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Junior research assistant skills for your resume and career

Updated January 8, 2025

2 min read

Quoted experts

Verónica Gutiérrez Ph.D.,

Slavko Komarnytsky

Below we've compiled a list of the most critical junior research assistant skills. We ranked the top skills for junior research assistants based on the percentage of resumes they appeared on. For example, 13.6% of junior research assistant resumes contained patient care as a skill. Continue reading to find out what skills a junior research assistant needs to be successful in the workplace.

15 junior research assistant skills for your resume and career

1. Patient Care

Patient care entails the diagnosis, recovery, and control of sickness as well as the maintenance of physical and emotional well-being through the use of healthcare providers' services. Patient care is described as services provided to patients by health practitioners or non-professionals under guidance.

Here's how junior research assistants use patient care:

Aided dentist in day-to-day operations involving patient care including sanitizing medical equipment
Provided strong patient care, performed all duties of a Dental Assistant; operated x-ray equipment.

2. Data Analysis

Here's how junior research assistants use data analysis:

Performed data analysis, quality assurance, data checking and editing and data entry.
Developed skills in data analysis, critical thinking, and public speaking.

3. Cell Culture

Here's how junior research assistants use cell culture:

Performed cell culture utilizing sterile technique and managed laboratory safety/chemical inventory/equipment.
Supported Cell Culture process optimization by exploring new filtration techniques and assays to provide characterization feedback of Cell Broth.

4. Behavioral Data

Here's how junior research assistants use behavioral data:

Collected, concatenated, and analyzed electroencephalogram (EEG), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and behavioral data.

5. Vital Signs

Vital signs are a set of values indicating different body systems' performance. They are measurements of the body's most basic functions. The four major vital signs used in medicine to assess a patient are body temperature, pulse rate, respiration rate, and blood pressure.

Here's how junior research assistants use vital signs:

Monitored patients for vital signs, clear airways, bleeding, circulation and pain control.
Measure and recording vital signs, obtaining chief complaint, and interview history.

6. RNA

A Ribonucleic acid (RNA) has a vital role in determining the biological macromolecule commonly found in all bodily cells. It is the synthesis of protein, carriers message instruction from the Deoxyribonucleic acid or DNA. RNA is a kind of single-stranded cell that has different forms. It allows the molecule to go back and forth to its original condition.

Here's how junior research assistants use rna:

Implemented a working protocol for isolating RNA from metastatic cell lines for investigating gene expression using differential display analysis.
Established mammalian cell based target validation by optimizing an endogenous expression cassette system for short hairpin RNA.

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7. Research Study

Resaerch studies are conducted to learn something new about a subject or confirm an hypothesis one believe to be correct. They occur in both business and academia and normally involve some kind of survey of data, or observation of someone or something.

Here's how junior research assistants use research study:

Assist in a research study that is being conducted in the community.
Planned and completed a research study examining the racial/ethnic differences in stigma-related strain of caregivers to adolescence with serious emotional disturbances.

8. PCR

PCR stands for Polymerase Chain Reaction, a tool to make millions of copies of a target part of DNA. Polymerase chain reaction involves the process of heating and cooling. The process takes place using a machine, which helps in heating and cooling off the substances. The purpose of heating exists to separate the DNA into two single strands.

Here's how junior research assistants use pcr:

Learned PCR and electron microscopic observation.
Leaned basic laboratory techniques such as PCR transformations, mini-prep analysis, SDS-PAGE gels, restriction enzyme digest, and Western Blots

9. DNA

Deoxyribonucleic acid, or only DNA, which is considered the king of molecules, is a macromolecule that contains the main component of chromosomes. Shaped like a double helix, DNA is usually found in the nucleus of a cell. It is a type of material that transports characteristics in many forms, developed in nucleotides around one another.

Here's how junior research assistants use dna:

Trained staff in DNA techniques and taught graduate level laboratory classes.
conducted research in mulberry DNA polymorphism markers of pest resistant varieties.

10. PowerPoint

Here's how junior research assistants use powerpoint:

Transcribed Audio Files into written documents and drafted, edited and translated PowerPoint Presentations and important documents.
Produced weekly industry updates and helped to prepare initiation of coverage on new companies and created PowerPoint presentations for analyst marketing.

11. Physical Examinations

Here's how junior research assistants use physical examinations:

Performed patient evaluation with history and physical examination.

12. Front Desk

Here's how junior research assistants use front desk:

Practiced proper sterilization and kept inventory and ordered supplies as needed; did front desk duties when necessary.
Provided front desk duties and back up on a daily basis.

13. Blot

Here's how junior research assistants use blot:

Quantified Western Blot results to focus research on appropriate tagged proteins.
Observed and analyzed Western Blot procedures and protocol.

14. Python

Python is a widely-known programming language. It is an object-oriented and all-purpose, coding language that can be used for software development as well as web development.

Here's how junior research assistants use python:

Created WikiPapers, a Python bibliography manager with a Semantic MediaWiki backend that gets pdfs.
Developed applications using Python for statistical analysis in UNIX for intellectual property protections for corn and soy.

15. Statistical Analysis

Here's how junior research assistants use statistical analysis:

Conducted library research and performed statistical analysis of Pennsylvania state hospital data.
Performed descriptive and comparative statistical analysis

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What skills help Junior Research Assistants find jobs?

Tell us what job you are looking for, we’ll show you what skills employers want.

What skills stand out on junior research assistant resumes?

Verónica Gutiérrez Ph.D.

