Research associates are
researcher
Research is creative and systematic work undertaken to increase the stock of knowledge. It involves the collection, organization, and analysis of evidence to increase understanding of a topic, characterized by a particular attentiveness to ...
s (scholars and professionals) that usually have an advanced degree beyond a
Bachelor's degree
A bachelor's degree (from Medieval Latin ''baccalaureus'') or baccalaureate (from Modern Latin ''baccalaureatus'') is an undergraduate degree awarded by colleges and universities upon completion of a course of study lasting three to six years ...
such as a
master's degree
A master's degree (from Latin ) is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities or colleges upon completion of a course of study demonstrating mastery or a high-order overview of a specific field of study or area of professional prac ...
or a
PhD.
In some universities/research institutes, such as
Harvard
Harvard University is a private Ivy League research university in Cambridge, Massachusetts, United States. Founded in 1636 and named for its first benefactor, the Puritan clergyman John Harvard, it is the oldest institution of higher lear ...
/
Harvard Medical School
Harvard Medical School (HMS) is the medical school of Harvard University and is located in the Longwood Medical and Academic Area, Longwood Medical Area in Boston, Massachusetts. Founded in 1782, HMS is the third oldest medical school in the Un ...
/
Harvard School of Public Health,
the candidate holds the degree of Ph.D. or possess training equivalent to that required for the Ph.D. In addition, the candidate must have demonstrated exceptional fitness in independent research. This position allows the candidate to enlarge professional network, get more experience, get publications, fellowships, grants to establish independence as a
Principal Investigator (PI) or start looking for a more secure permanent job. It can advance to senior research associate (higher pay with more responsibilities equivalent to a PI), research scientist, senior research scientist, principal research scientist, and later head of research or equivalent.
In contrast to a
research assistant
A research assistant (RA) is a researcher employed, often on a temporary contract, by a university, research institute, or privately held organization to provide assistance in academic or private research endeavors. Research assistants work under ...
, a research associate often has a
graduate degree, such as a
master's (e.g.
Master of Science
A Master of Science (; abbreviated MS, M.S., MSc, M.Sc., SM, S.M., ScM or Sc.M.) is a master's degree. In contrast to the Master of Arts degree, the Master of Science degree is typically granted for studies in sciences, engineering and medici ...
) or in some cases Master of Engineering or a doctoral degree (e.g.
Doctor of Philosophy
A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD, DPhil; or ) is a terminal degree that usually denotes the highest level of academic achievement in a given discipline and is awarded following a course of Postgraduate education, graduate study and original resear ...
,
Doctor of Medicine
A Doctor of Medicine (abbreviated MD, from the Latin language, Latin ) is a medical degree, the meaning of which varies between different jurisdictions. In the United States, and some other countries, the ''MD'' denotes a professional degree of ph ...
or
Doctor of Pharmacy
A Doctor of Pharmacy (PharmD; Neo-Latin: ''Pharmaciae Doctor'') is a professional doctorate in pharmacy. In some countries, it is a proficient graduate degree to practice the profession of pharmacy or to become a clinical pharmacist. In many co ...
). In some cases it can be synonymous with
postdoctoral research
A postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral researcher, or simply postdoc, is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD). Postdocs most commonly, but not always, have a temporary acade ...
.
Research associate roles
In academic and research institutions, as well as in some industries, a research associate is a common professional position. Typically, research associates work with other researchers, scientists, and faculty members on a variety of research projects. The duties of research associates can change depending on the organization and the particular field, but the following are some typical duties:
# Working closely with principal investigators (PIs), research scientists, or professors, research associates plan, carry out, and manage research projects. They provide their knowledge when designing, carrying out, and analyzing experiments or studies.
# Literature Review: To comprehend the state of the art and the context of the research field, they conduct in-depth literature reviews, which guide the formulation of research hypotheses and methodologies.
# Laboratory and Fieldwork: Research associates may carry out laboratory experiments, fieldwork, or clinical trials, depending on the field. They make certain that procedures are accurately and securely followed.
# Technical Competencies: Research associates frequently need specialized technical competencies related to their research area, such as competence in the use of laboratory instruments, software tools, data analysis software, programming languages, etc.
# They record the procedures, approaches, findings, and outcomes of the research. For the purpose of keeping track of the study's progress and disseminating its findings to the scientific community, this documentation is essential.
# Data collection and analysis: Research associates gather data using various techniques such as surveys, observations, experiments, and more. They are frequently in charge of organizing and processing data using statistical and analytical methods in order to reach meaningful conclusions.
See also
*
Research fellow
References
Physiology & Biophysics - Postdoctoral Personnel
Academic administration
Associate
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