Profession 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.

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Personality Type

Knowledge

  • 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.

  • University procedures

    The inner workings of a university, such as the structure of the relevant education support and management, the policies, and the regulations.

Skills

  • Discuss research proposals

    Discuss proposals and projects with researchers, decide on resources to allocate and whether to move forward with the study.

  • Assist scientific research

    Assist engineers or scientists with conducting experiments, performing analysis, developing new products or processes, constructing theory, and quality control.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • 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.

  • Apply scientific methods

    Apply scientific methods and techniques to investigate phenomena, by acquiring new knowledge or correcting and integrating previous knowledge.

  • Write scientific papers

    Present the hypothesis, findings, and conclusions of your scientific research in your field of expertise in a professional publication.

  • 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.

Optional knowledge and skills

search databases execute analytical mathematical calculations collect samples for analysis assist students with their dissertation prepare lesson content assist students in their learning develop scientific research protocols participate in scientific colloquia report test findings perform laboratory tests conduct quantitative research analyse test data analyse experimental laboratory data statistics apply teaching strategies operate scientific measuring equipment consult students on learning content supervise practical courses apply statistical analysis techniques record test data carry out internet research provide assistance to lecturer use a computer publish academic research calibrate laboratory equipment conduct qualitative research provide lesson materials

Source: Sisyphus ODB