Most research assistants work indoors in clean, climate-controlled, pleasant facilities. Many spend most of their time at the business that employs them, checking facts over the phone, finding data on the Internet or in computer databases, searching the company’s records, writing up reports, or conducting laboratory research. Others spend a great deal of time in science and medical libraries, government offices, and archives. In short, research assistants go wherever they can to obtain the information requested.
Full-time research assistants work 35 to 40 hours a week. They may have to work overtime or on weekends right before deadlines or when involved in special projects. Some research assistants, especially those who work for smaller organizations or for professors or private employers, work only part time. They may work as little as 10 hours a week. These research assistants are usually graduate students or freelancers who have a second job in a related field.
- Advanced Manufacturing Engineers
- Advanced Manufacturing Technicians
- Agricultural Scientists
- Animal Behaviorists
- Animal Breeders and Technicians
- Aquaculturists
- Arborists
- Astrobiologists
- Biochemical Engineers
- Biochemists
- Bioinformatics Specialists
- Biologists
- Biomedical Engineers
- Biomedical Equipment Technicians
- Biophysicists
- Biosecurity Monitors
- Biotechnology Patent Lawyers
- Biotechnology Production Workers
- Botanists
- Business Managers
- Chemical Engineers
- Chemical Technicians
- Chemists
- Climate Scientists
- Clinical Applications Specialists
- Clinical Pharmacist Practitioners
- Clinical Research Coordinators
- Computer-Aided Design Drafters and Technicians
- CRISPR Scientists
- Cytogenetic Technologists
- Cytotechnologists
- Drafters
- Drug Developers
- Electrical Engineering Technologists
- Electrical Engineers
- Electronics Engineering Technicians
- Electronics Engineers
- Engineering Technicians
- Environmental Scientists
- Epidemiologists
- Epigenetics Researchers
- Genetic Counselors
- Genetic Engineers
- Genetic Genealogists
- Genetic Scientists
- Health Data Analysts
- Industrial Engineering Technicians
- Industrial Engineers
- Laboratory Technicians and Technologists
- Laboratory Testing Technicians
- Laser Technicians
- Manufacturing Engineers
- Manufacturing Production Technicians
- Manufacturing Supervisors
- Marine Biologists
- Mechanical Engineering Technicians
- Mechanical Engineers
- Medical Scientists
- Microbiologists
- Millwrights
- Molecular and Cellular Biologists
- Naturalists
- Neuroscientists
- Nuclear Medicine Physicians
- Optical Engineers
- Pathologists
- Pharmaceutical Industry Workers
- Pharmacists
- Pharmacologists
- Pharmacy Technicians
- Physicians
- Preventive Medicine Physicians
- Product Development Directors
- Product Management Directors
- Product Managers
- Quality Control Engineers
- Quality Control Technicians
- Robotics Engineers
- Robotics Integrators
- Robotics Technicians
- Sales Managers
- Senior Care Pharmacists
- Toxicologists
- Veterinarians
- Zoologists