Field Research Assistant Jobs
Field Research Assistant jobs are open across academia, environmental science, public health, and social science, from entry-level to senior research roles, with specializations in data collection, fieldwork coordination, and survey administration. Find a role that fits below and apply directly.
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The Education Research Assistant, Field Assessor (Birmingham, AL) position offers a great opportunity to gain valuable child assessment skills using standardized measures. Applicants should have experience conducting research and/or working with children in early childhood settings. SRI will provide the mandatory training and certification on the literacy and vocabulary assessment measures in early December 2026. Much of the training will take place via Zoom with the possibility of in-person practice sessions during the first 1-2 weeks of January.
Research assistants will conduct assessments in early childhood centers in Birmingham, AL. Research assistants will visit one classroom at a time, assessing 8-10 children during each classroom visit. Assessments will take place during two phases in 2027. The first round of assessments (pre-test) will take place in early January through mid-February 2027 and will take 5-6 weeks. The second round of assessments (post-test) will take place in May and June 2027 and will take 5-6 weeks.
This role does not require travel to an SRI location, but it does require driving to early childhood centers in Birmingham, AL to conduct child assessments during the standard school day. Staff will be paid for their participation in the training and for their time conducting assessments, cleaning assessment data, and entering data into a web-based database. All travel costs will be reimbursed. This is a temporary position starting in December 2026 and ending in June 2027. It is anticipated you will work at least 15-20 hours a week during the assessment timeframes.
- Attend up to two virtual training days in December 2026 to prepare for data collection responsibilities.
- Travel to early childhood center sites to conduct direct child assessments for pre-test data collection (January-February 2027) and post-test data collection (May-June 2027).
- Communicate with SRI project manager and teachers to schedule data collection activities.
- Enter data accurately and efficiently into a web-based database.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills.
- Prior experience working with children (e.g., as a teacher or assistant teacher in an elementary school, conducting assessments with children, working in after-school programs, or as youth camp counselor).
- Access to a car and possession of a valid driver’s license and insurance. Data collectors are expected to drive to participating centers within Birmingham.
- Access to a personal computer and reliable internet.
- Able to participate in and complete all required security clearance measures and training.
- Available for onsite work in Birmingham, AL Monday through Friday, 8am-1pm, at least three (3) days a week for pre-test data collection (January – February 2027) and post-test data collection (May – June 2027).
- Some undergraduate coursework in psychology, education, social work, or early childhood.
- Experience with research (conducting observations, assessments).
- Spanish language proficiency is helpful but not required.
SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.
The Education Research Assistant, Field Assessor (Birmingham, AL) position offers a great opportunity to gain valuable child assessment skills using standardized measures. Applicants should have experience conducting research and/or working with children in early childhood settings. SRI will provide the mandatory training and certification on the literacy and vocabulary assessment measures in early December 2026. Much of the training will take place via Zoom with the possibility of in-person practice sessions during the first 1-2 weeks of January.
Research assistants will conduct assessments in early childhood centers in Birmingham, AL. Research assistants will visit one classroom at a time, assessing 8-10 children during each classroom visit. Assessments will take place during two phases in 2027. The first round of assessments (pre-test) will take place in early January through mid-February 2027 and will take 5-6 weeks. The second round of assessments (post-test) will take place in May and June 2027 and will take 5-6 weeks.
This role does not require travel to an SRI location, but it does require driving to early childhood centers in Birmingham, AL to conduct child assessments during the standard school day. Staff will be paid for their participation in the training and for their time conducting assessments, cleaning assessment data, and entering data into a web-based database. All travel costs will be reimbursed. This is a temporary position starting in December 2026 and ending in June 2027. It is anticipated you will work at least 15-20 hours a week during the assessment timeframes.
- Attend up to two virtual training days in December 2026 to prepare for data collection responsibilities.
- Travel to early childhood center sites to conduct direct child assessments for pre-test data collection (January-February 2027) and post-test data collection (May-June 2027).
- Communicate with SRI project manager and teachers to schedule data collection activities.
- Enter data accurately and efficiently into a web-based database.
- Strong organizational and interpersonal communication skills.
- Prior experience working with children (e.g., as a teacher or assistant teacher in an elementary school, conducting assessments with children, working in after-school programs, or as youth camp counselor).
- Access to a car and possession of a valid driver’s license and insurance. Data collectors are expected to drive to participating centers within Birmingham.
- Access to a personal computer and reliable internet.
