Research Assistant
Carry out specified research tasks and analyse data.
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Projected job growth in 5 years
Salary
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Typical salary
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What's it like to be a Research Assistant?
Research Assistants provide support to research teams who are conducting experiments or gathering and analysing data. They work in different kinds of organisations including medical research centres, consulting firms, universities, market research firms and think tanks. Research Assistants typically work under the supervision of Research Fellows.
Tasks and duties
- Carrying out experiments and research in alignment with protocols set by senior team members.
- Collecting and recording data.
- Conducting analyses of datasets.
- Preparing models to display results.
- Reviewing academic literature.
- Creating presentations based off key results.
- Fact checking, editing and proofreading research documents for accuracy and consistency.
- Maintaining laboratory equipment and inventory.
- Recruiting study participants.
Salary lookup
What can I earn as a Research Assistant?
Find out the average salary for a Research Assistant across Australia
Latest Research Assistant jobs on SEEK
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How to become a Research Assistant
To become a Research Assistant, you typically need to complete a degree in a relevant discipline, although in some cases, an equivalent amount of work experience in your chosen field may substitute for a qualification.
- Complete a bachelor degree in your field of interest. This could be in science, arts, biomedical science, health science, commerce or psychological science.
- Look to gain research experience by completing an honours year. Honours usually involves a research project relating to your degree.
- Consider completing a masters degree in your chosen field, which will take between 1-2 years.
- If you go on to complete a PhD in your chosen field, you may be able to advance to Research Fellow positions.
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Is Research Assistant the right role for me?
How do Research Assistants rate their role?
Average ratings calculated from 37 Research Assistants surveyed on SEEK
Work-life balance
4.1
Job satisfaction
4.0
Career progression opportunities
3.1
Job security
2.8
Pay / Salary
3.2
Variety of work
3.9
Job market trends for Research Assistants
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Source: SEEK job ads and SEEK Role Reviews
Latest Research Assistant reviews
Latest reviews from 34 Research Assistants surveyed on SEEK
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Don't come in this way if you want real job experience!
Reviewer's Qualification
Master of Science
Experience
1 – 4 years
Organisation size
Small (1-19 employees)
Specialisation
Mine Ventilation
The good things
Good things
If you are passionate to have your carrier in the research field and further continue to pursue a PhD, then it's the right choice. Here, you will work in your area of expertise, and you ca...
The challenges
Challenging things
Is research/PhD matters to you? In my perspective, doing research needs a lot more motivation and a trigger point to drive you forward. The challenging part is time management, as i...
Read more
Research is great, if you can get it and are willing to dedicate large portions of your life
Reviewer's Qualification
Bachelor of Science
Experience
Less than a year
Organisation size
Medium (20-199 employees)
Specialisation
Physics
The good things
Excellent work subject matter
Feels like you're making a difference in the world
Intellectually rewarding
Great workplace environment
The challenges
Very competitive job positions
Long study, sometimes pay is not great
Often needs many hours of your life devoted to it
Read more
Source: SEEK Role Reviews
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