스포트라이트
Research Technician, Laboratory Assistant, Research Associate, Research Assistant, Scientific Assistant, Research Support Specialist, Industrial Research Coordinator, Research Analyst, Research Scientist Assistant, Technical Research Assistant
One thing that every developed product or service on Earth has in common is this — it was researched first. Someone had to do the legwork to determine how an organization can take an abstract concept, such as an iPhone, and transform it into a reality. That’s where industrial research and development processes come in.
Industrial research is partly defined as “the planned research or critical investigation aimed at the acquisition of new knowledge and skills for developing new products, processes or services.” It also covers improving existing products by adding new features or enhancing the design elements.
Conducting such research is complicated, so researchers often require the aid of trained Industrial Research Assistants. These invaluable helpers perform a range of tasks, from taking care of administrative duties to building lab prototypes or simulations. The work is very “behind-the-scenes” but without it, companies couldn’t bring their products and services to market.
- Conducting research vital to the development of much-needed products and services
- Contributing to the economy by laying foundations for products and services
- Working with cutting-edge technology
- Learning in an assistant capacity while working your way up
근무 일정
Industrial Research Assistants may or may not be employed full-time. Student research positions are temporary, usually part-time, and filled by undergraduate or graduate students. Assistants may work nights or weekends, with duties sometimes requiring fieldwork.
일반적인 의무
- Discuss research project scopes, timeframes, budgets, and other considerations with stakeholders and supervisors
- Design and build programs to perform statistical analysis
- Perform research-based and fact-checking tasks using online and library tools
- Use programs to analyze and interpret data and statistics
- Code and input data into software programs. Manage databases and ensure the accuracy of entries
- Develop quality assurance measures
- Draft and proofread presentations, reports, survey questionnaires, and other written materials
- Create graphics to summarize data and findings
- Present or explain findings to stakeholders or other parties
- Conduct research interviews and testing with volunteer subjects
- Collect, analyze, log, and store or dispose of physical specimens, as needed
- Keep track of any follow-ups involving research volunteers
- File, manage, and safeguard documentation and other sensitive materials
- Oversee inventory management to include lab supplies
- Manage budgets and keep an eye on expenses
- Supervise other team members or project participants, as needed
추가 책임
- Complete administrative tasks as requested, such as note-taking
- Attend meetings and conferences
- Update websites
- Be aware of and comply with all applicable rules, guidelines, and laws
- Stay up-to-date on changes in relevant technologies
- Train, mentor, and supervise new assistants and other team members
- Help with recruitment efforts
- Keep work areas clean
- 적절한 담당자와 기술 문제 논의
소프트 스킬
- 분석
- 규정 준수 지향
- 농도
- 창조성
- 비판적 사고
- 호기심
- 연역적 및 귀납적 추론
- 디테일 지향
- 징계
- 융통성
- 직관
- 관찰력
- 끈기
- 계획 및 조직
- 문제 해결 능력
- 건전한 판단
- 팀워크
- 시간 관리
기술 능력
- 데이터 분석 프로그램
- 데이터베이스
- Familiarity with Good Laboratory Practice (GLP), Good Clinical Practice, and Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP), as applicable
- Familiarity with statistics and analytical software such as Stata or MATLAB
- Information retrieval systems
- 프레젠테이션 소프트웨어
- R&D software like MasterControl
- Scientific research methodology
- 스프레드시트
- Charities
- Governmental agencies and research labs
- Private organizations and business enterprises
- 대학
Industrial Research Assistants are relied on to do the background work necessary to produce products and services that conform to specific requirements. Their work must be methodical and meticulous, taking multiple factors into consideration, including what data to assess, how to obtain it in the allotted timeframes, and what to do with it.
They need to carefully establish and follow procedures to ensure their findings are accurate, relevant, and timely. The day-to-day job requires tons of focus and critical thinking, but such sustained concentration can be exhausting at times. There may also be long periods of working independently, which can be a bit lonely for some. However, researchers do meet up to discuss how projects are going and to prepare findings.
Just as technology is advancing, so too is the research and development behind it. As discussed by Brightspot Strategy, three overarching recent trends are that “research is becoming a more complex, collaborative activity,” there’s a “growing focus on the real-world application, societal impact, and commercial return,” and “technology has growing importance as a tool to enable more complex and collaborative research across disciplines.”
Because of the increasing complexities of research, Industrial Research Assistants may expect more job opportunities! Researchers not only need help with the actual research, but also with several time-consuming operational and administrative burdens that come with it. Among these are tasks related to obtaining funding, managing data, finding volunteer subjects, and getting published in relevant journals.
People who get into research fields usually enjoy reading, studying complex subjects, and figuring out solutions to problems. They may have been bookworms or computer programmers who loved being caught up in whatever they were engaged in.
Industrial Research Assistants must collaborate with others but don’t mind working on their own for long periods. They might have been independent and self-sufficient growing up, preferring to be left to their intellectual pursuits. They were probably interested in how things work and the behind-the-scenes of how products are made!
