How to hire a junior research assistant

How to hire a junior research assistant, step by step

Here's a step-by-step junior 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 junior research assistant job description
• Step 5: Post your job
• Step 6: Interview candidates
• Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new junior research assistant
• Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist

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1. Identify your hiring needs

   First, determine the employments status of the junior research assistant you need to hire. Certain junior 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 junior 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 junior research assistant that fits the bill.

   This list presents junior research assistant salaries for various positions.

   Type of Junior Research Assistant	Description	Hourly rate
   Junior Research Assistant		$15-43
   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... Show more	$17-44
   Research Internship	A research intern is responsible for assisting the research team with conducting an investigation, compiling information, and analyzing results for an organized research study. Research interns' duties also include understanding the work processes and operation procedures, sharing strategies and recommendations on research methods, reaching out to appropriate research correspondents, managing clients' inquiries and concerns, keeping important client records for reference, studying current market trends, and maintaining the eagerness to learn... Show more	$12-28

2. Create an ideal candidate profile

   Common skills:

   • Patient Care
   • Data Analysis
   • Cell Culture
   • Behavioral Data
   • Vital Signs
   • RNA
   • Research Study
   • PCR
   • DNA
   • PowerPoint
   • Physical Examinations
   • Front Desk
   • Blot
   • Python

   Check all skills

   Responsibilities:

   • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
   • Perform cDNA cloning and DNA sequence analysis.
   • Train staff in DNA techniques and teach graduate level laboratory classes.
   • Proofread research report for accuracy and consistency.
   • Proofread drafts for publication in family law periodicals on topics relate to posthumous reproduction, assist
   • Key stakeholder in human capital management including hiring, training and relocation of human resources.

3. Make a budget

   Including a salary range in your junior research assistant job description is one of the best ways to attract top talent. A junior research assistant can vary based on:

   • Location. For example, junior research assistants' average salary in hawaii is 54% less than in new jersey.
   • Seniority. Entry-level junior research assistants 64% less than senior-level junior research assistants.
   • Certifications. A junior research assistant with certifications usually earns a higher salary.
   • Company. Working for an established firm or a new start-up company can make a big difference in a junior research assistant's salary.

   Average junior research assistant salary

   $54,557yearly

   $26.23 hourly rate

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   Entry-level junior research assistant salary

   $32,000 yearly salary

   Updated December 22, 2025

4. Writing a junior research assistant job description

   A job description for a junior research assistant role includes a summary of the job's main responsibilities, required skills, and preferred background experience. Including a salary range can also go a long way in attracting more candidates to apply, and showing the first name of the hiring manager can also make applicants more comfortable. As an example, here's a junior research assistant job description:

   Junior research assistant job description example

   Working under moderate supervision, the Research Assistant 1 will perform research experiments in accordance with provisions of the approved protocols in the Department of Molecular Biology and Microbiology. The goal of the research is to characterize genomic features involved in antimicrobial resistance and virulence of the opportunistic human pathogen Stenotrophomonas maltophilia . This position will work with non-vertebrate animal infection models.
   ESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
   
   Perform research experiments such as, antimicrobial susceptibility testing, PCR, western blotting, protein purification, and enzyme kinetics, independently or semi-independently, in accordance with protocols approved by the principal investigator. Some experiments involve the use of Galleria mellonella (greater wax moth larvae) as an infection model to assess the efficacy of novel antimicrobials and the virulence of different S. maltophilia strains. These experiments may require weekend duties. (45%) Maintain clear and organized notebooks and/or electronic notebooks documenting protocols and results of all experiments performed. (20%) Conduct molecular (PCR) and microbiological (antimicrobial susceptibility testing) analyses of bacterial strains of particular interest. (10%) Maintain test equipment utilized in experiments. Sort, wash, and prepare lab glassware for sterility. Wash and sterilize bottles for media production. Prepare media, buffers and other materials needed for the experiments. (10%) Order laboratory supplies. Prepare quarterly inventory of items needed by investigators and inform supervisor of the need to purchase additional supplies. (10%)
   NONESSENTIAL FUNCTIONS
   
   Perform other duties as assigned. (5%)
   
   CONTACTS
   
   Department: Daily contact with supervisor to discuss research and maintain workflow.
   
   University: Occasional contact with other departments to share information.
   
   External: Limited or no contact with vendors to exchange information.
   
   Students: Contact with student employees to exchange information.
   
   SUPERVISORY RESPONSIBILITY
   
   This position has no direct supervision of staff employees.
   
   QUALIFICATIONS
   
   Education/Experience: Bachelor's degree in science and 0 to 1 year of experience OR Associate's degree in an approved biotechnology program and 0 to 2 years of experience required.
   
   REQUIRED SKILLS
   
   Has knowledge of commonly-used concepts, practices, and procedures within a particular field. Relies on instructions and pre-established guidelines to perform the functions of the job. Ability to operate laboratory equipment. Previous experience working with animals preferred. Ability to meet consistent attendance. Ability to interact with colleagues and supervisors face to face. Strong organizational skills, written and oral communication skills. Ability to work with sensitive information and maintain confidentiality. Must be willing to learn new techniques and procedures as needed.
   WORKING CONDITIONS
   
   General laboratory environment. The lab is an open floor plan with plenty of bench space to perform routine experiments. Desk space is provided. The lab is equipped with a shared fume hood for storage of hazardous materials. Laboratory is equipped with standard laboratory equipment. May have exposure to hazards. Personal protective equipment, including lab coat, gloves and goggles, will be provided to limit exposure to hazards. Experiments may require weekend duties.
   
   Diversity Statement
   
   In employment, as in education, Case Western Reserve University is committed to Equal Opportunity and Diversity. Women, veterans, members of underrepresented minority groups, and individuals with disabilities are encouraged to apply.
   
   .
   
   Reasonable Accommodations
   
   Case Western Reserve University provides reasonable accommodations to applicants with disabilities. Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the Office of Equity at to request a reasonable accommodation. Determinations as to granting reasonable accommodations for any applicant will be made on a case-by-case basis.
   
   .
   
   COVID Vaccination
   
   Case Western Reserve University has implemented a COVID Vaccination policy requiring evidence of COVID-19 vaccination for all students, faculty and staff with an on-campus presence. Religious and medical exemptions may be provided in accordance with applicable federal and state laws. For more information go to: Applicants may contact the Office of Equity at / for information regarding religious or medical exemptions as an accommodation.

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5. Post your job

   There are a few common ways to find junior research assistants for your business:

   • Promoting internally or recruiting from your existing workforce.
   • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
   • Attend job fairs at local colleges to meet candidates with the right educational background.
   • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to recruit passive job-seekers.

   Post your job online:

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

6. Interview candidates

   To successfully recruit junior research assistants, your first interview needs to engage with candidates to learn about their interest in the role and experience in the field. You can go into more detail about the company, the role, and the responsibilities during follow-up interviews.

   Remember to include a few questions that allow candidates to expand on their strengths in their own words. Asking about their unique skills might reveal things you'd miss otherwise. At this point, good candidates 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 junior research assistant

   Once you've decided on a perfect junior research assistant candidate, it's time to write an offer letter. In addition to salary, it should include benefits and perks available to the employee. Qualified candidates may be considered for other positions, so make sure your offer is competitive. Candidates may wish to negotiate. Once you've settled on the details, formalize your agreement with a contract.

   It's equally important to follow up with applicants who don't get the job with an email letting them know that the position has been filled.

   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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