Career as Research associate

A research associate job is managing various things such as projects, documentations, and teams. Research associates work on various research projects, some of them are from scratch and the rest require intermediary involvement. They perform experiments and keep track of it. A career as research associates are also segregated into two categories - theoretical and experimental. Theoretical Research associates 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 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 maximise flexibility, teamwork, and innovative working practices. A research associate's job is that he/she must ensure that efficient use of the resources are applied.

Supervision

The job of a research associate is to ensure that the needs of the trials and research are placed at the center of care delivery. He/she is also required to make sure that there are systems in place that implies the provision of research takes place in a suitable and safe environment. Additionally, the research associate job is to ensure the proper working of the equipment to be used in the general/minor research.

Team management

As a research associate, he/she is responsible for working in partnership with the support staff to ensure that research, experimentation, and service needs are met. He/she is also required to ensure that every part of the team comes up with the most effective and standard approach to the trail.  

Leadership Skills

It is a Research associate’s job to provide and demonstrate sound research leadership and develop support mechanisms for sharing good practice, encouraging and directing innovation in ongoing scientific development.

Maintenance work

A research associate acts as an expert within 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 organisations 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 job to plan and obtain ethical approval whenever necessary.

Almost every distinct scientific field has their own set of categories and a variety of Research associates working in that field. However, some of the major type of Research associates are as follows:

Astronomer : A career as an astronomer research associate involves studying about stars, galaxies and planets. Astronomers are the professionals who read about planetary movements and track celestial and non-celestial objects of outer space.

Botanist: A career as a botanist involves studying about 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 matters- solid, liquid and gaseous substance, constituting the earth and other terrestrial planets. A Geologist also studies in detail about the earth 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 behavior of these organisms with the environment. Marine biologists conduct a close research on aquatic species after mastering biological oceanography and geological oceanography. 

A research associate work environment includes labs in particular research departments and medical centers during different trials. As a research associate and a part of the research team, he/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 traveling. A research associate is required to work in one research area and generally spend 90 per cent of his/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-hour 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/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 centers during different trials. As a research associate and a part of the research team, he/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, Pune are hubs for world class healthcare treatments making it 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.

Patience: In a career as a research associate, one faces critical situations where he/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 member of the research team. The work he/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 and during the 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 deep understanding and interest in the subject. In order to become a Research associate along with excelling in the career, it is important for candidate 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 the research and experimental trials. Hence, he/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 evaluate quality or performance, determining the kind of tools and equipment needed to do a job, and selecting and using training/instructional methods for teaching new things, one requires learning skills.

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.

Junior research associate: A junior research associate's jobs include providing technical guidance to research interns and technicians from other fields working under his/her expertise. A junior research associate uses the knowledge of chemical, analytical, or biological processes as accord with the field he/she works in. 

Senior Research Associate: A senior research associate’s jobs involves principles of physics, electrical, chemical, or biological engineering. A senior research associate’s job requires them 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. 

There is a vast range of growth opportunities in a career as research associate. Candidates can choose to specialise in areas such as corporate social responsibility, or can move into research and development to observe into new and better ways to optimise production and find new approaches towards 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 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.