What Do Research Assistants Do?
Wondering what the job is really like for research assistants?
You've come to the right place.
Keep reading to find detailed information about what research assistants do, including the type of work they are tasked with on a daily basis, industries in which they work, and the specific skills needed for a successful career.
Research Assistants Overview & Description
Let's get started with the basics about research assistants by taking a look at a simple description and popular job titles.
Research Assistants assist social scientists in laboratory, survey, and other social science research. May help prepare findings for publication and assist in laboratory analysis, quality control, or data management.
Popular Job Titles For Research Assistants
Sample of Reported Job Titles
- Social Science Research Assistants
- Political Science Research Assistants
- Assistant Professors of Anthropology
- Anthropologists
- Social Scientists
- Social Science Instructors
- Political Science Instructors
- Undergraduate Research Assistants
- Assistant Professors of Political Science
- Associate Professors of Political Science
- Protection Associates
- Social Science Research Analysts
Read on for insight into the industries where the highest concentration of jobs for research assistants can be found.
Best Industries for Research Assistants
Research Assistants Jobs By Industry
- Education and Hospitals (State Government): 35.9%
- Scientific Research and Development Services: 30.3%
- Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools: 13.1%
- General Medical and Surgical Hospitals: 3.9%
- Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services: 3.6%
- Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services: 3%
- Other: 10.2%
When it comes to jobs in the United States, the largest single category of research assistants can be found working in the Education and Hospitals (State Government) sector. In 2023, about 35.9% of all jobs for research assistants were found there.
Other top industries by percentage include Scientific Research and Development Services (30.3%), Colleges, Universities, and Professional Schools (13.1%), General Medical and Surgical Hospitals (3.9%), Management, Scientific, and Technical Consulting Services (3.6%) and Other Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services (3%).
Top Online College For Working Adults
Franklin University is a top choice for adults who need to balance school with busy lives. Founded in 1902 in Columbus, Ohio, Franklin's main focus has been serving adult students and tailoring education to fit their needs. Nonprofit and accredited by the Higher Learning Commission (hlcommission.org/800.621.7440), Franklin offers more than 50 affordable bachelor's, master's, and doctoral programs — all available 100% online.
Degree Options for Research Assistants
Identify opportunities to improve the quality of life for people with a customizable major intended to help you achieve your career goals.
- Class Type: 100% online
- Cost Per Credit: $398
What Do Research Assistants Do on a Daily Basis?
So you have a high-level understanding of what research assistants do and the types of industries in which they work - but what do they really do each day?
A great way to understand the type of work research assistants do is to examine actual job postings and focus on the specific skills that employers are seeking. That will help paint a clearer picture of the tasks that research assistants tackle each day.
Continue reading for a breakdown of specialized skills found in job postings for research assistants, as well as common skills - interpersonal qualities and attributes - that can help you thrive in the workplace.
In-Demand Skills for Today's Research Assistants
Based on 156 job postings
Top 5 Specialized Skills for Research Assistants
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 78 | 50% |
| Anthropology | 50 | 32% |
| Political Sciences | 37 | 24% |
| Statistics | 36 | 23% |
| Data Collection | 28 | 18% |
Top 5 Common Skills for Research Assistants
| Skills | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Research | 143 | 92% |
| Communication | 52 | 33% |
| Writing | 50 | 32% |
| Teaching | 40 | 26% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 24 | 15% |
Based on 156 job postings related to research assistants, social sciences was the top specialized skill sought by employers, with 50% of all postings looking for that skillset. Skills for anthropology, political sciences, statistics, data collection and crime prevention were also highly sought.
As for common skills, research was the most desired skill found in job postings for research assistants, followed by communication, writing, teaching, interpersonal communications and planning.
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Social Sciences | 78 | 50% |
| Anthropology | 50 | 32% |
| Political Sciences | 37 | 24% |
| Statistics | 36 | 23% |
| Data Collection | 28 | 18% |
| Crime Prevention | 23 | 15% |
| Data Entry | 19 | 12% |
| Research Experiences | 19 | 12% |
| Data Analysis | 16 | 10% |
| Archaeology | 15 | 10% |
| Psychology | 15 | 10% |
| Biology | 14 | 9% |
| Institutional Review Board (IRB) | 14 | 9% |
| Research Methodologies | 13 | 8% |
| Sociology | 13 | 8% |
| Cultural Anthropology | 12 | 8% |
| Database Management | 12 | 8% |
| Public Policies | 12 | 8% |
| Scientific Theory | 12 | 8% |
| Geography | 11 | 7% |
| Skill | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Research | 143 | 92% |
| Communication | 52 | 33% |
| Writing | 50 | 32% |
| Teaching | 40 | 26% |
| Interpersonal Communications | 24 | 15% |
| Planning | 24 | 15% |
| Management | 23 | 15% |
| Microsoft Office | 23 | 15% |
| Presentations | 21 | 13% |
| Organizational Skills | 18 | 12% |
| Detail Oriented | 17 | 11% |
| Mentorship | 17 | 11% |
| Microsoft Excel | 17 | 11% |
| English Language | 16 | 10% |
| Editing | 15 | 10% |
| Collections | 14 | 9% |
| Computer Literacy | 14 | 9% |
| Leadership | 14 | 9% |
| Problem Solving | 14 | 9% |
| Advising | 10 | 6% |
Most In-Demand Jobs for Research Assistants
Top 5 Posted Job Titles
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistants | 102 | 37.1% |
| Political Science Research Assistants | 20 | 7.3% |
| Assistant Professors of Anthropology | 39 | 14.2% |
| Anthropologists | 27 | 9.8% |
| Social Scientists | 10 | 3.6% |
According to job postings that were published between September 2022 and August 2023, the top job sought by employers was social science research assistants, with 37 unique job postings. Political science research assistants were second, with 14 postings, followed by assistant professors of anthropology, anthropologists and social scientists.
Expand the section below to see unique job postings for all occupations related to research assistants.
| Job Title | Postings | % of Total Postings |
|---|---|---|
| Social Science Research Assistants | 102 | 37.1% |
| Political Science Research Assistants | 20 | 7.3% |
| Assistant Professors of Anthropology | 39 | 14.2% |
| Anthropologists | 27 | 9.8% |
| Social Scientists | 10 | 3.6% |
| Social Science Instructors | 6 | 2.2% |
| Political Science Instructors | 10 | 3.6% |
| Undergraduate Research Assistants | 9 | 3.3% |
| Assistant Professors of Political Science | 7 | 2.5% |
| Associate Professors of Political Science | 6 | 2.2% |
| Protection Associates | 7 | 2.5% |
| Social Science Research Analysts | 3 | 1.1% |
| Anthropology Instructors | 5 | 1.8% |
| Assistant Scientists | 2 | 0.7% |
| Behavioral Scientists | 2 | 0.7% |
| Laboratory and Research Assistants | 2 | 0.7% |
| Postdoctoral Associates | 7 | 2.5% |
| Research Technicians | 4 | 1.5% |
| Assistant Football Coaches | 4 | 1.5% |
| Assistant/Associate/Full Professors | 3 | 1.1% |
Additional Links
Ready to dig deeper into career information for research assistants? Visit our other pages focused on salary and education for research assistants.
How much do research assistants make?
Research Assistants: How do you become one?
All Occupations
The Best Adult Colleges and Careers Guide has compiled data for dozens of in-demand jobs. Explore our full catalog of occupation data by visiting the link below.