Research Associate Job Description: Top Duties and Qualifications

A Research Associate, or Clinical Research Associate, is responsible for monitoring one or more study sites for clinical trials to uphold ethical guidelines and ensure the successful completion of clinical trials. Their duties include reviewing participant applications and medical records, coordinating with medical and legal teams to determine trial activities and collecting valuable data throughout clinical trials to contribute to their final reports.

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Research Associate Duties and Responsibilities

The primary duties of Research Associates are to plan and conduct research. Depending on the field, this can include things like managing data, conducting interviews and publishing research. Research Associates must also interpret their data or findings in an actionable way, with the goal being to inform businesses about which decisions they should make. Other important duties and responsibilities for Research Associates include:

  • Identifying new resources companies can use to reach their goals
  • Contributing to multiple research projects at once
  • Communicating with senior researchers to understand business challenges and potential solutions
  • Working with data engineers to construct and maintain databases

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Research Associate Job Description Examples

 

Example 1

TITLE: Chemistry Research Associate I-II

Molecular Assemblies is a San Diego-based company developing a revolutionary, enzymatic DNA synthesis technology capable of powering new products in industrial synthetic biology, personalized therapeutics, precision diagnostics, and eventually information storage, nanotechnology and more.

The R&D organization is seeking a highly motivated biochemist/chemist at the Research Associate level to support the development of solid support conjugates and perform testing related to said conjugates. The position will work closely with the Chemistry Development teams to advance Molecular Assemblies’ proprietary oligonucleotide synthesis technology. Grade level is dependent on candidate experience.

Essential Duties AND Responsibilities:
  • Under the direction of senior staff, executes experiments relating to solid support synthesis and analysis.
  • Perform detailed analysis of synthesized solid support conjugates using developed assays.
  • Maintain proper documentation using an electronic laboratory notebook using proper note taking practices.
  • Presentation of results to R&D colleagues and company management.
  • Proactively communicates observations and findings to senior staff.
  • Helps author analytical SOPs and technical reports.

    Required Qualifications:
  • 1-year or more of hands-on laboratory experience is required.
  • Experience in an R&D laboratory is a plus.
  • Strong molecular biology/chemistry skill set.
  • Experience working with nucleic acids a plus.
  • Experience with experimental design and execution, data analysis, and troubleshooting.
  • Excellent organizational skills.
  • Strong collaborative skills.
  • Strong written, oral, and presentation communication skills.

    Qualifcations

    Minimum B.S. or B.A. in Biochemistry, Molecular Biology, Chemistry, or related field. Candidates with an M.S./M.A. or applicable R&D lab experience are encouraged to apply.

    Job Type: Full-time

    Benefits:
  • 401(k)
  • Dental insurance
  • Employee assistance program
  • Flexible schedule
  • Health insurance
  • Health savings account
  • Life insurance
  • Paid time off
  • Vision insurance
    Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift
  • Monday to Friday

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • San Diego, CA 92121: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work (Required)

    Education:
  • Bachelor's (Preferred)

    Experience:
  • Laboratory experience: 1 year (Preferred)
  • Biochemistry: 1 year (Preferred)
  • Molecular biology: 1 year (Preferred)
  • Organic chemistry: 1 year (Preferred)
  • Research laboratory: 1 year Location: One location
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    Example 2

    Job Description:

    The Medical Research Associate plays an important role in the Clinical Operations team. Through responsibilities like monitoring studies, reviewing clinical data, and engaging with physicians, the MRA will ensure the success of clinical trial operations.

