How to hire a faculty research assistant

How to hire a faculty research assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step faculty research assistant hiring guide:

• Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
• Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
• Step 3: Make a budget
• Step 4: Write a faculty research assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new faculty research assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

What does a faculty research assistant do?

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the faculty research assistant you need to hire. Certain faculty research assistant roles might require a full-time employee, whereas others can be done by part-time workers or contractors.

   Determine employee vs contractor status

   Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

   Yes

   No

   You should also consider the ideal background you'd like them a faculty research assistant to have before you start to hire. For example, what industry or field would you like them to have experience in, what level of seniority or education does the job require, and how much it'll cost to hire a faculty research assistant that fits the bill.

   This list shows salaries for various types of faculty research assistants.

   Type of Faculty Research Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Faculty Research Assistant		$18-44
   Faculty	A faculty member is a professional whose primary responsibility is to provide teaching and research to students in colleges and universities. Faculties must work with colleagues to design a curriculum to keep up with the changes in the discipline... Show more	$20-73
   Research Laboratory Technician	Research laboratory technicians play a vital role in scientific laboratories. They perform varied duties and responsibilities, which include setting up, operating, and maintaining the laboratory equipment, assisting in laboratory-based research activities such as sampling, testing, and analyzing results, and providing technical support to the laboratory team members... Show more	$14-23

   Show more

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Research Faculty
   • C++
   • Biomedical
   • Research Projects
   • Research Findings
   • CRISPR
   • NIH
   • Statistical Analysis
   • Biochemistry
   • Independent Research
   • Data Analysis
   • PI
   • R
   • Research Assistants

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Accomplish the optimized synthesis of a carbohydrate antigen globo-H.
   • Manage all aspects of HPLC method development and analysis through interpretation of data ensuring accuracy of results.
   • Conduct chemistry research with Dr. Willis Weigand.
   • Prepare and submit research grant and IRB applications.
   • Serve as teaching assistant for various courses in chemistry.
   • Secure NIH funding through writing and submission of a grant proposals.

   More faculty research assistant duties

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your faculty research assistant job description is a great way to entice the best and brightest candidates. A faculty research assistant salary can vary based on several factors:

   • Location. For example, faculty research assistants' average salary in oklahoma is 49% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level faculty research assistants earn 59% less than senior-level faculty research assistants.
   • Certifications. A faculty research assistant with a few certifications under their belt will likely demand a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for a prestigious company or an exciting start-up can make a huge difference in a faculty research assistant's salary.

   Average faculty research assistant salary

   $59,697yearly

   $28.70 hourly rate

   ---

   Entry-level faculty research assistant salary

   $38,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 16, 2025

   Average faculty research assistant salary by state

   Rank	State	Avg. salary	Hourly rate
   1	District of Columbia	$74,754	$36
   2	California	$68,321	$33
   3	North Carolina	$65,710	$32
   4	Florida	$64,259	$31
   5	Nevada	$64,114	$31
   6	Oregon	$63,152	$30
   7	Alaska	$62,556	$30
   8	Georgia	$60,022	$29
   9	Idaho	$59,189	$28
   10	New York	$58,163	$28
   11	Missouri	$57,469	$28
   12	Minnesota	$57,368	$28
   13	South Carolina	$55,317	$27
   14	Pennsylvania	$55,302	$27
   15	Virginia	$54,478	$26
   16	Iowa	$54,241	$26
   17	Utah	$53,980	$26
   18	Maryland	$53,737	$26
   19	Texas	$52,845	$25
   20	Wisconsin	$51,908	$25

   Average faculty research assistant salary by company

   Company

   Rank	Company	Average salary	Hourly rate	Job openings
   1	Google	$123,542	$59.40	135
   2	Mayo Clinic	$99,589	$47.88	179
   3	University of California-Berkeley	$89,240	$42.90
   4	University of California	$85,242	$40.98	117
   5	University of Alaska	$83,873	$40.32	76
   6	UC Santa Barbara	$81,558	$39.21
   7	UC Merced	$76,575	$36.81
   8	Children's National Medical Center	$74,859	$35.99	27
   9	Larkin High School	$74,231	$35.69
   10	St. Jude Children's Research Hospital	$72,938	$35.07	111
   11	Rutgers University	$71,327	$34.29	139
   12	University of Maryland, Baltimore	$71,159	$34.21	71
   13	University of Nevada, Reno	$70,423	$33.86	12
   14	UMiami Health System	$70,217	$33.76
   15	Mercy Children's Hospital	$70,203	$33.75	4
   16	Syracuse University	$69,950	$33.63	36
   17	Florida State University	$67,689	$32.54	58
   18	Palmer College of Chiropractic	$67,447	$32.43
   19	University of Rochester	$67,284	$32.35	128
   20	University of Houston	$65,574	$31.53	49

4. Writing a faculty research assistant job description

   A faculty research assistant job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a faculty research assistant job description:

   Faculty research assistant job description example

   The proposed OCOM Director of Research should have an informed vision of and the ability to establish and advance research at a newly established College of Osteopathic Medicine. This person is also a faculty member and is a non-tenured position responsible for the education in predoctoral didactic, clinical educational programs, and graduate medical education programs.
   Additional background on OCOM:
   
   1. Mission:
   
   2. Curriculum (including rotational curriculum):
   
   3. Strategic Plan:
   
   4. Link to currently credentialed clinical faculty/preceptors:
   
   5. OCOM Policies:
   
   SPECIFIC RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   Develop and recommend to the Dean a set of policies and procedures necessary for the successful implementation of research at the COM.
   
   Create and foster relationships with successful individuals and organizations with interests to collaborate on research.
   
