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How To Do Research In College As An Undergraduate Student

Do you want to do research in college as an undergraduate student learn what an undergraduate research assistant does and how to become a research assistant in college..

For college students who want to pursue a Masters Degree, Ph.D., go to law school or medical school, or even do research right out of college, doing research as an undergraduate student is vital.

But what is an undergraduate research assistant? What do they do? And how do you become one?

In today’s blog post, I will be walking you through everything you need to know about being an undergraduate research assistant in college and how to become an undergraduate research assistant.

research assistant jobs for undergraduate students

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What you need to know about doing research as an undergraduate student

What does it mean to do research in college.

Research and doing research in college is a catch-all term for helping a professor or a group of professors at your college or university answer a specific scientific question to move their field forward by using the scientific method .

What do undergraduate researchers do?

Typically, you will work with your professor(s) and their research team made up of other undergraduate research assistants and graduate research assistants.

The professor you work under will ultimately determine what your role or tasks will be in the research lab.

Every professor is different and has different levels of comfort when it comes to letting undergraduates handle their research.

But in general, you will be assigned tasks based on previous experience in the research lab and the coursework you have completed so far.

Examples of what you could do as an undergraduate research assistant include:

  • Collecting journal articles on previous related research
  • Helping to design the study or construct survey questions
  • Running data analysis on the data collected from study participants
  • Assist with writing the research paper to be submitted for publication
  • Help your professor with presenting the research at a conference or symposium

Why should you do research in college? And how will research benefit you as a student?

There are numerous benefits to doing research in college, and I encourage you to seek out the opportunity to become an undergraduate research assistant as it will help you tremendously in your future career or academic goals.

Some benefits to doing research in college as a undergrad include:

  • Gaining real-world experience that can help you get a job after college
  • Improve your writing skills
  • Improve your presentation skills
  • Improve your communication skills
  • Improve your professional skills
  • Improve your confidence with numbers and statistics
  • Helps bring into full circle what you are learning in class with the real world
  • Earn credit hours towards graduation
  • Gain a future reference for job applications or graduate school applications
  • Potential to be published in an academic journal
  • Potential to be a presenter at a conference or symposium
  • Meet more students in your college major/networking opportunities

What to expect from undergraduate research

Every research lab is different in how many hours you go to the lab and work, but typically as an undergraduate research assistant, you can expect to do the same amount of work as you would do in a typical lecture class (15-20 hours per week).

Related: The Ultimate Survival Guide to Online College Classes

But if your professor or research team is currently working on a paper for publication or presentation, you can expect to do more work as the deadline approaches.

If your team does present at conferences or symposiums, there may be also times during the semester you have to travel or miss your other classes to present.

However, sometimes you or your research team will not be working towards a presentation or a publication, so your job in the lab will be solely to do whatever tasks are given to you to make the research more viable for presenting and publication.

Here’s a realistic example of what it is like to do research in college as an undergrad:

While working towards my undergraduate degree in Psychology, I did research as an undergraduate twice.

My first research experience was writing a literature review with a professor I had for my Research Methods in Psychology class.

I worked primarily by myself drafting and editing the literature review for publication. And I only met with my research professor once to submitted it to the journal. The rest of the time we corresponded over email.

During my final semester of college, I was part of a different research lab that studied data on babies in neonatal intensive care units.

In this research lab, I had assigned times to meet with my research team and run data analysis to answer a specific research question, but I also was expected to come on my own time to the lab to work.

While part of this research lab, I presented the research I had done with my team twice, once in November 2018, and once in April 2019.

I definitely noticed an uptick of how many hours I spent in the lab closer to presentation time.

Do you get paid as an undergraduate research assistant?

Unfortunately, as an undergraduate research assistant, you do not get paid monetarily. Instead, you get paid in experience and credit hours towards graduation.

On a side note: If you continue on to do research in graduate school, and more so a Ph.D. program, you do get paid as a graduate research assistant with a stipend . But the stipend amount you receive can vary greatly depending on the program and their budget.

Related: How to Apply Into Graduate School

If you are in need of money (and not loan money) to pay for rent, tuition, food, gas, etc. becoming an undergraduate research assistant may not be the best option.

However, we will discuss alternatives to being an undergraduate research assistant later in the post.

When to start undergraduate research?

Honestly, the earlier you can start in a research lab the better.

Labs love keeping students who understand the research and how the lab operates for as long as possible. And it a great opportunity to establish a professional relationship with a professor that can be useful to you after you graduate college.

However, you typically cannot start undergraduate research as a freshman, so the best time to start in a research lab is after you have taken your first research methods course in your major and have also taken a statistics course , which is usually a general education requirement at the university-wide level.

For example, as a psychology major at my university, we were encouraged to seek out research experience after taking our first Research Methods in Psychology course, which is typically taken 2nd year, Fall Semester.

So the earliest I could have done research was 2nd year, Spring Semester.

However, and this is a huge however, your major’s department and the professor you want to do research with may have certain criteria you have to meet in order to do research as an undergraduate student.

Some departments and professors are highly selective and want you to have all research methods classes taken plus a statistics course, passed those classes an A, and a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

You may also like: The Qualities of Successful College Students

Some departments and professors are more lenient and will let you join the lab even after completing your first research method class, granted, you got an A in the class.

Normally, undergraduate research labs will not accept you if you did not do exceptionally well in your research methods classes and statistics course (meaning an A).

If you are interested in becoming an undergraduate research assistant, I highly encourage you to seek out the requirements from the department you want to do research in and make it your mission to meet those goals.

Then as you get closer to completing your research methods class(es) you can start reaching out to professors you want to do research with and learn of their own requirements to do research with them (if they have any).

Alternatives to becoming an undergraduate research assistant

While becoming an undergraduate research assistant is the closest way to do actual research at the undergraduate level beyond writing a research paper for a class, the opportunity sometimes does not fit into every student’s already busy schedule, or your grades at not where they should be to work with a professor.

If this is the case, there are four alternatives (kind of 3 ½ alternatives) to becoming an undergraduate research assistant.

Volunteer as a research assistant

If you have a busy schedule that prevents you from committing the full amount of hours expected of an undergraduate research assistant or have not met the academic criteria to become an undergraduate research assistant see if you can volunteer in a research lab instead.

Many professors are seeking out both volunteer and undergraduate research assistants.

Volunteers, however, tend to not have to commit as many hours in the lab and they DO NOT earn course credit.

However, you will definitely gain research experience, you get the opportunity to connect with a professor outside of the classroom setting, and if you’re a good volunteer, you’ll be a top choice if you apply to become an undergraduate research assistant in the future.

Join your university’s undergraduate student research club

At many colleges and universities, there is a club for students interested in undergraduate research.

These clubs will tend to have a variety of students from different majors and backgrounds, so it is also a great opportunity to meet more research enthusiasts on campus and to network with them.

Some undergraduate research clubs also provide the opportunity to work on research projects with other students in the club which can help you:

  • Build the necessary skills to work with a professor
  • Add to your overall research experience
  • The opportunity to present your research at a conference or symposium.

The club may also bring in guest speakers who will talk about their own research and research opportunities you can pursue after graduating from college or even during college as an intern.

And the club can also help you become an undergraduate research assistant by guiding you through the steps specific to your university that you’ll need to take to connect with a professor who is doing research.

To find out if your college or university has an undergraduate research club, Google your university’s name and the term “undergraduate research club.”

Participate in research studies at your university

If doing actual research is not your thing or you do not have the time or the grades to do research in college, you can find opportunities at your university to be a participant in studies (in-person or online) being conduct by professors on campus.

At my university, all Introduction to Psychology students were required to participate in three studies in order to pass the Introduction to Psychology class, but students who were not in an Introduction to Psychology class could also participate in those research studies.

If you want to find university specific research studies to participate in, Google “participate in research study at <your university name here>.”

Most universities will have a list of open research studies who are in need of participants and you can start combing through the studies you would be interested in participating in.

However, be aware that just because you are interested in participating in a study, it does not mean you will fit the criteria to be an actual participant.

For example, you would not be a good match to participate in a research study on anxiety treatment if you yourself have not been diagnosed with anxiety.

Before you participate in a research study, you’ll need to go through a process, which typically involves filling out a survey, that will determine if you would be a good fit as a participant for the research study.

Become an undergraduate teaching assistant

Although undergraduate teaching assistants do not do research, this is another incredible opportunity to get involved with a professor on campus and develop a deeper connection than a student who simply attends class every Tuesday at 9 AM.

In a nutshell, UTA’s help professors with their class structure and implementation of their curriculum by helping them grade assignments, tutor students, troubleshoot student problems in class and outside of class, proctor exams and quizzes, and more.

I’ve been both a research assistant and teaching assistant during my undergraduate degree and both were eye-opening opportunities. Both opportunities also helped me get into graduate school too. I’d highly encourage you to do one or the other during your time at university if you can.

How do you become a research student/undergraduate research assistant?

Every university and college has a different process students have to go through if they want to become an undergraduate research assistant.

The following guide will give you a general idea with how to become a research assistant, but these steps may not work at every university or college.

It is advised that you do your own investigation on how to do research at your university as an undergraduate student by Googling, emailing or talking to professors, and talking to students on campus who have been or are currently an undergraduate research assistant.

The basic steps you need to take to become an undergraduate research assistant

We will be going over these steps in greater detail throughout the remainder of this blog post, but if you are in a rush or want the abridged version, here is the basic strategy you need to implement to become an undergraduate research assistant:

*This strategy is based on the assumption that you have already taken the required research methods and statistics courses, received a high enough grade in those courses (an A), and have a high enough GPA to become a research assistant . If you have no idea what I am talking about, please go back up and read the, “when to start undergraduate research?” section of this post.

  • Research professors in your major’s department and figure out which professor(s) you would like to do research with.
  • Make a list of 2-3 professors you’d be willing to do research with as an undergrad and email them to ask if they are accepting new research assistants.
  • If they are accepting new research assistants, schedule a meeting with the professor(s) to discuss the opportunity further and allow them to put a face to a name.
  • Fill out the undergraduate research assistant application provided by your professor or major’s department and wait to be accepted.

Step 1: Research professors in your major’s department and figure out which professor(s) you would like to do research with.

Unless you have already taken a course from a professor that you know for sure you want to do research with, you’ll need to do some of your own research to determine which professor you want to do research with.

Why do I need to research professors? Can’t I join any research lab?

Well, technically yes, you can join ANY research lab you want, but when it comes to research experience, it is better to do research on a topic you are interested in yourself or a topic you plan to pursue further in graduate school.

