A research associate is a qualified individual who assists in the execution of a research project. Research associates are usually employed primary researchers and have a master’s degree. They may be in the process of completing doctoral work or have recently completed a PhD program. Depending on the field of study and the scope of the project, a research associate may perform a variety of tasks.
Projects that use the skill and knowledge of research associates can be found in almost any field of physical or social science. Medical and pharmaceutical research, archeological excavations, sociology and psychology studies, and the compilation of various scientific reports are all common areas for these positions. The most common way to find work is through universities, though projects at private companies are not uncommon. A research associate can work in a variety of industries, including defense contracting and public sector jobs like government research.
A research associate may perform a variety of tasks during the course of a study or project, depending on their level of experience. Typical responsibilities include recruiting and screening study participants, assisting with the execution of experiments or pre-experiment tests, and assisting with the compilation of data for the research, such as papers, statistics, and other studies that may be useful to the primary researcher.
A research associate can also be a professor in the university system. A research associate is often called in to assist with an ongoing study or clinical trial, but they can also serve as part-time faculty or guest lecturers. When hired as an associate or professor, the employment term may be limited to the duration of the study. Professors who are hired primarily for their research skills may not be on the tenure track.
Researchers with advanced degrees in law may be needed in the legal profession. Some law firms and government agencies seek young professionals who are well-versed in statutes, laws, and precedent. Associates are sometimes hired law firms to help with case preparation for a particularly large or complex case, or as a general associate to help with multiple projects.
A research associate, as one might expect, will have a well-documented history in a field related to his or her job as an associate. However, some associates may have a broader educational background than others. A research associate who works on medical trials will almost certainly have a medical degree, but he or she may also have a specialization in medical research, bio-medicine, or another field that is useful for certain studies. A person with advanced degrees in statistical analysis, on the other hand, might be able to work on a variety of studies in a variety of fields, as long as statistics were the primary focus of the job.