What does a research assistant do?
Research assistants give support to researchers or other professionals who need assistance as they conduct experiments, studies, or other research projects. Research assistants help in conducting experiments, surveys, or interviews under the supervision of the primary researcher. They also work on research activities such as literature reviews, collect data, assist in interpreting results, prepare designs or visuals for the presentation of the results, and even ensure that all the tools and documentation related to the study are properly organized. They also assist in fact-checking the output and ensure that the data presented are accurate. Research assistants usually possess an academic background that is related to the main research topic.
Research assistant responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research assistant resumes:
- Update twitter profile and manage social media campaign.
- Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
- Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
- Learned many laboratory techniques, assays, and protocols; western blot, real-time PCR, tick collection, DNA extraction.
- Analyze the effects of estrogen on various tissues using molecular biology techniques such as RT-PCR, RNA and DNA extractions.
- Gain familiarity with research terminology, development procedures, data collection and management, and IRB considerations.
- Perform cDNA conversion from purify RNA samples.
- Image data extraction through use of ENVI.
- Analyze RNA expression data (RNA-seq; expression microarray).
- Select for project base on work ethic and outstanding GPA.
- Analyze data from research using both behavioral and EEG measures.
- Assist Dr. Craig Johnson with data collection and categorization for various studies.
- Contribute in developing molecular markers by the usage of PCR and sequencing.
- Schedule and prepare participants, run EEG studies of working memory and analyze data
- Used deep learning frameworks, such as Tensorflow and Theano, to implement model.
Research assistant skills and personality traits
We calculated that 9% of Research Assistants are proficient in Patients, Lab Equipment, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.
We break down the percentage of Research Assistants that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 9%
Created computer graphic user interfaces that allowed Parkinson's patients with deteriorating vocal abilities to strengthen their voices for rehabilitative application.
- Lab Equipment, 9%
Well versed in growing bacteria and mammalian cell cultures without contamination of specimen along with decontamination of lab equipment.
- Data Collection, 8%
Conducted data collection on exposed and unexposed populations through video recordings and behavioral surveys of subjects in a psychotropic state.
- Laboratory Equipment, 5%
Operated and maintained various types of laboratory equipment in order to ensure optimal experiment procedure, helping to ensure accurate results.
- Research Projects, 5%
Worked independently on a variety of research projects for clients including Vietnam veterans, university professors, and international companies.
- Data Analysis, 5%
Conducted data analysis using Microsoft Office and SPSS to contribute to published research concerned with correlating gait kinematics with psychological emotions.
Common skills that a research assistant uses to do their job include "patients," "lab equipment," and "data collection." You can find details on the most important research assistant responsibilities below.
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a research assistant to carry out their responsibilities is analytical skills. This skill is important for the role because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Additionally, a research assistant resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "gained familiarity with research terminology, development procedures, data collection and management, and irb considerations. "
Communication skills. Many research assistant duties rely on communication skills. "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients.," so a research assistant will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research assistant responsibilities rely on communication skills: "developed communication, statistical and problem solving skills learned how to disseminate research findings through journal articles better understanding of scientific process"
Detail oriented. This is an important skill for research assistants to perform their duties. For an example of how research assistant responsibilities depend on this skill, consider that "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." This excerpt from a resume also shows how vital it is to everyday roles and responsibilities of a research assistant: "analyzed academic journal articles and created reports detailing the uses of past research in current laboratory projects and procedures. ".
The three companies that hire the most research assistants are:
- ICF300 research assistants jobs
- Oregon Health & Science University103 research assistants jobs
- Vanderbilt University Medical Center95 research assistants jobs
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Compare different research assistants
Research assistant vs. Graduate researcher
A graduate researcher is responsible for supporting an educational institution's academic research processes. Graduate researchers assist in data gathering and performing in-depth analysis using research methodologies under the supervision of a research professor. In some cases, graduate researchers also conduct field investigations and analyze other research publications to verify data accuracy. They prepare reports, share recommendations, and keep an organized database for research records. A graduate researcher must have excellent communication skills, both written and oral, as this task requires interaction with the researchers and writing duties.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research assistants and graduate researcher. For instance, research assistant responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "lab equipment," "laboratory equipment," and "research data." Whereas a graduate researcher is skilled in "protein expression," "graduate research," "molecular biology," and "scientific journals." This is part of what separates the two careers.
The education levels that graduate researchers earn slightly differ from research assistants. In particular, graduate researchers are 5.0% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a research assistant. Additionally, they're 2.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.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.
While some skills are similar in these professions, other skills aren't so similar. For example, resumes show us that research assistant responsibilities requires skills like "literature reviews," "spss," "c++," and "irb." But a research laboratory technician might use other skills in their typical duties, such as, "laboratory procedures," "flow cytometry," "laboratory experiments," and "laboratory techniques."
Research laboratory technicians earn a lower average salary than research assistants. But research laboratory technicians earn the highest pay in the manufacturing industry, with an average salary of $42,600. Additionally, research assistants earn the highest salaries in the health care with average pay of $46,279 annually.Average education levels between the two professions vary. Research laboratory technicians tend to reach similar levels of education than research assistants. In fact, they're 4.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 2.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research assistants in the next 3-5 years?
Friedbert Ninow Ph.D.
Dean, La Sierra University
- All kinds of digital stuff
- Technology that allows us to have alternatives to the screen; screen technology lets us shrink to two-dimensional beings.
Research assistant vs. Assistant research scientist
An Assistant Research Scientist assists in planning, conducting, and analyzing various research projects. They also order and manage lab inventory, materials, and equipment.
There are many key differences between these two careers, including some of the skills required to perform responsibilities within each role. For example, a research assistant is likely to be skilled in "patients," "research data," "research study," and "data management," while a typical assistant research scientist is skilled in "extraction," "sample preparation," "scientific papers," and "method development."
Assistant research scientists earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $71,080. Comparatively, research assistants have the highest earning potential in the health care industry, with an average salary of $46,279.Most assistant research scientists achieve a similar degree level compared to research assistants. For example, they're 1.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 11.2% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research assistant vs. Graduate student assistant
Graduate student assistants are graduate students who are employed as support personnel in universities. They assist professors as teaching assistants, research assistants, or aides, depending on their assigned instructions. Their duties include assisting professors in administrative tasks, organizing undergraduate events, and conducting research as well as analyzing data. During the assistantship period, instead of wages, they are given a stipend as compensation to the service provided. This graduate assistantship gives graduate students relevant experience and more employment options in the future.
Types of research assistant
Updated January 8, 2025
