How To Become A Biology Research Assistant: What It Is and Career Path

What is a biology research assistant and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted expert

John Turbeville Ph.D.

Biology research assistants work in labs and help scientists with observations, equipment repairs, and testing. They can also collaborate with college professors to help with seminars, lab practices, assignments, graduation, or assessment of student projects.

Biology research assistants continue to assist with tests by recording information and setting up laboratory instruments, such as advanced microscopes and electronic hematology differential cell counters. Prior to starting the procedure, it will also be necessary to clean and calibrate instruments, weigh compounds and plan solutions for use. Next, the biology lab assistants conduct or assist with the tests. If completed, they will be responsible for monitoring outcomes and disposing of hazardous waste.

Biology lab assistants need a considerable amount of advanced education. Job candidates are usually expected to have a bachelor's degree in biology and laboratory experience. Industry expertise, the established track record of laboratory study and leadership, as well as the understanding of modern scientific techniques, are essential.

What general advice would you give to a biology research assistant?

John Turbeville Ph.D.

Senior Assistant Dean for Student Affairs/Director of Career Services, SUNY College of Environmental Science and Forestry

There is no particular fix, or one size fits all approach to job searching. The ability to successfully network and engage in an ongoing way, in various career-related opportunities, is still the best strategy for success, even in uncertain times like these. Students may have additional opportunities made available to them because of the digital/remote nature of how many organizations are engaging in their recruitment-allowing graduates the ability to experience more, in a shorter period, without limitations of location or travel, that very often enter into considerations surrounding the job search. With that said, however, knowing there is a durable full-time, seasonal nature to early employment opportunities for biology grads, we would expect this to be more prevalent as the economy begins to recover. Demand for graduates in the public health-related fields will likely continue to be high, but graduates will probably need to be even more flexible in starting their careers. Not in the sense that they will need to take positions "out of their field," but instead, that they will need to be more open to relocating for the right opportunities to engage their passions and interests.

ScoreBiology Research AssistantUS Average

Salary

4.0

Avg. Salary $50,800

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.5

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.2

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 1.03%

Asian 16.90%

Black or African American 8.63%

Hispanic or Latino 15.37%

Unknown 6.03%

White 52.04%

Gender

female 56.93%

male 43.07%

Age - 35

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 35

Stress level

4.5

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

7.8

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

10.0

Work life balance is excellent

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a biology research assistant

Explore biology research assistant education requirements

Most common biology research assistant degrees

Bachelor's

78.5 %

Master's

9.6 %

Associate

5.7 %

Start to develop specific biology research assistant skills

Skills	Percentages
Laboratory Equipment	5.38%
Laboratory Techniques	5.36%
Cell Culture	4.96%
Analyze Data	4.92%
Data Collection	4.85%

Complete relevant biology research assistant training and internships

Accountants spend an average of Less than 1 month on post-employment, on-the-job training. New biology research assistants learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a biology research assistant based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real biology research assistant resumes.

Research biology research assistant duties and responsibilities

Lead experiments to assess survivor behavior differences in zebrafish contaminate with dietary mercury.
Perform lab assistant activities including preparing solutions, DNA extraction, DNA sequencing preparation
Conduct ELISA and pcr-base research in inflame mouse thyroid tissue.
Project include culturing own cells, designing/carrying out experiment, analysis using staining and ImageJ, RT-PCR using own primer design

Prepare your biology research assistant resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your biology research assistant resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a biology research assistant resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable biology research assistant resume templates

Build a professional biology research assistant resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your biology research assistant resume.

Apply for biology research assistant jobs

Now it's time to start searching for a biology research assistant job. Consider the tips below for a successful job search:

Browse job boards for relevant postings
Consult your professional network
Reach out to companies you're interested in working for directly
Watch out for job scams

How do biology research assistants rate their job?

-/5

5 stars

4 stars

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1 star

Biology research assistant reviews

A zippia user wrote a review on Nov 2019

Pros

I like to explore more in community health related field and benefit the future generations from avoidable diseases and help them with information related to health aspects.

Cons

None

A zippia user wrote a review on Sep 2019