- Able to participate in and complete all required security clearance measures and training.
- Available for onsite work in Birmingham, AL Monday through Friday, 8am-1pm, at least three (3) days a week for pre-test data collection (January – February 2027) and post-test data collection (May – June 2027).
- Some undergraduate coursework in psychology, education, social work, or early childhood.
- Experience with research (conducting observations, assessments).
- Spanish language proficiency is helpful but not required.
SRI is an independent nonprofit research institute headquartered in Menlo Park, Calif., with a rich history of supporting government and industry. We create and deliver world-changing solutions for a safer, healthier, and more sustainable future. For almost 80 years, we have collaborated across technical and scientific disciplines to discover and develop groundbreaking products and technologies and bring innovations and ideas to the marketplace.
Field Research Assistant Jobs by Experience Level
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Find Field Research Assistant JobsField Research Assistant Job Market
Who's Hiring
Top Industries Hiring
- Education
- Fintech
- Banking & Financial Services
- Non-Profit & Social Services
- Investment & Asset Management
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in field research assistant jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in environmental science, biology, public health, or a related field
- Experience with field data collection methods such as transect surveys, water quality testing, or structured interviews
- Proficiency with GPS devices, data loggers, or mobile data collection apps like Survey123 or KoBoToolbox
- Valid driver's license and willingness to travel to remote or rural field sites
- Completion of IRB Human Subjects Research training or equivalent research ethics certification
- Physical ability to work outdoors in variable weather conditions for extended periods
Tips for Your Field Research Assistant Job Search
Tailor your resume to fieldwork methods
Hiring managers for field research assistant roles want to see specific data collection methods you've used, whether that's structured observation, soil sampling, or household surveys. Name the method and the project context, not just the job title.
Highlight certifications relevant to your discipline
Certifications like Wilderness First Responder, IRB Human Subjects training, or HAZWOPER matter more than GPA for many field roles. If you have them, list them near the top of your resume so reviewers spot them before the interview stage.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists field research assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Search by season to match hiring cycles
Many field research assistant positions open in late winter and early spring for summer fieldwork seasons. If you're searching in fall or winter, filter for year-round environmental monitoring or public health roles, which recruit outside the academic calendar.
Prepare protocol walkthroughs for interviews
Interviewers often ask you to walk through how you'd execute a specific data collection protocol under field conditions. Practice describing equipment setup, QA checks, and what you'd do if conditions changed mid-collection. Vague answers about 'being adaptable' won't hold up.
Follow up with a fieldwork-specific note
After an interview, send a follow-up that references a specific field challenge discussed, not just a generic thank-you. Mentioning a protocol question or a site logistics detail shows you were paying close attention and reinforces your practical orientation.
Field Research Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most field research assistants?
The most active employers for field research assistants right now are SRI International, Florida State University, and Advanced Agrilytics, and the most openings are in Florida, Iowa, and Arizona, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of November 2026. Research universities, environmental consulting firms, and public health agencies consistently account for the largest share of postings.
How many field research assistant jobs are remote?
About 50% of field research assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of November 2026, with most remote-eligible roles concentrated in data processing, literature review, and GIS analysis rather than on-the-ground collection work. Physical site access requirements mean the majority of positions are still location-dependent.
How do you become a field research assistant?
Start by completing a bachelor's degree in a field-adjacent discipline such as ecology, public health, anthropology, or geography. Gain hands-on experience through undergraduate research programs, volunteer fieldwork, or internships with land management agencies or public health departments. Develop proficiency with at least one mobile data collection platform and earn any safety or ethics certifications relevant to your specialty before applying to full positions.
Can you get hired as a field research assistant with little or no experience?
Yes, many entry-level field research assistant roles are designed for candidates without prior professional fieldwork, particularly positions attached to university labs or AmeriCorps environmental programs. What matters most at the entry level is demonstrated comfort with physical outdoor work, attention to data quality, and any relevant coursework or volunteer experience with data collection protocols.
What does the field research assistant interview process look like?
Most field research assistant interviews involve an initial screening call focused on your availability, travel flexibility, and relevant training, followed by a technical interview or practical exercise where you walk through a data collection scenario or describe equipment you've used. Some employers conduct a brief site visit or trial day before extending an offer, particularly for longer-term field positions.
Where can I find and apply to field research assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to field research assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from across the United States in one place. Find roles that match your background and apply directly to each listing without having to search across multiple sources.
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