Learning how to become a research assistant will help you become familiar some of the duties that this job entails. People looking to be an undergraduate research assistant or a graduate research assistant will require fewer qualifications. Professional research assistants, such as scientific or medical, often require advanced degrees.

Research assistants are found in almost every career field including, but not limited to, science, social science, humanities, medicine, law, education, and business. It is usually a training ground for students or early career people intending to advance in that field; therefore, knowing how to become a research assistant can be important for future career goals. In addition to colleges and universities, research assistants also work in hospitals and companies that conduct research.

Some research assistant jobs are entry level, while others are for more advanced people with degrees. As an undergraduate or graduate student, all you need to get a position as a research assistant is an interest in the field. Colleges and universities that award graduate research assistantships have all the information posted in their student handbooks or online. Here is an example from Kennesaw State University. http://www.kennesaw.edu/graduate/research.html

College work-study programs often place undergraduate or graduate students in working laboratories on campus or with professors conducting research. In these programs, the students can advance their interest in the discipline and gain hands-on skills and knowledge at the same time. Many times, the research work that graduates students perform can become the basis of their master's thesis or doctoral dissertation.

Research assistants perform a variety of tasks from paperwork to maintaining lab cleanliness, and collecting data. The more advanced research assistants have far more responsibilities that include such activities as conducting literature reviews, interviewing subjects, analyzing data, attending project meetings, preparing presentations, presenting data at conferences, and more. http://www.careerplanner.com/Job-Descriptions/Social-Science-Research-Assistants.cfm However, these research assistants will most often have advanced degrees such as Master’s or Doctorates.

Undergraduate and graduate students can expect to work 10-20 hours a week. However, student researchers don't make much money. Undergraduates usually make minimum wage, and the salary is part of their financial aid package. Graduate students will often receive a tuition waiver and a living stipend of a few thousand dollars a semester. Research assistants in hospitals or companies can earn more. For example, the median salary range for an entry level medical research assistant is approximately $27,000 - $37,000. http://www.payscale.com/research/US/Job=Research_Assistant,_Medical/Salary

To get a job, you will need to prepare a resume. If you are an undergraduate, you will most likely not have much relevant experience in a lab or doing research. Your resume should reflect the skills that you do have, which should include examples of your ability to be reliable, follow directions, complete tasks independently, work well in group situations, and other types of job related tasks. If you are a graduate student, then your resume should reflect any previous research experience. In these types of positions, previous experience is rarely necessary.

Someone looking to enter into medical or legal research would be advised to create a professional cover letter and resume and include relevant training and education for the position since they will be competing with other advanced and skilled research assistants for the job. http://jobsearch.about.com/od/resumes/l/blresumesample1.htm

Finally, you will need to find a job opening. Sometimes job openings are posted at the career center on campus for positions on or off campus; sometimes the research assistant job openings are posted within a department. Other jobs might be available by asking professors in the department if they know of any openings. Not all research positions are advertised, and some become available during the academic year if other students vacate the position. Be aware, though, that in universities, many research assistant jobs go to graduate level students before undergraduate students. Many times just entry into a graduate program is enough to be offered a research assistant position. If it is not automatically offered, be sure to ask your advisor for openings in the department. Other departments will sometimes take students from out of the department but it would ultimately depend on the nature of the work involved.

To get a job in a company or institution that hires research assistants will be similar to applying to any other job by submitting your resume and going through the hiring process. Again, these are probably more advanced research assistant jobs that require specific disciplinary knowledge, such as a medical or legal researcher.

Dr. Lynn Friedman a Clinical Psychologist provides similar research assistant job tips for beginning and advanced job seekers. http://www.drlynnfriedman.com/researchtips.html