Salary for Entry-level / Junior Research Associate in United Kingdom during 2024

Salary details

The average entry-level / junior Research Associate salary lies between USD 49,183 and USD 58,717 in the United Kingdom. It represents the overall compensation/gross salary amount for the working year (before deductions like social security, taxes and other contributions), not including equity/stock options or similar benefits.

Region represents the primary country of residence of an employee during the year (or residence for tax purposes). All data shown are full-time equivalent (FTE) salaries. Part-time salary information has been extrapolated to its FTE value.

Last updated: Dec. 22, 2024

Top 20 Job Tags for Entry-level / Junior Research Associate roles

The three most common job tag items assiciated with entry-level / junior Research Associate job listings are Research, Python and Machine Learning. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job tags in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where associated with them during that period:

Research | 35 jobs Python | 28 jobs Machine Learning | 21 jobs Computer Science | 19 jobs Statistics | 17 jobs PyTorch | 14 jobs PhD | 14 jobs TensorFlow | 13 jobs Engineering | 13 jobs Data analysis | 11 jobs LLMs | 11 jobs R | 10 jobs Mathematics | 10 jobs Finance | 9 jobs Java | 9 jobs Deep Learning | 8 jobs Testing | 8 jobs Generative AI | 8 jobs NLP | 6 jobs Economics | 6 jobs

Top 20 Job Perks/Benefits for Entry-level / Junior Research Associate roles

The three most common job benefits and perks assiciated with entry-level / junior Research Associate job listings are Career development, Health care and Competitive pay. Below you find a list of the 20 most occuring job perks or benefits in 2024 and the number of open jobs that where offering them during that period:

Career development | 25 jobs Health care | 10 jobs Competitive pay | 10 jobs Flex hours | 9 jobs Startup environment | 8 jobs Conferences | 8 jobs Equity / stock options | 4 jobs 401(k) matching | 2 jobs Flex vacation | 2 jobs Wellness | 2 jobs Insurance | 2 jobs Travel | 1 jobs Fitness / gym | 1 jobs Transparency | 1 jobs Medical leave | 1 jobs Salary bonus | 1 jobs Flexible spending account | 1 jobs

Salary Composition

In the United Kingdom, the salary for an entry-level or junior research associate in AI/ML/Data Science typically consists of a fixed base salary, which forms the bulk of the compensation package. The base salary is often complemented by a performance-based bonus, which can vary significantly depending on the company’s size, industry, and location. For instance, tech companies or financial institutions in major cities like London might offer higher bonuses compared to smaller firms or those in less urban areas. Additional remuneration may include stock options, especially in startups or tech companies, and benefits such as health insurance, pension contributions, and professional development allowances.

Steps to Increase Salary

To increase your salary from an entry-level position, consider the following strategies:

• Skill Enhancement: Continuously upgrade your technical skills, particularly in high-demand areas like deep learning, natural language processing, or big data analytics.
• Advanced Education: Pursuing a master's or Ph.D. in a relevant field can significantly boost your earning potential.
• Networking: Engage with professional communities, attend industry conferences, and participate in workshops to expand your network and discover new opportunities.
• Performance Excellence: Consistently exceed performance expectations and take on challenging projects to demonstrate your value to the organization.
• Role Transition: Consider transitioning to roles with more responsibility, such as a data scientist or machine learning engineer, which typically offer higher salaries.

Educational Requirements

Most entry-level positions in AI/ML/Data Science require at least a bachelor's degree in a related field such as computer science, mathematics, statistics, or engineering. However, a master's degree is increasingly preferred, as it provides a deeper understanding of complex algorithms and data analysis techniques. Some roles may also consider candidates with degrees in physics, economics, or other quantitative disciplines, provided they have relevant skills and experience.

Helpful Certificates

While not always mandatory, certain certifications can enhance your profile and demonstrate your commitment to the field. Some valuable certifications include:

• Google Professional Machine Learning Engineer
• Microsoft Certified: Azure AI Engineer Associate
• IBM Data Science Professional Certificate
• AWS Certified Machine Learning – Specialty
• TensorFlow Developer Certificate

These certifications can validate your expertise in specific tools and platforms, making you more attractive to potential employers.

Experience Requirements

For entry-level roles, employers typically look for candidates with some practical experience, which can be gained through internships, academic projects, or personal projects. Experience with programming languages such as Python or R, familiarity with machine learning frameworks like TensorFlow or PyTorch, and proficiency in data manipulation and analysis are often expected. While direct industry experience may not be required, demonstrating a strong portfolio of relevant work can be advantageous.

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