What Is a Research Associate and How to Become One

By ZipRecruiter Marketplace Research Team

As a research associate, you conduct research and analysis as directed by a senior researcher or project manager. Researchers work in a number of fields, including medical science, the social sciences, natural sciences, finance, management, and academia. Your specific duties and responsibilities differ depending on the field in which you work, but some features of your work are similar across industries. You typically do primary and secondary source research, organize and process data, analyze said data, and report on your findings to lead researchers or clinicians.

A research associate needs several qualifications for the job. You should have a bachelor’s degree, preferably in the field in which you want to enter. For example, if you are interested in doing clinical research for a pharmaceutical company, you should study biology, chemistry, and closely related subjects. Those interested in the social sciences or finance should study sociology, political science, and economics. Some positions are entry-level, while others might require some years of experience or allow you to substitute advanced education for experience.

A clinical research associate is a specialized researcher who works primarily in the medical or pharmaceutical fields. As a clinical research associate, you have training in performing medical research to support research for clinical trials. You are often the one to monitor clinical trials. You are responsible for ensuring compliance with federal and state safety protocols, checking on research sites, collecting consent forms from participants, and communicating with other more senior researchers about the progress of the clinical trial. Another major feature of the clinical research associate’s mission is to ensure that the rights and privacy of all human subjects are being respected.

A successful research associate needs a number of skills. Most importantly, you need expert research skills. You should know how to use academic databases, search using keywords, and be able to find information using a variety of digital and physical resources. Many research associates also need to have excellent analytical skills, including familiarity with data analysis, spreadsheet software, and other digital tools to analyze and develop reports. You should also have strong written and verbal communication skills and the ability to work independently.