phd research assistantships

Graduate Assistantship Information for Students

One of the most common sources of funding for graduate students are assistantships, which can support general administrative duties, teaching, or research projects. Assistantship policies are documented in University Policy No. 6210 . A full assistantship requires a student to work for 20 hours per week on average. Departments may also offer partial assistantships. Students may or may not be required to report to work during school breaks. You can find some data on assistantship funding here . 

How to Find an Assistantship

• Many departments evaluate graduate admission applications to match them with available assistantship positions.  Most assistantship opportunities are managed at the department/program level and interested graduate students should contact the program of interest directly regarding funding opportunities. Review assistantship funding data to learn more about assistantship funding by degree level, program, assistantship type and more.
• Current students in the Blacksburg area seeking funding are encouraged to monitor  GLC Weekly listserv postings  for assistantship and wage openings that administrative offices share with the Graduate School. Current students in the greater Washington, D.C. metro area should monitor the D.C. Area Weekly newslette r postings.
• Student Affairs posts its available GA positions on their jobs portal . 

Manage your Assistantship

• Quick guide for new GAs, GRAs, and GTAs.
• Making the Most of Your Assistantship

Types of Assistantships (GA, GTA, GRA)

Graduate Assistant (GA) Graduate Assistants provide academic and program support to academic, administrative or service units of the university. Responsibilities may be administrative in nature and consist of duties not directly related to teaching or research (such as academic advising, program planning, advising student groups, and assisting with the administrative duties of an office). GA responsibilities may also include grading examinations, problem sets, and/or lab assignments, setting up displays for lectures or laboratory sections, and preparing or maintaining equipment used in laboratory sections.

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) Graduate Research Assistants conduct academically significant research under the direction of a faculty member who is generally a principal investigator on an external grant or contract. GRAs are awarded by departments and professors who are engaged in research projects. Research assistantships offer exciting opportunities to participate in  ongoing research developments at Virginia Tech . Since GRAs are often funded by sponsored research grants, they may be paid at a higher stipend level than GAs or GTAs. Students enrolled in Research & Dissertation (R & D) credit hours while holding a GRA position are expected to exert significant time and effort toward earning those credits in addition to fulfilling their assistantship duties. Please discuss expectations with your research advisor.

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) Graduate Teaching Assistants provide academic program support under the supervision of a faculty member. GTAs may assist faculty in teaching undergraduate courses, including laboratory teaching assignments, or in providing other appropriate professional assistance, including grading examinations, problem sets, and/or lab assignments, setting up displays for lectures and laboratory sections, and preparing or maintaining equipment used in lab sections. GTAs must have 18 hours of graduate-level course work completed in their teaching disciplines to be assigned full responsibility for teaching an undergraduate course. GTAs lacking this training will be assigned to work under the supervision of a faculty member who will be the instructor of record for the course.

The  GTA workshop  is held during the week before the start of each semester. All students holding a GTA appointment are expected to attend at the first available opportunity. 

Assistantship Eligibility Requirements

• Must be enrolled in 12-18 credit hours in fall and spring; audited courses do not count toward fulfilling this requirement.
• Maintain a 3.0 GPA; departmental requirements may be higher (provisional students with a GPA between 2.75 and 2.99 may also receive assistantships). Students whose GPA falls below 3.0 may remain on assistantship if their assistantship employer wishes to continue to support them. Exceptions are made on a semester-by-semester basis by the Graduate School.
• Make satisfactory progress toward degree as defined by academic departments and the Graduate School.
• Meet requirements to be eligible for employment in the U.S. You can find information about employment eligibility verification and tax forms from the Payroll Office, or review their website . 

Assistantship in final semester:

• Students who enroll full-time may remain on their assistantship through the end of the semester in which they defend, regardless of when in the semester they defend and submit their ETD. 
• Students who plan to defend early and leave the university during the fall or spring semester should not be on an assistantship but may be paid on wages or P14 appointment. Resigning early from an assistantship may result in prorated tuition responsibility for the student. Comprehensive fees are not prorated and are not refundable. 
• Students who defend in the summer under SSDE may remain on assistantship in the summer if they were on assistantship in the spring.

Compensation - Overview

The University provides an assistantship compensation package that is comparable with those offered by our peer institutions. The standard components of the compensation package, approved annually by the Board of Visitors, are:

• monthly stipend (paid semi-monthly according to the university's salary payroll schedule )
• in-state tuition scholarship in proportion to the assistantship FTE and contract period
• out-of-state tuition waiver (if eligibility requirements are met)
• health insurance subsidy (if eligibility requirements are met)
• payment plan for comprehensive and CFE fees (see below).

Compensation: Stipend

The stipend table for graduate assistants ranges from Step 1 to Step 50, representing a pay range within which graduate assistants must be paid. Departments determine which pay step to use based on the student's qualifications and experience, academic standing, and availability of funds. Departments have a wide range of stipend options to make competitive offers.

• 2023-24R Full-Time Graduate Assistantship Stipend Table Revised (effective Dec 10, 2023-Aug 9, 2024)
• 2023-24 Full-Time Graduate Assistantship Stipend Table (effective Aug 10, 2023-Dec 9, 2023)
• 2022-23 Full-Time Graduate Assistantship Stipend Table (effective Aug 10, 2022)
• 2021-22 Full-Time Graduate Assistantship Stipend Table  (effective through Aug 9, 2022)

Taxes: Federal and state taxes, if applicable, are withheld from the assistantship stipend check, which is issued semi-monthly at approximately the first and sixteenth of each month. Students on summer assistantships who are not enrolled will be taxed at a higher, non-student rate.

Compensation: In-State Tuition, Library and Technology Fees

During the academic year (Fall/Spring; tuition for summer and winter enrollment not included) students will receive a tuition remission for the in-state tuition, applicable program fee, and library and technology fees for the semester of their assistantship, in proportion to the assistantship appointment FTE and time period. Tuition remission is earned in 4-week increments, with full remission earned when students complete at least 16 weeks of work between the standard assistantship contract dates of the semester. If a student’s total stipend payments for the semester exceeds the combined amount of the standard department stipend amount plus the required in-state tuition, E&G and programs fees and the source of funding prohibits tuition payment, then tuition coverage by the department could be optional and the student would be required to pay their tuition and fee.

Payment of Comprehensive fees and CFE (Commonwealth Facility and Equipment) fees is not provided . Virginia residents should complete the In-State Tuition Request form in order to avoid being charged the CFE fees that out-of-state students are required to pay.

Compensation: Out-of-State Tuition Waiver

Graduate students who earn more than $4000 in an academic year on assistantship appointment(s) may be eligible for a waiver of the out-of-state portion of tuition for the year. This waiver does not apply to the Commonwealth Facility and Equipment (CFE) fee.  Summer earnings on assistantship or wage employment do not count towards meeting the $4000 minimum earnings requirement. Tuition bills from the  Bursar's Office  will show the out-of-state tuition charge and a credit to reflect the out-of-state tuition waiver (may also be referred to as "UF Differential"). Students who are enrolled in programs that have a program-specific graduate tuition rate (such as MIT, MNR, PSALS, and LGMC) are not eligible for the out-of-state waiver, since they are assessed a flat rate that is not residency specific.

The out-of-state tuition waiver is automatically applied to students' accounts when the following three criteria are met (this does not apply to level 46 bachelor's/master's students whose out-of-state tuition cannot be waived):

• the student's appointment (PAF) is entered in Banner by the hiring department
• the student meets the earnings criteria described above
• the student has registered for the semester

Virginia residents do not automatically receive in-state tuition status when they enter a graduate program at Virginia Tech, even if they were undergraduate students at Virginia Tech paying as an in-state resident.   You must submit the In-State Tuition Request form  to be qualified for in-state tuition. Also, any current student being charged out-of-state tuition and wishing to be considered for in-state rates must submit this form .

