University research assistant

University research assistants conduct academic research for the university or college they are employed in. They may assist professors they are affiliated with, their supervisor, in their research or develop their own in the related field of that professor.

The following job titles also refer to university research assistant:

university research associate
research associate in university
assistant researcher in higher education
university assistant
university research technology expert
university research support worker
university research support
higher education research assistant
university research technology specialist
university research aide
university research technician
university research technologist
assistant researcher in university
research assistant in university
research associate in higher education
higher education research associate
higher education assistant researcher

Associate’s degree is generally required to work as university research assistant. However, this requirement may differ in some countries.

ISCO skill level is defined as a function of the complexity and range of tasks and duties to be performed in an occupation. It is measured on a scale from 1 to 4, with 1 the lowest level and 4 the highest, by considering:

• the nature of the work performed in an occupation in relation to the characteristic tasks and duties
• the level of formal education required for competent performance of the tasks and duties involved and
• the amount of informal on-the-job training and/or previous experience in a related occupation required for competent performance of these tasks and duties.

University research assistant is a Skill level 4 occupation.

These occupations, although different, require a lot of knowledge and skills similar to university research assistant.

university teaching assistant
analytical chemist
assistant lecturer
biophysicist
astronomer

These occupations require some skills and knowledge of university research assistant. They also require other skills and knowledge, but at a higher ISCO skill level, meaning these occupations are accessible from a position of university research assistant with a significant experience and/or extensive training.

This knowledge should be acquired through learning to fulfill the role of university research assistant.

University procedures: The inner workings of a university, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.
Scientific research methodology: The theoretical methodology used in scientific research involving doing background research, constructing an hypothesis, testing it, analysing data and concluding the results.

These skills are necessary for the role of university research assistant.

Write research proposals: Synthetise and write proposals aiming to solve research problems. Draft the proposal baseline and objectives, the estimated budget, risks and impact. Document the advances and new developments on the relevant subject and field of study.
Use data processing techniques: Gather, process and analyse relevant data and information, properly store and update data and represent figures and data using charts and statistical diagrams.
Monitor developments in field of expertise: Keep up with new research, regulations, and other significant changes, labour market related or otherwise, occurring within the field of specialisation.
Conduct scholarly research: Plan scholarly research by formulating the research question and conducting empirical or literature research in order to investigate the truth of the research question.
Discuss research proposals: Discuss proposals and projects with researchers, decide on resources to allocate and whether to move forward with the study.
Apply scientific methods: Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.
Develop scientific theories: Formulate scientific theories based on empirical observations, gathered data and theories of other scientists.
Archive scientific documentation: Store documents such as protocols, analysis results and scientific data using archiving systems to enable scientists and engineers to take methods and results from previous studies into account for their research.
Write scientific papers: Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.
Assist scientific research: Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.

This knowledge is sometimes, but not always, required for the role of university research assistant. However, mastering this knowledge allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Statistics: The study of statistical theory, methods and practices such as collection, organisation, analysis, interpretation and presentation of data. It deals with all aspects of data including the planning of data collection in terms of the design of surveys and experiments in order to forecast and plan work-related activities.

These skills and competences are sometimes, but not always, required for the role of university research assistant. However, mastering these skills and competences allows you to have more opportunities for career development.

Perform laboratory tests: Carry out tests in a laboratory to produce reliable and precise data to support scientific research and product testing.
Use a computer: Utilise computer equipment or digital devices to facilitate quality control, data management, and communication. Follow instructions given by a computer programme, create computer files or documents.
Consult students on learning content: Take students’ opinions and preferences into consideration when determining learning content.
Prepare lesson content: Prepare content to be taught in class in accordance with curriculum objectives by drafting exercises, researching up-to-date examples etc.
Execute analytical mathematical calculations: Apply mathematical methods and make use of calculation technologies in order to perform analyses and devise solutions to specific problems.
Record test data: Record data which has been identified specifically during preceding tests in order to verify that outputs of the test produce specific results or to review the reaction of the subject under exceptional or unusual input.
Apply statistical analysis techniques: Use models (descriptive or inferential statistics) and techniques (data mining or machine learning) for statistical analysis and ICT tools to analyse data, uncover correlations and forecast trends.
Collect samples for analysis: Collect samples of materials or products for laboratory analysis.
Report test findings: Report test results with a focus on findings and recommendations, differentiating results by levels of severity. Include relevant information from the test plan and outline the test methodologies, using metrics, tables, and visual methods to clarify where needed.
Apply teaching strategies: Employ various approaches, learning styles, and channels to instruct students, such as communicating content in terms they can understand, organising talking points for clarity, and repeating arguments when necessary. Use a wide range of teaching devices and methodologies appropriate to the class content, the learners’ level, goals, and priorities.
Participate in scientific colloquia: Take part in symposia, international experts’ conferences, and congresses to present research projects, methods, and results and to gather information on developments in academic research.
Carry out internet research: Execute efficient search on the internet in order to gather relevant information and share it with others.
Analyse test data: Interpret and analyse data collected during testing in order to formulate conclusions, new insights or solutions.
Calibrate laboratory equipment: Calibrate laboratory equipment by comparing between measurements: one of known magnitude or correctness, made with a trusted device and a second measurement from another piece of laboratory equipment. Make the measurements in as similar a way as possible.
Conduct quantitative research: Execute a systematic empirical investigation of observable phenomena via statistical, mathematical or computational techniques.
Assist students with their dissertation: Support university students with the writing of their paper or theses. Advise on research methods or additions to certain parts of their dissertations. Report different types of errors, such as research or methodological errors, to the student.
Publish academic research: Conduct academic research, at a university or college or on a personal account, publish it in books or academic journals with the aim of contributing to a field of expertise and achieving personal academic accreditation.
Develop scientific research protocols: Develop and record the procedural method used for a specific scientific experiment in order to enable its replication.
Search databases: Search for information or people using databases.
Analyse experimental laboratory data: Analyse experimental data and interpret results to write reports and summaries of findings
Operate scientific measuring equipment: Operate devices, machinery, and equipment designed for scientific measurement. Scientific equipment consists of specialised measuring instruments refined to facilitate the acquisition of data.
Provide assistance to lecturer: Assist the lecturer or professor by doing several educational tasks including helping with the preparation of lessons or the grading of students. Support the professor with academic and scientific research.
Supervise practical courses: Prepare the content and the material required for practical lessons, explain technical notions to students, answer their questions and evaluate their progress on a regular basis.
Provide lesson materials: Ensure that the necessary materials for teaching a class, such as visual aids, are prepared, up-to-date, and present in the instruction space.
Assist students in their learning: Support and coach students in their work, give learners practical support and encouragement.
Conduct qualitative research: Gather relevant information by applying systematic methods, such as interviews, focus groups, text analysis, observations and case studies.

2310 – University and higher education teachers

 

 

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References

1. University research assistant – ESCO