When it comes to choosing a research lab to apply to, think long-term. Not short-term.

To research professors you may want to do research with, you will want to first start looking at your major department’s faculty pages and read the bios (biographies) of each professor. The bios can give you a lot of information about:

  • If the professor is even accepting undergraduate research assistants
  • What the professor’s research is about/areas of interest
  • A link to their curriculum vitae
  • A list of their journal publications

For example, let’s say you go to The University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill and you a sociology major wanting to do research in college.

You will want to go to the UNC sociology department’s website and then go over to the faculty pages, which on their website is located under the “people” tab. UNC also makes it ridiculously easy to see what professors’ current research areas are with a page on “faculty by field of study.”

However, some department’s websites are not as easy to navigate or to find the answers are you looking for, so you may need to do some digging around the faculty pages or Google the professor’s name and university name to find out more information on them.

Quick Tip #1

As you read the various biographies pay close attention to phrases like:

  • Areas of interest
  • Research and scholarship focus
  • Selected works
  • Faculty website
  • CV / curriculum vitae
  • Research includes

When researching. Those will be the key points you’ll want to make a mental note of or write down to reference to later when you get to step 2. I’d also recommend you make a spreadsheet to organize your research on these professors.

While researching professors, if you come across a professor you are genuinely interested in working with, try looking up and reading some of their previously published research. By reading their published research:

  • You will have a deeper understanding of their research
  • It can give you an idea if they are open to publishing with students from their lab
  • You can add the fact that you have read their research in the initial email you send to them in the next step, which will make you look more committed and it’s flattering for the professor.

Step 2: Make a short list of 2-3 professors you want to do research with and email them in regards to if their research lab is open to new lab assistants.

During step 1, you have probably already started narrowing down the professors whose research you are interested in.

If you have more than 3 professors you are interested in working with, narrow it down to just 2-3 professors you’re interested in.

Or if you only have 1 professor you are interested in, I’d advise you to choose at least one more alternative in case the professor you are interested in is not accepting new research assistants at this time.

After you have your shortlist of 2-3 professors, it is time to email them.

This is probably the most nerve-wracking part if you’re an introvert and perfectionist like me, but 99.9% of the time (that’s a made-up statistic by the way), professors LOVE receiving emails and are more than willing to help students achieve their academic goals.

When drafting an email to these professors you want to:

  • Use a formal greeting and closing
  • Pretend you are writing a cover letter for a job
  • Name (first and last)
  • Student ID name (in case they want to look at your transcript)
  • Research methods and/or statistics courses you have taken and the grade you received
  • Tentative graduation date
  • Keep it short and sweet
  • Focus on how your skills and classwork so far will help them in their research–not how they will help you
  • Mention an article they published that you *actually* read and the key takeaways you got from it
  • Request a meeting with them
  • Provide a way for them to contact you (your student email)

Here is an example of a drafted email you can send to your professor(s):

Dear Dr. Professor,

I hope you are having a wonderful day so far. My name is Juliet Meiling, I am a sophomore at ABC University, and I am tentatively graduating in December 2021.

I am majoring in Psychology and minoring in Statistics and I currently have a 3.80 GPA. I have taken both research methods courses for the Psychology major and have taken the statistics course that’s required of all students at ABC university. In all three classes, I received an A.

I am interested in pursuing research as an undergraduate student with you.

From my understanding, you are currently interested in researching how anxiety influences academic grades. I read your published journal article, “Are Students Failing Due to Lack of Knowledge or Is Anxiety to Blame?,” and found it fascinating how the result showed that anxiety had a significant impact on academic grades.

I am interested in topics related to anxiety and plan on going to graduate school for Clinical Psychology. I was wondering if you had a research lab that was open to new undergraduate research assistants. If so, I would love to find out more information about your research lab and schedule a meeting with you.

Please let me know if this is a possibility, as I would love to assist in your research. For reference, I am available on Mondays and Wednesdays from 10 AM to 2 PM. Thank you for your time and I look forward to your response.

Best regards,

Juliet Meiling

[email protected]

Step 3: If your professor(s) email you back and agree to a meeting (face-to-face or virtual meeting) go to the meeting and treat it as a mini-interview.

If you have received an email back from the professor(s) you have emailed and they have agreed to a meeting, congratulations! You are one step closer to becoming a undergraduate research assistant.

When attending the meeting, whether you already know the professor from a previous class you have taken with them or it is your first time meeting them, treat it like a mini-interview.

When preparing to meet with your professor(s) it is a good idea to create a list of 5-7 questions to ask the professor about their research or how the lab operates. By asking questions you are showing that you are interested and eager about this opportunity.

Some questions you can ask the professor you want to do research with:

  • What kind of tasks or duties would I be expected to perform in the research lab as a new research assistant?
  • Are there opportunities to present at a conference or be published?
  • What have previous research assistants pursued after completing their time in the lab?
  • What do you believe is the most challenging part of being part of your research lab?
  • What is the most rewarding part of being in your research lab?
  • What qualities do you believe makes a good undergraduate research assistant?
  • How will I be assessed as a research assistant?
  • What is a typical day life for a research assistant in your lab?

The day of your meeting, dress nicely, but not too formal.

A nice pair of jeans and a nice blouse would be perfect. And make sure you arrive 5 minutes early so you can check in with the receptionist and you show that you are serious.

During the meeting, be prepared to restate why you are interested in doing research with the professor.

You don’t have to be a know it all or recite word-for-word about the research your professor does, but be genuinely engaged in what the professor has to say about their research lab and be honest with all your responses to the professor’s questions.

The professor needs to be able to gauge where you would fit best in their lab and how they can teach you to be a better researcher. They don’t want research assistants who already know it all.

They want research assistants that know the basics, who are open-minded, flexible, and who they can mold into better students, researchers, and critical thinkers.

Quick Tip #2

After your meeting with your professor, make sure you send then a thank-you email. Thank them for taking their time to meet with you and restate your interest in doing research with them.

Step 4: Fill out any required applications and wait to be accepted as an undergraduate research assistant.

At the end of your meeting, your professor may go ahead and verbally accept you as a research lab assistant and have you fill out an application to file with the department or direct you to fill out an application to go into an applicant pool with other potential research assistants.

Once you receive the application, fill it out and submit it as soon as possible. You do not want this opportunity to pass you by!

Make sure you complete the application honestly and accurately–so don’t lie about your GPA or the classes you have already taken, that information can be looked up by the department or by the professor very easily.

Sometimes the application will also ask you for what classes you will be taking next semester.

If you do not know yet or are waiting to get accepted into a class, just try to fill it out as best you can.

Professors understand that student’s schedules can change, but they need to have a general idea of when their research assistants can meet in the lab.

After you submit your application, you will have to wait to receive an official email from the department or your professor about being accepted as an undergraduate research assistant and what the next steps will be (i.e., register for a class, the first lab meeting, etc.).

And congratulations on becoming an undergraduate research assistant! What an incredible achievement and honor!

Final thoughts on how to get research experience in undergrad

Becoming an undergraduate research assistant is a fantastic opportunity for all college students looking to become more involved in their major or have the desire to pursue research in graduate school or as a career.

If you want to do research in college, I highly recommend you looking into this opportunity as soon as you can and working towards meeting any requirements at your university or college to qualify to be a research assistant.

I hope this blog post gave you a clear understanding of how to do research in college, what an undergraduate research assistant is, and how to become one yourself.

Related posts to doing research in college

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  • How to Get Into Graduate School: A Complete Guide to Applying to Graduate School
  • Email Etiquette for College Students: How To Write A Professional Email to Your College Professors
  • How to Stay Motivated in College: 15 Motivational Tips for College Students

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Performing research can be a very enriching and transformative part of your undergraduate experience at the College. You may encounter it as part of your coursework, but it can also be something you do outside of the classroom as a way to gain practical skills, learn about methods of inquiry and contribute actively to the advancement of study in your field.

Finding a research opportunity will require you to be proactive, build faculty relationships , and use key resources . It may be good to start by charting your personal goals and interests in order to help you identify opportunities that are a match for them. Remember to give yourself plenty of time for your search and to remain flexible and open-minded through the process. Engaging with the research community at Harvard is possible for students in all concentrations. Whether you have participated in research work previously, or are just getting started, there are opportunities designed to meet you where you are right now.

Research opportunities come in many formats and happen in a variety of settings. They often start off as a question that someone wants to explore more fully. Faculty, for example, initiate research projects designed for this purpose. It might also begin with you! In your studies, for example, you may have noticed a lack of knowledge or a lack of recent work on a particular topic that interests you. With the guidance of a faculty mentor, you could be the person to explore and find answers to fill in the void of missing information.

Depending on the scale of a project, you might find yourself working on a team or operating on your own and coordinating your efforts with those of a faculty mentor. This work may take place on campus, at other domestic locations, or even internationally, during term-time or over the course of the summer.

Some common formats of research experiences for undergraduates include:

Course-based Research

Courses (existing or independent study). Many courses at Harvard and neighboring institutions (where you can cross-register ) have a strong research component. There is even the option for you to design an independent study course. To explore these options, the best starting point is with a concentration adviser knowledgeable about course offerings and policies in that concentration. You can also visit the Advising Programs Office  (APO) to connect with undergraduate concentration advisers.

Research Assistantships

There are many opportunities to work as a research assistant on an existing project. A research assistantship is an excellent opportunity for students with little experience to get their first exposure to research. Research assistantship postings can be found on department webpages, at research centers, as well as on the Student Employment Office Job Board . You can also check with nearby hospitals and research groups, in addition to faculty and grad students. If you have never contacted research investigators before, check out our tips on how to effectively reach out to faculty .

Research Programs

In lieu of performing research via a course or an assistantship, you might consider looking at a research program. Depending on the program, you might work on a project designed by a member of faculty or propose your own question to pursue under the guidance of a faculty mentor. URAF summer programs, for example, are designed to correspond to specific academic areas (i.e., STEM, Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences), forming a cohort of fellows working on various topics in their area of interest.

URAF research programs are offered on an annual basis, with pre-set start- and end-times, and require formal applications with strict deadlines. These programs often have different eligibility criteria (i.e., GPA, class year, research experience). Some programs require previous field-specific experience, while other are designed for newcomers to that particular field of study. Many research programs include various forms of financial support (e.g. stipends, accommodation, etc.) as well as opportunities for community-building and intellectual growth.

Thesis Research

Each concentration has its own requirements for thesis research, including topics allowed, prerequisites, timing, and who can supervise your work. If you are interested in thesis research, connect with advisers appointed by the concentrations for guiding undergraduates—information about concentration advisers can be found on the APO website. Also, check out our tips on how to effectively reach out to faculty .