    Essential Duties
  • Monitoring clinical studies of investigational and approved products that have been determined to satisfy a medical need and/or offer a commercial benefit. This may include the following site visits: qualification, initiation, interim, and close out
  • Managing and training of site personnel on therapeutic area, protocol requirements, proper source documentation, and case report form completion
  • Managing, preparing, sending, tracking, and returning investigational supplies at individual sites
  • Work with a close-knit team of highly qualified MRAs to identify, select, initiate, and close-out investigational sites for clinical studies in phases II-III
  • Independently coordinate all necessary activities required to set up and monitor a study, including reporting on study status, maintaining study documentation, reviewing feasibility studies, effectively responding to sponsor queries, and maintaining study cost effectiveness
  • Opportunities to assist and mentor less experienced MRAs and MRAs working on international projects
  • Monitoring and documenting laboratory sample storage and shipment
  • Monitoring trial by reviewing and reporting on the following: site enrollment and termination updates, monitoring visits, protocol deviations/exceptions, serious adverse events, and laboratory abnormalities

    Education AND/OR Experience
  • Bachelor and/or advanced degree in biological sciences or related field, or equivalent combination of relevant experience, education or training
  • 3 years of prior experience as a Clinical Research Associate preferred
  • Extensive knowledge of FDA regulations and their practical implementation
  • Therapeutic experience in oncology, diabetes, or vaccines is preferred
  • Knowledge of ethics/IRB approval process and adhering to ICH-GCP guidelines
  • Willingness to travel within your region
  • A valid driver's license with access to a car with up-to-date car insurance

    We are committed to leveraging the talent of a diverse workforce to create great opportunities for our business and our people. EOE/AA. Minority/Female/Sexual Orientation/Gender Identity/Disability/Vet

    Job Type: Full-time

    Schedule:
  • Monday to Location: Multiple Locations
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    Example 3

    Job Description:

    We are looking for a highly motivated Research Associate to join the Analytical Chemistry group within the Product Development team. In this role, you will execute a variety of critical product testing of e-cigarettes to advance product research & development activities at Clients.

    This position is a hands-on, laboratory-based role that will be responsible for testing products and prototypes, with a focus on the chemical characterization. The successful applicant will work closely with scientists and engineers at the Clients R&D group and should be comfortable around modern chemistry lab equipment/methodology including liquid and gas chromatography and mass spectrometry. We are looking for someone who is flexible, can work well independently, and can respond quickly, energetically, and enthusiastically to change and challenge.

    Applicants should be detail oriented and able to perform precise analytical work including:

  • Conduct chemical characterization of liquids and aerosols associated with novel electronic nicotine delivery systems (ENDS)
  • Learn and help to develop new analytical methodology for characterizing our products
  • Write and execute SOPs and maintain a record of results
  • Troubleshoot test methods and ENDS device issues
  • Work with consumer and engineering teams to optimize the chemistry of our products
  • Identify instrument problems and perform routine troubleshooting

    Personal and Professional Qualifications:

  • BS or MS with hands-on lab experience.
  • Previous hands-on research experience in a laboratory setting including basic laboratory procedures such as weighing, quantitative transfer, and volumetric dilutions.
  • Knowledge, and preferably, hands-on experience with gas chromatographic techniques and instrumentation such as GC-FID, GC-MS, HPLC, HPLC-MS.
  • Knowledge, and preferably, hands-on experience with Agilent equipment platforms and data processing (Mass Hunter/Chemstation) software a plus.
  • Familiarity with electronic notebooks and LIMS.
  • Strong communicator who is able to work effectively both independently as well as with peers and management in a high-paced global environment

    Education:

  • BS/MS in Chemistry, Analytical Chemistry, Biochemistry, Pharmacology, Chemical Engineering or closely related field.
  • Coursework in analytical chemistry essential

    Required Years of Experience:

    Minimum of 3+ years of direct relevant experience

    Job Type: Contract

    Schedule:
  • 8 hour shift

    Ability to commute/relocate:
  • Mountain View, CA: Reliably commute or planning to relocate before starting work Location: One location
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    What Does a Research Associate Do?

    Research Associates typically work for medical research laboratories, pharmaceutical companies or government agencies to ensure the safety and efficiency of clinical trials or studies. They work closely with clinical trial participants, medical professionals and other clinical research staff to test the effects of new pharmaceutical drugs or treatments before going on the market. Their job is to create clinical trial schedules and maintain up-to-date records on trial participants, legal documents and health forms. They may also be responsible for hiring and training clinical trial staff members and contacting previous employees to check their availability for upcoming trials.

