What does a research assistant/technician do?

A research assistant/technician is in charge of performing support tasks in laboratories, primarily to assist researchers. Among their responsibilities include conducting research and experiments under the researcher's directives and supervision, arranging and processing samples, maintaining records, organizing files, operating devices and equipment, and coordinating with different offices. They may also participate in preparing reports and research findings while adhering to the researcher's guidelines. Moreover, a research assistant/technician must prepare facilities and maintain its cleanliness according to the laboratory's rules and regulations.
Research assistant/technician responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research assistant/technician resumes:
- Manage social media publications to spread awareness and notifications on Facebook.
- Screen for antibody selection an affinity validation by ELISA and colony lift.
- Determine the allergenic potential of thermally process (fry, moist and dry heated) milk using commercial ELISA kits.
- Perform mouse experiments including lymphocyte extractions and genotyping.
- Administer EEG and psychological assessments to patients with psychiatric disorders.
- Analyze, monitor, and maximize performance of genotyping calls using Illumina software.
- Transform an unfamiliar, sometimes uncomfortable environment for patients into a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
- Analyze data using SPSS to determine if parental discipline effects children behavior base on cultural differences.
- Document, translate and present relevant information in research findings to chemistry professors to enable them draw conclusions about experimental results.
- Carry out highly complex pharmaceutical and biotechnology studies while maintaining strong relationships with clients and upholding federal regulations for FDA approval.
- Participate in a summer research intensive that provide hands-on training in interdisciplinary biomedical laboratory techniques with an emphasis in advance instrumentation.
- Used collected data to create and analyze maps with ArcGIS.
- Used ArcGIS software to identify and map suitable landing areas for helicopters.
- Analyze data statistically and efficiently to define stability, and QA issues.
- Design various mechanical components and prototypes using SolidWorks, ProE and AutoCAD.
Research assistant/technician skills and personality traits
We calculated that 8% of Research Assistant/Technicians are proficient in Patients, Analyze Data, and Data Collection. They’re also known for soft skills such as Detail oriented, Analytical skills, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Assistant/Technicians that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Patients, 8%
Transformed an unfamiliar, sometimes uncomfortable environment for patients into a comfortable and friendly atmosphere.
- Analyze Data, 7%
Communicate and analyze data with professor.
- Data Collection, 7%
Participated in data collection and data entry for the Virginia Tech Human Development undergraduate research team.
- PCR, 5%
Performed diagnostic molecular pathology utilizing PCR for bcl-2, tuberculosis, and other diseases.
- Cell Culture, 5%
Worked with protein expression systems from yeast, bacterial and mammalian cell cultures.RESEARCH
- Molecular Biology, 4%
Provide training and supervision for laboratory staff, students and visiting scientists in the area of molecular biology.
"patients," "analyze data," and "data collection" are among the most common skills that research assistant/technicians use at work. You can find even more research assistant/technician responsibilities below, including:
Detail oriented. One of the key soft skills for a research assistant/technician to have is detail oriented. You can see how this relates to what research assistant/technicians do because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." Additionally, a research assistant/technician resume shows how research assistant/technicians use detail oriented: "collect body weights of animals and perform detailed observations during experimental procedures. "
Analytical skills. Another soft skill that's essential for fulfilling research assistant/technician duties is analytical skills. The role rewards competence in this skill because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." According to a research assistant/technician resume, here's how research assistant/technicians can utilize analytical skills in their job responsibilities: "performed data entry and analysis of experimental mice. "
Communication skills. research assistant/technicians are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research assistant/technician responsibilities, because "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." A research assistant/technician resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "conducted literature reviews related to men s health, risk and health communications. "
The three companies that hire the most research assistant/technicians are:
- Brigham and Women's Hospital75 research assistant/technicians jobs
- Charles River Labs16 research assistant/technicians jobs
- Charles River Center10 research assistant/technicians jobs
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Research assistant/technician 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.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research assistant/technicians and assistant research scientist. For instance, research assistant/technician responsibilities require skills such as "patients," "pcr," "molecular biology," and "rna." Whereas a assistant research scientist is skilled in "experimental design," "python," "pi," and "scientific papers." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Assistant research scientists really shine in the education industry with an average salary of $71,080. Comparatively, research assistant/technicians tend to make the most money in the technology industry with an average salary of $64,091.On average, assistant research scientists reach similar levels of education than research assistant/technicians. Assistant research scientists are 3.2% more likely to earn a Master's Degree and 13.6% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research assistant/technician vs. Graduate research student
Graduate research students are learners who conduct degree program-related research in a research unit or an academic department. These students manage themselves independently as well as their work. They make certain that they have familiarized the requirements of the university. Educators and other scholars expect them to develop enough research and skills. Their responsibilities include academic honesty, participation in supervisory meetings, and maintenance of effective supervisor communication. In terms of their research, they should have a research plan ahead.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research assistant/technician responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "patients," "pcr," "research projects," and "literature searches." Meanwhile, a graduate research student has duties that require skills in areas such as "python," "research student," "protein purification," and "rt-pcr." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, graduate research students earn a lower salary than research assistant/technicians. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, graduate research students earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $41,968. Whereas research assistant/technicians have higher pay in the technology industry, with an average salary of $64,091.graduate research students earn similar levels of education than research assistant/technicians in general. They're 0.3% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 13.6% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research assistant/technician 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.
Some important key differences between the two careers include a few of the skills necessary to fulfill the responsibilities of each. Some examples from research assistant/technician resumes include skills like "analyze data," "pcr," "molecular biology," and "literature searches," whereas a research fellow is more likely to list skills in "immunology," "cell biology," "python," and "nih. "
Research fellows earn the best pay in the non profits industry, where they command an average salary of $57,261. Research assistant/technicians earn the highest pay from the technology industry, with an average salary of $64,091.When it comes to education, research fellows tend to earn higher degree levels compared to research assistant/technicians. In fact, they're 5.8% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 30.3% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Research assistant/technician vs. Senior research analyst
The duties of a senior research analyst depend on one's line of work or industry of employment. Typically, their responsibilities revolve around coordinating with different departments to gather necessary data, performing research and analysis to identify consumer and market needs, finding new business opportunities, and devising strategies to optimize workflow and workforce processes. Furthermore, as a senior research analyst, it is essential to lead and encourage the team members and serve as a mentor to junior analysts, all while implementing the company's policies and regulations.
Even though a few skill sets overlap between research assistant/technicians and senior research analysts, there are some differences that are important to note. For one, a research assistant/technician might have more use for skills like "patients," "pcr," "cell culture," and "molecular biology." Meanwhile, some responsibilities of senior research analysts require skills like "analytics," "healthcare," "market research," and "visualization. "
Senior research analysts enjoy the best pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $110,757. For comparison, research assistant/technicians earn the highest salary in the technology industry.In general, senior research analysts hold higher degree levels compared to research assistant/technicians. Senior research analysts are 11.0% more likely to earn their Master's Degree and 1.8% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.Types of research assistant/technician
Updated January 8, 2025











