What Is a Research Assistant (RA)?
A research assistant, or RA, is a person who helps a faculty member or research team carry out a research project. RAs may be undergraduates, graduate students or paid staff. Their tasks depend on the field and the project, and they are an important part of how universities produce research.
What research assistants do
- Literature searches and summaries of previous studies.
- Collecting data, through lab experiments, surveys, interviews or fieldwork.
- Entering and cleaning data, and running statistical tests under supervision.
- Preparing materials, such as samples, stimuli or documents.
- Writing and editing, such as drafting sections of papers or preparing figures.
- Administrative support, including scheduling participants and ethics paperwork.
- Lab maintenance and equipment care, in science labs.
Types of RA
Graduate research assistantships are often funded positions that cover tuition and provide a stipend in exchange for working on research. Undergraduate RAs may be paid hourly, work for course credit through an independent study or volunteer. Some are part of formal programs, such as summer research internships.
How to become one
- Identify professors whose research interests you, using department websites and publications.
- Take relevant courses and do well, since faculty look for reliability.
- Write a short, specific email introducing yourself, mentioning their work and asking about opportunities, with your resume attached.
- Visit office hours to talk about research.
- Check formal programs, job boards and research offices.
- Be ready to start small, with simple tasks.
What you gain
Research experience develops skills in methods, analysis, communication and teamwork. It can clarify whether you want to go to graduate school, and it gives you mentors who can write strong recommendation letters.
Practical points
Clarify hours, expectations, supervision, pay and any credit before you start. Respect confidentiality and ethical rules, especially with human participants and sensitive data. Keep good records and ask questions.
Related terms
See teaching assistant, assistantship, independent study, stipend and IRB.
Frequently asked questions
How can I become a research assistant as an undergraduate?
Read faculty profiles, contact professors whose work interests you with a short email and resume, ask about openings and check department and university research program listings.
Are research assistants paid?
Often yes, through a wage, stipend or assistantship, though some positions are for course credit or are volunteer. Clarify pay and hours before you accept.
Can being a research assistant help my career?
Yes. It builds skills, gives you mentors and supports applications to graduate school and jobs, and it can lead to publications or recommendation letters.