Research jobs represent a cornerstone of academic advancement, where professionals engage in systematic inquiry to generate new knowledge. A research position, often synonymous with research jobs in higher education, involves roles such as research assistant, research associate, postdoctoral researcher, or principal investigator. These positions drive innovation across disciplines, from STEM fields like quantum computing to social sciences exploring global policy trends.
Unlike teaching-centric roles, research jobs prioritize original contributions through experiments, surveys, or theoretical modeling. For instance, a researcher might analyze data from recent tech breakthroughs, as seen in reports on AI hubs and semiconductor discoveries.
Research jobs trace back to the 19th century with the rise of research universities in Germany and the U.S., exemplified by Johns Hopkins University in 1876. Post-World War II, government funding like the U.S. National Science Foundation spurred growth, leading to today's diverse ecosystem. Today, research positions adapt to global challenges, including renewable energy surges and defense tech investments.
In research jobs, daily duties include designing studies, collecting and analyzing data, writing grant proposals, and disseminating results via publications or conferences. Collaboration is key, often with interdisciplinary teams. A research associate might lead lab experiments, while a postdoc focuses on independent projects under a senior mentor.
Entry into research jobs typically demands a PhD in a relevant field, such as biology for biomedical research or economics for policy studies. Master's holders can start as research assistants, but advancement requires doctoral training. Some specialized roles, like clinical research, may need additional certifications.
Research jobs demand expertise in niche areas, like AI trends or quantum prototypes. Preferred experience includes 2-5 peer-reviewed publications, successful grant applications (e.g., from NSF or ERC), and conference presentations. Prior roles as a research assistant build foundational skills.
Core competencies for research jobs encompass analytical thinking, proficiency in tools like Python or SPSS, scientific writing, and ethical research practices. Interpersonal skills aid in team leadership and stakeholder communication. Adaptability to evolving fields, such as green tech rivalries, is increasingly vital.
To thrive, network via conferences, publish consistently, and secure funding. Transition from postdoc to faculty by demonstrating independence. Resources like postdoctoral success strategies and research assistant excellence tips provide actionable guidance. Crafting a strong academic CV is essential.
Explore opportunities across higher-ed jobs, refine your profile with higher-ed career advice, browse university jobs, or post openings via post a job. Research jobs offer fulfilling paths to impact global knowledge.
If you are searching for research jobs worldwide, you need more than a keyword dump of “scientist” ads. You need openings that match how universities actually hire: postdoctoral fellowships, research assistant and associate roles, research fellows, lab technicians, research coordinators, and faculty researcher lines. Academic Jobs (AJ) is built for that search. Every listing on this page is already filtered to university and institute research roles, so you spend time on fit — lab, method, contract length, and location — instead of wading through unrelated industry postings.
Job seekers come here with a clear intent: find a funded research post they can apply to this week. Use the filters above to narrow by city, institution, employment type, or a keyword such as CRISPR, ethnography, or clinical trials. On a country page the region is pre-set, so the count in the heading is the live number of research openings worldwide, not a global total. That is the number you should trust when you are deciding whether to relocate, stay local, or keep a worldwide search open.
AJ aggregates research jobs from universities, medical schools, national labs, and research institutes in one board. That matters because most research hiring is still posted on a single employer career site and easy to miss if you only check two or three campuses. A postdoc in public health, a research technician in a core facility, and a research professor line will not sit on the same faculty page — they will sit on AJ if the employer posted or syndicated the role. You can also save a job alert with the same research filters so new fellowships hit your inbox instead of disappearing after a short closing window.
Compared with general job boards, AJ’s research collection is scoped to higher education. You will still see staff research and faculty research together, which is useful when your next step could be either a fellowship or a research-track faculty post. Pair this page with Science Jobs if you want scientist titles, or Professor Jobs if you are targeting a teaching-and-research chair. For most candidates asking “where do I find research jobs worldwide that I can actually apply for?”, the short answer is this listing: live count, research-only filters, and a board that employers in higher education already use.
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