How To Become A Research Aide: What It Is and Career Path

What is a research aide and how to become one

Updated January 8, 2025

3 min read

Quoted experts

Heather Tanner Ph.D.,

Shelly Lesher

A research aide is an entry-level professional who assists principal researchers in conducting research and analysis. They assist in experiments, experiment design, analyze data, run statistical reports and work with other researchers and clients on various projects depending on the research area. These aides can work in disciplines such as biological sciences, social sciences, engineering, or physics. They perform laboratory procedures, pull together data, and assist in writing research papers and grants.

Most research aides have at least a bachelor's degree in the field of research, and many end up pursuing advanced degrees. These individuals should possess excellent verbal, analytical, research, and communication skills and should be comfortable using computer software and related technologies.

Research aides can make on average $29,000 annually, and the career field is expected to grow in the next ten years by 20%.

What general advice would you give to a research aide?

Heather Tanner Ph.D.

Associate Professor, The Ohio State University

Most entry-level jobs have lots of boring elements, which is frustrating when you can't wait to jump in and tackle exciting challenges. However, it would help if you showed your immediate supervisor and the company/institution that you are a good team member, capable, and willing to take on tasks (challenging and boring). Routinely ask your supervisor for new jobs or projects to expand your skillset and knowledge of the company/institution. It would help if you also manage your expectations about how quickly you'll be promoted; it can be frustratingly slow. Finally, it's essential to recognize that you need to manage your reputation - this is a workplace where you need to be perceived as a responsible and competent professional. Therefore, only share information about your personal life and leisure time as if talking to your grandparents.

ScoreResearch AideUS Average

Salary

2.5

Avg. Salary $32,225

Avg. Salary $59,228

Stability level

4.9

Growth rate 19%

Growth rate 0.3%

Diversity

3.0

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 0.13%

Asian 14.44%

Black or African American 4.78%

Hispanic or Latino 11.36%

Unknown 4.90%

White 64.39%

Gender

female 51.37%

male 48.63%

Age - 34

Race

American Indian and Alaska Native 3.00%

Asian 7.00%

Black or African American 14.00%

Hispanic or Latino 19.00%

White 57.00%

Gender

female 47.00%

male 53.00%

Age - 34

Stress level

4.9

Stress level is manageable

7.1 - high

Complexity level

8.2

Complexity level is challenging

7 - challenging

Work life balance

4.6

Work life balance is fair

6.4 - fair

Key steps to become a research aide

Explore research aide education requirements

Most common research aide degrees

Bachelor's

72.9 %

Master's

14.3 %

Associate

5.5 %

Start to develop specific research aide skills

Skills	Percentages
Data Collection	12.38%
Data Entry	10.48%
Lab Equipment	8.83%
Laboratory Equipment	7.11%
Research Data	6.54%

Complete relevant research aide training and internships

Accountants spend an average of 1-3 months on post-employment, on-the-job training. New research aides learn the skills and techniques required for their job and employer during this time. The chart below shows how long it takes to gain competency as a research aide based on U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics data and data from real research aide resumes.

Research research aide duties and responsibilities

Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
Assist in the success of AALAS certification, FDA, USDA, and IACUC inspections.
Collaborate with a team to submit IRB updates.
Assist with maintenance, documentation, and submission of IRB materials.

Prepare your research aide resume

When your background is strong enough, you can start writing your research aide resume.

You can use Zippia's AI resume builder to make the resume writing process easier while also making sure that you include key information that hiring managers expect to see on a research aide resume. You'll find resume tips and examples of skills, responsibilities, and summaries, all provided by Zippi, your career sidekick.

Choose from 10+ customizable research aide resume templates

Build a professional research aide resume in minutes. Browse through our resume examples to identify the best way to word your resume. Then choose from 10+ resume templates to create your research aide resume.