Eligibility for out-of-state waiver based on assistantship status and earnings:

• Fall: Must be on a GA/GTA/GRA and earn at least $2000 on assistantship stipend between Aug 10-Dec 24
• Winter: Must be on a GA/GTA/GRA and earn at least $2000 on assistantship stipend between Aug 10-Dec 24, or $4000 or more between Aug 10-May 9
• Spring: Must be on a GA/GTA/GRA and earn at least $2000 on assistantship stipend between Dec 25-May 9
• Summer: Must have been on a GA/GTA/GRA in immediately preceding spring semester and earned at least $4000 on assistantship stipend between Aug 10-May 9

Out-of-state tuition differential waiver eligibility chart

Compensation: Health Insurance Benefits

Graduate assistants who maintain at least a 50% assistantship (10 hours per week), may be eligible for health insurance benefits. Visit the Graduate School's  insurance benefits webpage  for additional information. Enrollment in the subsidized health insurance plan is available during the open enrollment period posted by the  Student Medical Insurance office , and after your department has entered your assistantship appointment (PAF) in the HR system. 

Compensation: Payment Plan for Comprehensive and CFE Fees

Comprehensive fees are a mandatory cost of attendance for students enrolling in Blacksburg that support the operation of self-funded (auxiliary enterprise) units providing services for the benefit of all students (recreational sports, Schiffert Health Center, Cook Counseling Center, Blacksburg Transit, etc).  Services covered by these fees are accessible to students only in the semesters when they are enrolled. Students who are not enrolled during the summer semester may have the option of paying for certain individual services directly ( Schiffert Health Center ; Rec Sports ). Students are responsible for comprehensive fees each semester. Out-of-state students must also pay a Commonwealth Facilities & Equipment (CFE) fee. See the  Bursar's web page  for a description of fees. The CFE fee requirement cannot be waived and is not part of the tuition charges.

Graduate students on assistantship appointment may pay their comprehensive and CFE fees in installments through a payment plan during the fall and spring semesters. Enrollment is managed through Hokie SPA and students must sign up each semester in which they wish to take advantage of this opportunity. Enrollment is not available for the summer terms.  Fully integrated with the students account system, the plan debits coincide with university payroll dates and adjust seamlessly with changes to the student account balance. 

Enroll in the payment plan before the payment deadline to avoid late fees.

You may enroll in the plan only after you have registered for classes and after your tuition remission has been entered in the Banner system by the hiring department. If you are unable to enroll in the plan , please contact your assistantship department to ensure that they entered your tuition remission award. The projected debit amount and remaining debit dates will be displayed during the enrollment process.  There is no cost to participate.  Once enrolled in the program, you  cannot cancel unless the balance is paid in full.

Request for Reduced Comprehensive Fees

In recognition of students living and studying away from the Blacksburg campus, comprehensive fees may be reduced for students enrolled in an all virtual schedule or who have only research hours/ independent study not located on campus.  Students must certify that they will reside more than 50 miles from the Blacksburg campus   for the   entire   semester.  More information can be found on the Bursar  website .  To be considered, this form must be submitted by the last day to add courses each semester.

Assistantship Agreement Contract

Students offered an assistantship must electronically sign the Graduate Assistantship Contract, which is a contract between the student and department. Assistantship contracts can be accessed through onecampus.vt.edu , Graduate Contracts. All contracts stipulate start and end dates, type of appointment, monthly stipend, percentage of tuition remission, whether the student is expected to work during school breaks, and any other special conditions. 

Performance Expectations

As with most professional appointments, work-time may vary from week to week. Students on a full assistantship (also referred to as 100%, 1 FTE), are expected to work an average of 20 hours/week during their contract period. Specific work assignments are provided by the employing departments. Contact your assistantship supervisor to discuss performance expectations; work schedule; first and last day of work for a semester (which may be different from the standard contract start/end dates); whether you need to work during school breaks, and other details.

Students enrolled in Research & Dissertation (R & D) credit hours while holding an assistantship position are expected to exert significant time and effort toward earning those credits in addition to fulfilling their assistantship duties. Please discuss expectations with your research advisor.

Financial Aid Reporting Requirement for Students with Assistantships

Students receiving financial aid need to report their assistantship compensation, including stipend, tuition scholarship, and out of state waiver, to their financial aid counselors.

Accepting Additional Employment

Graduate students on full assistantships are not prohibited from seeking additional employment (some restrictions apply: assistantships cannot be combined with P14 appointments; immigration regulations further govern  international student employment). Students should consult with their academic advisor and/or assistantship supervisor as applicable regarding the fulfillment of their assistantship and graduate study responsibilities. Students must notify the Graduate School about any additional employment, including the period of employment, name and contact of employer, and job title or short description of duties. Use the online tool for reporting:

Access the Additional Employment Reporting Tool .

Special Categories of Graduate Assistant

Five-year bachelor/master's students can hold assistantships in the last semester of their senior year and receive an in-state tuition scholarship, but their out-of-state fees cannot be waived. Bachelor/Master's students in the last semester of their senior year (level 46 students) who are offered assistantships cannot accept funds from the undergraduate scholarship funds and the graduate scholarship funds concurrently. Departments should discuss with each student the scholarship options before awarding an assistantship and issuing an agreement.

Termination of Contract

When a contract is terminated prior to its end date, the department must inform the Graduate School using this  form .

Tuition Obligation When Students Leave Assistantship

Except in cases where the student is withdrawing from the university for family/medical reasons, if an assistantship is terminated prior to the completion of the academic semester, the remission of tuition and E&G fees will be prorated in four week increments, with each quarter of tuition earned by the completion of four full weeks of work and full remission earned only if the student completes the assistantship (16 full weeks or more in a semester). Other benefits, such as health insurance subsidy and out-of-state tuition waiver, will be recalculated based on eligibility requirements, and the student will be billed for the remaining balance.

The table below details the tuition obligations for students who leave the assistantship appointment before the semester is complete. The table is also available in  pdf format .

Assistantship Contract Dates

Standard assistantship contract start and end dates are the same each year to provide 9 pay periods a semester regardless of the actual semester start/end dates. Assistantship benefits such as the health insurance subsidy are distributed evenly through the 18 pay periods in an academic year. Your reporting to work date and last day of work might be different from the contract start/end dates, including starting to work later than the contract start date and working some days beyond the official contract end date. Work with your supervisor on determining the actual start/end dates.

Standard assistantship appointments:  Academic Year:             Aug 10 through May 9 Fall Semester:               Aug 10 through Dec 24 Spring Semester:         Dec 25 through May 9 Summer:                       May 10 through August 9

Departments must specify whether a student is to work over school- or semester breaks. Students may be offered assistantships at any time of year. Tuition remission is prorated based on percentage and length of contract. 

For assistantships starting on Aug 10, the first paycheck is on Sep 1. 

Summer Changes to Deductions and Services

Changes to deductions.

Virginia Tech follows the safe harbor outlined in Revenue Procedure 2005-11.  All graduate students employed by and enrolled at VT in at least 5 credit hours in fall/spring/summer will be exempt from FICA taxes; students who are not enrolled in the summer while on assistantship are subject to FICA taxes on their earnings. Students who work during breaks and are not enrolled will have Social Security and Medicare withheld from their pay over the break.

