11 Undergraduate Research Assistant Resume Examples for 2025

A strong resume is important for an undergraduate research assistant role. This article offers proven resume examples and strategic advice to help job seekers. Learn how to present research experience, academic achievements, and skills effectively. Use correct terminology and format to increase chances of getting the job. This guide is simple and practical for non-native English speakers.

  Compiled and approved by Jason Lewis
  Last updated on See history of changes

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At a Glance

Here's what we see in strong resumes for this role.

  • Show Impact With Numbers: The best resumes show impact by using numbers. Examples include reduced costs by 10%, increased efficiency by 20%, collected data from 50 participants, analyzed 200 samples.

  • Include Relevant Skills: Include skills on your resume that you have and are mentioned on the job description. Some popular ones are data analysis, statistical software, laboratory techniques, survey methods, database management. But don't include all of them, choose the ones you have and are mentioned in the JD.

  • Highlight Research Experience: Showcase any research experience you have. Include phrases like conducted experiments or compiled reports to highlight practical skills.

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Education section placement

When you put together your resume as an undergraduate research assistant, your education is very important. It should be near the start of your resume. As someone who might still be in school or just finished, your recent education is what managers look at first.

In your education section, highlight relevant coursework and projects that show you have the skills for research work. If you have done any research projects or been part of research teams, list these under your degree. This will show you have experience beyond just classes, which is good for all types of jobs.

Detail academic projects

List any academic projects or research papers you have worked on. This can show your hands-on experience in research activities.

Include any relevant publications or presentations, even if they were part of your coursework. This can demonstrate your ability to conduct and share research.

Ideal resume length

Keep your resume to one page. You are applying to be an undergraduate research assistant and should focus on recent, relevant experience and skills. One page is enough space to list your education, any lab experience, research projects, and skills that apply to research work.

When you write your resume, remember hiring managers often review many applications. Your most important qualifications should be easy to find and read. If you have publications or presentations, include them. They show your experience in research and ability to communicate results.

Showcase research skills

For a research assistant role, be sure to highlight any research skills and experiences you have. Mention specific tasks like data collection, analysis, and using laboratory equipment.

Include the software you are familiar with, such as SPSS, R, or any other tools used in your field. This can make you more attractive to hiring managers.

Beat the resume screeners

When you apply for a job as an undergraduate research assistant, your resume might first be read by software called an Applicant Tracking System (ATS). This software can filter out resumes before a hiring manager looks at them. To make sure your resume gets seen, follow these tips:

  • Use keywords from the job description. For example, if the job asks for experience in 'data collection', make sure you include that exact phrase.
  • Format your resume simply. Complex designs can confuse the ATS. Stick with standard fonts and avoid images or charts.

Remember, a clear resume that the ATS understands will increase your chances of it being reviewed by someone who can offer you the job.

Showcase relevant skills

You need to show the skills that matter for a research assistant job. Think about the tasks you will do and list the skills that help you do these tasks well.

  • Use phrases like data analysis and experimental design if you've done projects or coursework related to these areas.
  • Show you can work in a team by mentioning any group projects or collaborations, use team collaboration.
  • For any tech you know that researchers use, list it. If you've used a specific software for data, say proficient in SPSS.

Show achievements, not tasks

When you prepare your resume as an undergraduate research assistant, remember to highlight your achievements, not just your tasks. You might be tempted to list day-to-day responsibilities, but employers are more interested in what you've accomplished.

For example, instead of saying 'Conducted surveys for a research project,' you could transform this into an achievement by writing 'Gathered and analyzed data from 200+ survey respondents, contributing to pivotal research insights on consumer behavior.' Another common task might be described as 'Assisted with laboratory maintenance.' To turn this into an accomplishment, write 'Ensured optimal lab conditions, leading to a 15% increase in experimental reliability and efficiency.'

By focusing on the concrete results you've achieved, you tell potential employers that you're someone who can deliver outcomes, not just complete tasks. This is a valuable trait in any industry.

Use strong action verbs

When you are applying as an undergraduate research assistant, the verbs you choose for your resume can make a big difference. They can show what you have done in a clear and powerful way. You should use verbs that tell about your research skills and how you work with others.

Here are some good verbs to use on your resume. They will help you tell about your skills and what you did in past jobs or projects. Using these will give a good picture of your abilities and experience.

  • To show you can collect and look at data, use analyzed, compiled, calculated, measured, surveyed.
  • If you want to show you can plan and do research, use designed, conducted, executed, synthesized, assessed.
  • To highlight teamwork and communication, use collaborated, presented, coordinated, discussed, translated.
  • When you want to show you can write and share findings, use authored, documented, reported, drafted, summarized.
  • To demonstrate problem-solving skills, use resolved, troubleshooted, refined, optimized, revised.

Want inspiration for other action verbs you can use? Check out synonyms to commonly used action verbs like Spearheaded, Streamline, Delivered, Handle, Handling.

Show leadership and growth

When you apply for a position as a research assistant, it's important to show how you've grown and taken on leadership roles. Even if you're unsure, think about times when you guided a project or helped to make decisions. You can also include any formal titles or roles that reflect your growth.

  • Managed a team of peers in a research project, ensuring deadlines were met and goals achieved
  • Took initiative to organize and lead weekly meetings to discuss project progress and assign tasks

Think about your experience in group projects, labs, or clubs. Often, you have leadership experience without realizing it. Did you mentor new students or coordinate a study group? These are examples of leadership. Make sure to list any awards or recognition you received for your work. This shows that your leadership was valued and effective.

  • Recognized as 'Most Valuable Team Member' for contributions to research accuracy and efficiency
  • Selected to present research findings at a department symposium, representing the team's work

Key skills for research assistants

As an undergraduate research assistant, having the right technical skills on your resume is critical. These skills show you can handle research tasks effectively. Consider including a mix of the following:

  • Data analysis
  • Laboratory techniques
  • Statistical software
  • Research methodologies
  • Technical writing
  • Scientific literature review
  • Experimental design
  • Fieldwork expertise
  • Data collection
  • Database management

You don't need to include all these skills, just those that match your experience and the job you want. Place them in a dedicated skills section for clarity. This helps with Applicant Tracking Systems (ATS) which scan for keywords related to the job. Make sure to also show how you've used these skills in your job descriptions.

For example, if you have experience with statistical software, mention specific projects where you used it to analyze data. If you've performed laboratory techniques, detail the experiments and their outcomes. This practical evidence strengthens your resume and shows you're ready to contribute from day one.

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