Some questions to ask yourself when looking for a program are:

  • Where do you want to be?
  • What type of research would you like to do?
  • Does the program offer additional support or programming that may be helpful?
  • How long do you intend to do research?

The Browse URAF opportunities page of our website aggregates a large number of Harvard undergraduate research options. Please note, however, that not all Harvard-affiliated schools and programs are listed here. To ensure you are learning about all potential opportunities, don’t forget to consult faculty advisers, concentration advisers, and academic advisers to identify programs that match your interests and desired outcomes most closely.

Beyond browsing through URAF opportunities, you can explore our External Resources  page which provides another starting point for finding research opportunities, including research programs. Some are based at Harvard, while others are located across the US and worldwide. You can also use Google to search for research programs related to your topic and interests. Try using the keywords, "undergraduate research" or "summer undergraduate research."

If you have previously performed research at Harvard, you too might consider how you would benefit from exploring external opportunities . Exposure to research and processes at different institutions will allow you to expand your professional and academic networks, to explore a new place and even new ways of investigating topics that interest you.

At whatever point you happen to be in your undergraduate trajectory, URAF is here to support you through each stage of the process. You can even check out our remote-ready  resources webpages if you intend to perform all or part of your research online.

>>>>Browse URAF Opportunities for Research>>>>

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HSURV Abstract Books

Interested in learning more about projects that past fellows in the Harvard Summer Undergraduate Research Village (HSURV) have worked on? Check out our achive HSURV Abstract Books!

  • 2024 HSURV Abstract Book  (AMGEN, BLISS, CSB, DUBSP, FUEL, HIP, KRANIUM, MCB SCION, PRIMO, PRISE, SEAS REU, SHARP, SPUDS, SURF, SURGH)
  • 2023 HSURV Abstract Book (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, SPUDS)
  • 2022 HSURV Abstract Book (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, SPUDS)
  • 2021 HSURV Abstract Book (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, SPUDS)
  • 2020 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
  • 2019 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
  • 2018 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
  • 2017 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH, PCER)
  • 2016 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
  • 2015 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP, SURGH)
  • 2014 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP)
  • 2013 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO, SHARP)
  • 2012 HSURV Abstract Book  (PRISE, BLISS, PRIMO)
  • 2011 PRISE Abstract Book
  • 2010 PRISE Abstract Book
  • 2009 PRISE Abstract Book
  • 2008 PRISE Abstract Book
  • 2007 PRISE Abstract Book

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Funding priorities, eligibility, application, undergraduate research assistant program (urap).

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The Undergraduate Research Assistant Program funds inexperienced students to work with faculty who are in need of assistance on their own research projects. In doing so, students who do not have sufficient research experience to design and carry out their own independent project gain first-hand mentored knowledge of research practices in their discipline, while faculty who would not otherwise be able to hire Research Assistants (RAs) get help with their own projects. Unlike our other grant programs, a URAP application has to be initiated by a faculty member. Faculty can apply with a particular student(s) in mind, or the Office of Undergraduate Research can assist in finding a student for them by running a search. If you are interested, keep reading to learn how you can get hired by this program!

Students in the program are paid $16.25/hour.

If you are a potential faculty mentor interested in applying to URAP, please visit our URAP for Faculty page! The below information is geared toward students.  

PROPOSAL APPLICATIONS ARE EVALUATED ON THE FOLLOWING CRITERIA :

  • The extent to which the mentee will have opportunities to frequently engage with the faculty mentor and receive feedback on their work.
  • The extent to which it is clear what the student will be doing on a day-to-day basis and how they will be trained to do these tasks.
  • The clarity on the skills the mentee will develop through this opportunity and how these skills will prepare the student for more independent work in the field.
  • Whether the application is consistent with URAP’s goals of providing opportunities for novice students – not students who already have related professional or academic research experiences.
  • The alignment between the student’s interests/goals and the mentor’s work, and how this opportunity will create mutual benefit.

If the review committee needs to make decisions within a limited budget, secondary budget priorities will be strong applications from traditionally underfunded fields (or those who made an argument towards the necessity of funding) or residential college faculty pairings.

Since faculty can either apply with a pre-selected student OR run a job search, this means there are two different deadlines, pending which pathway you take.

PRE-SELECTED STUDENTS:

2024-25 Academic Year URAP Faculty Deadline: Monday,  October 7, 2024

Students applying as the pre-selected student must submit PDFs of their resume and cover letter within 24 hours of the faculty deadline listed above.

URAP (Pre-Faculty Deadline) Info Session Wednesday, September 11 | 4:45pm- 5:45pm CST Friday, September 20 | 12:00pm -1:00pm CST

RSVP Here: https://calendly.com/ouratnu

OPEN JOB SEARCHES:

2024-25 Academic Year URAP Student Search application period: Jobs will be posted by the end of day October 28th, and we will stop accepting applications Sunday, November 10th at 11:59pm.

URAP (Open Job Search) Info Session Friday, October 25 | 3:30pm-4:30pm CST Tuesday, October 29 | 4:30pm-5:30pm CST

Student Eligibility

Overall, this program is meant for student mentees with no prior research experience, or no prior experience in the proposed methodologies. If you are not sure of your eligibility on the basis of prior research, please consult this  Student Eligibility Guide . Typically, the faculty review committee is looking for students to make major shifts across fields (i.e. moving from humanities to natural sciences etc); otherwise the argument needs to be very clearly framed about how the student is still considered new to research and why they are not yet ready to pursue something more independent.

Eligible Applicants:

  • Undergraduate Northwestern students who are new to research.
  • Undergraduate Northwestern students who are interested in conducting research in a new field that is significantly different than their previous research.
  • Under applicable policy, the University cannot hire someone who is outside of the United States. The hired student must reside on US soil at time of hire and throughout the duration of the grant period.
  • For international students: all URAP students must have a Social Security Number (SSN) before they are able to begin working/earning money. If the student does not already have a SSN, the Office of Undergraduate Research can write a job offer letter for the student. SSN-related delays may impact the student’s ability to complete work during the grant period. Please talk with us prior to applying so you have a sense of timeline and process required and can make informed financial decisions!
  • Faculty may choose to hire two students, and each student has the potential to earn the full award. The award decision is made based on the whole application, so BOTH students must be eligible for the grant to be considered.

Ineligible Applicants:

  • Students who are not residing on US soil during the grant period.
  • Seniors graduating early cannot be selected for Academic Year URAP positions (given that most students do not begin working until Winter, and the student needs to be an active undergraduate student to be eligible).
  • Undergraduate Northwestern students who have already held a URAP position.
  • Undergraduate Northwestern students who are prepared to conduct independent research (you should apply for our independent research grants instead!).
  • URAP awardees may NOT simultaneously hold an independent grant during their award tenure.

Faculty Mentor Eligibility

  • Full-time Northwestern University teaching faculty
  • Non-tenure track faculty and lecturers who are teaching this year  are  eligible, and strongly encouraged to apply as long as they will be at Northwestern the following year.
  • Teaching postdocs  are  eligible, and strongly encouraged to apply. Post-docs on two year fellowships can only apply for URAP in their first year.

Ineligible Applicants: URAP fosters long-term mentoring relationships between faculty and students; therefore, faculty are only eligible to apply if they will still be on their campus the academic year after they hold a URAP.

  • Emeritus faculty, faculty retiring or leaving Northwestern the following academic year, single year visiting faculty, and other teaching faculty who will not be at Northwestern next academic year  are not eligible to apply.
  • Graduate students and non-teaching post-docs  are not  eligible to apply.

Application Process

Finding a faculty mentor.

Faculty mentors initiate the main application. They will describe the student role and tasks, how you will be trained, and their mentorship plan. We encourage students to identify faculty to apply on their behalf (it’s your best chance of success!). A great way to begin this process is to work through Getting Started , and attend a Finding a Research Mentor Workshops .

If you are able to find a faculty mentor to apply on your behalf, it often works well to meet and discuss the project and your role before the faculty mentor applies. You can take notes during your meeting in this application Word template (.docx download) and send it to the faculty mentor afterwards as a way of jump starting their application. The information from meeting will also help you be specific in your cover letter about the aspects of the job that you are excited about and what you hope to gain from this experience.

If you are not able to identify a faculty member to apply on your behalf in advance of the deadline, that’s okay! Sign up for our e-Newsletter to be the first to know when the open job searches go live! You are welcome to apply to more than one open job, but you must apply separately to EACH position, and we expect you to tailor your cover letter each time. The potential drawbacks to the open job search are that 1) there is no guarantee there will be a faculty mentor in your field running a job search, and 2) you will be competing against other students applying to the same position, so it is more competitive. That being said, it’s always worth a shot to apply! If you are not selected, there are still many other ways to get involved in research. Meeting with an advisor is the best way to come up with a game plan that works for you and your goals!

Drafting Your Cover Letter

You will need a cover letter to apply, regardless of whether you apply as a pre-selected student, or you apply to an open job search position.

EXPECTATIONS ON COVER LETTER SUBMISSION:

You are applying for a position that is competitive – take the time to write a strong application. If you have not written a job application before we recommend you review the resources provided by Career Advancement before starting. The following tips should serve as a baseline; students can receive additional advising on this process from Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA), and they can schedule an appointment through Handshake . There are lots of helpful examples and resources on the NCA website, including their Career Guide   with sample cover letters and their page specific to  Cover Letter Writing .

FORMATTING:

  • Cover letter is maximum of 1 page.
  • Save document as a PDFs prior to submission.
  • Minimum 11 point font.