Access to services

Services such as recreational sports, Schiffert Health Center, Cook Counseling Center, Student Legal Services, etc., are covered by comprehensive fees, which are mandatory when students are enrolled. If not enrolled in the summer, students on summer assistantship have the option of paying for certain services directly ( Cook Counseling ;  Schiffert Health Center ;  Rec Sports ) if they wish to use these. Day-use charges for Cook Counseling and Schiffert Health Center are reimburseable by the Aetna Student Insurance sponsored by VT, regardless of how often the service is used. However, payment of the full summer health services fee is not a reimbursable expense. For more information on reimbursable expenses, contact the Student Medical Insurance office at [email protected]; 540-231-6226.

Accommodations

For workplace accommodations, graduate assistants should contact the Office for Equity and Accessibility  at  [email protected] or call 540-231-1048. This also includes potential accommodations related to pregnancy, complications of pregnancy, and childbirth, as covered by the Pregnant Workers Fairness Act (PWFA) . Reasonable accommodations under the PWFA may include flexible working hours, appropriately sized uniforms and safety apparel, exemption from strenuous activities or other adjustments. For additional guidance regarding the PWFA,  review the VT PWFA guide  or direct questions to OEA at  [email protected]  or 540-231-2010.

For academic accommodations, graduate assistants should contact The Office of Services for Students with Disabilities at  [email protected] or call 540-231-3788. 

Work-Life Grants

The  Work-Life Grant Program  provides temporary financial assistance to departments to enable them to continue support for graduate students during pregnancy and childbirth or potentially other major medical issues. 

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Contact us at  [email protected]  if you have questions or need assistance.

For the latest news on available assistantships, read the GLC-programs weekly listserv , published every Monday.  

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PhD | Research Assistantship

Main navigation.

Research assistants (RAs) work on research projects under the supervision of a faculty member. RAships are available only through the request of a faculty member. Research assistants (50% RAship) is offered during academic quarters (Autumn, Winter and Spring) and students receive 8 to 10 units of tuition coverage and a salary in exchange for 20 hours of work per week.

• Enrollment requirements : Students must enroll in 8-10 units (at least 3 units of CS 499) with their advisor. Some students opt to work fewer hours per week, and their salary and tuition benefits are adjusted accordingly.
• Summer RA funding and enrollment : Some RA's may receive 90% level support during Summer quarters from their advisor. In this instance, the tuition is covered for 3 units and salary offered is higher in exchange of 36 hours of work per week. This is only allowed in the Summer quarter and is at the discretion of the advisors.
• Enrollment requirements for Summer with 90% RAship support : Students must enroll in 3 units (at least 1 unit of CS 499) with their advisor.

RA Payroll Information

All student employees must meet several academic requirements before receiving a paycheck. Student employees need to ensure their employment forms are current and on-file with the Payroll Office . Important Note : If any requirements or forms are missing or outdated, your paychecks will be withheld, most likely until the next pay period. 

Any student employee must meet several requirements before receiving a paycheck. You must be registered in any quarter in which you are paid (including Summer), make suitable academic progress, and maintain good standing in the University. Please refer to the Stanford Welcome Center website for additional details and verification instructions.

Stanford Welcome Center

Payroll Process

Assistantship salaries are processed through Stanford's regular Payroll system. Assistants are University employees.

• Deductions:  Federal, state, and social security taxes are withheld from salary checks. This withholding is reported like any other salary. Tuition amounts are not taxable or reported.
• Schedule:  Tuition is automatically paid at the beginning of the quarter.
• Payroll checks come twice a month to the Department or direct deposit to your bank can be arranged. Work performed from the 1st to 15th of a month is paid on the 22nd; the second half of the month is paid on the 7th.

Student appointments, which are established in terms of the academic year, always follow a quarterly schedule:

Additional Information

• First, examine your own status. Are you registered? Is there a Hold on your registration? If this is your first check, have you filed all the appropriate paperwork?
• If you're an RA, the faculty member may have forgotten to initiate or renew your appointment for the quarter. In any event, connect with us via email ( [email protected] ) for further support.
• Tax information for Graduate students : Taxes constitute a complex subject. There is general information found on the Financial Aid website, however, should not be taken as official advice. Detailed information can be found on the IRS website.
• Tuition support : Tax exempt.
• Taxable and subject to withholding (but not FICA, Medicare or VDI)
• Reported by Stanford on a W-2
• International students May qualify for federal "tax treaty exemption" if one exists between the US and their country (Form 8233, Payroll office). The exempt amount is reported on Form 1042S. Should file federal Form 1040NR (available at the International Center at tax time and online) each year, and probably CA Form 540 (also available online).
• The stipend is taxable; however, it is not subject to withholding or reporting by Stanford.
• Students are responsible for making any necessary estimated tax payments.
• Federal Form 1040-ES is available in the Bursar's office. California Form 540-ES is enclosed with the CA tax return (or call 1-800-338-0505).
• The stipend is subject to 14 percent withholding; however, students may be eligible for a tax exemption if their country has a tax treaty with the US (Form W-8Ben, Payroll office).
• Stipend and tax withholding are reported by Stanford on Form 1042-S (not W-2) and mailed to the student Should file federal tax Form 1040NR and probably CA Form 540 at tax time each year.
• All fellowship recipients can reduce their taxable income by amounts spent on fees, books, supplies, and equipment (usually not computers) specifically required for courses; students should keep all receipts for these items.

/images/cornell/logo35pt_cornell_white.svg" alt="phd research assistantships"> Cornell University --> Graduate School

Assistantships.

Full-time Ph.D. and research master’s students may be awarded financial support in the form of an assistantship. These fall into four general categories: teaching assistant (TA), research assistant (RA), graduate assistant (GA), and graduate research assistant (GRA). These awards are administered by fields and departments.

Graduate student assistantships ( Policy 1.3 ) are an arrangement in which financial support is awarded to a graduate student who engages in teaching and/or research in furtherance of the university’s academic mission, as well as his or her graduate education. All assistantships include a tuition credit, a stipend at least at the university’s published minimum rate, and health insurance coverage.

Students may hold different assistantships during their time at Cornell, or may receive funding from a variety of other funding arrangements such as fellowships or external awards. Because assistantships include a service component, the stipends are processed semi-monthly through Cornell’s payroll system with applicable tax withholdings. 

Because students funded through assistantships are expected to make progress towards their research degrees, assistantship hours for TA, RA, and GA appointments are limited to 15 to 20 hours per week, averaging no more than 15 hours per week. Hourly limits for GRA appointments are not explicitly defined because they, by definition, are “an academic appointment focused on thesis or other degree-related research of a type that is required from all candidates for the degree. Because a student devotes considerable time to dissertation research, the time spent on research connected with the project is variable. GRAs are awarded full tuition credit and a stipend.”

Assistantship stipend increases are approved annually by the Board of Trustees, which includes two voting student members, upon recommendation from the provost and Graduate School based on input gathered annually from the General Committee of the Graduate School, which includes two voting student members, Graduate and Professional Student Assembly (GPSA), faculty directors of graduate studies (DGSs), and college deans. 

Cornell assistantship minimum stipend rates have increased consistently over time, averaging a 2.5% annual increase for the past eight years. Most (95%) doctoral students also receive funded assistantship or fellowship stipends during the summer months.

Stipend rates Cornell University Policy 1.3, Graduate Assistantships International TA Program Course Center for Teaching Innovation I9 eligibility for students with DACA status

Research Assistantships

Research assistantships (ras) support hst phd students engaged in research under the supervision of harvard or mit faculty members. this includes labs located at many institutions affiliated with harvard and with mit . .

