About Research Assistant Jobs in Boston, MA
Boston Research Assistant Jobs Overview
You may read or hear the words "studies have shown that…" in the news. But what studies? And who is doing these studies? The engine behind research studies is often students or recent graduates with research assistant jobs. Being an RA is often a step on the path toward getting a Ph.D. and can help you decide if you want to pursue a career in academia. Private research organizations, government departments, and non-profit associations also employ research assistants.
A research assistant usually works with one professor, research fellow, or research team in an academic environment. Any field of study you can think of utilizes research assistants. The first assignment for an RA is often to write grant requests to fund the rest of the research they'll work on. After that, the main functions of a research assistant are:
- preparing lit reviews
- running trials
- collecting data
- analyzing data using statistics
- writing presentations and papers
You can expand your search for higher ed jobs by checking out these similar positions:
About Working in Boston, Massachusetts
Boston is one of America's oldest cities. Whether you call it Beantown, the Cradle of Liberty, or the Hub, there are plenty of fun things to do in Boston. You can check out a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, walk the Freedom Trail, or take a Swan Boat ride in the Public Garden. If you're hungry, you don't have to stick with the city's famous baked beans—you can grab a cannoli in the North End or a cup of clam chowder just about anywhere. In fact, Boston was ranked one of the best U.S. cities for foodies. Ready to move to Beantown? You'll be happy to know that the Boston jobs market is robust.
With a low unemployment rate and a booming tech sector, there are tons of jobs in Boston. The average annual salary in Boston is also much higher than the U.S. national average. If you want to expand your job search outside the Boston metro area, consider checking out job listings in Waltham, Newton, and Quincy.
Update Your Boston Research Assistant Resume
The first test of your writing, information-gathering, and presentation skills is your resume. Take a look at this sample resume for jobs in higher education to get started. You can download it as a free template from Monster. You'll also want to create a cover letter to accompany your resume. Here's an example cover letter we've put together specifically for research assistant positions. You can read other resume tips and advice about cover letter writing in the Monster library.
How Much Do Research Assistant Jobs Pay in Boston, Massachusetts?
Got money on your mind? You should! Make sure you’re getting paid what you’re worth. Our Salary Tools can help you understand what you can expect to make in research assistant jobs in Boston, Massachusetts, as well as the skills that can boost your value and what the next steps in your career might be. Right now, the median graduate research fellow pay in Boston is $51,606 per year, which is 0% lower than the national average.
Find Your Next Boston Research Assistant Job. Monster Can Help Get You Started
Are you prepared for a career in research assistant? If so, set up your profile on Monster for free and begin clicking on those research assistant jobs. When you sign up with us, you’ll receive custom job alerts and expert advice on how to negotiate your salary in Boston, how to nail your job interview, and more.