How to hire a Junior Research Scientist

How to hire a junior research scientist, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior research scientist hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a junior research scientist job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new junior research scientist
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a Junior Research Scientist do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   Before you post your junior research scientist job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a junior research scientist for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

   Determine Employee vs Contractor Status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a junior research scientist to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a junior research scientist that fits the bill.

   Here's a comparison of junior research scientist salaries for various roles:

   Type Of Junior Research Scientist	Description	Hourly Rate
   Junior Research Scientist	Medical scientists conduct research aimed at improving overall human health. They often use clinical trials and other investigative methods to reach their findings.	$23-44
   Microbiologist	Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases... Show More	$18-36
   Research Laboratory Technician	Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members... Show More	$14-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common Skills:

   • Python
   • PI
   • C++
   • Data Collection
   • Data Entry
   • Literature
   • R
   • Experimental Data
   • Research Lab
   • Molecular Biology
   • Research Findings
   • IRB
   • Biochemistry
   • Research Projects

   Check All Skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Manage the development of innovative visualization and concept mapping of contest environment analysis challenges and analyst skill sets.
   • Collect DNA and RNA from plants.
   • Assist in preparing IRB amendments and submissions.
   • Perform ELISA on clinical samples in an NIH fund laboratory.
   • Validate materials in QC and document all relevant data and present results.
   • Train laboratory personnel on the quality control system as well as the HPLC as necessary.

   More Junior Research Scientist duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in the junior research scientist job description is a good way to get more applicants. A junior research scientist salary can be affected by several factors, such as the location of the job, the level of experience, education, certifications, and the employer's prestige.

   For example, the average salary for a junior research scientist in Louisiana may be lower than in California, and an entry-level engineer typically earns less than a senior-level junior research scientist. Additionally, a junior research scientist with lots of experience in the field may command a higher salary as a result.

   Average junior research scientist salary

   $67,062yearly

   $32.24 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level junior research scientist salary

   $48,000 yearly salary

   Updated April 30, 2025

   Average junior research scientist salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. Salary	Hourly Rate
   1	California	$92,809	$45
   2	Massachusetts	$80,902	$39
   3	Maryland	$69,640	$33
   4	Hawaii	$65,261	$31
   5	New York	$64,353	$31
   6	Washington	$62,330	$30
   7	Nevada	$61,870	$30

   Average junior research scientist salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average Salary	Hourly Rate	Job Openings
   1	Zappos.com	$88,940	$42.76
   2	Science and Technology	$69,484	$33.41
   3	Raytheon Technologies	$68,364	$32.87
   4	University of Hawaii Foundation	$68,094	$32.74	13
   5	NMC	$67,366	$32.39
   6	University of Washington	$66,622	$32.03	72
   7	Odyssey Systems	$65,565	$31.52	8
   8	New York University	$65,176	$31.33	25
   9	Goodwin Recruiting	$63,294	$30.43
   10	The Research Corporation of the University of Hawai'i	$63,230	$30.40
   11	Alios BioPharma	$62,820	$30.20
   12	BAE Systems	$62,063	$29.84	14

4. Writing a Junior Research Scientist Job Description

   A job description for a junior research scientist 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 a junior research scientist job description:

   Junior Research Scientist job description example

   Investigates, analyzes and reviews Artificial Intelligence (AI) Analytics for the research, development, and realized solutions to support the exploitation of the extraordinary volume and variety of Signals Intelligence (SIGINT) communications and Cybersecurity. Analyzes data and creates research prototypes.
   Required Education, Experience, & Skills
   The Level 1 Research Scientist shall possess the following capabilities:
   Under supervision, research and develops technically complex AI efforts
   Performs research, design, development, and implementation activities for technically complex AI efforts under the routine direction of more senior technical staff
   With minimal supervision, resolves complex AI technical problems by applying advanced principles and Research and Development (R&D) techniques
   Qualifications: Six (6) years' experience and a Bachelor's degree in Engineering, Computer Science or other Science, Technology, Engineering or Mathematics (STEM) field or four (4) years' experience and a Master's degree or zero (0) years' experience and a PhD.
   
   About BAE Systems Intelligence & Security
   BAE Systems, Inc. is the U.S. subsidiary of BAE Systems plc, an international defense, aerospace and security company which delivers a full range of products and services for air, land and naval forces, as well as advanced electronics, security, information technology solutions and customer support services. Improving the future and protecting lives is an ambitious mission, but it's what we do at BAE Systems. Working here means using your passion and ingenuity where it counts - defending national security with breakthrough technology, superior products, and intelligence solutions. As you develop the latest technology and defend national security, you will continually hone your skills on a team-making a big impact on a global scale. At BAE Systems, you'll find a rewarding career that truly makes a difference.
   
   Intelligence & Security (I&S), based in McLean, Virginia, designs and delivers advanced defense, intelligence, and security solutions that support the important missions of our customers. Our pride and dedication shows in everything we do-from intelligence analysis, cyber operations and IT expertise to systems development, systems integration, and operations and maintenance services. Knowing that our work enables the U.S. military and government to recognize, manage and defeat threats inspires us to push ourselves and our technologies to new levels.
   
   Our Commitment to Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion:
   At BAE Systems, we work hard every day to nurture an inclusive culture where employees are valued and feel like they belong. We are conscious of the need for all employees to see themselves reflected at every level of the company and know that in order to unlock the full potential of our workforce, everyone must feel confident being their best, most sincere self and be equipped to thrive. We provide impactful professional development experiences to our employees and invest in social impact partnerships to uplift communities and drive purposeful change. Here you will find significant opportunities to do meaningful work in an environment intentionally designed to be one where you will learn, grow and belong.

   Copy This Example

   

5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right junior research scientist for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your junior research scientist job on Zippia to find and recruit junior research scientist candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit junior research scientists, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates can move on to 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 junior research scientist

   Once you have selected a candidate for the junior research scientist position, it is time to create an offer letter. In addition to salary, the offer letter should include details about benefits and perks that are available to the employee. Ensuring your offer is competitive is vital, as qualified candidates may be considering other job opportunities. The candidate may wish to negotiate the terms of the offer, and it is important to be open to discussion and reach a mutually beneficial agreement. After the offer has been accepted, it is a good idea to formalize the 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.

   Once that's done, you can draft an onboarding schedule for the new junior research scientist. Human Resources should complete Employee Action Forms and ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc. They should also ensure that new employee files are created for internal recordkeeping.

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.)

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How much does it cost to hire a junior research scientist?