Looking for a research project? See these resources on Finding a Lab .

Questions about HST RA appointments? Ask laurie [at] mit.edu (Laurie Ward)  in E25-518 at MIT.

RA Cost Sheet

• 2024-2025 Cost Sheet for HST PhD students with funding from off-campus labs  

RA Appointment Processing

RA appointments for MEMP PhD students are processed through MIT. A guarantee of payment – in the form of an MIT cost object, purchase order, check request, or billing agreement - is required. For non-MIT labs, this may take up to three months. As a result, students are advised to submit their RA application form  as early as possible.

Billing information is provided on the RA application form by the RA supervisor or their designated billing contact.  Students are responsible for confirming that the information on the RA application form is accurate, especially the name and email of the Billing Contact Person.

Methods of Payment for Off-campus RAs

Purchase order.

If the billing contact can provide a Purchase Order number (PO#) on the RA application form, then HST will issue an invoice. This is generally the most efficient option.

Send Invoice or Check Request

If this option is selected, HST sends an invoice, and then the billing contact person submits a check request according to their institution's procedure. The billing contact should share either a copy of the submitted check request or a purchase order number (PO#) with the HST office.

Billing Agreement

When a funding source has required terms, the Billing Contact Person may determine that a billing agreement is required. Billing agreements involve staff from multiple offices, at both institutions, and can require several months for processing. Students will also need to complete and return an HST Billing Agreement Questionnaire along with their RA application form .

Poster presentations at HST Student Research Forum

HELPFUL LINKS

• Financial Application Forms
• RA Cost Sheet
• Research Involving Human Subjects
• Research Involving Vertebrate Animals

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UCLA Graduate Programs

Teaching & Research Assistantships

“Academic Apprentice Personnel” is the term applied to registered graduate students who have fulfilled the University’s established criteria for appointment (no more than 50% time) to teaching or research assistantships and for which they are compensated at rates approved annually by the Regents of the University of California. These apprenticeships are intended to provide qualified students with relevant training experience for academic and academic-related careers in teaching and research and to augment limited resources from within the University for graduate student support. As a matter of University policy, apprentice personnel in both the teaching and research series are considered primarily as students being professionally trained.

Graduate students who are recipients of teaching and research assistantships must meet all registration and enrollment criteria established by the Graduate Council and the department. They must also maintain satisfactory progress throughout their appointments. Please contact the department for details.

Appointments

Teaching Assistants

Teaching assistants are selected on the basis of scholarship and promise as teachers and serve an apprenticeship under the tutelage and supervision of regular faculty members who are responsible for curriculum and instruction in the University.

Applicants whose first language is not English: Please see information on the Test of Oral Proficiency .

Research Assistants

Research assistants are appointed to the title Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) and are selected on the basis of scholastic achievement and promise as creative scholars and serve an apprenticeship under the direction and supervision of a faculty member.

Special Readers

Special readers are advanced graduate students who assist faculty members with the reading and grading of students’ papers and exams, under the guidance and direction of faculty members. Special readers must have taken and received at least a B+ in the course for which they are reading.

For more information or if wish to be considered for one of the above appointments, please consult with your department.

Medical Insurance and Fee Offsets for Academic Apprentice Personnel

Eligible graduate students who serve in teaching assistant, graduate student researcher, tutor, reader, and special reader titles for at least 25% time for an entire academic quarter are eligible to receive paid medical insurance coverage. They are also eligible to receive 100% of the student services and tuition portions of the mandatory fees paid by the University. Qualified GSRs in appointments of at least 45% time for an entire academic quarter may be eligible to receive nonresident tuition remission.

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The Graduate School

Graduate assistantships overview, graduate students collecting data as laura marcoux rides a stationary bicycle inside the mission heat lab at gampel pavilion, what is a graduate assistantship.

An assistantship is awarded to a graduate student who provides teaching (teaching assistantship: TA) or research (research assistantship: RA) support to the University that is a part of their academic program. In recognition of this support, tuition is waived by the University and subsidized health insurance is offered. Graduate Assistants (GAs) are responsible for paying their student fees at the negotiated GA rate.

What is the Eligibility Criteria to be a GA?

To be appointed, to retain an appointment, or to be reappointed, a student must hold Regular (not Provisional) status, must maintain a cumulative average of at least B (3.00) in any course work taken, must be eligible to register (i.e., must not have more than three viable grades of Incomplete on their academic record), must be enrolled in a graduate degree program scheduled to extend through the entire period of the appointment or reappointment, and must be a full-time student.

In order to perform duties with direct instructional responsibilities, a graduate student appointed as a Teaching Assistant will need to provide proof of English proficiency. UConn’s English Proficiency Policy for TAs and Testing Procedures details information about how to provide proof of proficiency.

What is the Appointment Length and Hours Per Week?

Effort devoted to the duties of a graduate assistantship typically range between 10 and 20 hours per week (also sometimes called a “half GA” and “full GA” respectively). Appointments ordinarily are made for the nine-month period, August 23 through May 22, but may be of shorter duration for a variety of reasons.

What Benefits Do GAs Receive?

The Human Resources website has an extensive compilation of information on graduate assistant benefits, payroll, and policies, including detailed information about health insurance benefits . If employed in an assistantship that falls under the Graduate Employee Union (GEU) , additional benefits may be described in the GEU contract and on our GA Onboarding page. Please note, GAs employed solely at UConn Health do not fall under the GEU.

Do GAs Receive a Tuition Waiver?

A graduate assistantship provides the student with a tuition waiver for the duration of the appointment in the fall and spring semesters. There is no tuition waiver for summer or winter intersession courses. GAs are still required to pay student fees. When graduate fee bills are calculated by the Office of the Bursar , the tuition waiver will automatically populate to the GA’s fee bill once two items are in place:  an active payroll authorization input by the hiring department and enrollment for the semester in at least six credits.

What are the Stipend Rates?

Stipend rates for graduate assistants are graduated in terms of progress toward the advanced degree and experience.

• Level B/I: for graduate assistants with at least the baccalaureate.
• Level M/II: for experienced graduate assistants in a doctoral program with at least the master’s degree or its equivalent in the field of graduate study. Equivalency consists of thirty graduate level credits beyond the baccalaureate degree, together with admission to a doctoral program.
• Level P/III: for students with experience as graduate assistants who have at least the master’s degree or its equivalent and who have passed the doctoral general examination.

Specific stipend rates may be found on Payroll’s website and will be included in the GA offer letter.

Are GAs Required to Do Any Additional Trainings?

As part of their employee role, GAs are required to participate in these mandatory trainings . There may be additional trainings or orientations required or recommended depending on the specific GA duties.

What is a Supplemental Description of Duties?

In addition to an offer letter for a graduate assistantship, the hiring department must also provide GAs with a Supplemental Description of Duties (SDD) form for each semester they are appointed. This form summarizes the specific duties a GA is expected to perform and may include, among other things, the assigned course, lab, research project, or position; the faculty member to whom the GA will report; course meeting times and location; the maximum number of students for which the GA will be responsible per class, section, lab, etc.; and the work location. The Supplemental Description of Duties must be signed by both the GA’s supervisor and the GA. The Supplemental Description of Duties form may be issued separately from the assistantship offer letter.

Can GAs Hold Additional Employment?

Graduate Assistants seeking on-campus employment or wishing to hold an internship in addition to a full-time (20 hour) GA appointment during the semester must complete the online Supplemental Employment Approval form, which requires their advisor’s approval and is submitted to The Graduate School for final approval. International students on UConn-sponsored visas are not able to work above 20 hours per week during the semester.

