Research Assistant CV Example & Writing Tips for 2024

Ensure your CV format is structured to best highlight your unique experience and life situation.

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How to write a research assistant CV

Before you begin writing, make sure you know how to write a CV in a way that best emphasises your strengths.

Strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a passion for research are key attributes of an excellent research assistant. Your research assistant CV needs to showcase these qualities effectively to stand out to academic institutions or research organisations.

Here’s how to write a compelling research assistant CV that catches the attention of hiring managers.

1. Be specific about your achievements in your personal statement

Instead of simply listing responsibilities, focus on specific contributions and results, such as how your publications or grant funding have impacted the field or led to advancements.

If you have relevant experience, specify the number of years and the types of research projects you’ve worked on. If you are writing your first CV or have less direct experience, emphasise transferable skills such as time management, critical thinking, and collaboration.

Conclude your personal statement by clearly articulating your reasons for wanting to apply for the specific job. Mentioning your enthusiasm for contributing to the institution’s research initiatives or your alignment with its mission can make a strong impression.

Example research assistant personal statement

Dynamic and dedicated Research Assistant with 5+ years of experience in Health in Humanitarian Settings and Global Governance for Health. My work, which includes successful publications in top-tier journals and securing over £100,000 in external research funding, has directly influenced evidence-based global health policies. I am particularly drawn to Imperial College London’s cutting-edge work on pandemic preparedness and health system strengthening and am eager to contribute my expertise in systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and data-driven policy development to your team.

2. Emphasise relevant skills in your work experience section

While previous experience in a specific research role isn’t always required, the work experience section should highlight your ability to handle the responsibilities of a research assistant. This could include experience in conducting qualitative and quantitative research, managing large data sets, or writing research papers.

Be sure to present your work experience in a way that demonstrates how you can contribute to a research team. Achievements that showcase attention to detail, data analysis skills, or the ability to secure research funding will strengthen your CV. Moreover, quantifying your achievements (e.g., ‘Published 5 peer-reviewed articles on global health policy’) provides hiring managers with a sense of the scale and significance of your contributions.

Example work experience entry for a research assistant’s CV

Research Assistant
University of Oxford, January 20XX – Present

• Lead research projects on pandemic preparedness, analysing data from over 5,000 clinical trials and disease registries to develop actionable health interventions
• Conduct systematic reviews and meta-analyses, synthesising data from over 100 studies, informing WHO and CDC policy recommendations
• Supervise a multidisciplinary team of 10+ researchers, leading to the successful publication of 3 major papers in high-impact journals

3. Showcase the right research and analytical skills

Your skills section should make it easy for employers to see that you have the necessary abilities to excel as a research assistant.

Highlight specialised research skills such as data analysis, systematic reviews, and the use of research software (e.g., NVivo, SPSS, R).

Organisational skills, project management, and effective communication are also valuable in research roles.

Every skill listed should be substantiated by examples from your personal statement and work experience sections. This reinforces your claims and provides context, which helps employers understand how you have applied your researcher skills in real-world situations.

Valuable skills for research assistants

• Qualitative and quantitative research methods
• Data analysis and interpretation
• Systematic reviews and meta-analyses
• Research publication and presentation
• Grant writing and funding acquisition
• Data management tools (e.g., NVivo, SPSS, R)
• Microsoft Office Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint)
• Project management

4. Include any relevant qualifications

Relevant educational qualifications are crucial for a research assistant role. Most employers expect at least a bachelor’s degree in a related field, and many prefer candidates with a master’s degree or higher.

List your highest level of education first and mention any relevant coursework, research projects, or thesis topics that align with the job description.

If you have obtained any additional certifications, such as training in research ethics, advanced data analysis, or specific software proficiency, these can help your application stand out. Include these in your qualifications section to demonstrate a commitment to continuous learning and professional development.

Example qualifications section for a research assistant CV

Advanced Data Analysis using SPSS
Coursera
20XX

Master of Public Health (MPH)
University College London
20XX – 20XX
Thesis: ‘Strengthening health systems in low-resource humanitarian settings: a case study approach’

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