COVER LETTER CONTENT:

  • FOR PRE-SELECTED STUDENTS: Address the cover letter to the faculty mentor, but your target audience is the faculty review committee. Your goal is to demonstrate alignment with the faculty mentor’s application. You want the review committee to know how you and the faculty mentor came to work together, what skills you are excited about developing, and how you hope to benefit from the URAP experience, if selected. An easy way to begin this cover letter is to use content from the first e-mail you likely sent the faculty mentor (back when you were looking to start a conversation about their research), and then add in content from conversations you have since had with the faculty mentor about the particulars of the URAP position.
  • FOR OPEN JOB SEARCH STUDENTS: Address the cover letter to the faculty mentor, being careful to assure that you submit the right cover letter if you apply to more than one open position. Your cover letter is your chance to differentiate yourself from other applicants. Try to express your passion and interests for the position, and explain why their position in particular stood out to you.
  • Introduce yourself so they know who is applying . In the first paragraph, it is a good idea to let the faculty mentor a) who you are, your year, and potential major or field of interest, and b) share how you found out about the job opening (ie did their colleague recommend it to you? Listserv? Course you are talking? Office of Undergraduate Research staff member?) Additionally, if you have a residential college affiliation (ie Willard, Shepard, etc) please mention this as well.
  • Tailor your application to the job you are applying for . A potential employer wants to know why you are interested in this specific position, and to get an idea of the skills, qualities, and experiences you would bring to it. They are less interested in generic discussion of your personal history, or experiences that have no bearing on the job they want done. So refer to specific reasons why you are interested in  this  position, and give reasons (supported with evidence – see below) for why you are the best candidate for  this job. You will not likely be a competitive candidate if you cannot articulate why a specific job is a good match for you, and what you hope to get out of it. That is, you cover letter should clearly articulate how your interests align with the faculty mentor’s and how this opportunity would benefit you academically and professionally.
  • Provide evidence for your statements . It’s not enough to say “I am passionate about history/genetics/psychology/etc.” Why should the person reviewing your application take your word for it? And how does your claim to be passionate distinguish you from all the other applicants claiming exactly the same thing?  Demonstrate  your interest through concrete examples of things you have already done. E.g., what coursework have you taken? Do you have relevant life experiences through clubs, activism, or personal circumstance? What prior experiences show that you had some interest in this topic before you read the job ad?
  • Your application must be professional.  A potential employer is interested in your professional experiences and academic goals, not your hobbies and childhood memories. When you describe your background and interest in the field, remember that this is a job application and not a dating profile.
  • Give your potential employer enough information to make a decision .   If you only provide generic information and do not give much detail on yourself, how can a potential employer evaluate your interest in, and suitability for, the job?
  • Copy edit your application before you send it . This should be obvious…you WILL be judged if there are typos or spelling errors. Don’t let silly mistakes hold back your application. If you are applying to more than one position, log back into the system after you apply and confirm that you uploaded the right resume and the right cover letter for each position. If a faculty member receives an application addressed to a different mentor, they likely won’t take your application seriously.

Click here to download an Example Cover Letter (PDF download).

Drafting Your Resume

You will need a resume to apply, regardless of whether you apply as a pre-selected student, or you apply to an open job search position.

EXPECTATIONS ON RESUME SUBMISSION:

You are applying for a position that is competitive – take the time to write a strong application. If you have not written a resume before we recommend you review the resources provided by Career Advancement before starting. The following tips should serve as a baseline; students can receive additional advising on this process from Northwestern Career Advancement (NCA), and they can schedule an appointment through Handshake . There are lots of helpful examples and resources on the NCA website, including their Career Guide   with sample cover letters and their page specific to Resume Writing .

  • Resume is maximum of 1 page.
  • Save document as a PDF prior to submission.

RESUME CONTENT:

  • Contact information
  • Relevant Experience (does not have to be formal job experience)
  • Start bullet points with action verbs. NCA has a list of action verbs to help you get started. Where possible, try to quantify your experience, or frame it in a way that shows how it is relevant to the position to which you are applying.
  • Place the most important information first and group related experiences together.  Use section categories to highlight your experiences most relevant to the job first. Within each category, items will be listed chronologically.
  • Include relevant non-work experiences.  Think broadly about what you might include; any activity you do consistently that has an output you can point to can work! For this particular resume, you might include relevant coursework to demonstrate interest in a topic area.

Click here to download an Example Resume (PDF download).

Submitting Student Application Materials

FOR PRE-SELECTED STUDENTS:

Your faculty mentor will include your NetID when they submit the application. This will trigger an email to you, asking you to upload a PDF of your resume and cover letter to complete the application in the Student Opportunities Application Portal . You will see the pending application when you login. You must upload your materials within 24 hours of the faculty application deadline for the application to be considered.

FOR OPEN JOB SEARCH STUDENTS: 

After log-in, you’ll see a grid with any applications you have previously submitted.  If you have never used this system, it will be empty. On the top menu, click the button that says “Discover Opportunities and Apply.” Navigate to the section that says “Undergraduate Research Office.” Click the “View All” button to find all of the open grants and URAP positions. Scroll through the opportunity listings until you find the name of the faculty mentor and title of the opportunity for which you’d like to apply.

Apply through this Application Portal.

  • Log in with your NetID and password.
  • Enter the required information, and upload PDFs of your resume and cover letter.

Final Submission

When you submit the application, you will get one of two system responses:

  • Option 1: Error message that there were some problems with your application. The errors will be highlighted in red; please review and correct them before you resubmit.
  • Option 2: If there are no errors, you will be sent to a survey site. Doing the survey is a requirement to complete the application . It is a short survey that helps us continue advocating for funding and make improvements to the process.

You will receive an automatically generated confirmation email within 15 minutes of your successful submission.

Application Evaluation

The faculty mentor’s application and your jointly included materials will be evaluated by the faculty review committee. The will be reviewing the applications according to the following criteria:

  • There is a clear benefit to both the faculty and the student. The student is actively engaged in the research rather than doing mundane tasks like data entry or transcribing.
  • The student does not have prior research experience, or the student will clearly be transitioning into a new field with significantly different methodologies than their prior experience.
  • The application outlines a clear and detailed mentoring plan, discussing how the faculty mentor will help the student develop their research skills.
  • The faculty mentor would not otherwise be able to hire an RA because the field is traditionally underfunded and/or undergraduates are not normally included in the research process: arts, humanities, and non-lab/field-based social sciences.
  • For faculty in the natural sciences, engineering, medical school, or lab/field-based social sciences, the application makes a detailed and compelling case for why no other funding is available to support RAs. If the faculty has hired undergraduate RAs before, the application explains why this particular student cannot be hired from the same funding source.
  • The experience for the student goes beyond the regular curriculum in the discipline.

FOR OPEN JOB SEARCH STUDENTS:

Your application will be considered amongst all other applications received for the open position. Open positions have had as few as 3 and as many as 40 applications in the past. Faculty may review and evaluate candidates however they would like; however, only students who have formally applied through the application portal during the open hiring period may be considered. In fairness to other applicants, late applications are not permitted. Faculty will review applications through the application portal; if you receive notification that the application has been endorsed, this is NOT indicative of an award decision. This is just language of the application system to indicate that the proposal has been reviewed. Final eligibility of the faculty’s selected candidates are confirmed through the Office of Undergraduate Research, and our office will administer final award decisions.

URAP and Work-Study

If a URAP student is work-study eligible (as denoted in their financial aid award letter accessible through CAESAR), then their URAP position will be converted to work-study. The student will be asked on the application if they are work-study eligible, and if so, they will be asked to share their work-study allotment. Please refer to the Work-Study website to determine eligibility and allotment.

Note: work-study allotment and eligibility do not impact likelihood of selection for this grant. Knowing the allotment helps us calculate how many additional hours the student might be able to earn beyond the URAP award amount.

Here is an overview of how that will work: work-study is a federal need-based financial aid program. At Northwestern, it is set up such that the government pays for 75% of the student’s hourly wage, and the department that hires the student pays the other 25%. Since the Office of Undergraduate Research is the hiring department for URAP jobs, we will cover the 25%, and there is no additional cost to the faculty mentor.

Of note, work-study allotments are typically more than the URAP award allotment, which means the student may: 1) hold more than one work-study job (and it is the mentee’s job to communicate this to the mentor if this is true), and/or 2) be eligible to earn additional URAP hours given their work-study allotment. The average work-study allotment is $3,600 which is around 221 possible URAP hours. Students are often eager to maximize their work-study income. Consequently, prior to the grant beginning, the student mentee and faculty mentor should have an honest conversation about the student’s goals and commitments regarding work-study position(s), and if the URAP job is a viable way for the student to earn additional hours. For example, if the faculty mentor only has about 100 hours of work (i.e., the initial URAP amount of $1,625 divided by $16.25/hr), the student can only earn a fraction of the $3,600 allotment, the student may pursue a second work-study job since many students financially depend on being able to earn the full allotment. Conversely, if the faculty mentor hopes to hire the student for 221 hours, but the student already has another work-study job with which they plan on splitting their time, it is important for the faculty member to know about realistic time expectations for their URAP research tasks. The federal work-study program caps the number of hours worked per week at 20 hours.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can i get help writing my resume and cover letter.

Certainly! Since the required student application components are a resume and cover letter, your best resource is Northwestern Career Advancement . You can schedule an appointment with an advisor via Handshake . If you’re looking to speak to someone quickly, look into NCA LiveChat or NCA Express Advising options.

We are also happy to provide advising support through the Office of Undergraduate Research. Schedule an advising appointment with an advisor.

What if I do not currently have a faculty mentor in mind?

Can i apply to more than one open position, i am in a lab-based field. can i still ask a faculty mentor to apply.

  • New junior faculty who have not yet applied for major grants and who need RA help while they are setting up their first lab.
  • Faculty who are initiating small, unfunded pilot projects that will later form the basis of a new NSF/NIH application.
  • Faculty who are funded by grants that explicitly prohibit hiring of undergraduates (please be specific about funding source).

If the faculty mentor does have potential funding to hire you, we expect them to do so such that our office can focus on creating as many opportunities for students as possible.   There are often a number of resources in these disciplines wherein faculty can fund  or subsidize undergraduates.

When can I begin working? How many hours can I complete?

First and foremost, you have to complete all the hiring paperwork before you can begin working. We have a separate page with instructions for award winners . You will also receive instructions in the application portal, and again during a mandatory onboarding workshop.

Academic Year URAP

  • Students can begin working any time after they have submitted the appropriate payroll paperwork AND the position is visible in Workforce.
  • Students can work more heavily in one quarter than another, pending their course load and agreement with the faculty sponsor.
  • Students can work over breaks, if agreed upon with faculty sponsor.  Work cannot be conducted during exam periods.
  • Students are paid $16.25/hour and can earn up to $1,625 (or 100 hours) over the grant period. Students who are eligible and choose to convert their RA position to work-study can earn more depending on their individual work-study allotment.
  • If they choose to space out the 100 hours, students often work 5-8 hours a week (see funding information above).
  • Students CANNOT work more than 40 hrs/week; whether working for this job alone or in combination with another part-time campus job.
  • Students must complete & log all hours by the last payroll deadline before Spring Exams begin. Please check your award email for specific dates. Hours must be logged AND annotated in Workforce.

How do I get paid?

First and foremost, you must complete all steps in the hiring payroll process before you can begin working. We have a separate page with information for award winners . You will receive detailed instructions for hiring steps once you’ve been awarded the grant in the application system. You will also receive more information during the mandatory onboarding workshop.

