1A person who helps with work or tasks — someone in a supporting role alongside the main person in charge.
美容師の助手として働きながら技術を学んでいる。
I'm learning the trade while working as an assistant to a hairstylist.
手術中、医師の助手が器具を手渡した。
During the surgery, the doctor's assistant handed over the instruments.
新しい助手はまだ仕事に慣れていない。
The new assistant isn't used to the job yet.
2An academic post at a university — someone who assists a professor or researcher with study and experiments; a rung on the Japanese academic career ladder.
彼は博士課程を終えて、大学の助手になった。
After finishing his doctorate, he became an assistant at the university.
助手のポストは数年ごとに公募される。
Assistant positions are publicly recruited every few years.