- Industrial Research Assistants usually need a bachelor’s in the field they are working in
- Courses depend on the exact field of research, but general subjects include math, English composition, computer programming, and statistics
- Candidates should be familiar with data analysis, databases and spreadsheets, statistics and analytical software, information retrieval systems, presentation software, and research methodology
- Student research assistant positions may be available for undergraduates but are often for graduate students
- Software-specific certifications may be available to boost your credentials
- Six Sigma process improvement techniques are also useful in the R&D environment
- There are numerous possible majors that could tie into industrial research. Figure out your major before thinking about “things to look for in a university”
- General considerations include: tuition costs (including in-state or out-of-state rates), discounts offered, scholarship opportunities, and course delivery options (on-campus, online, or hybrid program)
- If you’re considering a student research role, you may need to be on-campus. Check with the applicable program you’re interested in to learn more
- Volunteer as a research project subject and ask lots of questions
- Take plenty of math, statistics, computer science, and English in high school
- Get some real-world job experience via part-time jobs related to your major
- Previous scientific research work or experience in labs using analytical software may be useful in preparing workers for this field
- Review job postings in advance to see the common requirements employers are seeking
- Request to do an informational interview with a working Industrial Research Assistant to learn about their jobs
- 향후 작업 참조 역할을 할 수 있는 연락처 추적
- Study books, articles, and video tutorials related to developments in your areas. Study current research programs and processes
- Understand how R&D works and who the key players are, such as the principal investigator
- Learn about the patent application process
- Look at the various existing products related to the area you intend to specialize in, and consider how they were developed
- 온라인 포럼에 참여하여 질문하고 노련한 전문가로부터 배우십시오.
- 전문 조직과 협력하여 배우고, 공유하고, 친구를 사귀고, 네트워크를 성장시키십시오(리소스 > 웹사이트 목록 참조).
- 이력서 작성을 일찍 시작하십시오. 진행하면서 계속 추가하여 아무것도 놓치지 않도록하십시오.
- Complete as necessary educational requirements to qualify for a research position
- Check out job portals such as Indeed, Simply Hired, Glassdoor, and local college job boards
- If you are a student, talk to your program manager or professors about opportunities
- 가능하면 신청하기 전에 벨트 아래에서 실용적인 상점 업무 경험을 얻으십시오.
- Be familiar with the research already being done, including any new breakthroughs
- Speak with working Industrial Research Assistants about job-seeking tips
- Visit your school’s career center for help connecting with work opportunities
- 잠재적 인 추천인에게 미리 물어보고 추천하거나 추천서를 작성하는지 확인하십시오.
- Check out Research Assistant resume templates and review Research Assistant job interview questions
- Wear appropriate attire for your job interview
- Do your research about every company you interview with. Learn their mission, values, and products or services they currently offer or are working on
- Companies thrive by improving current products and launching new ones, so come into an interview with creative, feasible ideas
- Conduct thorough, accurate research and build your reputation as a trusted, innovative assistant
- Pay close attention to instructions given by your supervisor or project manager
- Try to master all the duties assigned to you, and request increased responsibility if you can handle it
- Ask your supervisor how you can improve your knowledge and skills to better serve the project
- Be a quality assurance guru, and set the bar high for yourself and others
- Stay positive and motivated. Do solid work, follow procedures, and keep work centers clean and safe
- 제조업체 및 소프트웨어 가이드를 연구하십시오. 최고의 전문가가 되어 자신을 가치 있게 만드십시오
- Learn all you can from those with more experience
- Reach out to other teams doing related research, and collaborate when possible (but don’t break any confidentiality requirements of your project)
- Consider earning a Six Sigma belt
- Post updates about your project, as allowed, and promote your own achievements (or better yet, get your boss to promote them!)
- Collaborate effectively on teams, stay focused on goals, and demonstrate leadership
- Train new assistants and treat them with respect
- Stay engaged with professional organizations related to your field
웹사이트
- Argonne National Laboratory
- Benchling, Inc.
- Broad Institute
- Brookhaven National Laboratory
- Carnegie Mellon University Software Engineering Institute
- CNA
- Department of Atomic Energy
- 에너지부
- Department of Energy National Laboratories
- 국토 안보부
- Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
- Genentech
- Georgia Institute of Technology - Georgia Tech Research Institute
- Industrial Research Institute
- Institute for Defense Analyses - IDA Communications & Computing Center
- Institute for Defense Analyses - IDA Systems and Analyses Center
- Johns Hopkins University - Applied Physics Laboratory
- 로렌스 리버모어 국립 연구소
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology - Institute for Soldier Nanotechnologies
- Massachusetts Institute of Technology Lincoln Lab
- MITRE National Security Engineering Center
- National Organization of Research Development Professionals
- National Renewable Energy Laboratory - Golden Campus
- National Science Foundation
- Oak Ridge National Laboratory
- Office of Science and Technology Policy
- Pennsylvania State University - Applied Research Laboratory
- RAND Corp.
- RTI International
- Salk Institute for Biological Studies
- SRI International
- Stevens Institute of Technology - Systems Engineering Research Center
- The Aerospace Corporation
- Toray Industries
- University of California at Santa Barbara - Institute for Collaborative Biotechnologies
- University of Hawaii - Applied Research Laboratory
- University of Maryland - Applied Research Laboratory for Intelligence and Security
- University of Nebraska - National Strategic Research Institute
- University of Southern California - Institute for Creative Technologies
- University of Texas at Austin - Applied Research Laboratories
- University of Washington - Applied Physics Laboratory
- Utah State University - Space Dynamics Laboratory
책
- Managing Research, Development and Innovation: Managing the Unmanageable, by Ravi Jain, Harry C. Triandis, et al.
- Project Management for Research and Development: Guiding Innovation for Positive R&D Outcomes, by Lory Mitchell Wingate
- Research Methods for Product Design, by Alex Milton and Paul Rodgers
Industrial Research Assistants work in many fields and sometimes leave research behind to focus on other aspects of their careers. For those who enjoy research, there are many other career options that rely heavily on it, including:
- 광고, 프로모션 및 마케팅 관리자
- Clinical Data Managers
- 비용 추정기
- 데이터 과학자
- 경제
- 관리 분석가
- 수학자와 통계학자
- 운영 연구 분석가
- 홍보 전문가
- Statisticians
- 설문 조사 연구원