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What does a Student Research Assistant do?

Photo of Brenna Goyette
Brenna Goyette
Certified Professional Resume Writer, Career Expert

Published 3 min read

A student research assistant is a student who helps a professor with his or her research. The student research assistant may help the professor by doing things such as gathering data, conducting literature reviews, or helping to write papers.

Student Research Assistant job duties include:

  • Assist in the design of research projects
  • Conduct literature reviews
  • Recruit and screen research participants
  • Collect and analyze data
  • Prepare research reports and presentations
  • Disseminate research findings to colleagues and the wider community
  • Contribute to the development of grant proposals
  • Teach and mentor junior researchers
  • Engage in scholarly debates
  • Publish research findings in academic journals

Student Research Assistant Job Requirements

A Student Research Assistant is typically a college student who assists a professor with research projects. The job requirements for a Student Research Assistant vary depending on the professor and the project, but usually include some combination of the following: education (usually at least a high school diploma), certification (such as CPR or First Aid), experience (such as customer service or data entry), and good communication skills.

Student Research Assistant Skills

  • Time management
  • Research
  • Writing
  • Organization
  • Communication
  • Critical thinking
  • Problem solving
  • Creativity
  • Interpersonal skills
  • Teamwork
  • Flexibility

Related: Top Student Research Assistant Skills: Definition and Examples

How to become a Student Research Assistant

The first step to becoming a Student Research Assistant is to find a research project that you are interested in working on. Once you have found a project, the next step is to contact the professor leading the research and express your interest in working on the project. The professor will then likely give you more information about the project and what your role would be.

As a Student Research Assistant, you would likely be responsible for tasks such as data collection, data entry, and literature reviews. It is important to be able to work independently and be organized in order to successfully complete these tasks. Additionally, good communication skills are important in order to be able to communicate effectively with the professor leading the research and other members of the research team.

If you are interested in becoming a Student Research Assistant, it is important to start by finding a research project that you are excited about working on. Once you have found a project, reach out to the professor leading the research and express your interest. If you are organized, independent, and have good communication skills, you will likely be an excellent Student Research Assistant.

Related: Student Research Assistant Resume Example

Related: Student Research Assistant Interview Questions (With Example Answers)

Editorial staff

Photo of Brenna Goyette, Editor

Editor

Brenna Goyette

Expert Verified

Brenna is a certified professional resume writer, career expert, and the content manager of the ResumeCat team. She has a background in corporate recruiting and human resources and has been writing resumes for over 10 years. Brenna has experience in recruiting for tech, finance, and marketing roles and has a passion for helping people find their dream jobs. She creates expert resources to help job seekers write the best resumes and cover letters, land the job, and succeed in the workplace.

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