×
![Preview]()
Research Assistant
Best for senior and mid-level candidates
Resume Builder
Like this template? Customize this resume and make it your own with the help of our Al-powered suggestions, accent colors, and modern fonts.
Build my resume
As a successful research assistant, you’re a thorough data analyst, a top-notch lab technician, a friendly participant coordinator, and an organized librarian, all rolled into one.
However, demonstrating these skills on your research assistant resume can feel more overwhelming than autoclaving an entire lab’s worth of equipment. Not to mention, you may not know whether your school wants a CV or a resume. And what about writing a cover letter? Where to start?
Don’t fret—we’ll walk you through what makes a good research assistant resume and how to stand out among your peers.
Our seven research assistant resume samples have helped researchers across disciplines land jobs in top labs and departments in 2024. If you’re stuck, pick a resume template complete with sample points to brainstorm your best resume yet!
Why this resume works
- Although you’re likely applying to several roles, tailor your research assistant resume to each application. It’s tedious, we know, but it shows your attention to detail and commitment.
- Ensure your resume includes keywords from the job description, especially in your resume skills section.
- Also, be crystal clear about your past research experience. Remember, the person reviewing your resume might not work in the same field, so you need to be abundantly clear about what research you conducted and how you executed your research.
- If any of the research you contributed led to a publication, be sure to mention it. While this isn’t the ultimate goal of research, it’s definitely a feather in your cap.
Why this resume works
- If there’s room, try to include a resume objective (also called a career objective) in your entry-level research assistant resume.
- This section lets you discuss an interest in a particular field (and in a particular research assistant position). So, tailor this section for every application you submit!
- It’s also wise to include a projects section filled with projects you’ve completed.
- Even if the projects aren’t relevant to the field of research you’d like to study, adding them highlights transferable skills like data analysis and experiment design. Plus, it fills up space so you’re not worried about filling up a whole page.
Why this resume works
- When it comes to your laboratory research assistant resume, numbers speak louder than words. Numbers quantify your claims and grab the eye of the person reviewing your resume.
- Use numbers to discuss publications, team members you managed, money you saved, grant funding you helped acquire, or the outcome of your data analysis. If numbers can measure it, include it!
- However, unlike your data, these numbers don’t have to be perfectly accurate—they can be rough estimates.
- You’ve got a keen eye for details, but so does the person reviewing your resume. If your resume has errors, you may not get the job.
- Before you hit submit, run your resume through a resume checker or a spellcheck system (Grammarly is a good place to start). Better yet, after you run it through AI, have a trusted colleague review it, too.
Why this resume works
- Clinical research studies are strictly regulated. Your ability to comply with procedural processes can mean the difference between a lab’s work succeeding or losing funding.
- Highlight your track record of adhering to guidelines in past trials to help your clinical research assistant resume stand out.
Why this resume works
- When you’re looking to get a role as an undergraduate research assistant, there is an implicit understanding that you may not have a lot of real-world experience to list on your resume.
- However, even if you don’t have experience as a research assistant, include whatever work experience you have. Having any sort of job demonstrates responsibility, initiative, and the ability to work with others well.
- Regarding your undergraduate research resume, the resume template you choose can play a significant factor in determining whether you get an interview.
- Choose a template that allows you to add sections (like projects) to make up for a lack of experience while also filling the page.
Why this resume works
- A strong graduate research assistant resume should include a career objective that describes your topic of interest. Tell prospective programs how you’ll contribute to their legacy as a research institution through your work in the field.
Why this resume works
- Although it takes up space, adding a resume summary is a great addition to your postdoctoral research assistant resume.
- This section highlights your expertise, years of experience in your field, and achievements. Just remember to tailor it for each application.
- Because of your experience, you may wonder if it’s applicable to add projects to your resume. Yup, and it’s even encouraged if you don’t have boatloads of research assistant experience.
- Consider including projects such as club membership (especially if you founded it yourself), volunteer experiences, or independent research.
- Projects also make great examples to discuss in your research assistant cover letter.
