Graduate Researcher Responsibilities

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A graduate researcher or research assistant is employed for a temporary period - typically a year - to assist with the academic research. Graduate researchers can be employed by universities, clinics, research institutions, etc. Graduate researchers possess a degree level education and may also be enrolled in a master's or doctorate program. The graduate research assistant responsibilities are many, but the graduate researchers are not directly responsible for the result of the research. They work under the supervision of the principal investigator (PI).

Key Graduate Researcher Responsibilities

• Maintain, update and process the graduate research database
• Assist the senior researchers or professors
• Complete a thesis proposal under supervision and guidance
• Write research reports on the basis of the data results
• Attend the departmental seminars
• Harvest the laboratory or field samples
• Assist in preparing reports or papers for seminars, publication in scientific journals, etc.
• Looking for information on the Internet or in libraries
• Some assistants may also be asked to co-write the paper
• Any interview or tests on human requires approval. In such situations, the graduate research assistant is often given the task of compiling information and materials of the research for the committee to review
• Before starting any research, a review is conducted of the available data and information on the topic. It is the job of the research assistant to go through the scientific journals, books, publications, etc., to gather the information and compile it all in a report for the researcher to go through
• Help with the data collection. Preparing questions for the survey, finding subjects, ensuring that the survey is complete, tabulating and summarizing the data, etc., are the tasks a graduate researcher is expected to help out with
• Assist with the grant proposal or funding application. Once the funding has been approved, the graduate researcher also has to monitor the budget
• After the research is completed and the data analyzed, the study is published in scientific journals. A graduate research assistant has to help in preparing the reports, manuscripts, etc., for publishing
• If the findings are to be presented at a seminar or conference, a graduate researcher may also have to prepare slide-shows or videos
• A graduate researcher may also conduct interviews or experiments under the guidance of his/her mentor or senior
• If the graduate researcher is employed in any university, he/she may also have to perform other functions such as proctoring exams
• Use statistical techniques on the data gathered for analyzing and tabulating purposes

Essential Skills and Abilities

• Knowledge about the current research methodologies and statistical techniques is an indispensable ability and a must for every researcher
• Ability to work autonomously is also important. Although there is a mentor to guide you, he/she will not hold your hand during every step. You have to do most of the work on your own
• Along with working independently, a researcher should also be able to work well in a team
• The ability to think logically, rationally and creatively is an important skill in the field of research
• Good verbal and written communication skills
• A strong sense of ethics and moral values is necessary when doing research
• Good interpersonal skills and sensitivity are also skills that are required in a researcher

Educational Background

• A bachelor's degree is the minimum educational qualification required to become a graduate research assistant
• Students pursuing their Master's or Doctorate degrees are also hired as research assistants
• These days, undergraduate students are also hired sometimes as undergraduate assistants
• A graduate assistant must have a very good academic record and a grade point average (GPA) of at least 3.0

Salary Details

• A graduate research assistant is generally paid out of the professor's research grant
• The salary is either decided mutually by the professor and the student or some places have unionized assistants, whose hourly wages are decided by a collective agreement
• Alternatively, an hourly rate is agreed at the departmental level
• The salary depends on factors such as your qualifications, experience, the location of the job, your level of responsibility and the level of complexity of the project
• Graduates with good quantitative research skills and a thorough understanding of the statistical analysis packages are likely to get a higher salary
• The average salary for a graduate researcher is around $19,640 to $28,655

Career Prospects

• The post of a graduate research assistant is typically offered for a period of one year. You will have to fulfill various criteria if you wish to reapply
• You can apply for the post only until you complete your degree
• Some assistants may also be asked to become a part of some departmental committees
• The post of a graduate research assistant provides valuable practical experience and is a good addition on your resume if you want to pursue your career in the field of research further

Hence, before you apply to become a graduate researcher, make sure that you understand the graduate researcher responsibilities well.