What does a research trainee do?
A research trainee is responsible for performing support tasks while gaining practical experience and industry insights. They may work at learning institutions, medical facilities, private organizations, or even government agencies running research projects and programs. Typically working under the directives of a research manager, a research trainee conducts research and analysis, gather and organize files, prepare and arrange samples, and run errands as needed. Moreover, they must learn and adhere to the facility's safety policies and regulations for a safe and efficient workflow.
Research trainee responsibilities
Here are examples of responsibilities from real research trainee resumes:
- Manage laboratory requirements and mentor other food engineers how to use HPLC and UPLC
- Evaluate patients' study eligibility via medical history, obtain informed consent, enroll patients, and achieve enrollment quotas.
- Conduct the DNA extraction and ELISA on blood samples.
- Work on rabies vaccine production from chick embryo and extraction of DNA and RNA from animal tissue and cells.
- Perform organic synthesis reactions, follow by work-up.
- Isolate DNA and proteins from solid tumors and cell lines.
- Perform ELISA to monitor anti-body antigen binding as compare to WGM signal.
- Detect effective components in medicine ingredients by using HPLC and UPLC equipment.
- Conduct qualitative and quantitative estimation of DNA.
- Contribute to the synthesis of a semiconductor material to enhance photovoltaic cells efficiency.
- Construct a preliminary testing platform for a collaborative $3MM NSF grant between biology and electrical engineering exploring molecular communication theory.
- Update and maintain all regulatory documentation require by FDA and study sponsor.
- Gain valuable experience with project management and gain familiarity with FDA requirements and procedures.
- Construct a preliminary testing platform for a collaborative $3MM NSF grant between biology and electrical engineering exploring molecular communication theory.
Research trainee skills and personality traits
We calculated that 6% of Research Trainees are proficient in Cell Culture, R, and Data Analysis. They’re also known for soft skills such as Analytical skills, Detail oriented, and Communication skills.
We break down the percentage of Research Trainees that have these skills listed on their resume here:
- Cell Culture, 6%
Conducted extensive research on Sickle Cell Anemia in children by studying, evaluating and reviewing Sickle Cell cultures.
- R, 6%
Drafted logistic regression report and variable explanation documents, which maximized professors' research capability Skills Used R programming Microsoft SQL Server
- Data Analysis, 6%
Delivered qualitative and quantitative results through data analysis.
- Elisa, 5%
Performed Sandwich Elisa to monitor anti-body antigen binding and compared the result to WGM signal.
- MRI, 4%
Scanned subjects using Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) and administered behavioral and clinical assessments and measurements.
- Clinical Trials, 4%
Recruited and enrolled patients onto clinical trials according to study protocols.
Most research trainees use their skills in "cell culture," "r," and "data analysis" to do their jobs. You can find more detail on essential research trainee responsibilities here:
Analytical skills. The most essential soft skill for a research trainee 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 trainee resume shows how their duties depend on analytical skills: "analyzed fibril formation by western blot and detection by chemiluminescence. "
Detail oriented. Many research trainee duties rely on detail oriented. "market research analysts must pay attention to minutiae to evaluate data.," so a research trainee will need this skill often in their role. This resume example is just one of many ways research trainee responsibilities rely on detail oriented: "performed detailed clinical observations, body weights, food consumption and daily data collection. "
Communication skills. research trainees are also known for communication skills, which are critical to their duties. You can see how this skill relates to research trainee responsibilities, because "market research analysts must be able to clearly convey information when gathering material, interpreting data, and presenting results to clients." A research trainee resume example shows how communication skills is used in the workplace: "maintained communication with relevant contacts for research projects and data collection. "
The three companies that hire the most research trainees are:
- Northwell Health8 research trainees jobs
- JBS USA6 research trainees jobs
- Sony Pictures4 research trainees jobs
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Compare different research trainees
Research trainee vs. Postdoctoral research associate
A postdoctoral research associate is responsible for assisting the educational institution's research department, writing research reports, analyzing research methods, and collecting information and related studies to support the research claims. Postdoctoral research associates must have excellent communication skills, both oral and written, reporting research updates to the research head, performing adjustments as needed, and gaining more expertise on the subject by brainstorming and discussing strategic procedures for the study. They may also conduct field investigation or coordinate with other institutions for additional reference, depending on the research's scope and limitation.
While similarities exist, there are also some differences between research trainees and postdoctoral research associate. For instance, research trainee responsibilities require skills such as "mri," "clinical trials," "laboratory experiments," and "biomedical." Whereas a postdoctoral research associate is skilled in "chemistry," "post-doctoral," "cell biology," and "patients." This is part of what separates the two careers.
Postdoctoral research associates really shine in the professional industry with an average salary of $69,999. Comparatively, research trainees tend to make the most money in the media industry with an average salary of $59,203.postdoctoral research associates tend to reach lower levels of education than research trainees. In fact, postdoctoral research associates are 9.0% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree and 40.3% more likely to have a Doctoral Degree.Research trainee 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.
In addition to the difference in salary, there are some other key differences worth noting. For example, research trainee responsibilities are more likely to require skills like "cell culture," "elisa," "mri," and "clinical trials." Meanwhile, a marketing research analyst has duties that require skills in areas such as "spss," "data entry," "project management," and "primary research." These differences highlight just how different the day-to-day in each role looks.
On average, marketing research analysts earn a higher salary than research trainees. Some industries support higher salaries in each profession. Interestingly enough, marketing research analysts earn the most pay in the health care industry with an average salary of $73,419. Whereas research trainees have higher pay in the media industry, with an average salary of $59,203.In general, marketing research analysts achieve lower levels of education than research trainees. They're 10.0% less likely to obtain a Master's Degree while being 40.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.What technology do you think will become more important and prevalent for research trainees in the next 3-5 years?
Dr. Betsy Smith
Assistant Professor of Chemistry, Elmira College
Research trainee 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.
The required skills of the two careers differ considerably. For example, research trainees are more likely to have skills like "mri," "clinical trials," "laboratory experiments," and "biomedical." But a graduate research student is more likely to have skills like "lab equipment," "laboratory equipment," "chemistry," and "research student."
Graduate research students earn the highest salary when working in the education industry, where they receive an average salary of $41,968. Comparatively, research trainees have the highest earning potential in the media industry, with an average salary of $59,203.graduate research students typically earn lower educational levels compared to research trainees. Specifically, they're 12.6% less likely to graduate with a Master's Degree, and 3.3% less likely to earn a Doctoral Degree.Research trainee vs. Marketing research internship
A marketing research intern assists a company with its marketing and advertising efforts. They are responsible for collecting data on consumers and competitors, consolidating information into an actionable report, designing the data collection methods to find out customer preferences, managing a company's social media accounts, writing content for marketing material, and offer administrative support to members of the marketing team through tasks like drafting memos.
Types of research trainee
Updated January 8, 2025
