Research assistant
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A research assistant (RA) is a junior graduate scholar, employed on a temporary contract by a college or university for the purpose of academic research. A research assistant usually works on a project supervised by one or more full-time academics who are responsible for administering the funds from which he or she is paid.
Nowadays, most research assistantships are awarded to graduate assiatants, i.e. graduate students who work towards an advanced degree (e.g. M.S. or Ph.D.). Depending on the funding, these appointments generally last until the completion of their degrees.
In some universities the title research associate instead of "assistant". Older and more experienced contract holders often have the title of Research Fellow.