Job Offer Acceptance Etiquette

When accepting a job offer feel free to ask clarifying questions. If you feel that you are not being given enough time to make your decision, ask if additional time might be granted. Supervisors are encouraged to give candidates up to a week to accept an offer but sometimes this may not be possible. 

Once accepting an offer and if resigning from a different graduate assistant position, it is recommended that you immediately notify the department of your resignation. This is especially important when departments are already counting on you to teach courses or labs. They would rather know immediately and be able to initiate a hiring process to fill open positions, ensuring that course offerings remain available, etc.  

If you are applying to UConn, there is a place within the application where you can indicate that you wish to be considered for a graduate assistantship.

If you have accepted an assistantship offer, please visit our GA Onboarding page . This webpage will orient GAs employed at Storrs and regional campuses who fall under the Graduate Employees Union (GEU) and provide information, resources, and to-do items specific to your role as a GA to help you successfully transition into your assistantship.

Current Opportunities

Are you an academic or non-academic department that would like to advertise a GA position here? If so, please send your job description to [email protected] to be posted. Additional guidance for non-academic units can be found on our Appointing a GA in a Non-Academic Unit page.

Marketing GA – 2024-2025, Center for Career Development

Center for Career Development

Graduate Assistant Job Title

Marketing and Communications Graduate Assistant

Campus Location

202 Wilbur Cross Building (WCB), Storrs Campus

Duration of the position

August 2024 – May 2025 with the potential to renew

20 hours per week, in-person

Name and title of individual providing supervision

Evan McMunn, Publicity and Marketing Administrator

Three (3) primary Career Readiness Competencies Associated with the role Communication Teamwork Technology

Position Summary

The Marketing and Communications Graduate Assistant will directly contribute to the brand awareness strategy of the Center for Career Development. This will be accomplished through various communication channels including but not limited to, email, blogs, social media, and video. The Marketing and Communication Graduate Assistant will also work to further the Career Everywhere movement by assisting in the recruitment of and outreach to Career Champions, who include faculty, staff, employers, and alumni.

Duties and Responsibilities

• Content scheduling – assists Publicity and Marketing Administrator in building out content schedules in coordination with Career Center’s short and long-term goals.
• Event promotion - markets Career Center events to targeted student populations via email, social media, student organization collaborations, department collaborations, and other UConn communication channels such as Daily Digest and Soapbox.
• Career Center Development Awareness - Increases awareness of the programs and services offered by the Center via email campaigns, social media posts, original video content, and blog posts.
• Email Marketing Analysis - Analyzes email communications sent through the Handshake platform and uses the data to inform best practices for future email communication.
• Social Media Research - Analyzes past social media content to determine what is driving engagement and make recommendations on what content should be increased or decreased. Researches emerging platforms and makes recommendations on joining and posting on additional networks.
• Website analysis – Audits the Career Center website and reviews peer websites to recommend enhancements and modifications to the website.
• Blogging - Creates blog posts promoting a combination of Career Center events, resources, and services. Assists in the review and scheduling of all blogs submitted by professional staff, student staff, and guest bloggers. Interviews Career Champions about how they infuse career readiness into their work with students. Uses the interview transcripts to write blog posts and social media content
• Career Everywhere newsletter - Assists in the creation of content for the monthly Career Everywhere newsletter based on the objectives of senior leadership and the Career Everywhere Committee.
• Collaborates with the Career Everywhere Committee on projects and administrative tasks related to Career Everywhere and the Career Champion program.
• Assists the Publicity and Marketing Administrator with overseeing, training, and mentoring a team of undergraduate Marketing Interns.

Minimum Qualifications

• Documented experience in a Marketing or Communications role. This can include experience as an undergraduate student.
• Excellent storytelling, written, and verbal communication skills.
• Ability to provide clear, concise feedback.
• Ability to work on tight timelines and shift priorities as needed.
• Experience with Adobe Creative Suite, including Photoshop, Illustrator, and Premiere.
• Experience with a website Content Management System such as WordPress.

Education and Prior Experience Requirements Pursuing master’s degree or doctoral degree at the University of Connecticut

Application Steps and Materials

Please submit all application materials by email to [email protected] with the Subject Line: Marketing GA Application. Please include the following application materials:

• Cover Letter
• Contact information for three (3) professional references
• Writing Sample. This can include but is not limited to a blog post, newspaper article, social media posts for a club or organization

Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis with final submission deadline for consideration: May 24, 2024. Interviews will scheduled on a rolling basis.

Compensation and Benefits Statement

Compensation & Benefits:  Stipend consistent with UConn Graduate Employee Union (GEU) rates and successful candidate’s level of education. Stipend rates can be found  here . See the  GEU contract  for other generous benefits provided, including paid time off, tuition remission, and subsidized health insurance through the Connecticut Partnership Plan.

The University of Connecticut is an AA/EEO employer.

Questions may be directed to: Evan McMunn, [email protected]

Part-Time Research Assistant – Economics

JOB DESCRIPTION : Part-Time (10 h/week) Research Assistant to Prof. Michele Baggio (Economics).

I am seeking a part-time Research Assistant for the summer. The job will involve close collaboration on an interdisciplinary research project investigating the relationship between weather (temperature, precipitation, and humidity), land use, and the prevalence of Lyme Disease and its implications on a range of socio-economic outcomes.

The successful Research Assistant will be expected to work independently within the scope of her/his responsibilities. Duties include, but are not limited to

• Conducting data analysis, producing tables and maps of the relevant data.
• Assisting in preparing funding proposals, budgets, and deliverables for various grants.
• Participating in team meetings.

The Research Assistant will interact directly with Prof. Michele Baggio on a regular basis. The ideal candidate will have the following qualifications:

• Have a MA or MSc.
• Strong programming skills; knowledge of statistical software such as R or Python especially in visualizing geospatial data.
• Strong writing skills to allow for drafting of manuscripts based on the analyses.
• Excellent academic record.
• Prior experience as a research assistant.
• Organization and attention to detail a must.
• Flexibility and an ability to work with a team are essential.

TO APPLY : Please email Michele Baggio [email protected] a single PDF document titled “Lastname_Firstname” containing the following material:

• Your interest in this position
• The start and end dates during which you would be available to fill this position
• Your familiarity with programming languages
• Your prior experience as a research assistant and/or with independent research projects (e.g. a thesis or other research project)
• Names, e-mail addresses, and phone numbers of 1-2 references (letters not required)
• A current CV
• All relevant undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine)

Applications will be considered on a rolling basis. The position is available starting in June.

Student Health and Wellness – Recovery Support Services GA

Position Description 2024-2025:

The vision of Student Health and Wellness (SHaW) is to cultivate optimal health and lifelong well-being for every UConn student.  SHaW’s health promotion team contributes to this vision by implementing strategies which mobilize the UConn community to cultivate the conditions that foster student well-being, empower students to improve individual and community health outcomes, and dismantle the systems of oppression which impact health.

Position Summary:

SHaW believes in the transformative power of recovery from substance use, behavioral health issues, and related mental health disorders; in facilitating friendship and belonging among students who are living life in recovery; in creating community for those who choose not to use substances during their college experience; and in our community’s capacity to reduce the stigma and negative impacts of substance misuse and other behavioral and mental health concerns. The Graduate Assistant for SHaW’s Recovery Support Services primarily supports the programming and goals of the UConn Recovery Community (URC) which includes individual student coaching, facilitating educational programs and recovery meetings, coordinating community building activities, and implementing outreach initiatives. This position also supports programming related to the Wellness Living Community, a special interest community with Residential Life that also offers the additional option of substance free living room.  This Graduate Assistantship is for a student passionate about working with their peers in recovery and/or peers exploring their relationship with substances and its impact on individual and community well-being.

