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Who is a Research Associate?
Nothing has such power to broaden the mind as the ability to investigate systematically and truly all that comes under thy observation in life. ~Marcus Aurelius
From the tip of your pen to the planes soaring above, everything around us exists because of curious minds—research associates. But what exactly does a research associate do? A research associate works alongside scientists, helping explore and understand the world through scientific study. Their goal? To uncover knowledge that shapes how we predict and interact with our environment.
If science has fascinated you since childhood and you find yourself asking questions about the world, a career as a research associate might be your path. Keep scrolling to discover what it takes to become a research associate, the career opportunities, and whether it’s the right job for you in India.
Research Associate in a Nutshell
A Research Associate supports scientists by designing and conducting experiments, collecting and analyzing data, and preparing reports. They ensure research follows ethical guidelines and collaborate with teams. Typically working in labs or research institutions, they start with a salary around Rs. 35,000 monthly, growing with experience. Career growth can lead to senior research or scientist roles.
Quick Facts for Research Associate
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Industry
Technology, Healthcare, Pharmaceutical
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Average Salary in India
₹60000
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Suitable for
Male, Female, Others
A research associate job is suitable for anybody who wants to pursue his or her career in science and technology. Both men and women can have a career as research associates, it is suitable for all. If a person has the required skillsets and the right attitude, then there is no stopping.
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Any special needs
Yes
Anyone with strong critical and analytical reasoning skills can become a Research associate. There are no limitations to choosing a research associate job. There are various fields of science that can be done remotely without any physical movement or external efforts. Hence, the research associate job is a perfect fit for anyone who is specially abled.
Table of Contents for Research Associate
What is the role of Research Associate?
A research associate's work is to manage various things such as projects, documentation, and teams. Research associate works on various research projects, some from scratch and the rest requiring intermediary involvement. He or she performs experiments and keeps track of it. A career as a research associate is also segregated into two categories - theoretical and experimental. An academic research associate work on the equations and concepts of a project, whereas experimental research associates perform the experiment and test implications and results.
Management
A research associate's job involves managing various things such as ensuring the experiments and trials-related services are provided within the research firm at all times. A Research associate is also responsible for the smooth, efficient, and cost-effective running of the various research equipment. The job of a research associate is to maximize flexibility, teamwork, and innovative working practices. A research associate's job is that he or she must ensure that efficient use of the resources is applied.
Supervision
The research associate job description includes ensuring that the needs of the trials and research are placed at the centre of care delivery. He or she is also required to make sure that there are systems in place that imply the provision of research takes place in a suitable and safe environment. Additionally, the research associate's job is to ensure the proper working of the equipment to be used in general or minor research.
Team management
As a research associate, he or she is responsible for working in partnership with the support staff to ensure that research, experimentation, and service needs are met. He or she is also required to ensure that every part of the team comes up with the most effective and standard approach to the trial.
Leadership Skills
It is the work of research associates to provide and demonstrate sound research leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practices and encouraging and directing innovation in ongoing scientific development.
Maintenance work
A research associate acts as an expert in the trials, which includes the dissemination of specialist skills and knowledge to all disciplines within the research firm. A research associate is also required to deal with various organizations and government officials, in difficult and stressful situations.
Research work
In certain situations, when required, a research associate's job is to undertake a local audit and research, ensuring the findings are disseminated appropriately and recommendations are implemented. It is a research associate's job to plan and obtain ethical approval whenever necessary.
Types of a Research Associate
Almost every distinct scientific field has its own set of categories and a variety of Research associates working in that field. However, some of the major types of a research associate or research associate career options are as follows:
Astronomer: A career as an astronomer research associate involves studying stars, galaxies, and planets. An Astronomer is a professional who read about planetary movements and tracks celestial and non-celestial objects in outer space.
Botanist: A career as a botanist involves studying the flowering and non-flowering plants present in the environment. The botanists carry out a detailed study regarding the structure, growth, evolution, and uses of the plants.
Geologist: A career as a geologist includes studying the three states of matter- solid, liquid, and gaseous substance, constituting the earth and other terrestrial planets. A Geologist also studies in detail the earth's processes, earth history, and Earth materials.
Marine Biologist: A career as a marine biologist includes studying the marine organisms constituting the animals and plants. The study of botany reveals the interaction and behaviour of these organisms with the environment. Marine biologists conduct close research on aquatic species after mastering biological oceanography and geological oceanography.
What is the workplace/work environment of Research Associate like?
