How to hire social science research assistants
A job description you can copy, interview questions tied to the real work, and what to pay. Free.
Job description template
Copy it, fill in the brackets, and remove anything that does not fit your job. Keep only must-haves you would really turn someone away for.
[Job title] at [Company name] [City, State] · [Full-time / Part-time] · [Pay range] About the role [Two or three sentences about your team, the work and why it matters.] What you will do • Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. • Develop and implement research quality control procedures. • Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. • Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. • Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results. • Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases. • Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations. • Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors. What you bring • [Required license, certification or years of experience, if any] • [Education, only if you truly need it. Typical to start in this job: Bachelor's degree] • Strong reading comprehension, active listening, critical thinking, writing, speaking and science skills • Working knowledge of English Language • [Anything else you would really turn someone away for] Pay and benefits [Pay range]. For reference, the U.S. median for this job is $29.81 an hour ($61,990 a year). [Benefits, schedule and anything else candidates should know.] How to apply [Apply on JAI Bot. Every applicant hears back.]
Interview questions for social science research assistants
Ask every candidate the same questions, in the same order, and write down what they say. Questions about past work show what someone has actually done.
- Tell me about a time you had to design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to develop and implement research quality control procedures. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about a time you had to perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software. What did you do, and how did it turn out?
- Tell me about written instructions, a policy or a manual you had to follow closely. How did you make sure you followed it correctly?
- Tell me about a time you had to understand a request or problem that was explained poorly. How did you make sure you got it right?
- Describe a decision at work where the obvious answer was wrong. How did you work out the better choice?
- Why this job, and why now? What would make you stay here for the long term?
Good answers name a real situation, what the person did themselves and what happened. Avoid questions about age, family plans, religion, health, national origin or anything else unrelated to the job.
What social science research assistants do
- Design and create special programs for tasks such as statistical analysis and data entry and cleaning.
- Develop and implement research quality control procedures.
- Perform data entry and other clerical work as required for project completion.
- Perform descriptive and multivariate statistical analyses of data, using computer software.
- Prepare tables, graphs, fact sheets, and written reports summarizing research results.
- Prepare, manipulate, and manage extensive databases.
- Provide assistance with the preparation of project-related reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Verify the accuracy and validity of data entered in databases, correcting any errors.
Skills that matter most
Education, experience and outlook for social science research assistants
- Typical education to start: Bachelor's degree (BLS)
- Job outlook: +5% over ten years, faster than average · about 4,900 openings a year (BLS)
What to pay social science research assistants
Pay depends a lot on where the job is. Highest and lowest median yearly pay by state:
| State | Median yearly pay |
|---|---|
| Georgia | $66,620 |
| Kentucky | $66,390 |
| Missouri | $65,940 |
| Maryland | $65,550 |
| District of Columbia | $65,330 |
| Virginia | $53,260 |
| West Virginia | $51,140 |
| Florida | $50,700 |
See social science research assistants pay in every state
Related hiring guides
- Agricultural Technicians
- Food Science Technicians
- Biological Technicians
- Chemical Technicians
- Environmental Science and Protection Technicians, Including Health
- Geological Technicians, Except Hydrologic Technicians
- Hydrologic Technicians
- Nuclear Technicians
- Forest and Conservation Technicians
- Forensic Science Technicians
Post this job on JAI Bot. Free to start: JAI Bot reads every applicant against your must-haves, shows the resume evidence behind each one, and helps you reply to everyone. People make every decision.
Post a job freePay by areaJob duties and skills: O*NET 31.0 Database by the U.S. Department of Labor, Employment and Training Administration (USDOL/ETA), used under the CC BY 4.0 license; O*NET® is a trademark of USDOL/ETA. JAI Bot has modified this information; USDOL/ETA has not approved, endorsed, or tested these modifications. Pay: U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics OEWS, May 2025. Interview questions and the job description template: JAI Bot, based on the duties and skills above.