   Create and implement a research strategic plan
   
   Oversee all research functions of the COM
   
   Serve on selected committees as assigned by the Dean
   
   Oversee and be responsible for all databases associated with research of the COM
   
   Ensure all COM eligible research follow all rules related to HIPAA, FERPA, any other local, state, and federal laws as well receive IRB approval, as appropriate
   
   Ensure the integrity of all COM research
   
   Ensure that the COM is meeting the scholarly activity to advance its mission as well as satisfying all requirements by COCA
   
   Foster a positive culture among team members.
   
   Manage the budget for the Office of Research.
   
   Collaborate with students, faculty, and staff in the creation, development, and maintenance of research
   
   Teach in didactic preclinical and/or course material taught by the Department.
   
   Serve the academic activities of the Department in teaching medical student, performing scholarly activities, and service.
   
   Work, as assigned by department chair, with OCOM Clinical Coordinators.
   
   Teach in any assigned courses or act as a course director, if assigned
   
   Participate in courses/lectures/workshops or clinical activities to meet the curricular needs of the department.
   
   Teach in any assigned courses or act as a course director, if assigned
   
   Participated in the educational activities to include: course structure and content, course preparation, written course materials, lecture, workshop and lab presentations, course quizzes, exams and practicals, course evaluations and course faculty evaluations.
   
   Participate in student mentoring in preparation for examinations including licensing board exams as well as coaching unmatched students.
   
   Exchanges non-routine information using tact and persuasion. The faculty member possess excellent oral and written communication skills.
   
   Teach medical students in all four years, residents, and physicians, as assigned
   
   Performs other related duties, as assigned
   
   Requirements
   
   Time Allocation
   
   For non-OPP clinical faculty, this job requires the individual to commit to 3 days on campus each week. For biomedical sciences faculty, the expectation is to be on campus 5 days/week.
   
   Guidelines for protected research time are 30% for biomedical sciences faculty, 10% for non-OPP clinical faculty, and 20% for OPP faculty.
   
   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITIES:
   
   See Org Chart. Subject to Change
   
   QUALIFICATION(S):
   
   DO degree (preferred), MD, or PhD
   
   A history of exceptional scholarly, professional and/or individual achievement
   
   Preferred candidates shall have administrative experience in an academic setting and/or health delivery with both being preferred
   
   KEY COMPETENCIES:
   
   Excellent verbal and written communication skills.
   
   Excellent interpersonal and negotiation skills.
   
   Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.
   
   Excellent time management skills with a proven ability to meet deadlines.
   
   Strong analytical and problem-solving skills.
   
   Strong supervisory and leadership skills.
   
   Ability to adapt to the needs of the organization and employees.
   
   Ability to prioritize tasks and to delegate them when appropriate.
   
   Thorough knowledge of employment-related laws and regulations.
   
   Proficient with Google Workspace, Apple products, and related software.
   
   Proficiency with or the ability to quickly learn the organization's HRIS and talent management systems.
   
   Physical Requirements:
   
   Prolonged periods of sitting at a desk and working on a computer.
   
   Must be able to lift 15 pounds at times.
   
   Benefits

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5. Post your job

   There are various strategies that you can use to find the right faculty research assistant for your business:

   • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.

   Post your job online:

   • Post your faculty research assistant job on Zippia to find and recruit faculty research assistant candidates who meet your exact specifications.
   • Use field-specific websites.
   • Post a job on free websites.

6. Interview candidates

   During your first interview to recruit faculty research assistants, engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. During the following interview, you'll be able to go into more detail about the company, the position, and the responsibilities.

   It's also good to ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match your ideal candidate profile. If you think a candidate is good enough for the next step, you can move on to the technical interview.

   The right interview questions can help you assess a candidate's hard skills, behavioral intelligence, and soft skills.

7. Send a job offer and onboard your new faculty research assistant

   Once you've found the faculty research assistant candidate you'd like to hire, it's time to write an offer letter. This should include an explicit job offer that includes the salary and the details of any other perks. Qualified candidates might be looking at multiple positions, so your offer must be competitive if you like the candidate. Also, be prepared for a negotiation stage, as candidates may way want to tweak the details of your initial offer. Once you've settled on these details, you can draft a contract to formalize your agreement.

   You should also follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that you've filled the position.

   To prepare for the new employee's start date, you can create an onboarding schedule and complete any necessary paperwork, such as employee action forms and onboarding documents like I-9 forms, benefits enrollment, and federal and state tax forms. Human Resources should also ensure that a new employee file is created.

8. Go through the hiring process checklist

   • Determine employee type (full-time, part-time, contractor, etc.)
   • Submit a job requisition form to the HR department
   • Define job responsibilities and requirements
   • Establish budget and timeline
   • Determine hiring decision makers for the role
   • Write job description
   • Post job on job boards, company website, etc.
   • Promote the job internally
   • Process applications through applicant tracking system
   • Review resumes and cover letters
   • Shortlist candidates for screening
   • Hold phone/virtual interview screening with first round of candidates
   • Conduct in-person interviews with top candidates from first round
   • Score candidates based on weighted criteria (e.g., experience, education, background, cultural fit, skill set, etc.)
   • Conduct background checks on top candidates
   • Check references of top candidates
   • Consult with HR and hiring decision makers on job offer specifics
   • Extend offer to top candidate(s)
   • Receive formal job offer acceptance and signed employment contract
   • Inform other candidates that the position has been filled
   • Set and communicate onboarding schedule to new hire(s)
   • Complete new hire paperwork (i9, benefits enrollment, tax forms, etc.)

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