A research associate work environment includes labs in particular research departments and medical centres during different trials. As a research associate and a part of the research team, he or she is expected to be up to date with the experimental and theoretical history and current status of the progress made in the research.
Does Research Associate require travelling?
Not Likely
In a career as a research associate, one is required little to no travelling. A research associate is required to work in one research area and generally spends 90 per cent of his or her time in the OR suite for trial cases. In other cases, they find their responsibilities extending to areas such as the experimental outdoor fields and laboratory.
Employment Shifts
Full Time, Part Time
Typically, a research associate is required to work overtime 60 hours per week and also might be required to be present on call on some nights, weekends, and holidays. Depending on the work, responsibilities can get rigorous. In certain facilities that perform a large number of trials, a research associate may work in shifts to ensure that a trained staff is available 24 hours a day.
Employment Nature
Contractual, Permanent
A Research associate is hired by the employers on a permanent basis. Hence, the nature of his or her work is permanent. Medical centers or third-party medical companies employ Research associates for permanent posts.
Work Place
Laboratory
A research associate is required to work in experiment labs in particular research departments and medical centres during different trials. As a research associate and a part of the research team, he or she is expected to be up to date with the experimental and theoretical history and current status of the progress made in the research.
Presence in Geographical Area
Semi-urban, Urban
Tier-1 cities such as New Delhi, Gurugram, Chennai, Kolkata, Hyderabad, Bengaluru, and Pune are hubs for world-class healthcare treatments making them a big hub for opportunities for research workers working in several sectors. Research associates in Chennai, Tamil Nadu earn an average of 10.6 per cent more than the national average. The research associates also find higher than average salaries in Bangalore, Karnataka (4.4 per cent more). The lowest salaries can be found in Mumbai, Maharashtra (11.5 per cent less).
Time Pressure
Likely
Usually in a career as a research associate, one is scheduled to work eight hours per day starting from 9 AM to 5 PM. However, depending on the requirements and trial schedules, the Research associate might be required to work under certain shifts.
Overtime Details
Quite often, a research associate is required to work overtime. Research associates are required to work under various circumstances that involve long hours and weekends too. Hence, working overtime is quite common in their profession.
Weekly Hours of Work
Min 50 Hours
In certain facilities that perform a large number of trials, a research associate may work in shifts to ensure that a trained staff is available 24 hours a day.
How to become a Research Associate?
Steps to become a Research Associate
If you are curious to know about something in depth or research about it. If you are interested in discovering or inventing new things always. Then a career as a Research Associate is one of the best career choices for you. We have mentioned below some of the steps for you to know how to become a Research Associate in India or how to become a Research Associate after 12th.
What are the skills and qualities required to become a/an Research Associate?
Patience: In a career as a research associate, one faces critical situations where he or she is required to stay calm and make decisions that might be an important factor in an experiment. A research associate is one of the most essential members of the research team. The work he or she does helps in sustaining different methodologies of human life.
Physical strength: In order to have superior stamina and mental focus, a research associate is required to stay fit and keep themselves healthy. A career as a research associate requires one to stay alert during trials that could last as long as 6-8 hours or more which isn’t possible without mental stamina and focus.
Communication skills: The ability to communicate effectively is one of the most necessary research associate skills in order to perform their job. The team working for a trial must be closely knitted which can be achieved through strong communication, communicating effectively becomes important in a high-stake team environment.
Science skills: Nothing can be achieved without a deep understanding and interest in the subject. In order to become a Research associate along with excelling in their career, it is important for candidates to have a deep interest in science and technology.
Attention to detail: In a career as a research associate, one is required to make important decisions during research and experimental trials. Hence, he or she is required to pay meticulous attention to detail to produce highly accurate work even when under pressure. Paying attention to small details is essential during the research and analysis.
Critical thinking: In a career as a research associate, management of experimental trials requires sharp critical thinking skills to identify the strengths and weaknesses of alternative solutions, conclusions, or approaches to problems. Hence, a research associate is required to exhibit strong critical thinking and analytical skills which can be used in tough situations.
Learning skills: In a career as a research associate, learning skills are most important which involves learning tasks. From conducting tests and inspections of equipment to evaluating quality or performance, determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job, and selecting and using training or instructional methods for teaching new things, one requires learning skills.
Which certifications and internships can be helpful in becoming Research Associate?
We have mentioned below major certification courses that aspiring individuals can opt to upgrade their skills to perform efficiently in a Research associate’s role.
