Research Assistant Jobs
Research Assistant jobs are open across academia, healthcare, biotech, and government, at every level from entry-level to senior research associate, with specializations in clinical research, data analysis, and social science. Find a role that fits from the openings below and apply directly.
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INTRODUCTION
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid time off, 12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Clinical Research Assistant provides integral support to the Center for Inherited Myology Research. The Clinical Research Assistant will assist the Clinical Research Coordinators with updating and maintaining logs and filing in charts; prepare, verify and enter data into computerized information systems; assist with regulatory documentation; contact study patients for appointment reminders and follow up. The Research Assistant will also assist with supply inventory for network studies.
This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
Core Responsibilities:
Research Visit Assistance (50%)
- Prepare materials for study visits, including remote collection kits for participants
- Collect questionnaires and biospecimens from participants in clinic
- Enter collected data in appropriate research records
- File and store source documents in participant study binders
- Ensure proper collection, processing and shipment of specimens
Data Entry (25%)
- Collect, review and enter data into study databases
- Research and evaluate all documents for accuracy and completeness to ensure correct data is entered
Administrative Assistance (25%)
- Update research regulatory folders and binders as needed
- Other study related duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalency
- Interest and willingness to learn
- Must be proficient in the use of computers with the ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease. Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Relevant college coursework (life sciences, health sciences, nursing, etc.)
- Previous patient facing experience
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $41,000 - $54,000
BENEFITS
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: No
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 34001N - Clinical Research Assistant 1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Eric Hunsley
Contact Email: eric.hunsley@vcuhealth.org
INTRODUCTION
Virginia Commonwealth University (VCU) School of Medicine is a premier academic medical center located in the heart of Richmond. Accounting for almost half of VCU’s sponsored research, the School of Medicine is internationally recognized for patient care and education. All full-time university staff are eligible for our generous benefits package that includes choices for health, vision, and dental coverage, life insurance, short and long-term disability coverage, retirement planning, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, flexible spending accounts, tuition benefits, significant paid time off, 12 paid holidays, and more. Explore our benefits further here: https://hr.vcu.edu/current-employees/benefits/university-and-academic-professional-benefits/
ROLE AND RESPONSIBILITIES
The Clinical Research Assistant provides integral support to the Center for Inherited Myology Research. The Clinical Research Assistant will assist the Clinical Research Coordinators with updating and maintaining logs and filing in charts; prepare, verify and enter data into computerized information systems; assist with regulatory documentation; contact study patients for appointment reminders and follow up. The Research Assistant will also assist with supply inventory for network studies.
This is a restricted position with no set end date; continued employment is dependent upon project need, availability of funding, and performance.
Core Responsibilities:
Research Visit Assistance (50%)
- Prepare materials for study visits, including remote collection kits for participants
- Collect questionnaires and biospecimens from participants in clinic
- Enter collected data in appropriate research records
- File and store source documents in participant study binders
- Ensure proper collection, processing and shipment of specimens
Data Entry (25%)
- Collect, review and enter data into study databases
- Research and evaluate all documents for accuracy and completeness to ensure correct data is entered
Administrative Assistance (25%)
- Update research regulatory folders and binders as needed
- Other study related duties as assigned
BASIC QUALIFICATIONS
- High school diploma or equivalency
- Interest and willingness to learn
- Must be proficient in the use of computers with the ability to learn new systems and software applications with ease. Proficiency in the use of Word, Excel, PowerPoint and Adobe.
- Demonstrated experience working in and fostering an environment of respect, professionalism and civility with a population of faculty, staff, and students from various backgrounds and experiences, or a commitment to do so as a staff member at VCU.
PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS
- Relevant college coursework (life sciences, health sciences, nursing, etc.)
- Previous patient facing experience
COMPENSATION
- Salary Range: $41,000 - $54,000
BENEFITS
All full-time university staff are eligible for VCU’s robust benefits package that includes comprehensive health benefits, paid annual and holiday leave, generous tuition benefits, retirement planning and savings options, tax-deferred annuity and cash match programs, employee discounts, well-being resources, abundant opportunities for career development and advancement, and more.
