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How to hire a research assistant lead

Research assistant lead hiring summary. Here are some key points about hiring research assistant leads in the United States:

  • In the United States, the median cost per hire a research assistant lead is $1,633.
  • It takes between 36 and 42 days to fill the average role in the US.
  • Human Resources use 15% of their expenses on recruitment on average.
  • On average, it takes around 12 weeks for a new research assistant lead to become settled and show total productivity levels at work.

How to hire a research assistant lead, step by step

To hire a research assistant lead, you should create an ideal candidate profile, determine a budget, and post and promote your job. Here's a step-by-step guide on how to hire a research assistant lead:

Here's a step-by-step research assistant lead hiring guide:

  • Step 1: Identify your hiring needs
  • Step 2: Create an ideal candidate profile
  • Step 3: Make a budget
  • Step 4: Write a research assistant lead job description
  • Step 5: Post your job
  • Step 6: Interview candidates
  • Step 7: Send a job offer and onboard your new research assistant lead
  • Step 8: Go through the hiring process checklist
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  1. Identify your hiring needs

    Before you post your research assistant lead job, you should take the time to determine what type of worker your business needs. While certain jobs definitely require a full-time employee, it's sometimes better to find a research assistant lead for hire on a part-time basis or as a contractor.

    Determine employee vs contractor status
    Is the person you're thinking of hiring a US citizen or green card holder?

    Hiring the perfect research assistant lead also involves considering the ideal background you'd like them to have. Depending on what industry or field they have experience in, they'll bring different skills to the job. It's also important to consider what levels of seniority and education the job requires and what kind of salary such a candidate would likely demand.

    This list shows salaries for various types of research assistant leads.

    Type of Research Assistant LeadDescriptionHourly rate
    Research Assistant Lead$21-50
    Research ScholarResearch 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 FellowA 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... Show more$18-34
  2. Create an ideal candidate profile

    Common skills:
    • DR
    • Data Entry
    Responsibilities:
    • Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
    • Synthesize and characterize colloidal room-temperature ferromagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
    • Synthesize and characterize colloidal room-temperature ferromagnetic CoFe2O4 nanoparticles.
  3. Make a budget

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

    • Location. For example, research assistant leads' average salary in hawaii is 51% less than in new jersey.
    • Seniority. Entry-level research assistant leads 58% less than senior-level research assistant leads.
    • Certifications. A research assistant lead 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 research assistant lead's salary.

    Average research assistant lead salary

    $67,946yearly

    $32.67 hourly rate

    Entry-level research assistant lead salary
    $44,000 yearly salary
    Updated January 15, 2026
  4. Writing a research assistant lead job description

    A research assistant lead job description should include a summary of the role, required skills, and a list of responsibilities. It's also good to include a salary range and the first name of the hiring manager. To help get you started, here's an example of a research assistant lead job description:

    Research assistant lead job description example

    Make up to $30 plus tips!

    Imagine a career where you positively impact fellow Hair Stylists through serving by example, demonstrating the latest hair techniques and trends, as well as demonstrating an exceptional Guest Experience. Start your career with Hair Cuttery or Bubbles today!

    As an Assistant Salon Leader , you will assist in managing the day-to-day operations of the salon, as well as manage the salon in the Salon Leader’s absence. You will also spend your time working behind the chair to provide education and consulting to your guests regarding the best service and Home Hair Care products, so they may recreate their new look at home!

    Responsibilities:

    As an Assistant Salon Leader, you will:

    • Benefit from the wide range of services you can offer to your clients including cuts, styles, highlights, color, permanent waves, relaxers and up dos

    Benefits for Salon Associates:
    ● Free Advanced Education by REDKEN Certified Professionals, Career Path opportunities, Performance Awards, Flexible Schedule and a Unique Culture that’s ALL ABOUT THE PEOPLE!

    PLUS Medical Coverage options, Paid Time Off, 401(K) Savings Plans, Dental Insurance and Vision Insurance!

    Qualifications:

    Assistant Salon Leader Requirements:
    ● Ability to demonstrate a passion for people and customer service
    ● Strong leadership skills that inspire and motivate performance
    ● Strong interpersonal, oral communication and listening skills
    ● Ability to build and maintain strong client and team relationships
    ● Ability to work independently and as part of a team to achieve salon goals
    ● Ability to be flexible and adapt to business needs
    ● Reliable and available to work various schedules, including nights, weekends and holidays
    ● Strong organizational and follow up skills
    MUST HAVE A COSMETOLOGY LICENSE in the state you are applying for, eligibility to work in the United States
    ● 6+ months experience in a salon environment performing hair services AND basic math skills

    At the Hair Cuttery Family of Brands, you can build a Career for Life!

    The Hair Cuttery Family of Brands provides Equal Employment Opportunities (EEO) to all applicants.

  5. Post your job

    There are various strategies that you can use to find the right research assistant lead for your business:

    • Consider promoting from within or recruiting from your existing workforce.
    • Ask for referrals from friends, family members, and current employees.
    • Attend job fairs at local colleges to find candidates who meet your education requirements.
    • Use social media platforms like LinkedIn, Facebook, and Twitter to reach potential job candidates.
    Post your job online:
    • Post your research assistant lead job on Zippia to find and recruit research assistant lead candidates who meet your exact specifications.
    • Use field-specific websites.
    • Post a job on free websites.
  6. Interview candidates

    Your first interview with research assistant lead candidates should focus on their interest in the role and background experience. As the hiring process goes on, you can learn more about how they'd fit into the company culture in later rounds of interviews.

    You should also ask about candidates' unique skills and talents to see if they match the ideal candidate profile you developed earlier. Candidates good enough for the next step can complete 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 research assistant lead

    Once you've decided on a perfect research assistant lead 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.

    After that, you can create an onboarding schedule for a new research assistant lead. Human Resources and the hiring manager should complete Employee Action Forms. Human Resources should also ensure that onboarding paperwork is completed, including I-9s, benefits enrollment, federal and state tax forms, etc., and that new employee files are 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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How much does it cost to hire a research assistant lead?

Recruiting research assistant leads involves both the one-time costs of hiring and the ongoing costs of adding a new employee to your team. Your spending during the hiring process will mostly be on things like promoting the job on job boards, reviewing and interviewing candidates, and onboarding the new hire. Ongoing costs will obviously involve the employee's salary, but also may include things like benefits.

Research assistant leads earn a median yearly salary is $67,946 a year in the US. However, if you're looking to find research assistant leads for hire on a contract or per-project basis, hourly rates typically range between $21 and $50.

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