Chicago 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 Chicago, Illinois
If you're going to Chicago to experience "da Bears," deep-dish pizza, and windy streets, native Chicagoans say "fogetta 'bout it!" While these have made Chicago famous, you'll find many locals eating thin-crust, tavern-style pie. Plus, the city isn't on any list of the windiest cities in the U.S.—a local newspaper named it "The Windy City" after the Chicago elite's propensity toward boastfulness and self-promotion. And while the Chicago jobs list (hit jobs, that is) includes notorious mobsters from Chicago like Al Capone, John Dillinger, and Baby Face Nelson, linguists are noticing that the "Chicago accent" is disappearing.
However, there's a reason Condé Nast Traveler has named Chicago the "best big city in the U.S." Chicago is home to top universities, including Northwestern University, Wheaton College, and Valparaiso. And if you're looking for Chicago jobs, you can relocate to any one of the city's unique neighborhoods, such as North Center with its cozy Irish pubs and breweries or Uptown, the lively entertainment district. For those who want to live further out from the city, you can also find jobs in popular suburbs including Cicero, Oak Park, and Evanston.
Update Your Chicago 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 Chicago, Illinois?
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 Chicago, Illinois, 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 Chicago is $53,911 per year, which is 4% higher than the national average.
Find Your Next Chicago 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 Chicago, how to nail your job interview, and more.