What does a chemistry research assistant do?
Chemistry research assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real chemistry research assistant resumes:
- Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
- Characterize magnitude and longevity of treatments using SEM, contact angle, FTIR, ATR/FTIR, and bubble point measurements.
- Experience with ICP-OES, GFAAS, XRD and GC-MS instrumentation.
- Analyse synthesis products via GC-MS and H1NMR.
- Perform mathematical calculations, dilutions and the usage of HPLC systems.
- Characterize the structure of cathode material using TGA XRD SEM techniques.
- Improve FDA standard protocol drug-drug interaction studies and obtain a unique result.
- Show quantitatively how DNA duplex stability differs for flat vs.upright DNA surface probes.
- Synthesize analogues of drugs that cross the blood-brain barrier, characterize with IR and NMR.
- Calibrate the peaks on HPLC of distinct herbal, synthetic drugs and fabricate charts in excel.
- Optimize the simulations of UV-vis spectra by means of TD-DFT to make them comparable to the experiments.
- Employ flash chromatography, TLC, vacuum distillation, and other purification techniques in order to obtain target compounds.
- Quantify bacterial biofilms by crystal violet (CV) dye base assay and confocal laser scanning microscopy (CLSM).
- Characterize the photophysical properties using UV-VIS and fluorescence spectroscopy.
- Acquire and analyze NMR spectra for academic and industrial users
Chemistry research assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 10% of Chemistry Research Assistants are proficient in Lab Notebook, Laboratory Equipment, and Nuclear Magnetic Resonance. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Observational skills.
We break down the percentage of Chemistry Research Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Lab Notebook, 10%
Developed graphs on lab results via Microsoft Excel using data collected from daily self-recorded lab notebook.
- Laboratory Equipment, 10%
Calibrated and performed maintenance of laboratory equipment.
- Nuclear Magnetic Resonance, 9%
Exhibited proficiency in working with new technologies such as Nuclear Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy and the Glove Box.
- Organic Synthesis, 8%
Synthesize natural products using new procedures Work to improve global methods of organic synthesis
- Column Chromatography, 5%
Purified products via column chromatography and crystallization.
- Method Development, 4%
Lead operator of the Mass Spec lab and performed daily/weekly scheduling duties for method development, validation and production groups.
Most chemistry research assistants use their skills in "lab notebook," "laboratory equipment," and "nuclear magnetic resonance" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential chemistry research assistant responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a chemistry research assistant to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "biological technicians need to conduct scientific experiments and analyses with accuracy and precision." Chemistry research assistants often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "operated hplc/lcms instruments by analyzing and generating data for fda regulated studies supporting toxicology, pharmacokinetic, and clinical pharmaceutical programs. "
Communication skills. Many chemistry research assistant duties rely on communication skills. "biological technicians must understand and follow the instructions of their managing scientists," so a chemistry research assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways chemistry research assistant responsibilities rely on communication skills: "contributed to interpretation and communication of research results including data analysis and interpretation. "
Observational skills. chemistry research assistants are also known for observational skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to chemistry research assistant responsibilities, because "biological technicians must constantly monitor their experiments." A chemistry research assistant resume example shows how observational skills is used in the workplace: "conducted field data collection, data entry, lab work, and literature reviews for a longitudinal observational research study"
Technical skills. chemistry research assistant responsibilities often require "technical skills." The duties that rely on this skill are shown by the fact that "biological technicians need to set up and operate sophisticated equipment and instruments." This resume example shows what chemistry research assistants do with technical skills on a typical day: "increased technical writing skills through keeping a professional laboratory notebook. "
The three companies that hire the most chemistry research assistants are:
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center4 chemistry research assistants jobs
- Battelle3 chemistry research assistants jobs
- Laboratory Corporation of America Holdings2 chemistry research assistants jobs
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Compare different chemistry research assistants
Chemistry research assistant vs. Research scholar
Research scholars are college students who perform on projects in a particular field for a university or organization. Generally, they work with professors and other professionals in the field of study and focus on discovering new information that can be produced in trade or academic journals. Also, they pursue intellectual and academic activities as well as may engaged in educating other researchers. They are usually paid a stipend for a set duration of time, and some may work outside the university.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between chemistry research assistants and research scholar. For instance, chemistry research assistant responsibilities require skills such as "lab notebook," "laboratory equipment," "nuclear magnetic resonance," and "organic synthesis." Whereas a research scholar is skilled in "analyze data," "c++," "original research," and "molecular biology." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Research scholars tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $71,344. In contrast, chemistry research assistants make the biggest average salary, $60,083, in the education industry.research scholars tend to reach higher levels of education than chemistry research assistants. In fact, research scholars are 17.1% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.2% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Chemistry research assistant vs. Research volunteer
Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that chemistry research assistant responsibilities requires skills like "lab notebook," "laboratory equipment," "nuclear magnetic resonance," and "organic synthesis." But a research volunteer might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "lab procedures," "laboratory techniques," "rt-pcr," and "research projects."
Research volunteers earn higher levels of education than chemistry research assistants in general. They're 5.9% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for chemistry research assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Bryan Spiegelberg Ph.D.
Associate Professor of Molecular Sciences, Rider University
Chemistry research assistant vs. Graduate research student
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a chemistry research assistant is likely to be skilled in "lab notebook," "nuclear magnetic resonance," "organic synthesis," and "column chromatography," while a typical graduate research student is skilled in "c++," "chemistry," "analyze data," and "research student."
Graduate research students earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,968. Comparatively, chemistry research assistants have the highest earning potential in the education industry, with an average salary of $60,083.When it comes to education, graduate research students tend to earn higher degree levels compared to chemistry research assistants. In fact, they're 5.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 0.5% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Chemistry research assistant vs. Assistant research scientist
Types of chemistry research assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
