Editing Research assistant

{{Short description|Person performing research for a university}}
A '''research assistant''' ('''RA''')  is a researcher employed, often on a temporary contract,<ref name="BL" >{{cite web |url=http://www.eui.eu/ProgrammesAndFellowships/AcademicCareersObservatory/AcademicCareersbyCountry/BelgiumFlanders.aspx |title=European University Institute - Belgium Flanders, Academic Career Structure |publisher=www.eui.eu |access-date=2010-05-11 }}</ref> by a [[university]], research institute, or privately held organization to provide assistance in academic or private [[research]] endeavors. Research assistants work under the supervision of a principal investigator or supervisor and typically do not bear direct responsibility for the final outcomes of the research. However, in certain countries, research assistants can be the primary contributors to the research outcomes. Research assistants are commonly educated to at least degree level,<ref name=cam-ra>{{cite web|author=University of Cambridge|date=March 2003|url=http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/reward/pd33/generic/researchassistant.pdf |title=Generic Role Profile Research Assistant|access-date=18 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110606081729/http://www.admin.cam.ac.uk/offices/hr/reward/pd33/generic/researchassistant.pdf |url-status=live|archive-date=6 June 2011}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=2023-12-13 |title=Become a research assistant as an undergraduate (Guide and Tips) |url=https://connectley.com/become-research-assistant/ |access-date=2023-12-13 |website=Connectley |language=en-US}}</ref> and they may also be enrolled in [[Postgraduate education|postgraduate degree]] programs. In some cases, such as when pursuing a PhD, they are referred to as Doctoral Research Assistants and may also have teaching responsibilities alongside their research commitments.<ref name="BL"/><ref name="ebs-ra">{{cite web |date=11 May 2010 |title=Research Assistant - Supply Chain Management Institute |url=http://www.academicjobseu.com/content/jobsearch/job_advert.asp?jobadid=7418 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100530091646/http://www.academicjobseu.com/content/jobsearch/job_advert.asp?jobadid=7418 |archive-date=May 30, 2010 |access-date=18 May 2010}}</ref><ref name=UTeM-ra>{{cite web
 |author      = Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
 |date        = 9 March 2008
 |url         = http://www.scholarshipnet.info/postgraduate/malaysia-research-assistant-position-at-universiti-teknikal-malaysia-melaka-utem/
 |title       = Research Assistant Position at Universiti Teknikal Malaysia Melaka
 |access-date  = 18 May 2010
 |url-status     = dead
 |archive-url  = https://web.archive.org/web/20100515200336/http://www.scholarshipnet.info/postgraduate/malaysia-research-assistant-position-at-universiti-teknikal-malaysia-melaka-utem/
 |archive-date = May 15, 2010
}}</ref>

==Undergraduate and post-doctoral level==
Although research assistants are typically appointed at the graduate level, there are instances where undergraduate students are also employed to provide research support. In fields such as Economics and Business, there are numerous opportunities for undergraduates who have completed their college education to work as research assistants.<ref name="predoc.org">[https://predoc.org PREDOC: Pathways to Research and Doctoral Careers]</ref> These paid positions usually span one to two years and serve as valuable experience, particularly for individuals considering applying to PhD programs in Economics and Business. Applications for these research assistantship positions are typically submitted during the Fall quarter of the student's senior year.<ref name="predoc.org"/>

Similarly, someone who has recently been awarded a doctoral degree may hold a temporary appointment as a ''[[Postdoctoral research|postdoctoral research assistant]]''.  Postdoctoral research assistants usually contributes to independent research projects or to a larger research team as a part of academic institutions. Their work involves publishing article for academic journals, collecting data and analysing results and assisting in the preparation of grant applications to secure research fundings.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Postdoc Success: How to Thrive in Your Research Role |url=https://www.academicjobs.com/postdoctoral-success-how-to-thrive-in-your-research-role |access-date=2024-06-20 |website=www.academicjobs.com}}</ref>

==Clinical research assistant==
{{Main|Clinical research associate}}
A '''clinical research assistant''' or '''[[clinical research associate]]''' is employed by a hospital or medical research centre, who is involved in the administration of [[clinical trials]].  They may assist a senior investigator with recruiting and enrolling research subjects, as well as with correspondence and grant applications.

==See also==
* [[Academic freedom]]
* [[Graduate student]]
* [[Research associate]]
* [[Researcher]]

==References==
<references/>

{{Academic positions}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Research Assistant}}
[[Category:Academic administration]]
[[Category:Education and training occupations]]