HomeCV ExamplesResearch Assistant
🎓 Education

Research AssistantCV Example

A template for researchers who generate evidence and advance knowledge.

← All Examples

What Does a Research Assistant Actually Do?

Research assistants support academic or industry research projects — collecting data, running literature reviews, managing databases, and helping write up findings. Universities, think tanks, pharmaceutical companies, and government agencies all hire them. You typically report to a principal investigator or senior researcher. A typical week involves pulling sources, coding qualitative data, running basic statistical analyses, and sitting in on team meetings to discuss methodology.

Sophie Chen
Research Assistant
📍 London, UK✉️ sophie.chen@email.com
Summary

Research Assistant with 3 years of experience in clinical and social science research. Skilled in quantitative analysis (SPSS, R), systematic reviews, and participant recruitment. Co-authored 4 peer-reviewed publications and managed £80K research budget.

Work Experience
Research Assistant — Health Psychology at King's College London
  • Coordinate NIHR-funded randomised controlled trial with 500+ participants across 8 NHS sites
  • Conduct quantitative data analysis using R and SPSS producing statistical reports for PI and co-investigators
Research Assistant at University College London
  • Conducted systematic literature reviews and meta-analyses for 2 public health research projects
  • Recruited and screened 200+ participants for longitudinal study on mental health outcomes
Skills
R / SPSSSystematic ReviewsRCT CoordinationREDCap / QualtricsEthics ApplicationsScientific WritingGDPR ComplianceParticipant Recruitment

What Recruiters Look For

Research Assistant CVs must show your methodological skills, publications, and the types of studies you have contributed to. PIs want to see your statistical software proficiency, data management experience, and funding body familiarity.

Key Skills to Include

R/SPSS/Stata, systematic reviews, RCT coordination, REDCap/Qualtrics, ethics applications, scientific writing, GDPR compliance, and participant recruitment.

Common Mistakes

Not listing your publications and specific methodological experience. Quantify: number of studies coordinated, sample sizes managed, and publications co-authored. PIs hire for skills, not just degrees.

Formatting Tips

One to two pages. Use a modified academic format including a Publications section. Lead with your research methods expertise and the study types you have worked on.

Average SalaryResearch Assistant

United States
$38,000 – $55,000
United Kingdom
$28,000 – $42,000
Germany
$32,000 – $46,000
UAE / Dubai
$30,000 – $48,000
Canada
$35,000 – $50,000
Australia
$38,000 – $54,000

Figures in USD. Ranges reflect mid-level experience (3–7 years). Senior roles and major metro areas typically sit at the top of these bands.

Top 5 Interview QuestionsResearch Assistant

1Tell me about a time you had to manage competing deadlines on a research project.
Walk through a specific example — name the project, the tools you used to stay organised (even a simple spreadsheet counts), and what you delivered. Be honest if something slipped and explain what you learned.
2How do you ensure the accuracy of data you collect or record?
Talk about concrete habits: double-entry checking, validation scripts in R or Python, or cross-referencing sources. Specific methods beat vague claims about being "detail-oriented".
3Which referencing systems and literature databases have you used?
Name the actual tools — Zotero, Mendeley, Endnote, PubMed, JSTOR, Web of Science. If you have experience with systematic review protocols like PRISMA, say so.
4Describe your experience with data analysis software.
Be honest about your level in SPSS, R, Python, or NVivo. Saying "I ran descriptive stats and basic regression in SPSS" is more convincing than "I am proficient in data analysis".
5How do you handle it when your findings contradict the hypothesis?
Show intellectual honesty — good researchers don't bury inconvenient data. Briefly explain how you would document it, flag it to the lead researcher, and discuss what it means for the study.

How to Tailor Your CV

Universities like MIT, Oxford, and UCL hire research assistants in almost every department — highlight your academic discipline, any published or co-authored work, and your thesis if relevant. Corporate research arms like McKinsey Global Institute, Nielsen, or Ipsos want to see comfort with large datasets and client-facing report writing. Government bodies such as the ONS or NIH look for familiarity with public sector data standards and ethics approval processes.

Ready to build yours?

Use this template or start from scratch — our AI builder will guide you.