The Office of Undergraduate Research hires students as Temp Employees, and students are paid an hourly wage of $16.25/hr. Students enter their hours in Workforce to get paid, and the faculty supervisor (or someone the faculty mentor designates) approves hours in Workforce as primary supervisor. Students cannot begin working until their timecard is visible in Workforce; typically the job is visible about a week after all payroll paperwork is submitted. Additional processes to complete payroll paperwork (like applying and receiving a social security number) may delay the potential start date. Full details on your award paperwork, payroll paperwork, and using Workforce to log/approve hours will be provided in your award emails; we also require all student awardees to participate in a mandatory on-boarding workshop.

I was selected as a URAP mentee! What do I do next?

When you are formally selected, you should receive an award email with instructions on what to do next. You will also fill out a form to generate custom payroll instructions within the application system. You can refer to the Info for Grant Winners page for links to payroll forms and detailed instructions on how to complete them. In general you will need to:

  • Log back into the application system and formally accept the award.
  • Submit a personal data form.
  • Complete tax paperwork and I9 verification if you are not already in the Payroll system.
  • Attend a mandatory URAP onboarding workshop.
  • Begin working ONLY after the position is formally created through HR and you can see a place to enter hours in Workforce.

I need help with the Workforce timekeeping system.

All other questions are best asked of the Workforce help desk, as we are not experts in how this system works.

  • Information and Links for the Workforce Timekeeping System
  • Phone: 847-491-4700
  • Email: [email protected]

Can I use this position to earn work-study money? What about academic credit?

You cannot simultaneously be paid for your work while earning academic credit, so if you prefer to receive academic credit, you should apply for a 398/399 independent study. Enrollment in an independent student makes you eligible to apply for an  Academic Year Undergraduate Research Grant , which provides $1,000 towards research related expenses.

I'm a research assistant, but I'm falling behind in my work and I'm freaking out. What do I do?

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  • Research Opportunities

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Graduate students are encouraged to speak directly with faculty members at their particular school to inquire about positions.

Research Opportunities for Undergraduates:

  • Paid Research Assistant Positions: Search the Jobs Database for these paid positions.  Though we try to streamline, not all faculty members or departments use the SEO Jobs Database to post positions, so you may want to visit individual academic department websites to see if positions are posted there or contact a faculty member directly.
  • Independent Research: Pursue an independent research project with a Harvard faculty member as a research mentor and apply for funding to support your endeavors. Visit the Office of Undergraduate Research and Fellowships for more information and consult the Funding Database to learn of specific grants.
  • Research for Class Credit: Discuss this option (often as a 91R) with your academic advisor or Director of Undergraduate Studies.
  • Radcliffe Research Partnerships   post undergraduate research assistant positions for a wide variety of projects. Visit their website or the jobs database for  a list of open opportunities. 

Faculty Aide Program

Interested in just getting started with research? Have a specific professor to work with in mind? Learn about the Faculty Aide Program . This program provides funding to faculty members who want to hire student researchers.

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Federal Work Study Program

A federally-funded financial aid program available to US citizens and permanent residents.

More about FWSP

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POOL: Student Hourly Research Assistant

Position overview, job description, required qualifications, additional candidate instructions, contact information to applicants, advertised salary range, work schedule, search jobs, posting information.

  • Posting ID:  28980BR
  • Department:  Ctr Remote Sensing Integtr Sys
  • Primary Campus:  University of Kansas Lawrence Campus
  • Reg/Temp:  Temporary
  • Employee Class:  S-Student

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Office of Undergraduate Research

Open research positions.

Looking for talented undergraduate students to assist in your research projects? Fill out the form below to have your position displayed.

Looking for a research or creative scholarship mentor?

The researchers on this page are actively looking for undergraduates to join their academic efforts. This is not an exhaustive list of opportunities. If you don't see anything that fits your goals, contact us to find out what other opportunities await!

Recently graduated? Check out these job positions!

Current Undergraduate Opportunities

Human rights in context, brain structure and function in human development, the short and long-term effects of pregnancy-related disease on maternal and child health, evolution of stress response networks in yeast pathogens, neural mechanisms underlying motivated behaviors, genetic regulation of endoderm development, human brain and research technologies, development of behavior problems and positive adjustment in children, dietary and lifestyle approaches to improving quality of life in multiple sclerosis, gastroenterology research about muscle layer and mucosa, neurobiology of alcohol dependence and neurodegeneration, social-emotional development from infancy to adolescence, central nervous system control of metabolic homeostasis and sleep-wake behavior, mechanisms by ion channels and transporters mediate transport of ions across cellular membranes, neural and cognitive mechanisms of executive function, understanding novel genes in cardiac and neurological systems and disease, wessel cognitive neuroscience lab, neuroscience, neurocognitive basis of parent-child interactions and child development, brain mechanisms of learning and memory, neuroendocrine tumors and other rare cancer models..

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Neurobiology of alcohol dependence and neurodegeneration

Our group is focused on understanding the molecular and circuit adaptations following alcohol abuse and chronic stress that predispose to psychiatric disorders, neurodegenerative disease and infectious disease. 

We are interested in understanding how ions and small molecules are transported across the oily cellular membranes. We specialize in membrane protein biochemistry and biophysics, determining atomic resolution snapshots of protein complexes.

VOLUNTEER // ACADEMIC CREDIT

Neurocognitive basis of parent-child interactions and child development

Research assistants will have the opportunity to assist with various lab procedures (e.g., collecting data during child lab visits, data management, and video coding of parent–child interactions). 

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Molecular basis and gene therapy of cystic fibrosis

We are looking for undergraduate students who are interested in research and learning techniques that will help with general lab duties including aliquoting, cell work, chemical making, cleanup, and lab upkeep. No experience is needed; we are willing to train you!

The Hwang lab conducts research to understand the neural mechanisms of executive functions. Research assistants will gain valuable experience with cognitive neuroscience research, assisting with subject recruitment, behavioral/EEG/TMS/fMRI data collection, quality control of neuroimaging data, and execution of data analyses.

We invite passionate undergraduates to delve into groundbreaking gastroenterology research in advancing our understanding of the gastrointestinal (GI) tract, specifically focusing on its muscle layer and mucosa.

Genetic regulation of endoderm development

The goal of our laboratory's research is to understand the genetic regulation of endoderm development, which is a germ layer critical for craniofacial structures and the digestive system. We use zebrafish as the animal model.  

Sleep disturbance in psychiatric disorders

We focus on defining the physiological features of sleep disturbances in psychiatric disorders, investigating their relations with symptoms and cognitive deficits, and examining the neural circuitry involved in these sleep deficits using neuroimaging and electrophysiology techniques.

Physiology of ion transporting epithelia

Our projects are captured by the question “How do the different kinds of cells work together in an epithelium to orchestrate ion transport?”. Duties include making solutions, help in preparing experiments, and mouse genotyping. 

Experimental fluid dynamics, naval hydrodynamics, flow diagnosis

For undergraduate students who are interested in experimental fluid dynamics, there are several on-going research projects including sustainable drag reduction and developing an in-house laser illumination system.

Cellular and Molecular mechanisms of Obesity/Diabetes

Our research aims to identify the molecular components of integration between organelle stress responses that are in play in obesity and diabetes at the cellular and organismic levels. 

Learning-Based High-Dimensional Magnetic Resonance Imaging

Students are expected to code/run deep learning algorithms to solve specific problems in biomedical imaging. Qualifications STEM background.  VOLUNTEER TRANSCRIPT RECOGNITION

Understanding novel genes in cardiac and neurological systems and disease

The Boudreau Lab is working to discover new genes that regulate healthy heart and brain functions. We are looking for energetic students who are interested in learning advanced techniques to help us with general lab duties.

We study children’s social-emotional development from infancy to adolescence. Students in this lab have the opportunity to work on a longitudinal study to help collect data during laboratory sessions, code behavioral data from videos, and perform preliminary data management. We prefer students with experience working with young children.

Central nervous system control of metabolic homeostasis and sleep-wake behavior

Research projects in our lab aim to uncover the complex brain networks and signaling mechanisms that control metabolic homeostasis and sleep-wake behavior using mouse as a model organism. 

Development of behavior problems and positive adjustment in children

We conduct research to understand how children develop behavior problems as well as positive adjustment. To study the development of behavior problems we examine brain development, sleep, stress, parenting, temperament, and language skills.

We are looking for undergraduates interested in neuroscience research investigating how the brain influences reward seeking and fear behaviors. Duties will include performing experiments in rodents and day-to-day tasks in the lab. 

ACADEMIC CREDIT

Human Brain Research and Technologies

This position offers hands-on experience and research skills by working with a human brain bank and associated technologies, as well as outreach events. We are seeking a current senior with a major in neuroscience, biology, or human physiology. 

Analysis of environmental contaminants in biological samples

We are looking for student research assistants who would like to investigate the role of persistent organic pollutants in adverse health effects. The research project involves the analysis of environmental contaminants in biological samples.

Impact of insulin signaling and FoxOs on muscle mitochondria and strength

We are looking for an undergraduate researcher in a Molecular Biology lab who is willing to learn basic lab protocols (PCR, western blot, enzymatic assays) and be willing to handle mouse models. This position has the potential to grow into an independent project.

We conduct research on the brain mechanisms underlying learning and memory in humans, rats, and mice. Our experiments involve cutting-edge neuroscience techniques to study how information is learned and stored in the brain.

Human rights in Culture, Religion, Politics, and Law

The research project (Media Narratives on Armed Conflicts) is interdisciplinary requiring the use of many tools and skills, including large data analysis, digital content creation, preliminary research answering specific research questions, and integration of digital content in classroom teaching. 

Dietary and lifestyle approaches to improving quality of life in Multiple Sclerosis

The Wahls Research lab is interested in the relationship between diet quality and clinical outcomes. The study Efficacy of Diet on Quality of Life in Multiple Sclerosis is a five year study, completing in 2027.  

Cognitive Neuroscience

At the Wessel Cognitive Neuroscience Lab, undergraduate research assistants will run Cognitive Neuroscience tasks with EEG and TMS neuroimaging techniques. No lab experience required. A minimum GPA of 3.5 is required.

