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What does a research associate do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
Quoted expert
Dr. Betsy Smith
What does a research associate do

A research associate is responsible for assisting the research team, organizing and interpreting findings, and verifying information before presenting the study to the board. Research associates duties also include gathering and comparing data from multiple sources, analyzing the current industry trends, creating draft outlines for reports, collecting individual contacts for interview purposes, and helping with the development of research procedures. A research associate must have excellent time-management skills and ability to multi-task, especially on meeting strict deadlines and conducting studies.

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Research associate responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research associate resumes:

  • Study utilize online survey tools and data are managed and analyze using SPSS.
  • Manage databases, analyze data in STATA, and summarize relevant findings for partners.
  • Lead diverse research teams in the development of PCR and reverse transcriptase PCR assays for various food-borne pathogens.
  • Process, analyze and upload HTS data that lead to the discovery of new structural classes of small molecules.
  • Manage outsource projects, and interact with vendors for API sourcing, and device components base on project needs.
  • Manage all aspects of HPLC method development and analysis through interpretation of data ensuring accuracy of results.
  • Process development and improvements - introduce magnetic bead DNA extraction in combination with customize liquid handling automation.
  • Conduct telephone interviews and follow-up home visits with adult and senior adult medical patients participating in various depression research studies.
  • Conduct research in environmental health relate studies, perform statistical analysis of study results and present PowerPoint presentations on results.
  • Develop new DNA extraction and analysis techniques to increase sensitivity and specificity of DNA analysis in response to FDA requirements.
  • Construct CRISPR, TALEN and shRNA knockdown vectors.
  • Develop fast methods of detecting bacterial pathogens in food.
  • Design CRISPR alleles and isolate inject fly lineages with anticipate mutations.
  • Validate this mechanism via biochemical assays and 2D NMR structural analysis.
  • Develop a IMCP base monitoring software using python to monitor network systems.

Research associate skills and personality traits

We calculated that 6% of Research Associates are proficient in Patients, Research Projects, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Observational skills, Technical skills, and Analytical skills.

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

  • Patients, 6%

    Conducted telephone interviews and follow-up home visits with adult and senior adult medical patients participating in various depression research studies.

  • Research Projects, 6%

    Performed statistical analyses for quantitative/qualitative research projects.

  • Data Analysis, 6%

    Performed interviews and methodically documented youth progress to determine the efficacy of intervention programs as a basis for comparative data analysis.

  • Data Collection, 5%

    Manage external consultants in identification of data needs of project and supervise their data collection from Managed Care Organization data sources.

  • Cell Culture, 5%

    Performed cell culture utilizing sterile technique and managed laboratory safety/chemical inventory/equipment.

  • Chemistry, 4%

    Contributed to the characterization of two protein molecules involved in platelet and other bleeding disorders using Molecular Biology and Protein Chemistry.

Common skills that a research associate uses to do their job include "patients," "research projects," and "data analysis." You can find details on the most important research associate responsibilities below.

Communication skills. A big part of what research associates do relies on "communication skills." You can see how essential it is to research associate responsibilities because "medical scientists must be able to explain their research in nontechnical ways." Here's an example of how this skill is used from a resume that represents typical research associate tasks: "authored descriptive and detailed final reports for communication across company in addition to supporting fda submissions. "

Observation skills. Another common skill required for research associate responsibilities is "observation skills." This skill comes up in the duties of research associates all the time, as "medical scientists conduct experiments that require monitoring samples and other health-related data." An excerpt from a real research associate resume shows how this skill is central to what a research associate does: "maintain research integrity by conducting quality checks of observational and physiological data collection to ensure adherence to protocol guidelines and regulations. "

All research associate skills

The three companies that hire the most research associates are:

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Compare different research associates

Research associate vs. Scientist

A scientist is responsible for researching and analyzing the nature and complexities of the physical world to identify discoveries that would improve people's lives and ignite scientific knowledge for society. Scientists' duties differ in their different areas of expertise, but all of them must have a broad comprehension of scientific disciplines and methods to support their experiments and investigations. They collect the sample for their research, record findings, create research proposals, and release publications. A scientist must know how to utilize laboratory equipment to support the study and drive results efficiently and accurately.

The annual salary of scientists is $37,178 higher than the average salary of research associates.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both research associate and scientist positions are skilled in patients, research projects, and data analysis.