SHaW is committed to diversity and inclusion, competence in working with culturally and ethnically diverse populations, and awareness of how issues of difference, power, and privilege manifest in higher education environments.  The ideal candidate promotes health equity and reduces health disparities by demonstrating and supporting an understanding, sensitivity, and appreciation for health equity, social justice, cultural humility, and inclusiveness.

Appointment Type & Schedule:

The Recovery Support Services Graduate Assistant is a member of the Health Promotion team who is directly supervised by the URC Coordinator. This is a one-year (fall and spring academic semester) graduate assistantship position, working 10 hours per week. A successful candidate must be able to work 10 hours over at least two work days each week. Hours must be worked Monday through Friday between 10:00 a.m. and 6:30 p.m. with afternoon hours being highly desirable. Individual must be able to work 1-2 evenings per week with an occasional weekend for an event. The appointment begins August 23, 2024 and concludes May 22, 2025.

Position Responsibilities:

• Provide engaging and motivational coaching, and other non-clinical support, to UConn students in recovery from addiction and/or behavioral and mental health disorders.
• Facilitate and/or coordinate weekly meetings and groups that support recovery and well-being.
• Support BASICS (Brief Alcohol Screening and Intervention for College Students) and MAPP (Marijuana Abuse Prevention Program) screening interviews and dissemination of related materials and resources.
• Assist with campus outreach and education aimed at enhancing awareness of recovery support resources, including coordination and facilitation of Recovery Ally training sessions.
• Plan, implement, and evaluate community-building events for students in recovery and those living in the Substance Free Living Community.
• Effectively support the marketing and logistics of events and activities (e.g., creating/posting marketing materials, scheduling meetings, room reservations, program material preparation).
• Provide operational support at Cordial Storrs House, the home of the URC.
• Support ongoing efforts with member data collection and related record keeping.
• May supervise or provide support to undergraduate student workers or peer education groups.
• Other duties as assigned.

Minimum Qualifications:

• Bachelor’s degree from an accredited four-year university or college.
• Currently enrolled in a graduate program at UConn in public health, social work, higher education, or related field.
• Demonstrated commitment to diversity, equity, inclusion and belonging and can integrate equitable practices into programs and services.
• Ability to meet students where they’re at in a non-judgmental and supportive manner.
• Demonstrated passion and commitment to supporting students struggling with substance use and/or behavioral/mental health concerns, recognizing there are multiple pathways to recovery.
• Experience presenting and/or facilitating to groups. 
• Experience developing educational materials and media.
• Ability to apply professional boundaries with undergraduate students and office staff.
• Projects positive attitude and professionalism toward students, SHaW staff, and other offices.
• Works well as part of a team (e.g., respects others’ opinions, shares workload as appropriate, and demonstrates flexibility) and functions autonomously .
• Possesses effective oral and written communication skills.
• Ability to maintain confidentiality consistent with applicable laws and regulations.
• Ability to organize and prioritize work, exercise good judgment, complete tasks in a timely manner.

Preferred Qualifications:

• Lived experience with substance use disorders preferred; knowledge and experience with other behavioral and mental health disorders and their support needs is helpful.
• General knowledge of, or the ability to quickly learn, current and emerging college student health trends and evidence-based health promotion and recovery practices.
• Experience developing, implementing, and coordinating health promotion and education programs.
• Knowledge of multiple pathways of recovery as it pertains to substance use disorders.
• Understanding of recovery groups and group process.

Compensation and Benefits:

Stipend consistent with UConn Graduate Employee Union (GEU) rates and successful candidate’s level of education. Stipend rates can be found at uconngradunion.org. See the GEU contract for other benefits provided, including paid time off, tuition remission, and subsidized health insurance through the Connecticut Partnership Plan.

How to Apply:

Interested candidates should send an e-mail of interest; resume/CV; and names and contact information for two professional references to: Matthew Gallup, URC Coordinator, at [email protected]. Applications will be accepted until the position is filled with a goal of filling it by the beginning of June 2024.

The University of Connecticut is an EEO/AA employer.

Student Union Graduate Assistant

Programmatic and Learning Outcomes for the Graduate Assistant Position:

• Enhanced Knowledge of Policies and Regulations: Outcome: Gain a comprehensive understanding of State, University, and Departmental policies and regulations related to public events, purchasing, building operations, and safety. Measure: Demonstrate the ability to effectively advise others on relevant policies and regulations.
• Proficiency in Event Management: Outcome: Develop proficiency in using the Event Management System for reserving event spaces and coordinating support services and equipment for various stakeholders. Measure: Successfully manage both basic room requests and complex event reservations for student organizations, University departments, and non-university customers.
• Effective Staff Supervision and Support: Outcome: Demonstrate competence in staff management by assisting with the recruitment, onboarding, training, development, and supervision of student staff. Measure: Evaluate student staff performance, maintain schedules, and coordinate workflow to ensure smooth operations of the Information Center and Game Room.
• Program Development and Assessment Skills: Outcome: Acquire skills in designing, implementing, and assessing student training programs aligned with departmental learning outcomes and leadership development theories. Measure: Contribute to the development, facilitation, and assessment of training programs for student employees, incorporating strategic student development principles.
• Event Coordination and Programming Expertise: Outcome: Gain expertise in planning and executing building-wide programming events, fostering a sense of community within the Student Union. Measure: Contribute to the development and implementation of programming initiatives such as Halloween events, 9-11 Remembrance Initiatives, and Spring Duck Hunts, ensuring their success and alignment with departmental goals.

Opportunity to build transferable skills/competencies:

• Effective Communication Skills: The Graduate Assistant position at the Student Union and Event Services department provides invaluable opportunities to enhance communication abilities. Through interactions with diverse stakeholders such as student organizations, University departments, and non-university customers, GAs develop proficiency in articulating ideas clearly, actively listening, and adapting communication styles. This skill set is transferable across various careers, enabling graduates to excel in roles that require effective communication, such as project management, consulting, and leadership positions.
• Project Management Proficiency: As part of their responsibilities, GAs in the Student Union and Event Services department engage in various project management tasks. From coordinating student staff to organizing building-wide programming events, GAs gain practical experience in planning, organizing, and executing projects. This hands-on exposure prepares them for careers in diverse fields, where project management skills are essential for success, including technology, education, marketing, and engineering.
• Critical Thinking and Problem-Solving Abilities: Through their involvement in assessing building services and facilitating student training programs, GAs sharpen their critical thinking and problem-solving skills. They learn to analyze complex issues, evaluate evidence, and generate innovative solutions to enhance operational efficiency and customer satisfaction. These competencies are transferable to careers in law, finance, engineering, and healthcare, where graduates can apply their analytical prowess to address challenges and drive organizational success.
• Leadership and Teamwork Experience: Serving as GAs in the Student Union and Event Services department provides valuable leadership and teamwork opportunities. GAs assist in managing student staff, collaborate with colleagues on special projects, and represent quality customer service throughout the facility. This hands-on experience prepares them for leadership roles in various settings, including management, entrepreneurship, and community development, where graduates can leverage their leadership and teamwork skills to inspire change and foster growth.

The contact person for this opportunity is: Tonya Lemire ( [email protected] )

Contact Information

860-486-3617

[email protected]

The Whetten Graduate Center, Second Floor University of Connecticut 438 Whitney Road Extension, Unit-1152 Storrs, CT 06269-1152

8:30am to 4:30pm Monday through Friday

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Upcoming Defenses

Doctoral dissertation oral defense of sarah bertekap.

