How To Write a Research Assistant Resume
Crafting a compelling research assistant resume is about demonstrating your ability to gather, analyze, and present data precisely. Show employers you can dive deep into research tasks, use advanced methodologies, and communicate findings effectively. In this guide, we’ll show you how to create a resume that leaves no doubt about your research skills, showcasing the most impressive accomplishments of your career to date.
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
1. Craft an outstanding profile with a summary of your research assistant qualifications
Start your resume strong with a compelling profile. It should be a concise statement that summarizes your experience and key strengths. List your job title, years in the field, and areas of specialization that align with the job description. Mention unique qualities or experiences that set you apart from other candidates. These could be specific research methodologies, tools, or projects you’ve led.
For instance, highlight these achievements in your profile if you’ve been instrumental in pioneering novel research methodologies or contributed to high-impact publications. Include these details if you have a track record of coordinating successful research projects or excel in specific areas such as data collection or experimental design. You set yourself up to impress hiring managers when you underscore your strengths and contributions.
Senior-Level Profile Example:
Detail-oriented research assistant with over 10 years’ experience coordinating research efforts among study sponsors, medical staff, and participants. Self-motivated team player with a reputation for accuracy, forward-thinking, and strong organizational skills.
Entry-Level Profile Example:
Research assistant with two years of experience in laboratory work. Specializes in statistical analysis and clinical research. Experience with collaborating in teams to conduct lab experiments and collect research data. Ability to work accurately in a fast-paced environment. Adept at following directions and maintaining industry standards.
2. Create a powerful list of your research assistant experience
Focus on your accomplishments when writing your professional experience section. Instead of listing everything you were responsible for in previous roles, describe what you achieved. Employers are eager to see the concrete evidence of your work, so demonstrate your tangible contributions by featuring accomplishments instead of daily tasks and responsibilities.
Highlight your proficiency in various research methodologies. Provide tangible examples of your conducting experiments, surveys, interviews, or data analysis. Be sure to incorporate quantifiable data and metrics to show the value of your contributions to research projects and studies.
Senior-Level Professional Experience Example:
Clinical Research Coordinator, Cleveland Clinic Indian River Hospital, Vero Beach, FL
June 2012 – present
- Oversee subject recruitment and enrollment goals for in vivo preclinical neurocognitive psychomotor testing
- Identify, screen, and schedule volunteers in clinical trials
- Prepare documents, supplies, and equipment for research visits
- Coordinate all components of data collection following standard operating procedures
- Develop input for adverse event reports
Entry-Level Professional Experience Example:
Research Assistant, ABC Labs, Chicago, IL
August 2019 – present
- Assists with preparation for conducting experiments
- Manages detailed database and verifies the accuracy of data
- Implements quality control measures for research methodology
- Summarizes research data into tables, graphs, charts, and narratives
- Writes reports and gives oral presentations summarizing research activities
3. Include your education and certifications relevant to research assistants
Include pertinent certifications to strengthen your research assistant resume alongside your required formal education. Although your hands-on experience is most important to employers, certifications signal your dedication to advancing your skills and knowledge. Showing a commitment to continuing education can increase your chances of getting called for an interview.
For instance, earning a Certified Clinical Research Associate (CCRA) credential could help you secure a clinical research position. A certification won’t automatically earn you the job, but these credentials can help you stand out during the hiring process.
Education
Template
- [Degree Name]
- [School Name], [City, State Abbreviation] – [Graduation Month and Year]
Example
- Bachelor of Science in Biology
- The University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, September 2016 – May 2019
Certifications
Template
- [Certification Name], [Awarding Organization] – [Completion Year]
Example
- ACRP, 2017
- SOCRA, 2017
4. List your key research assistant skills and proficiencies
It’s common for companies to use applicant tracking systems (ATS) to collect and sort resumes. These systems highlight top candidates by searching resumes for specific keywords and phrases mentioned in the job description. Include relevant skills and terms if you want your resume to reach the hiring manager. Below are some common key skills you may encounter as you construct your research assistant resume:
| Key Skills and Proficiencies | |
|---|---|
| Analysis | Case studies |
| Clinical research studies | Communication |
| Data analysis | Data collection |
| Data entry | Detail-oriented |
| Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act (HIPAA) | International Council for Harmonisation of Technical Requirements for Pharmaceuticals for Human Use Guideline for Good Clinical Practice (ICH-GCP) |
| Informed consent | Institutional review boards (IRB) |
| Literature review | Manuscripts |
| MATrix LABoratory (MATLAB) | Microsoft Office suite |
| Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) | STATA (an abbreviation of the words statistics and data) |
| Study protocols | Surveys |
5. Highlight your contribution to publications
A “Publications” section demonstrates your ability to contribute valuable knowledge, especially for assistants involved in academic or scientific research. As you list your contributions, use a citation style consistent with your domain. Clearly state your role in the publication to give context about your level of involvement in the research.
