Post-secondary teaching and research assistants assist university and COLLEGE professors in their courses and research work. Their main responsibilities include:[1]
Teaching Assistants:
- Prepare materials for professors' courses
- Conduct seminars, discussion groups, and laboratory sessions
- Collaborate in preparing and administering exams
- Grade exams, essays, and lab reports[1]
Research Assistants:
- Gather information from literature, surveys, and lab experiments
- Compile and analyze research results
- Contribute to writing papers or articles[1]
Regarding work-life balance:
- About 83% work full-time, while 17% work part-time
- Approximately 66% work year-round, with 34% working seasonally (average 44 weeks/year)
- The gender distribution is 81% female and 19% male
However, maintaining a work-life balance can be challenging. Many supervisors expect long hours, and the workload often extends beyond regular working hours. This can lead to isolation and impact self-esteem, especially when comparing oneself to workaholic peers.[14]
How to Become Post-secondary teaching and research assistants -
Steps to become a post-secondary teaching or research assistant in India:
- Complete 12th standard education from a recognized school board
- Earn a bachelor's degree with a minimum 50% aggregate
- Complete a two-year diploma in Elementary Education (DLEd)[23]
- Pursue a master's degree in your chosen field
- Consider earning a PhD for advanced positions[3]
- Clear competitive exams like the Teacher Eligibility Test (TET) or Central Teacher Eligibility Test (CTET)[23]
- Gain relevant experience through internships, tutoring, or volunteering in educational settings[23]
Key skills and competencies:
- Communication skills
- Critical thinking
- Attention to detail
- Time management
- Organizational skills
- Research and analytical abilities
- Proficiency in data analysis
- Familiarity with academic writing
- Presentation skills
- Interpersonal skills[4]
Technical skills:
- Research methods (surveys, interviews, focus groups, qualitative/quantitative analysis)
- Data collection and analysis using relevant software
- Results preparation and presentation
- Data visualization[24]
Salary:
The average salary for research assistants in India is ₹16.1 lakhs per year. Salaries typically range from ₹13.0 lakhs to ₹44.6 lakhs per year. The top 10% of employees earn more than ₹25.0 lakhs per year, while the top 1% earn more than ₹44.6 lakhs per year.[7]
Career Progression:
Research assistants can advance their careers through strategic planning, skill enhancement, and networking. Career growth opportunities include:[8]
- Data Scientist: Transition into roles in tech companies and research organizations
- Research Coordinator: Manage research projects and oversee logistics
- Academic Roles: Pursue careers as lecturers or professors
- Industry Research Roles: Apply skills in commercial settings as research scientists or lead analysts[8]
Industry Trends and Future Outlook:
The job outlook for teaching assistants in India is generally positive, with growing demand in the education sector. Opportunities for progression are available, with experienced assistants potentially moving into positions such as special education teachers, school counselors, or school administrators.[10]
Career prospects in teaching and associated domains:
- Assistant Professor: INR 5 - 8 LPA, with growth potential to Associate Professor, Professor, or Head of Department
- Content Developer/Instructional Designer: INR 4 - 6 LPA, with progression to Product Manager or Curriculum Head
- Corporate Trainer: INR 6 - 10 LPA, with growth to L&D Manager or Training Head
- Policy Analyst/Education Researcher: INR 5 - 8 LPA, with progression to Senior Policy Advisor or Research Lead
Citations:
[1] https://www.quebec.ca/en/employment/learn-trade-occupation/exploring-trades-occupations/41201-post-secondary-teaching-and-research-assistants
[2] https://uwm.edu/graduate-assistants/handbook/teaching-assistants/roles-and-responsibilities-of-teaching-assistants/
[3] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/career-development/how-to-become-a-teaching-assistant
[4] https://ca.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/research-assistant-skills
[5] https://www.linkedin.com/advice/3/how-do-you-become-research-teaching-assistant-skills-research-jsagc
[6] https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-is-research-assistant
[7] https://6figr.com/in/salary/research-assistant--t
[8] https://www.expertia.ai/career-tips/unlocking-career-growth-opportunities-for-research-assistants-57962z
[9] https://www.jobbank.gc.ca/marketreport/occupation/22848/ca
[10] https://www.randstad.in/job-seeker/job-profiles/teaching-assistant/
[11] https://www.shiksha.com/teaching-education/articles/career-prospects-in-teaching-blogId-15619
[12] https://www.workbc.ca/career-profiles/post-secondary-teaching-and-research-assistants
[13] https://www.ugc.gov.in/oldpdf/regulations/revised_finalugcregulationfinal10.pdf
[14] https://www.reddit.com/r/AskAcademia/comments/p5fvub/is_a_healthy_worklife_balance_possible_for_an/
[15] https://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/EJ1368509.pdf
[16] https://social-science.uq.edu.au/files/19681/DutyStatementTeachingAssistant.pdf
[17] https://www.erpublications.com/uploaded_files/download/v-ezhilarsi-dr-s-lakshmi_rgMGg.pdf
[18] https://uwm.edu/graduate-assistants/handbook/research-assistants/roles-and-responsibilities-of-research-assistants/
[19] https://www23.statcan.gc.ca/imdb/p3VD.pl?Function=getVD&TVD=1322554&CVD=1322870&CPV=41201&CST=01052021&CLV=5&MLV=5&wbdisable=true
[20] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/what-does-a-research-assistant-do
[21] https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile?objectid=z5fEOdegKqk0RMjAInLwQF%2B7desxvZ1XjrNFn2Fi0u4%3D
[22] https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/Structure/NocProfile?objectid=vgewJ4aWNbVnm3ic3WBT3DDymcrPJsXVRSpkIY6tj7M%3D
[23] https://in.indeed.com/career-advice/finding-a-job/how-to-become-teacher-assistant
[24] https://topresume.com/career-advice/research-assistant-top-needed-skills
[25] https://www.zippia.com/teaching-research-assistant-jobs/skills/
[26] https://noc.esdc.gc.ca/CareerHandbook/ChProfile?objectid=JKzG38QULAHD1epgnaMVxp7nHQjAkeU8VUX66adeAWw%3D
[27] https://www.indeed.com/career-advice/resumes-cover-letters/research-assistant-skills
[28] https://www.prospects.ac.uk/job-profiles/teaching-assistant
[29] https://www.zippia.com/research-assistant-jobs/skills/
[30] https://www.randstad.in/job-seeker/job-profiles/teaching-assistant/
[31] https://skillhub.com/resume-skills/research-assistant
[32] https://testbook.com/government-teacher-jobs/assistant-professor-salary
[33] https://www.glassdoor.co.in/Salaries/india-graduate-teaching-research-assistant-salary-SRCH_IL.0,5_KO6,42.htm