Internship Availability
There are various organizations that offer several research associate internship opportunities to students enrolled in the field of science and technology. The motive of the internships is to provide students with industry exposure and enhance their technical skills along with giving them a clear idea of how to become a research associate. Students are required to apply through the particular website portals and with their CV and purpose to attend the internships. Shortlisted candidates are offered exciting student volunteer internships throughout the year under various sections of the industry.
Career Path Progression for Research Associate
Junior Research Associate: A junior research associate's jobs include providing technical guidance to research interns and technicians from other fields working under his or her expertise. A junior research associate uses the knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes in accordance with the field he or she works.
Senior Research Associate: A senior research associate’s job involves principles of physics, electrical, chemical, or biological engineering. His or her job requires him or her to supervise technologists or technicians engaged in research or production. A senior research associate prepares reports, delivers presentations, or participates in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations.
Research Associate Jobs and Salaries
Junior Research Associate
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 45000
- Starting Salary 35000
- Junior Level Salary 35000
- Senior Level Salary 65000
Job Description
A junior research associate's jobs include providing technical guidance to research interns and technicians from other fields working under his or her expertise. A junior research associate uses the knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes in accord with the field he or she works.
Salary Description
For an entry-level Research associate with less than one year of experience, the average salary is somewhere around Rs. 35,000 per month. After gaining some experience in the industry, a research associate’s salary goes high up to Rs. 45,000 per month. For a candidate with good experience in the industry, the salary of a research associate for a junior position is somewhere between Rs. 55,000 per month which includes bonuses, tips, and overtime pay.
Senior Research Associate
Contractual/Permanent
- Average Salary 75000
- Starting Salary 60000
- Junior Level Salary 60000
- Senior Level Salary 100000
Job Description
A senior research associate’s job involves principles of physics, electrical, chemical, or biological engineering. He or she requires to supervise technologists or technicians engaged in the research or production. A senior research associate prepares reports, delivers presentations, or participates in program review activities to communicate engineering results or recommendations.
Salary Description
As per the data presented on Payscale, for an entry-level senior research associate with less than one year of experience, the average salary is somewhere around Rs. 60,000 per month. After gaining some experience in the industry, a senior research associate's salary goes high up to Rs. 75,000 per month. For a candidate with good experience in the industry, the salary of a senior research associate for a senior position is somewhere between Rs. 1 lakh per month which includes bonuses, tips, and overtime pay.
What is the job outlook for Research Associate?
There is a vast range of growth opportunities in a career as a research associate. Candidates can choose to specialize in areas such as corporate social responsibility or can move into research and development to observe new and better ways to optimize production and find new approaches toward different issues. Being one of the oldest careers, research associate is a career with lots of research scope and saturation potential. Research associate jobs are found more in the medical and biological sectors of the industry.
Since engineering is aimed to find ways to benefit from the very minute particles of matter, material sciences, and engineering fields are all gripped in engineering technology. Research associates are well-researched and sought after in various chemical and biological processes. The research associate's salary in India is Rs 3.7 LPA, this is the average research associate's salary.
Frequently Asked Questions for Research Associate
Que. What are the top entrance examinations in order to become a Research associate in a medical field?
Ans.The top medical entrance examinations are as follows:
AIMS CET: Amrita Institute of Medical Sciences Common Entrance Test
AMU CAT: Aligarh Muslim University Common Admission Test
NEET UG: National Eligibility cum Entrance Test (Undergraduate)
Que. What are the courses offered in the engineering field to become a Research associate?
Ans.Some of the top engineering courses are mentioned below:
Que. Who is a Geologist?
Ans.Geologists are the professionals who study the three states of matter that is solid, liquid, and gaseous substances, constituting the earth and other terrestrial planets. A Geologist also studies in detail the earth's processes, earth history, and Earth materials.
Que. What is the scope of becoming a Research associate?
Ans.Each and every company has its own set of researchers and research associates working on the issues concerning the growth of the company. Hence, the scope of becoming a research associate is huge. India is a developing country and requires young professionals with extraordinary scientific backgrounds to change their faith. From public to private actors, research associates are required everywhere.
Que. What is research associate job
Ans.A research associate's job is to handle multiple things like documentation, projects, researching, and leading the team. He or she manages and supervises the experiments and trials.
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Did you know?
Fact 1
Research Associate roles formalized globally in the mid-1900s with growing science labs.
Fact 2
India’s 1950s government labs boosted demand for Research Associates.
Fact 3
Worldwide research publications double every nine years, driven by Research Associate
Fact 4
Female Research Associates in India rose by 40% in the past decade.
Fact 5
Research Associates contribute to over 60% of experimental data in major global breakthroughs.
