What is a research assistant?
A research assistant is a junior-level researcher tasked by a university, a research institute or a privately held organization, to assist in academic or private research. Upwork offers access to capable research assistants who can handle multiple aspects of research projects for a variety of clients to ensure success.
How do you hire a research assistant?
You can source research assistant talent on Upwork by following these three steps:
- Write a project description. You’ll want to determine your scope of work and the skills and requirements you are looking for in a research assistant.
- Post it on Upwork. Once you’ve written a project description, post it to Upwork. Simply follow the prompts to help you input the information you collected to scope out your project.
- Shortlist and interview research assistants. Once the proposals start coming in, create a shortlist of the professionals you want to interview.
Of these three steps, your project description is where you will determine your scope of work and the specific type of research assistant you need to complete your project.
How much does it cost to hire a research assistant?
Rates can vary due to many factors, including expertise and experience, location, and market conditions.
- An experienced research assistant may command higher fees but also work faster, have more-specialized areas of expertise, and deliver higher-quality work.
- A contractor who is still in the process of building a client base may price their research services more competitively.
Which one is right for you will depend on the specifics of your project.
How do you write a research assistant job post?
Your job post is your chance to describe your project scope, budget, and talent needs. Although you don’t need a full job description as you would when hiring an employee, aim to provide enough detail for a contractor to know if they’re the right fit for the project.
Job post title
Create a simple title that describes exactly what you’re looking for. The idea is to target the keywords that your ideal candidate is likely to type into a job search bar to find your project. Here are some sample research assistant job post titles:
- Need virtual research assistant to help develop questionnaires and analyze data
- Assistant needed for help craft grant application for research project
- Online researcher wanted to help gather competitive data
Project description
An effective research assistant job post should include:
- Scope of work: From questionnaire development to data analysis, list all the deliverables you’ll need.
- Project length: Your job post should indicate whether this is a smaller or larger project.
- Background: If you prefer experience with certain industries, software, or research projects, mention this here.
- Budget: Set a budget and note your preference for hourly rates vs. fixed-price contracts.
Research assistant job responsibilities
Here are some examples of research assistant job responsibilities:
- Serve as a member of the research team, collecting and analyzing data for clients
- Maintain research and evaluation files for each research project
- Conduct basic statistical analyses and produce reports as necessary
Research assistant job requirements and qualifications
Be sure to include any requirements and qualifications you’re looking for in a research assistant. Here are some examples:
- Familiarity with and knowledge of data collection tools and methods
- Minimum two years experience assessing statistical data and construction of variables
- Exceptional verbal and written communication skills