Research Assistant

A Research Assistant plays a crucial role in supporting various fields, including science, humanities, and policy-making, by conducting essential investigative work. They assist researchers by performing tasks such as literature reviews, data collection, and report writing, which are vital for scientific advancements and informed decision-making. Research assistants can be found in diverse environments, including universities, government agencies, and private organizations, typically working in laboratories or offices, but sometimes conducting fieldwork in various settings.

Individuals drawn to this career tend to be intellectually curious, possess strong communication skills, and have a familiarity with administrative and technical tasks. The responsibilities of a research assistant vary widely based on their education and experience; tasks can range from managing project budgets to performing intricate data analysis. Educational requirements typically include at least a bachelor's degree in a relevant field, with advanced degrees being favored for certain positions. Salaries for research assistants differ by discipline, highlighting the significance of the specific field in determining earning potential. Overall, this career offers a pathway for those interested in contributing to research and development across multiple sectors.

Published in: 2024

By: Driscoll, Sally

Subject Terms

Research Assistant

Snapshot

Career Cluster(s): Agriculture, Food & Natural Resources, Business, Management & Administration

Health Science, Manufacturing, Marketing, Sales & Service, Science, Technology, Engineering & Mathematics

Interests: Writing, administrative support, data collection, budgeting, grant writing

Earnings (Yearly Median): Varies depending on the field

Overview

Sphere of Work. Research assistants perform much of the hands-on, investigative work behind scientific and medical advancements, government policy-making, and discoveries in the arts, humanities, and other disciplines. They assist scientists, economists, historians, and other professional researchers by conducting literature searches, obtaining statistics, observing animals and other subjects, comparing data, writing reports, and handling other related responsibilities.

Work Environment. Research assistants are found in almost every government agency and many industries, including energy, transportation, pharmaceuticals, aerospace, and agriculture. They are employed by universities, museums, public policy analysts, financial organizations, medical research centers, and many other types of profit-making and nonprofit organizations. Many jobs are part-time or temporary and dependent on government funding. Full-time jobs may occasionally require overtime to meet deadlines.

Occupation Interest. People attracted to research assistant positions are intellectually curious and academically oriented. They have strong communication and quantitative skills and an appreciation for the scientific method. They are familiar with library and reference resources but can pursue other information sources if necessary. Flexibility is essential, as assistants must be willing to handle many tasks. The ability to work independently and on a team is also crucial. Some positions may also require a high level of creativity.

A Day in the Life—Duties and Responsibilities. Research assistants can expect to handle a range of clerical, administrative, and professional responsibilities, although the balance is usually reflective of their education and experience. Some assistants are hired to manage just one or two specific tasks.

Clerical and administrative duties may include scheduling events, taking meeting notes, making travel arrangements, entering data, and providing support. Research assistants may also be asked to keep track of their project budgets and be responsible for writing grants or seeking financial aid from foundations. Assistants typically perform literature reviews or patent searches, scan books and archival materials for information, and prepare bibliographies on specific topics. They may need to borrow and return library items, as well.

Research assistants also collect data—by observing animals, plants, or other subjects, monitoring various laboratory instruments, or researching participants by phone, email, or in person. They might create databases or spreadsheets and display the data in tables, charts, and graphs. They also analyze the data for reports and presentations.

Most research assistants proofread, edit, and write or co-write various documents, including conference papers, journal articles, and analyses or summaries of documents, articles, or books. Some use their foreign language skills to translate materials or conduct research in another country.

Some research assistants may also manage technical projects or perform duties that would be classified more as labor or light industrial work. For example, the assistant might build a wooden bird blind to monitor avian behavior or assist with installing an irrigation system in a developing country before conducting agricultural research.

The salaries and prospects for research assistants varied depending on the field. For example, according to O*NET OnLine, a database maintained by the US Department of Labor, the average 2023 salary for a social science research assistant was $56,400 a year, or $27.11 per hour. An assistant in the pharmaceutical or bioinformation field averaged $70,620 per year and $33.95 an hour, while assistants in the statistical sciences averaged $50,510 a year and $24.29 per hour.

Work Environment

Immediate Physical Environment. Most research assistants work in offices or laboratories, although some conduct research outside, in fields, zoos, marine environments, playgrounds, and elsewhere. Others conduct research on-site, in prisons, malls, hospitals, and other places. Environmental and health risks depend on the nature of the work.

Human Environment. Research assistants report to a manager or director and may supervise interns, technicians, clerical assistants, and others. Novices are usually trained by and work closely with their supervisors until they can be trusted to carry out their work independently. The level of collaboration with colleagues and staff is usually high, although research assistants also work alone much of the time.

Technological Environment. Research assistants typically rely heavily on computers and other standard office equipment when gathering, recording, tracking, analyzing, and presenting data. They may also use software, hardware, laboratory tools, and equipment specific to their disciplines, such as electron microscopes, echo sounders, spectrometers, and radiocarbon dating systems.

Education, Training, and Advancement

High School/Secondary. Students interested in a career as a research assistant should take a college-preparatory program with courses in English and communications, statistics, and computer technology, as well as courses relevant to the intended postsecondary major. For example, students interested in the sciences should take four years of science and math, including biology, chemistry, and physics, with additional courses in environmental science, geology, computer science, engineering, or other relevant subjects. Students should also consider taking four years of a foreign language. Extracurricular activities and part-time or volunteer work in a library, laboratory, animal shelter, or other related environment can also help to provide a good foundation. Highly motivated students may be able to find part-time or summer work as research assistants.

Postsecondary. While some research assistant positions are available to undergraduate students or graduates with an associate’s degree, most employers require a bachelor’s or advanced degree in the discipline being researched or in a related major. Universities often provide graduate students with stipends or fellowships in exchange for assisting with research. Almost any degree can prepare students for a research assistant position, although the greatest demand is in the sciences, medicine, social sciences, and education. Writing, communications, statistics, and research methodology courses are relevant to all disciplines. In addition to coursework, many employers seek applicants with one or more internships, either paid or volunteer.

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