    Research Associate Skills and Qualifications

    Research Associates need several technical skills to succeed in this role. They must have skills related to their background (e.g., an understanding of health care or financial markets) and the ability to gather data. Research Associates also need to be good at technical writing and be able to express complex data in a simple, actionable way. Other important skills and qualifications for these employees include:

    • Critical thinking skills
    • Attention to detail
    • Analytical skills
    • Problem-solving skills
    • Communication skills
    • Listening skills
    • Time-management skills
    • The ability to maintain quality standards, ensuring the integrity of data
    • Teamwork skills

    Research Associate Salary Expectations

    According to salary estimates from roughly 1,300 Indeed users, employees and job postings, the average annual salary for Research Associates is approximately $53,000. Pay can fluctuate greatly based on factors such as the job’s location and the candidate’s education and experience level. 

    Research Associate Education and Training Requirements

    A Research Associate needs to have a bachelor’s degree in a related field, such as marketing, math or statistics. Additional training is not required, but many students will complete research and gain relevant experience as part of their degree. Candidates may also complete a master’s degree, though this isn’t required for all positions.

    Research Associate Experience Requirements

    Research Associates can find work with no prior experience (outside of their college coursework). In fact, some companies hire Research Associates while they’re still completing a bachelor’s or master’s degree. Some Research Associates complete a few years of professional experience before moving into full-time research positions or into Research Scientist or management roles.

    Job Description Samples for Similar Positions

    A Research Associate’s skillset overlaps with several other positions, so it can help to expand your research into a few similar roles. For example, Research Analysts purely interpret and present data, whereas Research Associates conduct research and play a role in planning studies. Understanding these differences can help you craft the perfect job posting for your role. A few roles similar to a Research Associate are:

    Ready to Hire a Research Associate? Build a Research Associate Job Description

    Frequently asked questions about Research Associates

     

    What is the difference between a Clinical Research Associate and a Clinical Research Coordinator?

    The difference between a Clinical Research Associate and a Clinical Research Coordinator is their seniority and respective job duties. For example, Clinical Research Associates have more professional experience in clinical research and therefore hold a more senior role when compared with Clinical Research Coordinators. Clinical Research Associates usually hire and oversee Clinical Research Coordinators to help them oversee daily activities at trial sites. 

    Because Clinical Research Associates have a more managerial role, they focus more on setting up, scheduling and coordinating participant details for a clinical trial. They also might be responsible for traveling to different trial sites throughout their workday. In contrast, Clinical Research Coordinators work at one trial site and engage in more frequent, in-depth conversations with trial participants. They also have more responsibility to collect data and send their findings to the Research Associate.

     

    What are the daily duties of a Research Associate?

    On a typical day, a Research Associate starts by reviewing the activities scheduled at one or more trial locations. They notify their team of specific tasks they need to complete and make their rounds to speak with participants and other clinical staff. Throughout the day, they oversee the administration of pharmaceutical drugs and other treatments, recording the dosage amount and participant responses. 

    Once back in their office, Research Associates create participant job postings for upcoming trials, review candidate applications and conduct phone or in-person interviews with prospective participants. They also use this time to upload documents to their digital filing system and work on case reports.

     

    What qualities make a good Research Associate?

    A good Research Associate has a commitment to the health and safety of clinical trial participants. Their attentiveness in this area motivates them to verify a participant’s health details and reference clinical trial guidelines before finalizing procedures. They have excellent verbal and written communication, enabling them to engage in meaningful conversations with participants and write comprehensive reports that outline clinical progress. Further, a good Research Associate is well-organized and seeks to maintain accurate and up-to-date records by implementing digital filing systems and other software programs.

     

    Who does a Research Associate report to?

    A Research Associate usually reports to the Clinical Research Manager or Director of Clinical Research, depending on the organizational structure of their facility. In some cases, a Research Associate may report to the Principal Investigator for a clinical trial to get approval for certain activities or scheduling details. These individuals provide Research Associates with budgeting expectations and offer overarching guidance throughout clinical trials.

    Job Description Examples

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