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What does a Professional Research Assistant do?

Updated January 8, 2025
6 min read
What does a Professional Research Assistant do

A professional research assistant works under the supervision of primary researchers leading research projects. Research assistants help the main researchers in different tasks supporting research activities. These tasks vary based on research conducted and their field. The assistants prepare the interview questions and provide a results summary. They respond to emails, participate in project meetings, and prepare progress reports. Skills necessary for this job include communication skills, critical thinking, attention to detail, scheduling, and planning.

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Professional research assistant responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real professional research assistant resumes:

  • Manage database of consent patients encompassing patient demographics and samples collect ensuring HIPAA standards are adhere to.
  • Perform extraction of rodent RNA and hybridization onto gene expression arrays.
  • Analyze RNA and protein samples.
  • Experience working with CRISPR technology.
  • Provide technical support for an immunology lab course.
  • Perform PBMC isolation, HbA1C assays, glucose analysis and DNA extraction on whole blood samples.
  • Conduct DNA extraction, PCR, PCR optimization, and assisting primer design and bioinformatics analysis.
  • Create, format and edit PowerPoint presentations for use in court, client meetings and CLE seminars.
  • Used spectrometers, centrifuges, dialysis and in various column chromatography for the family of nitric oxide synthase.
  • Assist with coordination of conferences, board meetings and special meeting planning (include creating extensive PowerPoint presentations).
  • Complete all IRB relate regulatory paperwork study applications, continuing reviews and other IRB compliance protocols for all studies.
  • Draft BSL3 schedule of work contracts and material transfer agreements, and coordinate secure international shipping of all biohazardous pathogens.
  • Contribute to IRB protocol development and management.
  • Perform satellite image processing and GIS analysis.
  • Establish a few transgenic animal lines for angiogenesis, inflammation and immunology studies.

Professional research assistant skills and personality traits

We calculated that 10% of Professional Research Assistants are proficient in Research Projects, Data Collection, and Patients. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.

We break down the percentage of Professional Research Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:

  • Research Projects, 10%

    Contributed to the development and delivery of communications, programs, and research projects supporting evidence-based practices in youth violence prevention.

  • Data Collection, 6%

    Managed daily operations including data collection, organization, database entry, and other essential laboratory duties.

  • Patients, 5%

    Manage database of consented patients encompassing patient demographics and samples collected ensuring HIPAA standards are adhered to.

  • Cell Culture, 4%

    Manipulated protein expression in cell culture and bacteria with appropriate controls for protein investigation.

  • Professional Research, 4%

    Managed a staff of 20 Professional Research Assistants to administer nine different study measurements to research participants throughout the US.

  • PI, 3%

    Monitored all regulatory affairs for the site to include assisting PI in corresponding per regulation with the central IRB.

Most professional research assistants use their skills in "research projects," "data collection," and "patients" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential professional research assistant responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. To carry out their duties, the most important skill for a professional research assistant to have is analytical skills. Their role and responsibilities require that "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Professional research assistants often use analytical skills in their day-to-day job, as shown by this real resume: "complete required regulatory documents to ensure compliance for research done within the department and assisted with management of database utilizing redcap. "

Detail oriented. Many professional research assistant duties rely on detail oriented. "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data.," so a professional research assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways professional research assistant responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "created charts detailing specific study procedures completed by patients for the purpose of financial reconciliation. "

Communication skills. This is an important skill for professional research assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how professional research assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a professional research assistant: "answered phones and performed great customer service escorted customers/clients to and from the office developed outstanding communication skills".

Most common professional research assistant skills

The three companies that hire the most professional research assistants are:

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Compare different professional research assistants

Professional research assistant vs. Microbiologist

Microbiologists are responsible for studying the microscopic organisms causing infections and environmental damage, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi. Their work focuses on the identification and growth of these microbes to better understand their characteristics that may help in the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of infectious and bacterial diseases. They use sophisticated technologies and machinery to study microbes and perform their tasks. These scientists are also responsible for developing best practices and techniques for routine sampling and research. Microbiologists may work in various settings, including laboratories, research institutes, and hospitals.

If we compare the average professional research assistant annual salary with that of a microbiologist, we find that microbiologists typically earn a $3,582 lower salary than professional research assistants make annually.While their salaries may differ, the common ground between professional research assistants and microbiologists are a few of the skills required in each roleacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities. In both careers, employee duties involve skills like data analysis, pathogens, and dna.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between professional research assistants and microbiologist. For instance, professional research assistant responsibilities require skills such as "research projects," "data collection," "patients," and "cell culture." Whereas a microbiologist is skilled in "microbiology lab," "environmental monitoring," "test methods," and "gmp." This is part of what separates the two careers.

On average, microbiologists reach similar levels of education than professional research assistants. Microbiologists are 1.8% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 1.1% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Professional 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.

Research fellow positions earn lower pay than professional research assistant roles. They earn a $4,379 lower salary than professional research assistants per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both professional research assistants and research fellows have skills such as "research projects," "data collection," and "patients. "

While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that professional research assistant responsibilities requires skills like "professional research," "patient care," "data entry," and "pra." But a research fellow might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "immunology," "cell biology," "python," and "chemistry."

In general, research fellows achieve similar levels of education than professional research assistants. They're 4.1% more likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 1.1% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Professional research assistant vs. 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. In addition, they are expected to support the development and advancement of science and modern medicine. Other typical duties of research laboratory technicians include preparing samples and specimens, keeping abreast with current technical developments, and ensuring strict compliance with safety procedures.

On average, research laboratory technicians earn lower salaries than professional research assistants, with a $19,894 difference per year.By looking over several professional research assistants and research laboratory technicians resumes, we found that both roles require similar skills in their day-to-day duties, such as "research projects," "data collection," and "patients." But beyond that, the careers look very different.

Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from professional research assistant resumes include skills like "professional research," "rna," "pathogens," and "patient care," whereas a research laboratory technician is more likely to list skills in "chemistry," "research data," "laboratory procedures," and "laboratory experiments. "

Research laboratory technicians typically earn similar educational levels compared to professional research assistants. Specifically, they're 4.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 1.7% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Professional research assistant vs. 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. A research intern must have strong attention to detail and excellent communication skills to perform on daily research tasks.

Research interns typically earn lower pay than professional research assistants. On average, research interns earn a $18,629 lower salary per year.While both professional research assistants and research interns complete day-to-day tasks using similar skills like data collection, cell culture, and pi, the two careers vary in some skills.

Even though a few skill sets overlap between professional research assistants and research interns, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a professional research assistant might have more use for skills like "research projects," "patients," "professional research," and "pathogens." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of research interns require skills like "python," "c++," "research intern," and "java. "

In general, research interns hold similar degree levels compared to professional research assistants. Research interns are 0.4% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of professional research assistant

Updated January 8, 2025

Zippia Research Team
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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