A research associate can be an entry level or mid level position, depending on the company and the type of research being conducted. In order to become a research associate, a college degree will typically be required, generally in whatever field the research will be completed. For example, if you want to research animal behavior, a degree in biology or zoology might be necessary. Some places will also offer research internships to college or graduate students, which can be a good way to become a research associate and earn college credit at the same time, as well as to get valuable job experience.
Someone who wants to become a research associate will generally be pursuing a career in the academic or scientific fields where ongoing research is necessary. It is rare for anyone to be eligible for a research position without any college education, because it is generally necessary to have a few years of experience doing research in a formal setting. This is to ensure that applicants for the job have extensive knowledge of research methods, citation styles, and academic integrity, among other important skills for researching. Some research departments might also require applicants to have some applied clinical or field experience before applying for a job.
If you have the required experience, the process to become a research associate is much like applying for any other job, and might require filling out an application and submitting a resume and cover letter. In some cases, applicants for academic positions might be required to submit a curriculum vitae, or CV, which is a more extensive academic resume listing professional and academic accomplishments in great detail. These might include published papers, grants received, or relevant courses taken, among other things. This makes a CV much longer than a traditional resume, which often fits onto a single page.
A formal interview will likely be required when trying to become a research associate. For a professional position such as this, it is very important to dress professionally and appear neat and groomed during an interview. Prepare questions for the interviewer to make you seem knowledgeable about the position, and about the field of study in which you will be performing the research. Be prepared to discuss your accomplishments as well as your struggles in work experience, and to show how you have learned from each instance. It is also important to be prepared with references who are familiar with your work when you go to a job interview to become a research associate.