Director of Undergraduate Research, Director of Bridge and Launch Programs, Associate Professor of Latin American History, Azusa Pacific University

I urge my students never to underestimate the power of a beautiful, perfectly formatted resume or C.V. The document itself can testify to the applicant's creativity, organizational and analytical skills, as well as demonstrate the precision of one's prose. As for skills listed on the document, I would think that experience with online platforms and the ability to collaborate virtually with someone the applicant has not met in person--and might never meet--would be appealing, given the new reality of remote work environments. Specific skills history majors possess that would stand out on a resume would be the ability to critically analyze conflicting accounts, to approach moments in time from a long, historical view, to bear in mind historical context at all times, to consider diverse perspectives, and to remain culturally sensitive in a globalized world.

What junior research assistant skills would you recommend for someone trying to advance their career?

Slavko Komarnytsky

Associate Professor, North Carolina State University

I don't believe in gap years unless they are driven by economic reasons. If you need a paycheck to support you and your future educational goals, by all means do it. If not, use the pandemic as an opportunity to stand out. We are currently experiencing a major shift in how educational, networking, and collaborative relationships are formed and sustained, and when the dust settles (let's say we have the effective vaccines in place), we are not going back to the old ways - so complaining about studying and networking online or taking a gap year to avoid it - is useless.

Instead, take initiative, and show your value. Look up and reach out to professors in your department who work in your area of interest with a single question, "Would it be possible for me to develop a review manuscript on (topic) with you as my mentor?" If accepted, you immediately gain access to your professor's professional network, in-depth knowledge in your area of research, writing skills, teamwork, and visibility once the manuscript is submitted and published. Hey, email me, and I will work with you to make it happen. Also, pay attention to local clubs and student organizations that are active in the areas of your interest - by participating in their activities, you gain access to the group of the brightest and most active students in your program. You will be surprised how much you can accomplish with Zoom meetings, proper distancing, and masks. Check NCSU Student Food Science Club led by David Mohebpour or UNC Chapel Hill Student Alternative Proteins Project led by Sophia Retchin as examples.

What type of skills will young junior research assistants need?

Bart Elmore

Associate Professor of Environmental History, Ohio State University

There really is no profession that does not lean on history. Politicians speak of what the "Founding Fathers" believed in trying and getting legislation passed. Business leaders have to look back at old annual reports and financial records to understand economic trends and predict problems that might arise in the future. Even doctors have to learn how to examine health data compiled decades ago to understand how best to treat their patients. I'm not sure people think of history this way, but the truth is, knowing how to digest historical data and translate it into useful information that can help guide decisions in the present is what historians do. I cannot think of a more powerful discipline when it comes to learning skills that will help young graduates live better lives once they leave the university.

What technical skills for a junior research assistant stand out to employers?

Sya Kedzior Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Towson University

The ability to understand technical or complex scientific processes and communicate that information with the public is one of the most attractive skills for an entry-level worker to possess. Many employers may not have staff skilled in the latest GIS technologies or social media trends. While the ability to use last year's software or network via Instagram might not seem particularly novel to recent graduates, these are skills less likely to be found in the workforce of even 10 years ago. Geographers are particularly well prepared for today's workforce because they've often had coursework across the "hard" and social sciences, along with training in technical skills (usually GIS or quantitative analysis) and written and oral communication skills. Another skill in high demand today is data collection and analysis. I often talk with potential employers who want to hire people who can develop and administer a public survey, and then analyze and write up the results. That requires understanding human behavior, public communication, and different forms of data analysis. But, these are skills that can be developed in perhaps only a few classes as part of a major or minor in Geography and other cognate fields.

What soft skills should all junior research assistants possess?

Shiri Noy Ph.D.

Assistant Professor, Denison University

I am not particularly fond of the term "soft skills" since it's often gendered and I think in a lot of ways is not easily distinguishable from so-called "hard" or technical skills. However, I think that what people mean when they talk about soft skills is deeply important: communication, time management, organization, teamwork, approaches to problem-solving, etc. This affects not just how effectively you can use your "hard" skills, but also about communicating your work and ideas to your peers and supervisors. What good is technical knowledge if you don't know how to approach a problem critically, from diverse vantages, and while being open to feedback and others' ideas when you hit a dead end? In this way, and especially in today's world, I think patience and communication are key. With a liberal arts education our Denison University students are used to having to approach a topic from different lenses and perspectives, and work and learn from diverse peers, Professors, and community members. In this way, they have experience with clearly communicating their ideas but also with different ways of thinking about and approaching both practical and theoretical problems. No one will know every technology, system, and skill they will encounter in their first job, so what's most important is knowing how to learn--this means knowing yourself but also knowing how to ask for help, communicate challenges, and be willing to adapt!

What hard/technical skills are most important for junior research assistants?

Harriet Phinney Ph.D.

Associate Professor, Seattle University

Empirical data collection: Research skills for collecting original data, analyzing the data, writing up the information collected, and presenting it in a professional manner.

Do you want to know more?

List of junior research assistant skills to add to your resume

The most important skills for a junior research assistant resume and required skills for a junior research assistant to have include:

Patient Care
Data Analysis
Cell Culture
Behavioral Data
Vital Signs
RNA

Research Study
PCR
DNA
PowerPoint
Physical Examinations
Front Desk

Blot
Python
Statistical Analysis
Proofread
MATLAB

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Team

Editorial Staff

The Zippia Research Team has spent countless hours reviewing resumes, job postings, and government data to determine what goes into getting a job in each phase of life. Professional writers and data scientists comprise the Zippia Research Team.

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