INDUSTRY STATS
According to the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics, Research Assistant positions are at a 7% growth rate, which is as fast as average. With that said, there are currently 87,600 jobs in the market right now. The total number of jobs is expected to increase by 5,900 to 93,500 in the period of 2020-30.
What’s more, the median annual wage for the Research Assistant jobs was $46,340 in May 2020. The lowest 10% earned less than $30,440, and the highest 10% more than $74,600.
Our conclusion? The Research Assistant job market is wide open for candidates.
Top research assistant sections that make the best resume
- Header
- Professional summary
- Experience (with numbers and results)
- Relevant skills
- Education
- Certifications
Writing a job-winning experience section: Research Assistant resume edition
Research assistant resume experience section: dos and don'ts
- List 4-6 bullet points per position;
- Include only relevant job experience;
- Make sure to highlight your strongest skills by focusing on the challenges you’ve faced and the results you’ve achieved;
- Don’t use buzzwords that carry no meaning;
- Don’t share confidential information about your previous employers.
If you prefer to be led by example, check out some great Research Assistant resume experience section snippets below!
- Testing and designing the implementation of Argon, an open-standards augmented reality web browser.
- Created ways to incorporate augmented reality into a 2D brochure to create a better user experience.
- Modeled interactive 3D computer graphics in WebGL with the three.js library.
- Acquired strong theoretical understanding of array sensors fixed/mobile,
- Worked in wireless communication research (e.g., MIMO, information theory, OFDM, etc.),
- Developed state-of-the-art array processing algorithms.
- Research assistant at the MeCETES (Mediating Cultural Encounters through European Screens) project. The aim of the project was to analyse the enabling factors for better circulation of European films.
- Researching viewership of non-national European films in the UK through the creation of a database containing figures on budget, team, release, box office, viewers' and critics' appraisal. The database contained over 300 titles.
- Desk research on Netflix and other VoD platforms in Europe in tearms of strategies, operation, customers, potential effect on the business and viewers' habits.
- Assisted staff in the evaluation of research projects, including literature reviews, surveys, focus groups and analysis
- Represented the organization as translator at the "Turkey African CSO's Forum" held in Istanbul
- Assisted with coordination of committee meetings and staffing corporate member events
- During the project I Wrote proposals on the key areas of the studies I was to carry out i) Water problems affecting the Aimi Ma Kilungu Ranch ii) Land Degradation in the Aimi Ma Kilungu Ranch
- I carried out research on the two areas of on the ranch and wrote reports showing the current state of the ranch environment and recommendations.
- I assisted in planning and organizing of workshops for stakeholders in the affected communities.
- Assist the professor and doctoral candidates with academic research sponsored by DBT and DST with research projects and discuss the assignments with the supervisor.
- Supervise all the undergraduate students with their assigned projects.
- Prepare literature review, articles, reports and presentations and perform other duties as assigned by the professor.
- Designed a common source cascode configuration LNA.
- Successfully simulated it on Cadence Virtuoso.
- LNA with a center frequency at 5.8 GHz and a noise figure of 2.5 dB and a gain of 21 dB, was achieved.
- Communicating with clients to understand and document the business objectives;
- Formulating analysis plans and acquiring client sign-off;
- Assisting in the development of questionnaires and moderator guides to ensure the necessary data is captured;
- Data analyses using traditional and advanced methods;
- Authoring reports containing actionable recommendations;
- Making presentations—answering questions and instilling confidence.
- Began working for the University delivering administrative support.
- Progressed onto gaining a successful bid to implement a university-wide employability development Award.
- Oversaw the strategic direction and delivery of the Award, recruiting over 1,060 students to complete the Award within the first two years.