Tuesday, May 28th, 2024

Austin Building

Title: “Unsettling Adaptations: Migration, Ireland, and LGBTQ+ Literature” Department: English

Sarah Bertekap, [email protected]

Doctoral Dissertation Oral Defense of Hossein Hamidi

Continuous Monitoring of Physiological Responses to Work-related Stress and Critical Events Using Wearable Sensors Biomedical Engineering

Hossein Hamidi [email protected]

Doctoral Dissertation Oral Defense of Mariam Khanam

Wednesday, May 29th, 2024

10:00 AM - 12:00 PM

Dissertation Title: Non-Stationarity in Flood Risk: Quantifying the Impact of River Conveyance Changes and Extremes Mariam Khanam is going to defend her dissertation for PhD degree in Civil and Environmental Engineering.

Name: Mariam Khanam email: [email protected]

Doctoral Dissertation Oral Defense of Jonathan Mercedes Feliz

Thursday, May 30th, 2024

Gant South Building

Doctoral Defense Title: The impact of quasar fueling and feedback at cosmic noon in cosmological hydrodynamic simulations Field of Study: Astronomy Department: Physics

Jonathan Mercedes Feliz [email protected]

Doctoral Dissertation Oral Defense of Yingfa Xie

Monday, June 3rd, 2024

Recurrent Events Modeling Based on a Reflected Brownian Motion with Application to Hypoglycemia

Contact Information:

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Assistantships and Traineeships

Assistantships give you the opportunity to apply your skills and knowledge while providing financial support. There are three types of assistantships at UB.

Types of Assistantships

Teaching assistantships (ta).

Teaching assistants (TA) assist instructors in with their courses.

Graduate Assistantships (GA)

Graduate assistants (GA) serve as a support-person at their university of study.

Research Assistantships (RA)

Research assistants (RA) help faculty conduct their research.

Teaching and graduate assistantship appointments are typically made by individual departments, usually on an annual basis. The minimum stipend for these assistantships is established by the GSEU. Research assistant awards are provided by departments and/or faculty members holding research grants or contracts.

Assistantship Requirements

Recipients of full assistantships generally work approximately 20 hours per week. In return for this commitment, students are paid a stipend and may also receive a full or partial tuition scholarship. Recipients are still responsible for school fees.

• Assistants must be full-time matriculated graduate or professional students at UB who are able to devote their full attention to their graduate program.
• Ordinarily, it is expected that assistants will not hold jobs outside the university; the department chair may grant exceptions to this policy in cases of unusual economic necessity or other extraordinary circumstances.
• Teaching and graduate assistants on the state payroll are unionized at the University at Buffalo and receive benefits through their affiliation with the Graduate Student Employees Union (GSEU) , including state-subsidized health insurance and a transportation fee waiver. The GSEU represents all teaching and graduate assistants at SUNY and negotiates your contract with New York State.
• The University at Buffalo is unable to provide tax advice; each student is responsible for determining how the tax law applies to their own situation. Please consult with a tax expert or contact the appropriate tax authority for the most up-to-date guidance on your taxes. Visit the Tax Information for UB Students page for more information.

For more information about policies regarding the award and use of graduate tuition scholarships, please see the  Provost’s Guidelines for Graduate Tuition Scholarships .

Traineeships

Traineeships are supported by federal training grants from agencies like NIH and NSF, and typically include tuition/fee remission, stipend and health insurance. They are awarded upon admission to a doctoral program. To inquire about traineeships, check with your graduate program.

PhD Excellence Initiative

Fully funded PhD students receive an assistantship upon admission. Funding packages include tuition, fee waiver and a stipend of at least $23,000 for 10-month appointments and $29,900 for 12-month appointments. In addition, the university will support the cost of broad-based fees for PhD students who are full time and fully funded. Covered fees include the comprehensive fee, academic excellence and success fee, student activity fee and the international student fee, where applicable.

Contact your department about available assistantship opportunities, including deadlines and criteria for assistantship awards.

Assistantship Information

Graduate Assistants (GAs) are, first and foremost, graduate students pursuing an education. The opportunity to work closely with faculty members and undergraduate students in teaching, research, or administrative environments is an integral part of that education.

Graduate students who hold assistantships benefit educationally and professionally. They gain further expertise in their field; enhance their research skills and develop pedagogical skills; acquire experience in leadership, interpersonal effectiveness, and performance evaluation; acquire academic administrative experience; and enjoy collegial collaborations with advisors that may result in joint publications and other professional activities. Skills learned in assistantships prepare students not only for the academy, but also for corporate, government, and nonprofit organizations.

Assistantships also provide graduate students with the financial resources necessary to pursue their degrees. This financial support—stipend, tuition remission, and benefits—is part of the University’s commitment to the success of our graduate students. Graduate Assistant stipend levels  are reviewed each year.

Please visit the  Office of the Student Financial Aid website  for information about other student financial aid.

The official title of Graduate Assistant is used in all university documents, but, in general practice, Graduate Assistants are referred to either as Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs), Graduate Research Assistants (RAs), or Graduate Administrative Assistants (AAs). Additionally, a small number of Graduate Assistants serve as resident life counselors. Qualified graduate students often move between these kinds of appointments during their graduate education.

For full details, please see  Policies for Graduate Assistantships .

Teaching Assistantships

The specific duties of Graduate Teaching Assistants (TAs) vary across disciplines and departments. For the majority of teaching assistants, however, assignments and responsibilities fall into four categories:

• Assuming teaching responsibility for a laboratory or discussion session of a course; 
• Assuming teaching responsibility for a classroom section of a multi-sectional course, under the close supervision of the director(s) of the course; 
• Assisting a faculty member in the grading, advising, and administrative duties necessary for a course(s); 
• Assisting in general departmental administrative duties, such as advising or the administration of community programs, workshops, etc.

Within a department, the particular assignment depends on the department’s needs and the experience and academic qualifications of the TA. All graduate TAs serving in any capacity are under the direction and close supervision of a member of the faculty.

Research Assistantships

The specific duties of Graduate Research Assistants (RAs) vary according to the nature of the research project in which they participate and the source of the funding. RAs may occasionally be asked to conduct some work at home or to do their research at times when classes are not officially in session. The duties of RAs are also performed under the close direction and supervision of a member of the faculty.

Administrative Assistantships

A number of academic and non-academic units employ Graduate Administrative Assistants (AAs), generally to perform administrative support functions in an office setting. Such positions are expected to have a research or professional development component. Some administrative appointments are for less than one academic year.

Tips and Other Opportunities

• There is no centralized posting of all available assistantships on campus; however, many are listed on the  University Human Resources ejobs website .
• There are also a small number of positions available on campus as  Resident Life Graduate Assistants . 
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Graduate Assistantships While Abroad

With the exception of temporary overseas research/scholarly trips (extending for only part of a semester), the following policy applies to all GA positions at UMD: Graduate assistantships are not allowed for students abroad. The University's Office of General Counsel, in consultation with Maryland's Office of the Attorney General, has determined that we may NOT provide graduate assistantship appointments to students who are residing outside the US. This applies to new and continuing students, regardless of visa status, whether the duties can be performed remotely, and whether the student currently holds or previously held a GA appointment. Students who have not entered the U.S. with permanent or temporary residency within the first four weeks of the semester cannot be appointed as GAs. Students residing outside the US may receive a fellowship stipend, so long as there is no work requirement or expectation apart from progress on degree requirements (e.g., dissertation research). International students shall consult with campus officials about any visa limitations prior to any temporary scholarly trips.

