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What does a research leader do?

Updated January 8, 2025
7 min read
What does a research leader do

Research Leaders are academicians who oversee a group of researchers conducting a study. They are usually well-known researchers in their field of study or area of interest. They manage the group throughout the whole research process. They may orient them at the start of the engagement to ensure that everyone is on the same page. Research Leaders direct the group in identifying the resources needed, finding these resources, and eventually managing them. They also guide the team in conducting the research properly by providing strategic direction, sharing techniques, and helping them analyze the gathered data. With their experience in the field, Research Leaders usually provide frameworks that the team may work within.

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Research leader responsibilities

Here are examples of responsibilities from real research leader resumes:

  • Lead social path-to-purchase study, incorporating social media analytics into insight community to identify spectrum of social engagement among customers.
  • Develop new business development initiatives by performing comprehensive research, evaluation and analysis of national and international healthcare markets.
  • Train other analysts to perform ELISA assay.
  • Used SQL to create reports and extract data.
  • Conduct statistical tests to find results by operating SPSS.
  • Attend seminars and lectures on various research topics in mathematics.
  • Conduct the research, collect the data, and analyze data through SPSS.
  • Design and develop server programs using RPGLE, CLLE, AS400 and SQL store procedures.
  • Test wind turbine designs, analyze data, and report results in a scientific symposium.
  • Implement new techniques to significantly increase the speed of the current motion magnification software (C++, MATLAB).
  • Create PowerPoint presentations & design t-shirts for presenting groups
  • Participate in and run biofeedback experiments in the field of psychophysiology.
  • Provide periodic training to managers and departments on healthcare relate legislative updates.
  • Develop, validate and complete pilot production lots for an ELISA measuring dihydrotestosterone.
  • Lead social path-to-purchase study, incorporating social media analytics into insight community to identify spectrum of social engagement among customers.

Research leader skills and personality traits

We calculated that 7% of Research Leaders are proficient in Data Collection, Data Analysis, and Market Research. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Communication skills, and Detail oriented.

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

  • Data Collection, 7%

    Managed research literature, data collection/recording, and data cleaning/analysis for preparation of research paper, reports, and professional presentation.

  • Data Analysis, 6%

    Conducted narrative interviews, transcription, data analysis and write-up of research project and presentation.

  • Market Research, 6%

    Produced five market research & intelligence reports on personal finance products & consumer services using qualitative & quantitative research techniques.

  • Python, 6%

    Worked directly on developing the Multi-Agent Software using Java, Python, Processing, Rhinoceros 3D, and XML.

  • Research Methods, 5%

    Utilized pragmatic research methods to produce accurate and timely project outcomes.

  • Research Findings, 4%

    Composed research reports and gave presentations regarding research findings.

Most research leaders use their skills in "data collection," "data analysis," and "market research" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research leader responsibilities here:

Analytical skills. One of the key soft skills for a research leader to have is analytical skills. You can see how this relates to what research leaders do because "market research analysts must evaluate large amounts of data and information related to market conditions." Additionally, a research leader resume shows how research leaders use analytical skills: "apply content and legal analysis research methods to examine how the parties defend their arguments. "

Communication skills. Another essential skill to perform research leader duties is communication skills. Research leaders responsibilities require that "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." Research leaders also use communication skills in their role according to a real resume snippet: "created, and ran pilot communication research study- attented national conference on undergraduate research to present findings"

Detail oriented. research leaders are also known for detail oriented, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research leader responsibilities, because "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data." A research leader resume example shows how detail oriented is used in the workplace: "work closely with account executives, agencies and clients to identify their needs and challenges and provide solution-oriented market research data. "

All research leader skills

The three companies that hire the most research leaders are:

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Compare different research leaders

Research leader vs. Marketing coordinator

A marketing coordinator supports the marketing department on deciding strategies and business efforts to develop the brand image and boost customer satisfaction. Marketing coordinators' duties include assisting in advertising campaigns, scheduling promotional events, monitoring sales status, researching current market trends, maintaining a record of existing and potential clients, and contributing ideas to improve the brand's profitability. A marketing coordinator must have excellent critical thinking and writing skills to help with the creation of social media advertisements and marketing content. It also requires impressive time-management and multi-tasking skills, especially on meeting deadlines and making adjustments on the initial plans as needed.

