Occupation
Research assistant
Research assistants carry out the practical work of a study under the direction of a lead researcher: collecting data, running procedures, and keeping records that stand up to scrutiny. The role exists across university, hospital, government, and commercial research settings, and the subject matter varies with the project. Posts are frequently tied to the funding period of a specific study.
Also known as: Research associate · Study assistant · Graduate research assistant
Occupation content
Part of Natural sciences and research
What the work involves
- Collect data through experiments, fieldwork, surveys, or literature searches
- Prepare materials, equipment, or participant documentation before sessions
- Clean and code datasets and run agreed analyses
- Keep records that meet ethics, consent, and data-protection requirements
- Draft sections of reports, posters, or papers for the lead researcher to review
- Coordinate scheduling, supplies, and correspondence for the project
How people commonly enter
- An undergraduate degree in a relevant discipline is the usual baseline
- Postgraduate study, often undertaken alongside or immediately after the role
- Progression from a technician or laboratory support post within the same group
- Undergraduate placement, internship, or summer research programmes leading to a paid post
Typical training: Bachelor's degree
Licensing: Not typically licensed
Typical work context
Team based · Desk based · Lab or workshop · Varied work · Quiet focus
Related interests
Investigative (analytical) · Conventional (organizing)
Related aptitude preparation
These are preparation links only. They do not measure eligibility for this occupation and no score here qualifies or disqualifies anyone.
Skills to practise
- Reading comprehension
- Data interpretation
- Written communication
- Attention and concentration
- Planning and scheduling exercises
Practice suites
Related learning
Family-level learning links for Natural sciences and research.
Official sources
Labour-market facts such as pay and employment projections are not reproduced here. Open an official source below for figures, with its own geography and reference period.
- O*NET OnLine — occupation search: research assistant · International
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- US Bureau of Labor Statistics — Occupational Outlook Handbook: Life, physical, and social science occupations · United States
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- ESCO — occupations classification browser · European Union
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Labour-market context (not part of exploration match)
This is broad family-level context for Natural sciences and research in Canada, not a figure for Research assistant. It does not affect matching scores and is not an eligibility determination.
This is a broad Natural sciences and research family. Explore the official profile for the chosen occupation; entry education and training can differ within the family.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: education pathways
Some roles in Natural sciences and research may be regulated. Confirm whether the specific role requires registration, certification, or a jurisdiction-specific licence.
Canada Job Bank Career Planning · Canada · Current official profile; consult source for its release period
Natural sciences and research: licensing
Find jobs
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- Search Canada Job Bank · Canada
- Search USAJOBS · United States federal
- Search EURES · European Union / EEA
- Search Indeed · International (choose location on Indeed)