Research Assistant CV Example
A research assistant CV demonstrates your ability to support academic or industry research through data collection, analysis, and literature review.
Recommended template: FreshPro
Key Skills to Include
Quick Tips
- Highlight the research projects you have contributed to and your specific role.
- Include any co-authored publications or acknowledgements in academic papers.
- Detail your proficiency with research tools and data analysis software.
- Showcase both your independent working ability and collaborative research skills.
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Upgrade to ProHow to Write Your Research Assistant CV
A research assistant CV should demonstrate your ability to support research projects through reliable data collection, careful analysis, and clear communication. Principal investigators and research managers want to see that you can follow research protocols accurately, manage data responsibly, and contribute meaningfully to research outputs. Your CV should highlight the projects you have supported, the methods you are proficient in, and any publications or outputs you have contributed to.
CV Structure
Use a reverse-chronological format with sections for your profile, experience, education, skills, and publications or research outputs. Each role should describe the research project, funding source, and your specific contributions. Follow with achievements such as publications, recruitment targets met, or process improvements. Keep the CV to one or two pages depending on experience.
CV Format
Choose a clean, simple template. Research assistant CVs are reviewed by academics and research managers who value clarity. Use consistent formatting for dates, bullet points, and headings. Include a skills section listing software, methods, and data management tools. Save as a PDF.
CV Profile Examples
Experienced Research Assistant
Research assistant with four years of experience supporting social science research across three funded projects at a Russell Group university. Skilled in qualitative and quantitative data collection, survey design, and statistical analysis using SPSS and R. Co-author on two peer-reviewed publications and experienced in managing participant recruitment, ethics applications, and project administration.
Clinical Research Assistant
Research assistant working within an NHS clinical trials unit, supporting the coordination and delivery of multicentre randomised controlled trials in cardiology and respiratory medicine. Experienced in patient recruitment, informed consent processes, data entry into REDCap, and monitoring visit preparation. GCP-trained and committed to maintaining the highest standards of research governance.
Graduate Research Assistant
Recent psychology graduate with research assistant experience gained during a final-year dissertation project and a three-month voluntary placement in a cognitive neuroscience laboratory. Competent in literature searching, participant recruitment, behavioural testing using PsychoPy, and data entry. Seeking a research assistant position to build experience before pursuing doctoral study.
State your experience level, research methods expertise, and the types of projects you have supported. Mention any publications or co-authorships and your professional development goals.
Key Skills for Your Research Assistant CV
Literature Review
Conducting systematic and narrative literature searches across academic databases to summarise evidence and identify research gaps.
Data Collection
Gathering qualitative and quantitative data through interviews, surveys, observations, and standardised assessments in research settings.
Statistical Analysis
Performing descriptive and inferential statistical tests using SPSS, R, or Stata to analyse research data and test hypotheses.
SPSS
Using IBM SPSS Statistics for data management, variable computation, and running statistical analyses common in social and health research.
Research Ethics
Preparing ethics applications, managing informed consent processes, and ensuring research activities comply with institutional and NHS ethics requirements.
Survey Design
Creating structured questionnaires and online surveys using platforms such as Qualtrics, LimeSurvey, or REDCap for data collection.
Interview Transcription
Transcribing qualitative interview recordings verbatim and preparing transcripts for coding and thematic analysis.
Report Writing
Producing clear research reports, progress summaries, and data analysis outputs for principal investigators and funding bodies.
NVivo
Using NVivo software for organising, coding, and analysing qualitative data from interviews, focus groups, and documents.
Work Experience Examples
Describe the research project, your role within it, and the specific tasks you performed. Mention participant numbers, data volumes, and software tools used. Include at least one achievement per role — whether a publication contribution, a recruitment milestone, or a quality improvement. Show that you add value beyond basic task completion.
Research Assistant
University of Leeds, School of Sociology and Social Policy
Provided research support for an ESRC-funded longitudinal study investigating the social determinants of health inequalities in post-industrial communities.
Responsibilities
- Conducted semi-structured interviews with over 80 participants, transcribing and coding data using NVivo for thematic analysis.
- Designed and distributed online surveys using Qualtrics, managing participant recruitment through community organisations and social media.
- Performed statistical analysis of quantitative survey data using SPSS, producing descriptive and inferential statistics for project reports.
- Maintained the project database, ensuring data accuracy, confidentiality, and compliance with GDPR and university ethics requirements.
- Contributed to quarterly project reports and prepared literature review summaries for the principal investigator.
Achievements
- Recruited 120 hard-to-reach participants for the study through innovative community engagement strategies, exceeding the original target by 20%.
- Co-authored a peer-reviewed article in Sociology of Health & Illness based on qualitative findings from the project.
- Developed a participant information pack and consent process that was praised by the university ethics committee as a model of good practice.
Research Assistant (Part-Time)
King's College London, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience
Supported a clinical psychology research group investigating cognitive behavioural therapy outcomes for anxiety disorders.
Responsibilities
- Administered standardised psychological assessment tools to research participants at baseline, post-treatment, and follow-up timepoints.
- Entered and cleaned clinical data in REDCap, performing range checks and resolving data queries with the clinical team.
- Conducted systematic literature searches in PubMed, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Library databases for ongoing systematic reviews.
- Prepared ethics amendments and study documentation for submission to the NHS Research Ethics Committee.
Achievements
- Processed over 300 participant assessments with zero data entry errors identified during the annual data audit.
- Contributed to a systematic review published in the Journal of Anxiety Disorders, acknowledged in the author footnotes for data extraction and quality assessment.
Education & Qualifications
List your degree first, highlighting any research methods training or dissertation projects. Include relevant modules, statistical software training, and research ethics certifications. Mention GCP training if you work in clinical research settings.
BSc / MSc in a Research Discipline
Degree qualification providing the academic foundation and research methods training for research assistant roles.
GCP Training
Good Clinical Practice certification required for research assistants working on clinical trials and NHS-based research.
Research Ethics Training
Formal training in research ethics and governance demonstrating understanding of consent, confidentiality, and regulatory compliance.
NVivo / SPSS Certification
Software-specific training demonstrating competence in qualitative or quantitative data analysis tools used in research.
Frequently Asked Questions
What should I include on a research assistant CV with limited experience?
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