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Undergraduate Research Opportunities & Internships

  • Boston University Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowships (SURFs)
  • Carnegie Mellon University Summer Program for Undergraduate Researchers (SPUR)
  • Duke University, The Department of Psychology and Neuroscience NSF Summer Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU)
  • Harvard Business School PRIMO
  • Harvard University Moral Psychology Research Lab
  • National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke (NIH) Summer Program in the Neurological Sciences and Other Neuroscience Research Training and Funding Opportunities
  • National Science Foundation (NSF) Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU) Program
  • Rutgers RISE Program
  • Stanford University Center for the Study of Language and Information (CSLI)
  • University of California, Berkeley Berkeley Early Learning Lab Summer Internship Program
  • University of California, Berkeley the Gopnik Cognitive Development and Learning Lab
  • UCLA Summer Programs for Undergraduate Research (SPUR)
  • Undergraduate Psychology Summer Internship Program — Pace University, Counseling Center, New York City Campus
  • University of Pennsylvania Undergraduate Summer Fellowship Program in Interdisciplinary Mind and Brain Studies
  • University of California — Irvine Undergraduate Research Opportunities Program (UROP) — includes helpful tips for finding undergraduate research opportunities
  • University of California — Irvine: The Irvine Interdisciplinary Internship in Neuroscience Program
  • University of Cincinnati Summer Undergraduate Research Fellowship
  • University of Maryland Summer Undergraduate Research Program
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program
  • University of Nebraska-Lincoln Summer Research Program on Minority Health Disparities
  • University of North Carolina, Karen M. Gil Internship Program in Psychology
  • University of Toronto Canada Summer Research Opportunities Programme (SROP)
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Interdisciplinary Research in Education Sciences (IRES) Summer Internship Program for Undergraduates
  • University of Wisconsin-Madison Department of Psychology Psychology Research Experience Program (PREP)
  • Yale University: Organizational Behavior Summer Internship

Do you know of any other programs that offer interesting research opportunities to undergraduates? If so, please contact us at (202) 336-6140.

APA Resources

Conducting research

Research ethics

Council on Undergraduate Research

Scholarships, Grants & Awards

Undergraduate Research Assistantships

Iowa State University’s Undergraduate Research Assistantship (URA) Program encourages outstanding juniors and seniors to pursue graduate study by offering them hands-on experience in a formal research environment.

The URA Program benefits students and faculty alike by providing them with an opportunity to make career decisions and to work with other talented individuals in a research environment similar to graduate research and fellowships.

The research roles assigned to the students promote the development of technical and manipulative skills, as well as foster originality, imagination, judgment, and patience — all characteristics of an independent scholar.

Requirements for the 2024-2025 URA Program

To qualify for the Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, students must:

  • Be classified as juniors or seniors by the beginning of fall semester
  • Maintain an ISU cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25
  • File the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid ( FAFSA )
  • Be eligible for Work-Study funding
  • Complete the URA application

First Year Students

  • First year students may earn a maximum of $4,300 for the nine-month academic period
  • 40% of the wages are paid by the faculty sponsor
  • 60% of the wages are paid by the College Work-Study (CWS) program
  • The pay rate for first year URA students is a minimum of $12.00 per hour

Renewal Students

  • Renewal students continuing work with the same faculty member may earn a maximum of $5,000 for the nine month academic period
  • The pay rate for renewal URA students is a minimum of $14.00 per hour
  • Soft deadline of March 29, 2024 for Spring interviews. Applications will be accepted after this date, but may have a delay in matching.
  • Completed Letter of Intent signed by  all parties
  • Must have selected the Work-Study job profile in Workday (employer only)

Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA) Documents

  • Information
  • Letter of intent
  • Student application
  • Faculty application
  • Renewal application

For 2023-24 information and forms, contact: Julie Arnold Phone: 515-294-0103 Email: [email protected]

RESEARCH ASSISTANT I MATH (STUDENT TEMP)

Job summary, required qualifications*.

Current UM-Dearborn undergraduate or master's students.

Excellent organizational, analytic, and communication skills.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes .

Background Screening

The University of Michigan conducts background checks on all job candidates upon acceptance of a contingent offer and may use a third party administrator to conduct background checks.  Background checks are performed in compliance with the Fair Credit Reporting Act.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

  • Meet with Us
  • OUR Advisory Board
  • Council on Undergraduate Research (CUR)
  • Become a Research Ambassador
  • Getting Started
  • Opportunities at NC State
  • Research Abroad
  • Summer Research Programs at NC State
  • Summer Research Programs and REUs
  • Project Supply Grants
  • OUR Federal Work-Study Research Assistant Program
  • Travel Awards
  • External Funding
  • Events and Presenting
  • Conferences
  • NC State Undergraduate Research & Creativity Symposium
  • Faculty/Mentors
  • Getting Started with Mentoring
  • Recruiting Students
  • Faculty, Post-Doc, Graduate OUR Engagement Opportunities
  • Federal Work-Study Research Assistant Program
  • Michael Dickey Outstanding Research Mentor Award
  • Summer Research Programs and REU’s Toolkit
  • Resource Library
  • Reference and Training
  • Responsible Conduct of Research (RCR)
  • Research “How-to” Handouts
  • Giving to OUR 

Opportunities at NC State

Undergraduate Research and Scholarship at NC State University can look different according to the discipline. Students may be working directly with the faculty mentor, be a part of a larger collaboration of graduate students, post-docs, and/or other undergraduates, or have a small team of several undergraduate students working under a mentor. Research may even be called by different names in various colleges, but underneath the differences in terminology and approach, students are gaining skills on how to create knowledge in their field.

Usually when a student begins undergraduate research with a faculty mentor, it is as a volunteer. Occasionally, faculty members will have grant funds that can support a student financially but you should not go into undergraduate research expecting it to pay a salary or stipend. The rewards from your experience are not usually financial but are instead the knowledge that you gain and the doors that the experience can open.

After students have found a mentor and established a working relationship with a mentor, students may apply for grants to help fund their research through OUR. Students do not have to have a grant to do research!

Examples of Research Opportunities

  • Working within a department with a faculty member or research group as a volunteer or paid student researcher
  • Working as an undergraduate research fellow within a grant.

Here are some examples of programs that provide this opportunity on campus:

  • FREEDM Undergraduate Research Scholars

Courses That Offer a Research Component

Colleges and departments may also list undergraduate research links and opportunities. A partial listing of the various faculty research across campus is below.

College of Agriculture and Life Sciences

  • De partment of Agricultural and Resource Economics
  • Ani mal Science
  • Applied Ecology
  • Biological and Agricultural Engineering
  • Crop and Soil Sciences
  • Food, Bioprocessing and Nutrition Sciences
  • Horticultural Science
  • Molecular and Structural Biochemistry
  • Plant and Microbial Biology
  • Plant Pathology
  • Prestage Family Department of Poultry Science

College of Design

Office of Research, Engagement, and Extension

College of Education

Research Areas

College of Engineering

  • Biomedical Engineering
  • Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering
  • Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering
  • Computer Science
  • Fitts Department of Industrial and Systems Engineering
  • Electrical and Computer Engineering
  • Materials Science and Engineering
  • Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering
  • Nuclear Engineering

College of Humanities and Social Sciences

  • Communication
  • Foreign Languages and Literatures
  • Political Science
  • Public Administration
  • Social Work
  • Sociology and Anthropology

College of Natural Resources

  • Forest Biomaterials
  • Forestry and Environmental Resources
  • Parks, Recreation, and Tourism Management

College of Management, Poole

  • Business Management
  • Management, Innovation, and Entrepreneurship

College of Sciences

  • Biological Sciences
  • Marine, Earth and Atmospheric Sciences
  • Mathematics

College of Textiles, Wilson

  • Textile and Apparel, Technology and Management
  • Textile Engineering, Chemistry, and Science

College of Veterinary Medicine

  • Clinical Sciences
  • Molecular Biomedical Sciences
  • Population Health and Pathobiology

Job Description And Resume Examples

Undergraduate Research Assistant Job Description, Key Duties and Responsibilities

Undergraduate Research Assistant Job Description

This post presents detailed information on the undergraduate research assistant job description, including the key duties, tasks, and responsibilities they commonly perform.

It also highlights the major requirements you may need to meet to be hired for the undergraduate research assistant role.

What Does an Undergraduate Research Assistant Do?

An undergraduate research assistant helps out professors and PhD students by working on their academic research projects. 

The undergraduate research assistant job description involves running experiments, gathering data, surveying people, and pulling together materials for literature reviews.

The undergraduate reports directly to the professor or PhD student leading the research they’re helping out with.

Research assistants work in all kinds of fields where active research is happening – STEM projects, social sciences, humanities, medicine, business – you name it.

To land the gig, you’ll need to be enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree program and keep your grades up.

Relevant research methods courses under your belt are a big plus. 

Some of the main duties performed by undergraduate research assistants include giving a hand with study design, data collection and analysis, prepping materials, and doing those literature reviews. 

They may also have to recruit study participants, manage databases, organize materials, and help present research findings.

The undergraduate research assistant plays a key supporting role across academia globally. 

Strong research, critical thinking, and communication skills are highly valued in research assistants.

For some research areas, scientific, technical, or quantitative skills are preferred.

There’s no universal licensing, but research assistants have to follow university and institutional ethics rules.

Undergraduate Research Assistant Job Description Example/Sample/Template

The undergraduate research assistant job description consists of the following duties, tasks, and responsibilities:

  • Help design studies and put together research methods
  • Recruit people to participate in studies and interviews
  • Give surveys, tests, and other data collection activity
  • Do interviews, focus groups, observe participants 
  • Crunch numbers and analyze data using software like SPSS
  • Interpret and summarize research findings
  • Look up and compile bibliographies for lit reviews 
  • Do lab work – operate equipment, test samples, record results 
  • Make graphs, charts, and infographics to visualize data
  • Pitch in on grant proposals and funding apps 
  • Co-author and add to published journal articles and conference presentations
  • Keep accurate records for research compliance 
  • Make sure research follows ethical and institution standards
  • Coordinate study logistics like room bookings, supplies 
  • Document procedures and keep detailed lab notes
  • Track research budget expenses
  • Order lab materials, resources, supplies
  • Attend and contribute to lab meetings
  • Supervise undergrad assistants 
  • Photocopy, file, organize research docs and field notes
  • Make PowerPoints to go with oral presentations 
  • Use software like EndNote to organize citations
  • Double check data entry and coding
  • Handle reimbursements and payments for participants
  • Other admin tasks to support research as needed.

Undergraduate Research Assistant Job Description for Resume

If you have worked before as an undergraduate research assistant or presently working in that role and are making a new resume or CV, then you can create an effective Professional Experience section for your resume by applying the above undergraduate research assistant job description example.

You can highlight the duties and responsibilities you have performed or currently performing as an undergraduate research assistant in your resume’s Professional Experience by utilizing the ones in the sample undergraduate research assistant job description above.

