It is easy to think of a resume as a record of past achievements. Yet, the purpose of this document is to present your experience and skills to employers so you can get hired for a new position. It is a good idea to frame descriptions of your skills and work experience in terms of the job you are presently seeking and the professional responsibilities you would like to assume. The best resume is one that represents your past in terms of your future and covers where you have been in order to help you get where you want to go.
Our research assistant resume sample demonstrates this outlook. The summary statement covers the high points of the candidate’s experience, and the abilities she mentions are applicable to her ongoing education as well as her previous and future employment. This sample offers a useful reminder of the major resume sections, and you may also benefit from a series of questions and answers about best writing practices.
Research Assistant Resume
Sheryl Grant
Orono, ME 11111 • sheryl.grant@anymail.com • 555-325-6837
Orono, ME 11111 • sheryl.grant@anymail.com • 555-325-6837
Summary
Doctoral candidate in microbiology with experience working as a research assistant. Research focuses on quantum-mechanical processes in DNA sequence evolution. Assisted with research projects on drug-DNA interactions and CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing including preparing literature review for publication.
Skills
- Cutting-edge gene editing research
- Lab work
- Scientific and analytical software
- Python programming language
- Statistical analysis
- Data entry and integrity checks
- Compiling information
- Quality standards
- Inventory management
- Presentation assistance
Work Experience
Research Assistant, Sept. 2016 – May 2017
University of Maine, Orono, ME
University of Maine, Orono, ME
- Supported ongoing research into CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing by reading and distilling current research for literature review in a forthcoming academic article by primary researchers
- Gathered more than 100 citations involving recent findings and historical background of gene editing
- Contributed programming skills to project and learned best practices for working with large-scale genetic datasets
- Analyzed vectors for gene delivery that adhere to standards for clinical use
Teaching Assistant, Jan. 2014 – May 2015
University of Maine, Orono, ME
University of Maine, Orono, ME
- Taught four lab sections to support a large sophomore-level Introduction to Microbiology course
- Guided 40 students through a variety of experiments and assisted with homework problems
- Led midterm and final test reviews based on study guides generated by supervising professor
- Graded all assignments and tests for students enrolled in lab sections and submitted accurate scores to course management system
Undergraduate Researcher, Sept. 2011 – May 2013
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
- Assisted with project on cancer drug and DNA interactions led by two faculty members at UNH and three at other institutions in New England
- Worked on a team of four research assistants supporting all researchers
- Entered large quantities of data gathered by primary researcher into databases for use in analysis
- Verified and quality-checked datasets to ensure accuracy of calculations and results
Education
Doctor of Philosophy in Microbiology – expected 2019
University of Maine, Orono, ME
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Master of Science in Microbiology – 2015
University of Maine, Orono, ME
Bachelor of Science in Biology – 2013
University of New Hampshire, Durham, NH
magna cum laude
Honors and Awards
Undergraduate Research Fellowship, 2012-2013
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Is This a Good Accounting Clerk Resume? Let’s Check
The summary statement is an opportunity for research assistants to draw attention to specialized skills, support abilities, and relevant education or experience. Does this candidate start this research assistant resume sample by pointing out her top qualifications?
Yes, she does. The candidate mentions that she is in the final stages of doctoral study and already has experience as a research assistant. She brings up the focus of her own research and other projects she has worked on in the past. The candidate also includes her coverage of current studies in microbiology, which could be a requirement for the position she wants.
Research assistants often support projects by performing data entry or analysis or helping lead researchers publicize their findings. Has the candidate written the skills section of this research assistant resume sample with the requirements for this position in mind?
Yes. The candidate starts her skills list with the subject of her own research. She continues on to describe highly desirable skills for a research assistant, including scientific software and programming, data processing and analysis, lab work, and presenting. The candidate demonstrates her ability to fulfill all of the requirements for most research assistant positions.
Regardless of a candidate’s background, he or she should demonstrate an ability to support a research project in the work experience section of the resume. Does this candidate include useful information in the work experience section of this research assistant resume sample?
Yes, she does. The candidate begins with her most recent research assistant appointment and describes previous teaching assistant and undergraduate research roles. She clearly communicates her familiarity with filling supportive roles and ability to apply her skills to different projects.
Most faculty or hiring committees require that research assistants have a high level of training in a specific field. Can a prospective employer reading the education section determine this candidate’s qualifications to engage in biological research?
Yes. The candidate has a master’s in microbiology and is pursuing a doctorate in the same subject. Her bachelor’s degree is in biology and she graduated with high honors. All of these achievements indicate her ability to excel in a research assistant role in a related area.
Is this research assistant resume sample easy for a prospective employer to skim and see the candidate’s qualifications for this position?
A researcher or hiring committee can see that this candidate’s own studies are proceeding on schedule and that she has a track record of supporting research and teaching. In each case, she has contributed valuable assistance to researchers, professors, and students, and there is no reason to assume that she would not continue to do so in her next research assistant position.
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The Most Important Research Assistant Resume Sample Takeaways
Research assistants work in a variety of settings. The candidate in this research assistant resume sample is a doctoral student who is presumably applying to work on a project with a related focus at her current institution. Regardless of which type of assistant role you are seeking, employers will want to get a sense of your academic background and research skills. Be sure to emphasize any relevant training and tailor your resume to the requirements set forth in the job description. If you would like additional assistance, use our resume builder.
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