FLSA Exemption Status: Non-Exempt
Hours per Week: 40
Restricted Position: Yes
ORP Eligible: No
Flexible Work Arrangement: Fully Onsite
University Job Title: 34001N - Clinical Research Assistant 1
CONTACT INFORMATION
Contact Name: Eric Hunsley
Contact Email: eric.hunsley@vcuhealth.org
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Find Research Assistant JobsResearch Assistant Job Market
A snapshot from current openings nationwide, updated as new roles post.
Who's Hiring
- University of Florida52
- Penn State University42
- University of California, San Francisco42
- Texas A&M University39
- University of Kentucky39
Top Industries Hiring
- Education1,325
- Healthcare & Medical Services318
- Science & Research110
- Consulting & Professional Services62
- Biotechnology & Pharmaceuticals36
What Employers Look For
The qualifications that appear most often in research assistant jobs.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field such as biology, psychology, or social science
- Experience with statistical software including R, SPSS, STATA, or Python
- Familiarity with literature review processes and academic database research
- Knowledge of IRB protocols and research ethics requirements
- Strong written communication skills for drafting reports and summaries
- Proficiency in data entry, management, and quality control procedures
Tips for Your Research Assistant Job Search
Tailor your resume to methodology
Research assistant postings often screen for specific methodologies like qualitative coding, regression analysis, or PCR protocols. Name the exact methods you have used rather than listing broad skills like 'data collection' or 'lab work' to pass applicant tracking systems.
Apply early to roles that fit
Migrate Mate lists research assistant openings from across the United States in one place, so you can find roles that match and apply directly to each listing.
Document your software proficiencies precisely
Hiring managers distinguish between basic exposure and working fluency in tools like SPSS, R, NVivo, or REDCap. List each program with a concrete output you produced, such as a survey dataset or regression table, so reviewers can judge your real level.
Contact faculty or PIs before positions close
Many academic and government research assistant roles are filled through direct outreach before a formal posting closes. Emailing a principal investigator with a concise summary of your relevant experience and a writing sample can get you considered ahead of the open application pool.
Prepare to discuss IRB and compliance experience
Interviewers in clinical and social science settings routinely ask whether you have worked under IRB protocols, handled consent forms, or managed confidential participant data. Walk through a specific project where compliance requirements shaped your day-to-day workflow.
Negotiate start date and authorship agreements
Research assistant offers often leave room on start date and, in academic labs, on authorship or presentation credit for original contributions. Raise these points before you sign, since authorship agreements are much harder to renegotiate once a project is underway.
Research Assistant Jobs: Frequently Asked Questions
Which companies are hiring the most research assistants?
The companies hiring the most research assistants right now include University of Florida, Penn State University, and University of California, San Francisco, with the largest share of openings in Texas, Florida, and New York, based on current listings on Migrate Mate as of June 2026. Openings are concentrated at universities, hospital systems, and federal research agencies.
How many research assistant jobs are remote?
About 6% of research assistant openings are fully remote or hybrid as of June 2026, with remote roles most common in qualitative analysis, literature review, and data coding work. Lab-based or clinical positions almost always require on-site presence due to equipment and participant contact requirements.
How do you become a research assistant?
Most research assistant roles require a bachelor's degree in a field related to the research area, such as biology, psychology, economics, or public health. Gaining hands-on experience through undergraduate lab rotations, thesis projects, or volunteer positions builds the methodological skills employers expect. Certifications in human subjects research through the Collaborative Institutional Training Initiative strengthen your application for clinical and social science roles.
Can you get a research assistant job with little or no experience?
Yes, entry-level research assistant positions are regularly filled by candidates with limited formal experience. Coursework projects, capstone research, independent study credits, and even volunteer data collection all count as relevant background. Emphasize familiarity with the specific tools or methodologies listed in each posting, and include any writing samples or reports you produced during your studies.
What does the research assistant interview process look like?
Most research assistant interviews include an initial phone or video screen with HR or an administrative coordinator, followed by a technical or skills-based conversation with the principal investigator or lab manager. Candidates are often asked to walk through a past project in detail, explain their data management practices, and describe how they handle errors or unexpected results in their work.
Where can I find and apply to research assistant jobs?
You can find and apply to research assistant jobs on Migrate Mate, which lists current openings from employers across the United States. Search the listings to find roles that match your background and apply directly to each one that fits your experience and interests.
See All 1,723+ Research Assistant Jobs
Jump back to the full list of openings and apply to any research assistant role that fits.
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