate scientist, research and development role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's an associate scientist, research and development job description:

    Associate scientist, research and development job description example

    • Bachelor's Degree in mathematics, computer science, statistics with minimum 2 years of technical experience
    • Master's Degree in Statistics or Data Science

    REQUIRED SKILLS:

    • Strong understanding of inferential statistics, including Design of Experiments, modeling, clustering, time series, and other advanced statistical techniques. Expected to know when (and when not) to use a technique for a given application.
    • Adept ability to manipulate - potentially unstructured - data tables, and write software to facilitate this process.
    • Excellent data visualization and data storytelling skills
    • Dexterity to communicate up, down and across multi-disciplinary teams with diverse technical backgrounds.
    • Demonstrated ability to independently research and apply new knowledge to achieve success in analysis and coding.
    • Strong programming skills in one of the following: JMP, R, Python. Knowledge of SQL is a plus.
    • Some physics knowledge (electrical, current, voltage, etc.) preferred
    • Experience with Microsoft environment: Windows OS, Office 365, Teams, etc.

    ESSENTIAL RESPONSIBLITIES:

    • Ensure your coworkers' safety by adhering to all health and environmental procedures.
    • Provide expert guidance in the research cycle of designing experiments (DOE), modeling and interpreting the results, determining the key factors of influence, optimizing outputs, and using the statistical conclusions to guide future experiments.
    • Be a go-to in-house consultant for a broad range statistical knowledge and advice
    • Dig through large, complex data tables to discover new relationships and insights via data science techniques
    • Develop new and improve existing software to:
      • access and pre-process new and existing data sources (SQL, e.g.)
      • provide basic analysis and provide accessibility of new methods
      • Implement custom data solutions for engineers
      • optimize or automate routine workflows
      • provide a cohesive analytical package that addresses broad First Solar needs
    • Research new applicable techniques, including computer vision, modeling, and image analysis
    • Work with data consumers to understand their needs, point them to the right tool or make a new tool for them.

    HYBRID PHYSICAL REQUIREMENTS:

    • Will sit, stand, or walk short distances for up to the entire duration of a shift
    • Will climb stairs on an occasional basis
    • Will lift, push, or pull up to 27 pounds on an occasional basis
    • Required to use hands to grasp, lift, handle, carry or feel objects on a frequent basis
    • 20/40 vision in each eye (with or without correction) and ability to distinguish red, yellow, and green is required
    • Must be able to comply with all safety standards and procedures
    • May reach above shoulder heights and below the waist on a frequent basis
    • May stoop, kneel, or bend, on an occasional basis
    • Ability to wear personal protective equipment is required (including but not limited to; steel toed shoes, gloves, safety glasses, hearing protection, protective jacket or apron and arm guards)
    • All associates working on the production floor may be required to wear a respirator at any given time and thus, the ability to wear a respirator is a condition of employment and continued employment (requires little or no facial hair)

    Potential candidates will meet the education and experience requirements provided on the above job description and excel in completing the listed responsibilities for this role. All candidates receiving an offer of employment must successfully complete a background check band any other tests that may be required.

    Equal Opportunity Employer Statement: First Solar is an Equal Opportunity Employer that values and respects the importance of a diverse and inclusive workforce. It is the policy of the company to recruit, hire, train, and promote persons in all job titles without regard to race, color, religion, sex, age, national origin, veteran status, disability, sexual orientation, or gender identity. We recognize that diversity and inclusion is a driving force in the success of our company

  5. Post your job

    To find the right associate scientist, research and development for your business, consider trying out a few different recruiting strategies:

    • Consider internal talent. One of the most important sources of talent for any company is its existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals. Reach out to friends, family members, and current employees and ask if they know or have worked with associate scientists, research and development they would recommend.
    • Recruit at local colleges. Attend job fairs at local colleges to recruit associate scientists, research and development who meet your education requirements.
    • Social media platforms. LinkedIn, Facebook and Twitter now have more than 3.5 billion users, and you can use social media to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your associate scientist, research and development job on Zippia to find and recruit associate scientist, research and development candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    To successfully recruit associate scientists, research and development, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete the technical interview.

    The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

  7. Send a job offer and onboard your new associate scientist, research and development

    Once you've decided on a perfect associate scientist, research and development candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

    You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new associate scientist, research and development. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are created.

  8. Go through the hiring process checklist

    • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
    • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
    • Define job responsibilities and requirements
    • Establish budget and timeline
    • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
    • Write job description
    • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
    • Promote the job internally
    • Process applications through applicant tracking system
    • Review resumes and cover letters
    • Shortlist candidates for screening
    • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
    • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
    • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
    • Conduct background checks on top candidates
    • Check references of top candidates
    • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
    • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
    • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
    • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
    • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
    • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)
    Sign up to download full list

How much does it cost to hire an associate scientist, research and development?

Recruiting associate scientists, research and development involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

You can expect to pay around $82,581 per year for an associate scientist, research and development, as this is the median yearly salary nationally. This can vary depending on what state or city you're hiring in. If you're hiring for contract work or on a per-project basis, hourly rates for associate scientists, research and development in the US typically range between $28 and $54 an hour.

Find better associate scientists, research and development in less time
Post a job on Zippia and hire the best from over 7 million monthly job seekers.

Hiring associate scientists, research and development FAQs

Search for associate scientist, research and development jobs

Ready to start hiring?

Browse life, physical, and social science jobs