What does a doctoral research assistant do?
Doctoral research assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real doctoral research assistant resumes:
- Process and manage GIS databases to contribute towards research in human transportation behavior.
- Receive additional training in SAS.
- Used electronic and structure evaluations using quantum chemistry packages such as GAUSSIAN.
- Prepare and implement unique proposals for the synthesis of polymer and small molecule targets.
- Discover novel mechanical functions for collagen and short DNA molecules in response to force.
- Develop the use of FPLC for detection and characterization of large DNA structural motifs.
- Review existing SAS code, provide programming support and feedback for ongoing clinical trial studies.
- Conduct research given rise to publications in prestigious peer-review journals and grants from NIH and NSF.
- Agent-Base modeling using JAVA and different analysis techniques are applied for the implementation of this work.
- Develop a python wrapper script, which utilizes the read simulator NanoSim to generate full length transcript reads.
- Perform speech evaluations on persons with aphasia in order to screen for potential use in NIH research study.
- Perform word-blocking for interviews between therapists and patients with borderline personality disorder.
- Coordinate patient appointments, assist patients with questionnaire completion, and maintain patient database.
- Develop asymmetric synthesis of steroid precursors and other asymmetric synthons useful in natural product synthesis.
- Perform a genome-wide CRISPR screen in immortalize bone-marrow-derived macrophages to identify new components in caspase-1 induce pyrotosis.
Doctoral research assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 12% of Doctoral Research Assistants are proficient in Data Collection, Research Projects, and PI.
We break down the percentage of Doctoral Research Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Data Collection, 12%
Performed data collection, data entry, analysis, interpretation; prepared reports, developed presentations.
- Research Projects, 11%
Led and contributed to multiple research projects on developing cathode and electrolyte materials for lithium-ion batteries.
- PI, 9%
Helped PI receive funding by presenting and developing an idea for a paper-based sialometer.
- Data Analysis, 6%
Conceive, design, and perform fluorescence microscopy experiments and imaging analysis, followed by statistical data analysis.
- Molecular Biology, 5%
Achieved extensive expertise in cell and molecular biology.
- Cell Culture, 5%
Established model cell culture systems to study virus replication in wooden plants.
Most doctoral research assistants use their skills in "data collection," "research projects," and "pi" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential doctoral research assistant responsibilities here:
Communication skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a doctoral research assistant to have is communication skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Doctoral research assistants often use communication skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "present class lectures in molecular biology & physiology to facilitate student understanding and polish communication skills. "
Observation skills. Another essential skill to perform doctoral research assistant duties is observation skills. Doctoral research assistants responsibilities require that "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." Doctoral research assistants also use observation skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "conducted instrument services, twilight sky observations, and data analysis. "
The three companies that hire the most doctoral research assistants are:
- Duke University Health System2 doctoral research assistants jobs
- Nationwide Children's Hospital2 doctoral research assistants jobs
- Hospital for Special Surgery2 doctoral research assistants jobs
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Compare different doctoral research assistants
Doctoral research assistant vs. Research fellow
A research fellow is an academic researcher who conducts research and analysis of comprehensive literature, data, and results and provides literature reviews. He/She supervises research assistants and recruits study participants to interview them for a particular study. To become a research fellow, a candidate should have a doctorate in a relevant discipline and publish peer-reviewed papers. Also, a research fellow can be an independent investigator or be supervised by a principal investigator.
These skill sets are where the common ground ends though. The responsibilities of a doctoral research assistant are more likely to require skills like "molecular biology," "scholar," "analyze data," and "neuroscience." On the other hand, a job as a research fellow requires skills like "immunology," "rna," "public health," and "past work." As you can see, what employees do in each career varies considerably.
Research fellows really shine in the non profits industry with an average salary of $57,261. Comparatively, doctoral research assistants tend to make the most money in the education industry with an average salary of $56,443.On average, research fellows reach similar levels of education than doctoral research assistants. Research fellows are 4.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 13.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Doctoral research assistant vs. Doctoral fellow
A doctoral fellow is a physician that has completed studies and receives a fellowship to cover his/her or her expenses while completing his/her or her medical dissertation. A doctor fellow undergoes this fellowship to get additional training for their chosen sub-specialty. During the fellowship period, a fellow can act as an attending physician or consultant physician with other physicians' direct supervision in the sub-specialty field.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that doctoral research assistant responsibilities requires skills like "molecular biology," "scholar," "analyze data," and "neuroscience." But a doctoral fellow might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "immunology," "veterans," "physiology," and "animal models."
Doctoral fellows may earn a lower salary than doctoral research assistants, but doctoral fellows earn the most pay in the pharmaceutical industry with an average salary of $67,423. On the other hand, doctoral research assistants receive higher pay in the education industry, where they earn an average salary of $56,443.doctoral fellows earn lower levels of education than doctoral research assistants in general. They're 6.5% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.4% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for doctoral research assistants in the next 3-5 years?
David Simon
Professor, Stonehill College
With the surge in interest in quantum computation and related areas such as quantum cryptography, quantum communication, and quantum sensing, working knowledge of quantum mechanics has become a valuable asset for job seekers. In the past ten years, many start-up companies have appeared whose purpose has been to bring formerly exotic quantum protocols and quantum technologies to life in practical, real-world applications. Many tech giants like Apple, IBM, Microsoft, and Google have also recently founded initiatives along the same lines. So, these quantum technology companies have become a valuable source of potential jobs for new graduates who have a strong grounding in quantum mechanics, combined with either solid computational or experimental skills.
One other rapidly growing source of potential employment for new physics graduates in photonics, the science and application of light-based technologies. Photonics has an enormous range of applications that includes fiber-optic communication networks, self-driving cars, remote sensing for archeology, biomedical imaging, and remote detection of environmental hazards. Photonic devices are also one of the most promising platforms for the quantum technologies mentioned above, as well as being a key tool for many areas of fundamental science such as quantum optics and atomic physics. Non-academic jobs in photonics-related industries have been exploding in recent years, but the academic world has been slow to keep up: there is a widely recognized shortage of dedicated photonics programs at the undergraduate level. So, a student who graduates from a physics program with a strong background in optics and electronics is likely to find themselves with a wide variety of options in photonics-related careers.
Doctoral research assistant vs. Graduate researcher
A graduate researcher is responsible for supporting an educational institution's academic research processes. Graduate researchers assist in data gathering and performing in-depth analysis using research methodologies under the supervision of a research professor. In some cases, graduate researchers also conduct field investigations and analyze other research publications to verify data accuracy. They prepare reports, share recommendations, and keep an organized database for research records. A graduate researcher must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as this task requires interaction with the researchers and writing duties.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from doctoral research assistant resumes include skills like "scholar," "patients," "neuroscience," and "molecular mechanisms," whereas a graduate researcher is more likely to list skills in "protein expression," "graduate research," "independent research," and "solidworks. "
When it comes to education, graduate researchers tend to earn similar degree levels compared to doctoral research assistants. In fact, they're 3.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 12.5% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Doctoral research assistant vs. Phd researcher
The primary job of a Ph.D. researcher is to plan and conduct experiments and analyzing their outcome. You will collect, organize, and analyze data and opinions to solve issues and predict trends. Other tasks you will perform include doing fieldwork to collect samples, writing reports, research papers, and reviews, and organizing materials testing. In addition, you need to liaise with research and production staff, develop ways to resolve problems, and supervise junior research staff.
Types of doctoral research assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