- Management of research project, geological database, and metallogenic models;
- Management, integration, and interpretation of geological and geochemical data;
- Mineral chemistry analysis of silicates by using Electronic Microscopy;
- Geological Mapping, core logging, and data acquisition;
- Petrography of host rocks, altered and ore assemblages, detailed petrography by using SEM-EDS;
- Presentation of project results in conferences and Technical Report
- Primary research focusing on animal modeling for the developing of novel PET probes for the evaluation of indeterminate pulmonary nodules.
- Protocol writing for both VA and NIH funded research.
- Mouse model generation and small animal surgeries for targeted therapy drug development.
- Molecular imaging modalities including PET (Positron emission tomography) and micro-CT
- Evaluation of response to new targeted therapeutic agents.
- High throughput assay development
- Project 1 : Currently assisting in creating an exhaustive compilation of research done since 1990, in the area of urban poverty in Maharashtra
- Project 2 : Wrote an extensive 10,000 word review of the changing definitions (official and scholarly) of Urban Poverty in India since 1990
- Project 3 : Assisted in primary data collection for an International Labour Oraganisation (ILO) funded project titled ‘Employers of Domestic Workers’
- Project 4 : Assisted in secondary data collection and analysis for a United Nations Women (UNW) funded project titled ‘Patriarchy and Employment in an Urban Macroeconomic Setting (Mumbai)’. A state-wise comparison was done using a host of social and economic indicators to examine empowerment of women vis-a-vis general population, over a span of two decades
PRO TIP
Make sure to relate your experience to your job description, but never lie. That’s not tolerated and will show up in the face-to-face interview later on.
Action verbs for your research assistant resume
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An impressive skills section for your research assistant resume
Writing a skills section that stands out:
- Check the job advert for keywords that you can use: this will help you pass ATS;
- Focus on relevant and valuable skills that will support your application;
- Make sure to include both hard and technical skills, leaving soft skills for other sections of your Research Assistant resume;
- Don’t list skills you don’t have.
Top skills for your research assistant resume
Microsoft Office Tools
aryan
Python
Flask
JavaScript
NodeJs
AngularJS
Critical thinking
Problem Solving
Creativity
Innovation
Organisation
Attention to details
Caution
PRO TIP
Avoid getting sidetracked by Applicant tracking software by including a tech skills' section matching the job description and your own qualifications.
Recommended reads:
Research assistant resume header: tips, red flags, and best practices
Checklist for your research assistant resume header
- Your name and surname in a legible and larger resume font
- The job title you’re applying for or your current job title as a subheading to your name
- Link to your portfolio or online profile, such as LinkedIn
- Address (City and State for the US; just your city for rest of the world)
- Email address
- Headshot (required or welcomed in the EU; not required and sometimes frowned upon in the US)
Stick to popular email providers such as Gmail or Outlook. And use these professional formats to create your username:
- first.last@gmail.com
- last.first@gmail.com
- firstlast@gmail.com
- f.last@gmail.com
- first.l@gmail.com
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Include a link to your portfolio in your Research Assistant resume header. Most companies will require that you include one in your resume, and even if they don’t, it’s an excellent opportunity to directly show them your proudest projects.
The research assistant resume summary: tips and tricks
Making a strong first impression.
- Keep your summary section short and easy to read; avoid long sentences;
- Highlight your total years of experience in the field;
- Mention 1-2 of your biggest achievements and strengths;
- Add a couple of keywords from the job advert.
Resume summary formula:
PRO TIP
You’re not going to get hired simply because of a good summary or objective. However, your recruiter can bump you up in front of similarly experienced candidates who didn’t demonstrate such passion and drive.
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Research assistant resume: a strong education section
What to Include in Your Education Section:
- Your highest education degree (incl. major, duration, name of institution);
- A bit more about the certifications you’ve got (if they are relevant to what you’re applying for);
- Some extracurricular activities that have helped you develop and strengthen your skills;
- If you’re an entry-level applicant: Relevant courses and projects.