If we compare the average research leader annual salary with that of a marketing coordinator, we find that marketing coordinators typically earn a $59,019 lower salary than research leaders make annually.While the two careers have a salary gap, they share some of the same responsibilities. Employees in both research leader and marketing coordinator positions are skilled in market research, business development, and powerpoint.

There are some key differences in the responsibilities of each position. For example, research leader responsibilities require skills like "data collection," "data analysis," "python," and "human centered design." Meanwhile a typical marketing coordinator has skills in areas such as "digital marketing," "customer service," "marketing campaigns," and "email campaigns." This difference in skills reveals the differences in what each career does.

Marketing coordinators tend to make the most money working in the technology industry, where they earn an average salary of $53,831. In contrast, research leaders make the biggest average salary, $131,194, in the pharmaceutical industry.On average, marketing coordinators reach lower levels of education than research leaders. Marketing coordinators are 11.1% less likely to earn a Master's Degree and 5.6% less likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Research leader vs. Marketing internship

Marketing interns are usually marketing students or fresh graduates who are interested in getting actual work experiences before taking on a full-time job. They usually have an interest or academic background related to marketing. They assist marketing teams in most of their daily activities, sit in their meetings, record minutes of these meetings, take note of action plans, and attend other events related to marketing. They also assist in preparing collateral and other marketing materials, join brainstorming sessions, or any other activity that will help enrich their experience.

Marketing internship positions earn lower pay than research leader roles. They earn a $77,085 lower salary than research leaders per year.While the salary may differ for these jobs, they share a few skills needed to perform their duties. Based on resume data, both research leaders and marketing interns have skills such as "data analysis," "market research," and "business development. "

In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research leader responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "data collection," "python," "human centered design," and "research methods." Meanwhile, a marketing internship has duties that require skills in areas such as "digital marketing," "facebook," "marketing campaigns," and "press releases." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.

Marketing interns may earn a lower salary than research leaders, but marketing interns earn the most pay in the technology industry with an average salary of $33,333. On the other hand, research leaders receive higher pay in the pharmaceutical industry, where they earn an average salary of $131,194.marketing interns earn lower levels of education than research leaders in general. They're 12.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 5.6% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research leader vs. Marketing research analyst

The primary role of a market research analyst is to collect and analyze data on competitors and consumers. Market research analysts have to study market conditions and investigate probable service or product sales. The analysts help companies have a better understanding of the products that people would want, their price, and their possible buyers. They should have the ability to cope up with pressure and fast-paced work. Among the other skills they should develop include accuracy, excellent written and spoken communication, and strong attention to detail.

On average, marketing research analysts earn lower salaries than research leaders, with a $52,914 difference per year.Using the responsibilities included on research leaders and marketing research analysts resumes, we found that both professions have similar skill requirements, such as "data collection," "data analysis," and "research findings.rdquo;

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 leader resumes include skills like "market research," "python," "human centered design," and "research methods," whereas a marketing research analyst is more likely to list skills in "data entry," "project management," "primary research," and "tableau. "

Marketing research analysts earn the best pay in the health care industry, where they command an average salary of $73,419. Research leaders earn the highest pay from the pharmaceutical industry, with an average salary of $131,194.marketing research analysts typically earn similar educational levels compared to research leaders. Specifically, they're 3.1% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 5.1% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.

Research leader vs. Senior research associate

A Senior Research Associate works closely with research team members to implement research ideas. They diagnose, solve system/software problems, and install application software according to research needs.

Senior research associates tend to earn a lower pay than research leaders by an average of $34,727 per year.According to resumes from research leaders and senior research associates, some of the skills necessary to complete the responsibilities of each role are similar. These skills include "data collection," "data analysis," and "research findings. "Each job also requires different skills to carry out their responsibilities. A research leader uses "market research," "python," "human centered design," and "research methods." Senior research associates are more likely to have duties that require skills in "patients," "crispr," "molecular biology," and "cell culture. "The government industry tends to pay the highest salaries for senior research associates, with average annual pay of $89,446. Comparatively, the highest research leader annual salary comes from the pharmaceutical industry.senior research associates reach similar levels of education compared to research leaders, in general. The difference is that they're 5.0% more likely to earn a Master's Degree, and 7.4% more likely to graduate with a Doctoral Degree.

Types of research leader

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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