While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research associates and scientist. For instance, research associate responsibilities require skills such as "lab equipment," "python," "analyze data," and "pi." Whereas a scientist is skilled in "molecular biology," "java," "product development," and "drug discovery." This is part of what separates the two careers.

Scientists tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $134,486. In contrast, research associates make the biggest average salary, $84,005, in the finance industry.The education levels that scientists earn slightly differ from research associates. In particular, scientists are 0.8% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree than a research associate. Additionally, they're 5.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research associate vs. Laboratory researcher

Laboratory researchers are professionals who manage a research laboratory while performing cellular and biochemical experiments with the primary researcher. These researchers must work with hazardous chemicals and should show expertise in handling lab equipment such as glassware and field equipment. They are required to assist with research projects and interpret the test data of an experiment. They must manage the order of all lab equipment by filling up the purchase requisition forms. Laboratory researchers are required to work with students in all aspects of laboratory research.

Laboratory researcher positions earn lower pay than research associate roles. They earn a $32,406 lower salary than research associates per year.A few skills overlap for research associates and laboratory researchers. Resumes from both professions show that the duties of each career rely on skills like "data analysis," "data collection," and "cell culture. "

Each career also uses different skills, according to real research associate resumes. While research associate responsibilities can utilize skills like "patients," "research projects," "python," and "excellent interpersonal," laboratory researchers use skills like "lab procedures," "molecular biology," "pcr," and "laboratory research."

On average, laboratory researchers earn a lower salary than research associates. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, laboratory researchers earn the most pay in the education industry with an average salary of $30,412. Whereas research associates have higher pay in the finance industry, with an average salary of $84,005.laboratory researchers earn lower levels of education than research associates in general. They're 9.7% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.0% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research associates in the next 3-5 years?

Dr. Betsy SmithDr. Betsy Smith LinkedIn profile

Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College

Honestly, I think anytime a scientist tries to predict what will be "big" in a few years, they're likely to fail. That said, I think there's a growing interest among consumers for more "green" products, so research into those areas will likely grow. For instance, we might see attempts to develop new plastics that are safer for the environment and humans, perhaps biodegradable. Organic chemistry traditionally uses harsh solvents and chemicals that are difficult to dispose of safely, so there is an effort to find alternatives to these. Analytical chemistry techniques for separating and identifying compounds, like GC-MS (gas chromatography-mass spectrometry), will likely continue to be necessary. CRISPR, the relatively new gene-editing technology, is likely to become even more widely used on the biochemistry side of things.

Research associate vs. Senior research fellow

Senior Research Fellows are reputable researchers employed in an academic institution or a research facility. The nature of their employment in the institution is related to their research work or field of interest. Senior Research Fellows lead a team of researchers on big projects that require more team members. They manage the team's budget, set timelines, and guide the researchers. They spearhead the analysis of the data gathered. They also set the tone for the presentation materials. Senior Research Fellows should be passionate about their field, should have a thirst for knowledge, and should be able to lead teams.

On average scale, senior research fellows bring in higher salaries than research associates. In fact, they earn a $1,963 higher salary per year.Using the responsibilities included on research associates and senior research fellows resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "patients," "research projects," and "data analysis.rdquo;

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 associate is likely to be skilled in "laboratory equipment," "lab equipment," "flow cytometry," and "excellent interpersonal," while a typical senior research fellow is skilled in "visualization," "product development," "java," and "prototyping."

Senior research fellows typically earn higher educational levels compared to research associates. Specifically, they're 5.6% more likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 6.0% more likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research associate 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.

Graduate research students typically earn lower pay than research associates. On average, graduate research students earn a $25,508 lower salary per year.While their salaries may vary, research associates and graduate research students both use similar skills to perform their duties. Resumes from both professions include skills like "data analysis," "data collection," and "cell culture. "While some skills are required in each professionacirc;euro;trade;s responsibilities, there are some differences to note. "patients," "research projects," "flow cytometry," and "excellent interpersonal" are skills that commonly show up on research associate resumes. On the other hand, graduate research students use skills like research student, molecular biology, symposium, and poster presentation on their resumes.In general, graduate research students earn the most working in the education industry, with an average salary of $41,968. The highest-paying industry for a research associate is the finance industry.The average resume of graduate research students showed that they earn lower levels of education compared to research associates. So much so that theyacirc;euro;trade;re 7.2% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree by 8.1%.

Types of research associate

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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