Top certifications for your research assistant resume
Research Methodology: Complete Research Project Blueprint
Research Methodology From A-Z. A Step-by-Step Guide Through Research Design, Data Collection, Analysis, & Interpretation
How to Write a Successful Research Paper
Complete Research Paper Writing Blueprint With Instructions And Templates For Every Section. Master Academic Writing
Research Methods For Business Students
A-Z guide to writing a rockstar Research Paper with a bulletproof Research Methodology!
Research Methodology
Academic Research | Business Research | Thesis & Dissertation Report | Research Paper / Journal
How to Write an Effective Research Paper
Learn how to write award-winning research papers with easy steps. Includes examples and a research paper template.
Recommended Reads:
PRO TIP
There are dozens of certifications that you can claim as a Research Assistant. But, some are more effective than others. That’s why you mustn’t include every certificate other applicants might have. Try instead to earn and list a few of the difficult ones.
Research assistant resume: How to choose the right format
The content of your resume is necessary for showcasing your expertise, skills, and education. Great formatting, on the other hand, is essential for highlighting your attention to detail, creativity, and ability to stand out.
There are three basic resume formats to choose from:
- Reverse-chronological resume format;
- Functional skills-based resume format;
- Combination (or Hybrid) resume format.
Which one of these you choose depends on a couple of things, but most importantly: the industry and your level of experience.
The reverse-chronological resume format, for example, is great if you’re a Research Assistant with many years of experience and no career gaps. It doesn’t really matter if your company of choice is a multinational corporation or an early-stage startup – this resume format is considered to be a safe bet.
If you’re someone with little or no experience, however, we advise you to go for a functional skills-based resume format. It focuses on skills, competencies, and education, rather than experience. This makes it great for entry-level applicants, career changers, and graduate students.
And if you’re tired of traditional formats and want to go over the top when it comes to your application, the combination or hybrid resume format is here to help. Here, you can focus on both your experience and your skills, there’s even space for you to highlight your most spectacular personality traits. If you want to give a modern feel to your Research Assistant resume, this resume format is just what you need. Add a ‘my life philosophy’ section for additional bonus points!
Looking for ways to perfect your Research Assistant resume layout and style?
- Don’t risk it: choose standard 1-inch resume margins;
- Go for traditional resume fonts (sized 10-12p);
- Match the length of your Research Assistant resume with your years of experience – choose a one-page template if you’ve got less than 10 years of experience; otherwise, opt for a two-page resume;
- To be on the safe side, save your resume in PDF. This will help you avoid formatting issues and unauthorized editing.
Recommended reads:
PRO TIP
Test your draft Research Assistant resume by sending it out to peers and mentors in your circles. Ask them to review it as if they are hiring you for a project and implement the feedback afterwards.
Your research assistant resume: Other sections to include
Tired of resumes that focus only on your professional side? Want to show you’re an actual human being with a real personality that goes beyond your work experience? Then add some other sections to your Research Assistant resume!
Depending on the industry, company, and position, you can go for a more creative or less creative approach. Choose 1-2 of the following:
Making your research assistant resume shine
In a pile of boring black and white resumes, a creative Research Assistant application feels like a breath of fresh air. And trust us, recruiters love this.
There are two ways to add a splash of creativity to your resume. You can either go for a creative layout (bright colors, modern fonts, etc.) or add some creative sections (e.g. ‘what my typical day looks like’).
It’s up to you! Just make sure to keep the position, company, and industry in mind. Otherwise, you risk going over the top. And that’s not always a good idea.
What makes a great research assistant resume: key takeaways
- Choose a resume layout that sends the right message across and fits your current career situation;
- Create a resume header that shows your desired job title, and easy to find contact numbers;
- Be specific about your experience, accomplishments and future goals in your summary;
- Feature detailed metrics and specific examples that show the impact you made in your previous roles when describing your experience;
- List soft skills backed by examples;
- Add all of your technical skills and certifications that you have and match the job description;
- Show off a dash of personality in your resume that will demonstrate your culture fit and the right mix of hard and soft skills.
