Research Specialist Duties & Responsibilities

The role and function of a Research Specialist includes the following duties and responsibilities:

  • Developing objectives and designing research projects and proposals.
  • Formulating and conducting scientific experiments, performing data collection, and analyzing and evaluating test and research results.
  • Replicating, evaluating, and refining research strategies and approaches and recommending improvements, and testing, customizing, and implementing new methods and procedures.
  • Responding to research questions, troubleshooting problems, developing and writing advanced experimental protocols, and monitoring ongoing projects and proposing and implementing changes.
  • Proposing techniques to improve research quality and team productivity.
  • Reporting equipment problems and assisting with setting up new equipment.
  • Contributing to and writing research findings for publications, papers, presentations, grants, and other documents.
  • Assisting with grant and manuscript submissions.
  • Guiding, training, and advising junior researchers and students, and supporting senior research staff.
  • Developing and following standard operating procedures, and adhering to company policies and safety guidelines.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of Research Specialist duties and responsibilities. Job functions for specific Research Specialist roles may vary, depending on the industry and type of employer.