This will show to recruiters/employers that you have been effective carrying out the undergraduate research assistant role, which can boost your chances of been hired, especially if the new position that you are seeking requires someone with some undergraduate research assistant work experience.

Undergraduate Research Assistants Skills, Knowledge, and Abilities for Career Success

Here are important skills and qualifications that candidates for undergraduate research assistant position are usually expected to fulfill to be hired:

  • Know research methods and protocols
  • Stats analysis skills
  • Lab skills like pipetting, running equipment, etc.
  • Software skills – Excel, SPSS, and databases
  • Keen attention to detail helps ensure data accuracy
  • Strong critical thinking and analytical abilities allow meaningful interpretation of research findings 
  • Superb organizational and record keeping skills facilitate timely task completion
  • Effective teamwork relies on communication both verbally and, in writing
  • Possesses efficient skills in conducting research and retrieving information
  • Familiarity with the requirements surrounding research
  • Demonstrated success in recruiting and screening participants for studies
  • Proficient in utilizing library databases and reference management software
  • Knowledgeable about grant writing and the process of applying for funding.

Undergraduate Research Assistant Salary

When it comes to the salary of undergraduate research assistants, data from the U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics in May 2022 indicates salary of $27,430.

Furthermore, the five states that offer top pay to undergraduate research assistant are as follows:

  • California, $38,330
  • Massachusetts, $35,690
  • Maryland, $33,830
  • Connecticut, $33,580
  • New Jersey, $33,400.

This post provides an overview of the undergraduate research assistant job description. It outlines their responsibilities, required skills and qualifications along with details about salary.

Additionally, it highlights job prospects associated with contributing to research.

These positions let students score valuable experience with research methods, critical thinking, technical skills, and scholarly writing.

As they help professors and PhD students with studies and experiments, undergraduate assistants build expertise that prepares them for research careers and further education after graduation.

If you’re a student keen to get a head start on research, this article maps out exactly what a research assistant does and what it takes to crush it.

Whether you want hands-on training or a paid job to offset college costs, working as an undergrad research aide can seriously boost your academic and professional growth. 

And for professors and lead researchers, this overview provides the complete nitty gritty on undergraduate research assistants.

From core tasks to key competencies, it offers a template to craft an accurate job description for your university research crew.

Recommended:

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UCF Millican Hall

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  • Main Campus, Orlando, Florida
  • School of Teacher Education - Academic Instruction

The Opportunity

The School of Teacher Education (STE) in the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-earning assistant professor position in Exceptional Student/Special Education (ESE), anticipated to begin in Spring 2025.

Primary responsibilities :

Conduct research in area(s) of expertise and publish in high-ranking journals.

Seek external funding in area of expertise.

Teach courses in exceptional education.

Recruit and mentor doctoral students.

Facilitate meaningful research experiences.

Actively participate in unit, college, and university service activities.

Engage in professional outreach at local and national levels.

Engage in an active program of research that leads to high-impact publications and presentations.

Teach, supervise, and advise undergraduate and graduate students in the program.

Collaborate with faculty colleagues on interdisciplinary research, teaching, and scholarship.

Exceptional Education program is a dynamic collection of faculty and students (undergraduate, masters, and doctoral levels) guided by the goal of improving the lives of people with disabilities and their families. This diverse and dynamic team accomplishes their individual and collective goals through research, education, demonstration services, and technical assistance. Our mission is to educate leaders, build healthy communities, and make discoveries that change the world. We strive to be an exceptional learning community that lifts each other and advances society with synergy around individuals with disabilities and their families. For more information about the program and school visit https://ccie.ucf.edu/teachered/exceptional-student-education/ .

The School of Teacher Education (STE) is a collegial environment supporting outstanding students. STE includes premier academic programs known for excellence in research, teaching, and service to students and the community.  For more information about STE and its programs, visit https://ccie.ucf.edu/teachered/ .

UCF’s College of Community Innovation and Education is a one-of-a-kind academic unit with distinct, interdisciplinary expertise and potential for partnership with community stakeholders, conceived to address societal challenges and work alongside the community. Established in 2018, the college offers undergraduate and graduate programs on the main campus and UCF Downtown. At the heart of the college's mission is the institutional commitment to transform lives and strengthen society by developing a unified vision and innovative solutions to complex social issues. CCIE promotes innovation through state-of-the-art interdisciplinary research with social impact; contemporary inclusive teaching and learning practices; and preeminent service for the disciplines, the institution, and the community. For more information about the school or college, please visit the homepage at: https://ccie.ucf.edu/

Located in Orlando, Florida, UCF is classified as a Very High Research Activity (R1) university by the Carnegie Foundation. With a diverse student body of more than 70,000 students, UCF is one of the largest universities in the country. The university offers more than 240-degree programs. UCF is committed to diversity and was designated a Hispanic Serving Institution in 2019.  For more information, visit https://www.ucf.edu .

Minimum Qualifications by the time of hire:

Terminal degree from an accredited institution in exceptional student education, special education, or a closely related field by date of employment.

3+ years PK-12 teaching experience in the U.S.

Preferred Qualifications:

Experience with external funding.

Publication of a few peer-reviewed articles.

Experience with mentoring/coaching teachers, research studies, or teaching activities.

Collaboration on interdisciplinary projects.

Experience in successfully teaching undergraduate or graduate courses.

Experience with teaching classes across various modalities.

Experience in developing online courses or modules.

Evidence of leadership in scholarship, teaching, or service.

Engaging in the community through partnerships.

Additional Application Materials Required:

UCF requires all applications and supporting documents be submitted electronically through the Human Resources employment opportunities website, https://www.ucf.edu/jobs/ . In addition to the online application, candidates should upload a cover letter, a current curriculum vitae, and a list with contact information for three (3) professional references.

The selected candidate will be required to submit official transcripts (and, as applicable, U.S. degree equivalency evaluations) documenting the conferral of their qualifying academic credentials.

NOTE: Please have all documents ready when applying so they can be simultaneously uploaded. Once the online submission process is finalized, the system does not allow applicants to submit additional documents later.

Questions regarding this search should be directed to : Dr. Matt Marino, Professor, at [email protected].

Special Instructions to the Applicants:

Job Close Date:

Open until filled. 

Note to applicants: Please keep in mind that a job posted as ‘ Open until filled ’ may close at any time without notice. As such, we encourage you to submit your application and all required documentation as quickly as possible to ensure consideration for the posted position.

Are you ready to unleash YOUR potential?

As a next-generation public research university and Forbes-ranked top employer in Florida, we are a community of thinkers, doers, creators, innovators, healers, and leaders striving to create broader prosperity and help shape a better future. No matter what your role is, when you join Knight Nation, you’ll play an integral role at one of the most impactful universities in the country. You’ll be met with opportunities to connect and collaborate with talented faculty, staff, and students across 13 colleges and multiple campuses, engaging in impactful work that makes a positive difference. Your time at UCF will provide you with many meaningful opportunities to grow, you’ll work alongside talented colleagues on complex projects that will challenge you and help you gain new skills and you’ll have countless rewarding experiences that go well beyond a paycheck.

Working at UCF has its perks! UCF offers:

Benefit packages, including Medical, Dental, Vision, Life Insurance, Flexible Spending, and Employee Assistance Program. 

Paid time off, including annual (12-month faculty) and sick time off and paid holidays.

Retirement savings options. 

Employee discounts, including tickets to many Orlando attractions. 

Education assistance.

Flexible work environment. 

And more…For more benefits information, view the UCF Employee Benefits Guide click here .

Unless explicitly stated on the job posting, it is UCF’s expectation that an employee of UCF will reside in Florida as of the date the employment begins.

Additional Requirements related to Research Positions:

Pursuant to Florida State Statute 1010.35, prior to offering employment to certain individuals in research-related positions, UCF is required to conduct additional screening. Applicants subject to additional screening include any citizen of a foreign country who is not a permanent resident of the U.S., or who is a citizen or permanent resident but is affiliated with or has had at least 1 year of education, employment, or training in China, Cuba, Iran, Russia, North Korea, Syria, or Venezuela.

The additional screening requirements only apply to research-related positions, including, but not limited to faculty, graduate positions, individuals compensated by research grants or contract funds, post-doctoral positions, undergraduate positions, visiting assistant professors, and visiting research associates.

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Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

The University of Central Florida is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action Employer including Disabled/Vets.  Click on UCF's Equal Opportunity Statement to view the President’s Statement.

The UCF affirmative action plans for qualified individuals with disabilities and protected Veterans are available for inspection in the Office of Institutional Equity, Monday through Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., upon request.

As a Florida public university, UCF makes all application materials and selection procedures available to the public upon request. 

The University of Central Florida is proud to be a smoke-free campus and an E-Verify employer.

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Posted: 09-Sep-24

Location: Mississippi State, Mississippi

Type: Full Time

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Preferred Education:

Internal Number: 508078

This position is a 100% Extension appointment (tenure track) with Mississippi State University located on the Main Campus in Starkville, MS. The primary function of this position will be to develop, coordinate and implement applied research and Extension programs aimed at managing insect pests of ornamental plants, turfgrass, and forage grasses in Mississippi. The incumbent will work as part of a multidisciplinary team involved in applied research and Extension. In particular, the incumbent will conduct applied research on established and experimental technologies (insecticides, biological processes, etc.), practices that improve integrated pest management (IPM), and develop novel approaches to manage primary and secondary insect pests of ornamental plants, turfgrass, and forage grasses found in Mississippi and the mid-south. The incumbent will incorporate these and other research findings into the development of a statewide Extension program that meets the needs of commercial growers, homeowners, and other stakeholders utilizing appropriate technologies and delivery methods. The incumbent will develop and maintain close working relationships with growers and other stakeholders, including commodity groups, governmental and non-governmental agencies, plant protection industries, MSU Extension specialists, Extension agents, Mississippi Agricultural and Forestry Experiment Station (MAFES) researchers and others, to ensure that their entomology research and Extension program is focused on the most pressing needs of stakeholders.

Department Profile: The Department of Agricultural Science and Plant Protection https://agscipp.msstate.edu has academic, research, and extension education missions within the traditions of land-grant universities. The Department has 26 faculty in the entomology and plant pathology disciplines. The Department offers B.S, M.S., and Ph.D. degrees and currently advises approximately 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate students.

Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The incumbent will conduct applied entomology research and develop an Extension program related to insect pest management in ornamental crops, turfgrass and forages in Mississippi. In developing the Extension and applied research program, the incumbent will work with producers, homeowners, agribusinesses and other stakeholders as appropriate to identify techniques to effectively and efficiently manage insect pests while protecting plants, the environment, and profitability. As a result, the incumbent should have a demonstrated ability to effectively communicate research findings and troubleshoot problems with farmers, homeowners, and Extension personnel. The Extension program should include competency/in-service training for Extension agents; development and publication of appropriate Extension materials such as publications and instructional videos or other appropriate digital and social media; technical assistance for Extension agents, farmers, homeowners, and other stakeholders; and other appropriate Extension delivery methods. Furthermore, the incumbent will demonstrate and present information and updates through effective program delivery by planning and participating in local, state, regional, and national professional and stakeholder meetings. The incumbent will collaborate with colleagues in grant and contract proposals seeking funding to support applied research and Extension efforts. Research is expected to include evaluating damage thresholds, evaluating new and existing insecticides, studying host plant resistance, and developing other IPM-related strategies. The incumbent will cooperate with other scientific disciplines represented at Mississippi State University and USDA-ARS, as well as other groups when appropriate to develop and improve IPM programs in ornamental crops and turf, and forages.

Publishing findings in appropriate professional journals is expected. The incumbent will be encouraged to participate in graduate student training and contribute to collaborative teaching in off-campus and campus-based educational programs in entomology and pest management, whether formal or non- formal. The successful candidate will actively participate in professional societies and organizations as well as appropriate MSU committees and commodity groups. These activities should include involvement in coordinating entomology and IPM research goals and objectives through collaborative efforts.

Minimum Qualifications: A Ph.D. in entomology or a closely related field from an accredited institution of higher learning. Individuals who are ABD (all but dissertation) will be considered. Acceptable candidate must have outstanding verbal and written communication skills and experience in insect pest management.

Link to apply: https://explore.msujobs.msstate.edu/en-us/job/508078/assistant-professor

Equal Opportunity Statement: MSU is an equal opportunity employer, and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, ethnicity, sex, religion, national origin, disability, age, sexual orientation, genetic information, pregnancy, gender identity, status as a U.S. veteran, and/or any other status protected by applicable law. We always welcome nominations and applications from women, members of any minority group, and others who share our passion for building a diverse community that reflects the diversity in our student population.

In compliance with the ADA Amendments Act (ADAAA), if you have a disability and would like to request an accommodation in order to apply for a position with Mississippi State University, please contact the Department of Human Resources Management at (662) 325-3713 or [email protected].

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  1. Undergraduate Research Assistant Position

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  2. Student Research Assistant Job Description

    research assistant jobs for undergraduate students

  3. Paid Undergraduate Student Research Assistant

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  4. What is a Research Assistant?

    research assistant jobs for undergraduate students

  5. Student Research Assistant Job Description

    research assistant jobs for undergraduate students

  6. Lab Research Assistant Job Description

    research assistant jobs for undergraduate students

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COMMENTS

  1. Undergraduate Research Assistant jobs

    Policy Research Assistant Margolis Institute for Health Policy Hybrid (Washington, DC or Durham, NC) Duke University. Durham, NC 27710. $50,450 - $76,400 a year. This position will support Duke-Margolis projects with a variety of complex activities in research, writing, and analysis of quantitative and/or qualitative….

  2. Undergraduate Student Research Assistant jobs

    To request this document in an alternate format or to request a reasonable accommodation, please contact the Department of Accessibility Services at 404-727-9877 (V) | 404-712-2049 (TDD). Please note that one week advance notice is preferred. 5,886 Undergraduate Student Research Assistant jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Student ...

  3. Student Undergraduate Research Assistant jobs

    Research Assistant, Undergraduate. HHRI. Minneapolis, MN 55415. Typically responds within 1 day. $17.20 an hour. Easily apply. Maintain research participant confidentiality and follow research protocols. The undergraduate research assistant will be responsible for assisting in the day…. Active 4 days ago ·.

  4. How To Do Research In College As An Undergraduate Student

    Quick Tip #2. After your meeting with your professor, make sure you send then a thank-you email. Thank them for taking their time to meet with you and restate your interest in doing research with them. Step 4: Fill out any required applications and wait to be accepted as an undergraduate research assistant.

  5. 6,475 Undergraduate research assistant jobs in United States

    Search Undergraduate research assistant jobs. Get the right Undergraduate research assistant job with company ratings & salaries. 6,475 open jobs for Undergraduate research assistant. ... ("Valpo"), a community of learning grounded in the Lutheran tradition of scholarship, freedom, and faith, prepares students to lead and serve both church ...

  6. Research Opportunities

    A research assistantship is an excellent opportunity for students with little experience to get their first exposure to research. Research assistantship postings can be found on department webpages, at research centers, as well as on the Student Employment Office Job Board. You can also check with nearby hospitals and research groups, in ...

  7. Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (Urap)

    PRE-SELECTED STUDENTS: 2024-25 Academic Year URAP Faculty Deadline: Monday, October 7, 2024. Students applying as the pre-selected student must submit PDFs of their resume and cover letter within 24 hours of the faculty deadline listed above. URAP (Pre-Faculty Deadline) Info Session. Wednesday, September 11 | 4:45pm- 5:45pm CST.

  8. Research Opportunities

    Research Opportunities. Many students pursue a research opportunity as their employment experience. There are many opportunities for undergraduates to pursue research projects - either independently or as a research assistant for a faculty member. Research positions may be volunteer, paid, or funded through programs to which you or a faculty ...

  9. Job Posting

    Undergraduate research assistants (UGRAs) participate in innovative research related to their academic field of study providing an opportunity to expand their skill-set, apply practical knowledge in a research setting and gain skills which will provide a unique experience resulting in a competitive edge in the job market.

  10. Open Research Positions

    Check out these job positions! Post-Bac Opportunities ... Specifically, the research assistant will assist with subject recruitment, behavioral/EEG/TMS/fMRI data collection, quality control of neuroimaging data, and execution of data analyses. ... We are looking for undergraduate students who are interested in research and learning techniques ...

  11. What Is a Student Research Assistant?

    Student research assistants support professionals by completing research projects, gathering data and documenting their findings. Many graduate and undergraduate students pursue research assistant positions to gain hands-on work experience in an academic setting. If you are interested in pursuing an academic or research-related profession, then you may be interested in learning more about what ...

  12. Undergraduate Research Opportunities & Internships

    Undergraduate Research Opportunities & Internships. Do you know of any other programs that offer interesting research opportunities to undergraduates? If so, please contact us at (202) 336-6140. Links to internships and undergraduate research opportunities at universities and government agencies.

  13. Undergraduate Research Assistantships

    To qualify for the Undergraduate Research Assistantship Program, students must: Be classified as juniors or seniors by the beginning of fall semester. Maintain an ISU cumulative grade point average of at least 3.25. File the 2024-2025 Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA) Be eligible for Work-Study funding. Complete the URA application.

  14. Research Assistant Recruiting

    Professors Recruiting New Research Assistants. CBN faculty will be recruiting new undergraduate research assistants in the 2022-2023 academic year. Please check the information posted below to learn which professors are recruiting new undergraduate students, along with descriptions of their research projects and details about how to apply.

  15. RESEARCH ASSISTANT I MATH (STUDENT TEMP)

    Apply Now. Job Summary This position is for an undergraduate student research assistant will work on an existing project on Bianchi modular forms and rationality of periods. Experience number theory and coding ability required. This position will be under the supervision of Dr. Tian An Wong. Required Qualifications*

  16. Opportunities at NC State

    Opportunities at NC State. Undergraduate Research and Scholarship at NC State University can look different according to the discipline. Students may be working directly with the faculty mentor, be a part of a larger collaboration of graduate students, post-docs, and/or other undergraduates, or have a small team of several undergraduate students working under a mentor.

  17. Student Research Assistant jobs

    Trudeau Institute 4.0. Saranac Lake, NY 12983. From $21.54 an hour. Full-time. Minimum of 37.5 hours per week. 8 hour shift + 2. Easily apply. The candidate will eventually be responsible for assisting with and performing laboratory duties as directed in support of in vivo and in vitro research…. Active 5 days ago.

  18. Undergraduate Research Assistant Job Description, Key Duties and

    What Does an Undergraduate Research Assistant Do? An undergraduate research assistant helps out professors and PhD students by working on their academic research projects. The undergraduate research assistant job description involves running experiments, gathering data, surveying people, and pulling together materials for literature reviews.

  19. Jobs at RUDN

    in case of an academic degree of a Candidate of Sciences (or PhD degree of a foreign University or a foreign research organization) no work experience is required; Salary level (at 1.0 rate) ~ 60 000 RUB (~ 900$, gross, tax is 30% during first 182 days of employment; subsequently tax is 13%) + bonuses;

  20. HKU Careers

    Part-time Student Research Assistant in the Faculty of Education (several posts) (Ref.: 528942) (to commence as soon as possible for one year, with the possibility of renewal) Applicants should be undergraduate or master's students in education, social sciences, or related disciplines with a strong proficiency in both written and spoken Chinese (including Cantonese) and English.

  21. Remote Research Assistant Undergraduate jobs

    If you need assistance completing the application process, please contact Human Resources at 206-342-6972 or email [email protected]. Report job. 127 Remote Research Assistant Undergraduate jobs available on Indeed.com. Apply to Research Assistant, Student Researcher, Senior Research Assistant and more!

  22. Assistant Professor, Exceptional Student Education

    The OpportunityThe School of Teacher Education (STE) in the College of Community Innovation and Education (CCIE) at the University of Central Florida (UCF) invites applications for a 9-month, tenure-earning assistant professor position in Exceptional Student/Special Education (ESE), anticipated to begin in Spring 2025.Primary responsibilities: Conduct research in area(s) of expertise and ...

  23. Assistant Professor- Ornamental and Turfgrass Entomology in Mississippi

    The Department offers B.S, M.S., and Ph.D. degrees and currently advises approximately 100 undergraduate and 30 graduate students. Essential Duties and Responsibilities: The incumbent will conduct applied entomology research and develop an Extension program related to insect pest management in ornamental crops, turfgrass and forages in ...

  24. Undergraduate Research Assistant Physics jobs

    Job Title Student Research Assistant - Advanced Technologeis. Posted Posted 9 days ago ... performs complex and diverse duties for the department and serves as a source of information and problem solving for students, faculty, staff, and other constituents. The Staff Assistant will provide administrative support and general guidance and ...

  25. Research Assistant jobs

    Alliance of Multispeciality Research 3.3. Fort Myers, FL 33912. $23 - $25 an hour. Full-time. 40 hours per week. Monday to Friday + 1. Easily apply. O Answering and triage of research office calls. The research assistant is responsible for study support activities to ensure each study is completed accurately….