Research Project Assistant job description.
A research project assistant supports the day-to-day administration and execution of research studies. They help with data collection, documentation, scheduling, and coordination between researchers, participants, and institutions, ensuring projects stay organized and on track.
The Research Project Assistant job description · $29
The full editable .docx — role summary, 8 worked responsibilities, qualifications, and skills, formatted for your letterhead. Delivered to your inbox within 24 hours — usually instantly.
Role: Research Project Assistant Reports to: Principal Investigator or Research Project Manager
A research project assistant supports the day-to-day administration and execution of research studies. They help with data collection, documentation, scheduling, and coordination between researchers, participants, and institutions, ensuring projects stay organized and on track.
- Assist with recruitment, scheduling, and coordination of study participants
- Collect, enter, and organize research data accurately
- Maintain project documentation, including consent forms and study records
What's inside the document.
One-paragraph plain-English explanation of the role's outcome and scope.
8 responsibilities phrased the way the work is actually done.
4 qualifications a candidate must have to perform on day 30.
3 qualifications that would make a candidate excellent in year two.
5 skill chips you can copy directly into your ATS.
Principal Investigator or Research Project Manager
A complete document set.
- Word document (.docx) — fully editable
- PDF — signature-ready
- Google Docs — one-click copy to your Drive
- 12 months of updates to this document
- Commercial-use licence for internal and client work
The work, not the title.
- Assist with recruitment, scheduling, and coordination of study participants
- Collect, enter, and organize research data accurately
- Maintain project documentation, including consent forms and study records
- Support preparation of reports, presentations, and grant materials
- Coordinate logistics for research meetings and site visits
- Help ensure compliance with institutional review board (IRB) protocols
- Order and track research supplies and equipment
- Communicate with research team members and external collaborators
Required — and what would make a candidate excellent.
- Bachelor's degree in a relevant field or equivalent research experience
- Strong organizational and data entry skills
- Familiarity with basic research methods and documentation practices
- Excellent written and verbal communication skills
- Prior experience in an academic or clinical research setting
- Familiarity with data management software (e.g., REDCap, SPSS)
- Coursework or training in research ethics
Eight steps from download to publish.
- 01Open the Research Project Assistant job description in Word or your one-click Google Docs copy.
- 02Replace placeholders for company name, reporting line, and location with your specifics.
- 03Tighten the summary to one paragraph that names the team's outcome, not just the role.
- 04Edit the responsibilities to match the actual scope of the seat — aim for 6 to 8 items, not 12.
- 05Separate required qualifications from preferred. Required is what a candidate must have to do the work on day 30; preferred is what would make them excellent in year two.
- 06Add salary range guidance using BLS, Payscale, or your own band data — do not copy generic figures.
- 07Have the hiring manager and one peer read it. Cut anything that wouldn't survive a candidate question.
- 08Publish to your ATS, intranet, and external careers page.
The right document at the right moment.
Use this Research Project Assistant job description any time you are opening or reopening a seat at this level. The entry band sets the calibration — copy the document, tighten it to your specific scope, and circulate to the hiring panel before the first interview.
The reporting line (Principal Investigator or Research Project Manager) and skills list are starting points. Override either if your org structure or stack differs from the norm — the template is a draft, not a contract.
Honest answers before you download.
- Is this an entry-level position?
- Yes, it's commonly an entry point into research careers, often suited to recent graduates or those pursuing further academic study.
- What software skills are helpful for this role?
- Familiarity with spreadsheet tools and research data platforms such as REDCap or SPSS is helpful, though many employers provide training.
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This Research Project Assistant job description is a professionally drafted starting point for your hiring process and is not legal advice. Hiring practice varies by jurisdiction (e.g. pay-transparency laws differ across US states and AU jurisdictions). Adapt this document for your specific location and have employment counsel review any clauses you add before publishing. Salary varies by region, employer type, and experience. Reference BLS or current industry surveys for ranges. Full disclaimer.