Whenever possible, quantify the impact of your publications. For instance, mention the number of citations your work has received or any awards or recognition it has garnered. Don’t limit yourself to only peer-reviewed publications. Include conference presentations, research reports, book chapters, or any other dissemination relevant to your field.
How To Pick the Best Research Assistant Resume Template
Finding a style that prioritizes readability and professionalism is most important when selecting your resume template. Look for a template that meets the expectations of your industry, employing a clean layout and easily legible fonts. Don’t worry about whether or not your design is trendy enough. Employers care about what you have to offer in your resume content, not how stylish you can make your document look.
Research Assistant Text-Only Resume Templates and Examples
- Entry-Level
- Mid-Career
- Senior-Level
Janice Jones
(123) 456-7890
[email protected]
123 Maple Street, Central, LA, 34567
Profile
Professional research assistant with 8+ years of experience providing support to research fellows in university and think tank settings. Skilled in data collection and recording, experimentation, literature reviews, and fact-checking, editing and proofreading. Exceptional communication, analytical and presentation skills that help to advance the overall objectives of the research team while excelling in individual duties.
Professional Experience
Senior Research Assistant, Bayou State University, Central, Louisiana
November 2015 – Present
- Assist research professors in the behavioral sciences department during psychological experiments
- Conduct cognitive, social, motivational, temperament and biobehavioral experiments and interviews
- Compose statistical-based reports based upon collected data
- Publish findings reports using AMA-style citations
Junior Research Assistant, ABC Think Tank, Baton Rouge, Louisiana
March 2012 – November 2015
- Adhered to clinical trial protocols in scientific, behavioral and psychological experiments
- Interviewed subject participants and gather project-specific informed consent forms
- Composed clinical development plans, case report forms and clinical trial forms for research fellow review
- Performed bi-annual reviews of study findings for accuracy and completeness
Education
Master of Science in Research Education
LOUISIANA INSTITUTE OF SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH New Orleans, LA August 2008 to March 2012
Key Skills:
- Working knowledge of ABC Research Software
- Prepare professional-quality project-related reports in Adobe InDesign
- Extensive experience in quantitative and qualitative research methods
- Excellent spoken and written communication skills
Frequently Asked Questions: Research Assistant Resume Examples and Advice
What are common action verbs for research assistant resumes?-
Writing your resume can be challenging, especially as you try to think of ways to describe your research accomplishments. Using action verbs throughout your resume is a great strategy to help with any potential writer's block. They bring variety to your language and increase reader engagement. As you write your professional experience section, use some of the action verbs below:
| Action Verbs | |
|---|---|
| Analyzed | Collaborated |
| Collected | Compiled |
| Conducted | Designed |
| Drafted | Evaluated |
| Executed | Gathered |
| Identified | Implemented |
| Investigated | Organized |
| Oversaw | Planned |
| Presented | Researched |
| Synthesized | Validated |
How do you align your resume with a research assistant job description?-
Whether your specialty lies in the social sciences or clinical lab work, your talent as a research assistant is in demand. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, jobs for social science research assistants are projected to grow by 11% from 2021 to 2031, while jobs for clinical technicians may see a 7% increase.
Even with those promising outlooks, competition for research assistant positions will remain high. However, a customized resume can help you stand out from other research applicants. You can significantly increase your chances of landing an interview by tailoring your document to the job description.
Suppose a research position demands expertise in data analysis. In that case, emphasize your proficiency in statistical software, data visualization, and hypothesis testing to establish yourself as a standout candidate.
What is the best research assistant resume format?-
The reverse chronological format is best for research assistants with a consistent and progressive work history in the research field. This resume style can be valuable if you've had a series of increasingly responsible roles in research. Alternatively, a combination resume format is an excellent choice for individuals with little official work experience. For this approach, focus on highlighting coursework, academic projects, internships, and research skills.
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