What Is Research - Project Associate (RA - PA) Ship

6/10/2014
GATECounsellor | What is Research/Project Associate (RA/PA) Ship
GATECOUNSELLOR
GATEC ounse llor cam pus W hat is R e se arch/Proje ct Associate (R A/PA) Ship
What is Research/Project Associate (RA/PA) Ship

By lokendra@gcblog | December 8, 2012 | campus, gate preparation, gcadmin, Interview
Contributed by: lokendra@gcblog on December 8, 2012.

Since past 4-5 months we (www.GATECounsellor.com) have been posting jobs post titled as Research/Project Associate/Fellow and sometimes Post
Doctoral Researcher on website of www.GATECounsellor.com. We are posting only research oriented/PSU jobs in the website in effort to reach out to
budding researchers in India exclusively with research jobs. I have observed that number of students are interested in research jobs since our
likes on our Facebook page has increased tremendously along with increment in GATECOunsellor group
members and newsletter subscriptions.
I think those who does not know what is the Research/Project ship Associate ship must have
been intrigued by our postings. I would like to give some details about eligibility and benefits of working
as research associate in institutions like IIT/IISc/CSIR lab for one or two years in this blog.
Lets try to understand what is Research/Project Associate/Fellow first:
I would like to discuss that what do they do during associate ship and how is there life. I would also
Flavor of research
would like to tell that my discussion might be biased towards IITs as I have seen them working on
different projects. Other research labs like CSIR may have altogether different culture. Scientist at
research labs or faculties at research oriented students recruit research associate or project associate for a specific project or research objective in his
mind. Hence roles and responsibility of all such positions will never be ditto. It depends upon the principal researcher for which kind of role he is recruiting. I
also think there is some difference in Research Associate ship/ Fellowship and Project Associate.
Principal researcher/investigator means one who is lading the project of research. He can be a faculty or research scientist
Roles and responsibility Research Associate/Fellow:
To assist researcher on original research along with other group members in the area of specialization of faculty after mutual agreements.
To provide assistance to the faculty to contribute to the development of research activities of the research group and institute.
He must involve himself in the research to develop methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued by faculty and other
researchers and that add to the knowledge/understanding appropriate to the discipline. He should work along with PhD students in the lab.
He must help faculty and other researcher in the group to publish results of research in articles and/or books/journals which lead to an enhanced reputation
http://www.gatecounsellor.com/blog/what-is-researchproject-associate-rapa-ship/
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in the subject area and enhance the groups research.

In nutshell I want to say is that research associate/ fellows are research oriented position.
Roles and responsibility Project Associate/Fellow:
I find this role to be more administrative the research oriented. Hope I am wrong. They are not aggressively involved in research activities unlike research
fellows. I thinks its 50-50 role. These people support others researchers in project in facilitating different requirements of the project like conducting
surveys, drafting report and organizing seminar /conference. I am concluding this because in most of the cases they look for people with experience in MS
Office. These people must be proficient in operating research equipment or should quick to learn.
Lets talk about eligibility now:
All the Engineers can be employed as Research Associate/ Project associate. Sometimes they do ask for aggregate % in BE/ BTech more than 70%
depending upon the Principal Investigator. All M Tech/MS holders can join as Senior Research Associate.
All MSc students with NET/JRF qualification are eligible for the research associate position. I have seen that demand of basic science students with good
academic records is very high
So whats the benefit of working as Research Associate/Project Associate for 1-2 years.
1. If talking about the tangible benefit one gets monthly salary in the range of INR 12000 24000 in most of the cases and access to world
class infrastructure and facilities like library,laboratory, hostel and residence etc. Salary depends on the experience and qualification.
2. In some cases one is applicable for HRA and DA/TA.
3. In terms of intellectual benefit you get to work on research projects along with renowned faculties/researchers in a good research groups.
4. While working on any project one gets opportunity to publish his works in international journals as co-author. If one is willing go for PhD in future he will
can get recommendations from faculty for apply for PhD at world class Universities.
5. You get to know how any research is carried out. If you dont like research you have access to library and other facilities you can prepare for PSU and
other jobs.
6. One can work on any innovative ideas and take advises from faculties.
There is possibility of networking with PhD/ BTech/ MTech students and other
RAs working on same or different field of research. So cross discipline interaction is possible.
I have seen many students who have fortunately/unfortunately done their BE/BTech/ME/MTech from not very highly reputed institutes work as research
associate in institutes like IIT/IISc for one or two years and publishes papers in international journals. This increase their chances for acceptance in PhD
program of world class Universities around the world. They do get good recommendations from faculties also for Phd applications and suggestions.
I would like to tell that monetary one does not achieve much but intellectually this can be a lifetime achievement.
Thanks and regards
Lokendra Kumar
1. Disclaimer: This is purely based on my knowledge and experiences during stay at IIT K and working as GATECounsellor team member.
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2. Image is taken from European Research Area website.

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12 Responses to What is Research/Project Associate (RA/PA) Ship

Pratik Parmar says:
May 4, 2013 at 3:43 pm
I come to know that the institutes like IITs have the reserved seats of M.tech for the research fellows after the competition of the research work of
1 or 2 year ..?
Is it true or not?
Reply
lokendra@gcblog says:
May 4, 2013 at 5:55 pm
Hi Pratik,
I am not sure there is any reservation for Research fellows in M tech. In my knowledge there is only one process of for M Tech admission
which is qualify for GATE and then apply for admission then participate in the process of respective IITs.
Thanks
Lokendra
Reply
Pratik Parmar says:

May 6, 2013 at 1:10 pm
Thank you sir.

Reply
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Pratik Parmar says:

May 4, 2013 at 3:38 pm
I come to know that institutes like IITs have the reserved seats for M.E/M.Tech for the research fellows after the completion of research work of 1
or 2 years..?
Is it true or not?
Reply
asm says:
January 7, 2013 at 12:25 pm
hii,
I am Apurva Mhetre and i got call letter for the written test and interview for the post RA in iit bombay
It will be very greatfull for me if u can give an idea about questions asked for the test and inerview
thank you
Reply
I am not sure but you will asked questions based on your educational background.
Please let me know for which project/ topic you have been short listed
Thanks
Reply
asm says:
the topic is designing of smart and green electric grid-sensor data driven approach
Reply
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January 14, 2013 at 11:13 pm
I do not have any background on this topic but I am sure they will ask the basics only. It seems me that they will ask
questions based on principle of sensors.
Also from Eng Course which are related to the project.
thanks
Lokendra
Reply
rakesh kumar says:

December 9, 2012 at 9:15 pm
is this time gatecounsellor team is providing revision papers for gate 2013 or not???
Reply
rakesh kumar says:

hello siris gatecounsellor team is providing revision papers for GATE 2013 or not this time..???
Reply
Anuj Agrawal says:

Dear Friend,
Please inform me if there will be any opportunity for D. let or post doctoral research in the field of commerce. I have completed my P. hd from B.H.U.
and interested to do further work in the field of research.
Thanks.
Reply
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Sure. You do have opportunities for research post PhD in commerce. You can look in positions at IIMs and other B Schools like ISB. Recently
there is one opening at ISB. I will post the link. You can also try at some departments at IITs
Department of Industrial Management and Engineering at IITK,
Department of Management Studies at IITD
Vinod Mehta School at IITKgp and SJSOM at IITB
You may also try outside India
I hope it answers your questions
Reply
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GATECounsellor | What is Research/Project Associate (RA/PA) Ship