A Research Assistant helps conduct research for clean energy development. At a university, a Research Assistant typically aids professors with research and teaching responsibilities. To become a tenured Professor, a Research Assistant needs to obtain a PhD and gain experience through performance-based promotions by conducting significant research and lecturing to undergraduate students. A typically career path to become a university professor progresses from Assistant Professor, to Associate Professor, to Professor. At an organization, a Research Assistant’s primary responsibility is to conduct research, collect and analyze data, and generate suggestions for developing or improving a protocol, process, design, or product.