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Fellowships

• Guidelines and Forms
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• Scholarships for Masters Students
• Academic Support, Professional Development and Diversity Inclusion Programs

The USC Graduate School funds thousands of domestic and international students annually. PhD students at USC are supported by fellowships, teaching assistantships, research assistantships, or a combination of these funding sources. The recipients of Graduate School fellowships are selected from an application pool containing some of the most highly recruited students in the world.

PhD Students

All applicants who are admitted into a qualifying USC PhD program are automatically considered for incoming fellowships . Students who have successfully completed the first year of their PhD program may be eligible for additional competitively awarded funding. 

Master’s and Professional Doctorate Students

The Graduate School and the Office of Academic Honors and Fellowships oversee a number of opportunities for master’s and professional doctorate students. The Office of Academic Honors and Fellowships oversees a number of opportunities for master’s students

Please refer to tax information for graduate students supported by fellowships, teaching and research assistantships and graduate student hourly workers.

Students are encouraged to explore additional opportunities through the USC Fellowships and Awards database

Phd achievement awards.

As part of an ongoing effort to support and recognize the academic professional development of current PhD students, the Graduate School provides a PhD Achievement Award for students with exceptional academic profiles. Up to six awards are made annually to students from across the university. Each recipient’s primary faculty advisor also receives a Graduate School PhD mentoring award. Current students from every PhD program at USC are eligible. Each USC PhD program may nominate one candidate.

View previous recipients

Ian Thacker

Rossier, Urban Education Policy, Faculty Advisor: Gale Sinatra

Elenore Neufeld

Dornsife, Philosophy, Faculty Advisor: Robin Jeshion

Darshana Mini

Cinema, Cinema and Media Studies, Faculty Advisor: Priya Jaikumar

Catherine Griffiths

Cinema, Media Arts + Practice, Faculty Advisor: Andreas Kratky

Carolyn Choi

Dornsife, Sociology, Faculty Advisor: Rhacel Parrenas

Amanda Baxter

Dornsife, Chemistry, Faculty Advisor: Surya Prakash

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Research Assistantships and Fellowships

In addition to regular TA positions, there are a limited number of honorary fellowships that provide full financial support without teaching duties; and research assistantships that provide full support in return for assisting a particular faculty with research. Fellowships are awarded on the basis of merit, while the research assistantships are awarded to students working in certain areas on the basis of progress toward the PhD. Many PhD students will receive some support (an average of two to three quarters) from one or both of these sources during their graduate careers.

Most research assistantships follow similar policies, compensation and other benefits as TA positions.  See our TA website for those details.

Research Assistantships

In addition, students in recent years have been supported as Research Assistants to faculty funded by the following agencies, among others:

• US Department of Energy
• National Science Foundation
• Office of Naval Research
• University of Washington Graduate School

Students interested in RAs should discuss these with their faculty advisor.  When on an RA position, your faculty supervisor may ask you to perform specific duties related to the grant under which you are supported, but such duties should not consume more than the usual amount of time that TAs normally spend teaching. The major part of your duties are to pursue your doctoral research.

External Fellowships

Graduate students are encouraged to look for their own outside funding. Many of the following fellowships are available only to US citizens, nationals, or permanent residents for graduate study. Visit their websites for detailed eligibility requirements.

• NSF Graduate Research Fellowships
• National Physical Sciences Consortium Graduate Fellowships
• DOE Office of Science Graduate Student Research (SCGSR) Program
• Hertz Fellowships
• Paul & Daisy Soros Fellowships for New Americans
• Washington NASA Space Grant Fellowship
• National Defense Science and Engineering Graduate (NDSEG) Fellowship

Additional Sources

Other sources of graduate support can be found at:

• AMS List of Fellowships and Scholarships
• UW Graduate Funding Information Service   (most funding opportunities here you need to apply 6-12 months ahead of when funding will be given, offers 1:1 consultations)

Fellowships and Awards

These are typically awarded to incoming graduate students.

• ARCS Fellowships: cash awards of $7,500 for the first year and $5,000 per year for years two and three, awarded by the Seattle chapter of the ARCS Foundation to an outstanding incoming student in addition to a regular Teaching Assistantship.
• McFarlan Awards: cash awards for three years, offered to outstanding incoming graduate students and funded through the McFarlan endowment.
• Top Scholar Awards : cash stipends in addition to regular TA awards, funded by the UW Graduate School and the Department of Mathematics for outstanding incoming students.
• GSEE Fellowships: funded by the Office of Graduate Student Equity and Excellence of the University of Washington.

The Department has several other awards given to current graduate students for academic, research and teaching excellence.  You can view a list of awards here .

Post-doctoral Support

In addition, students nearing the end of their graduate study might wish to look into the following sources of postdoctoral support:

• AMS Centennial Fellowships
• NRC Associateships
• NSA Mathematical Sciences Grants
• NSF Postdoctoral Research Fellowships
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THE GRADUATE SCHOOL

Assistantships, additional assistantship opportunities.

An assistantship provides a monthly stipend and  tuition scholarship.  Assistantship stipends are used when the student is performing service .  Assistantsh i ps may be in the form of: 

• graduate or teaching assistant ships
• research assistant ships

Academic programs or faculty  advis e rs  select graduate students to serve on assistantships.  

Duties and workload

The duration of an assistantship may range from a single academic term to a full year.  Students usually  serve between 15 to 20 hours per week with a maximum 20h/week.  

During the term of an assistantship, students are expected to continue making academic progress towards their degree.  

Every graduate assistant in TGS must meet the eligibility requirements set for all students receiving financial aid.  Please review the   Regulations Governing Recipients of University Assistance   for more information.  

Graduate/teaching assistants

Duties may include :  

• Serv ing  as graders for a course  
• Function ing  in an administrative capacity  
• Lead ing  discussion sections as part of a larger lecture course  
• Instruct ing  their own class sections  
• Assist ing  with academic projects such as editing a b ook  
• Coordinat ing  program activities  

Learn more about graduate or teaching assistantships.

Research assistants

Research assistantships are primarily funded on sponsored research projects.

Duties may include:

• Working in a lab  
• Conducting other types of investigative research for their  advis e r  

Learn more about research assistantships.

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Graduate Assistantships at LSU

There are many reasons to become a graduate assistant, not the least of which is that an assistantship will provide necessary financial support for your education. In exchange for service, an assistantship provides a monthly stipend and a non-resident fee waiver. Some assistantships include full tuition exemption. 

Teaching assistantships (TAs) may include leading a discussion, delivering lectures, grading papers, or supervising a laboratory. Research assistantships (RAs) typically assist in conducting research projects. Service assistantships (SAs) will include, but are not limited to,  conducting data analysis, assisting in library services, and other academic/professional assignments.

Many teaching assistants teach introductory undergraduate courses or assist faculty in the delivery of upper division and graduate courses. This requires not only a mastery of the course content, but it also challenges your ability to communicate ideas clearly (a skill that is central to success in your graduate studies and professional life). For many students planning a career in academia, a TA position is an excellent training ground.

There is a new Graduate Teaching Assistant Workshop for new TAs offered each fall. The workshop offers support and other resources for teaching, enhance your effectiveness as an instructor, and help you get off to a great start in the classroom. Additional details will be provided at a later date. 

Available assistantships can be explored by selecting the button in the right sidebar.

GA Information

Teaching assistant 1 (ta1).

GA duties do not include contact with students in scheduled meetings of classes and laboratories. GAs working under this category work in support of instructional programs, including such tasks as preparing examinations, grading papers, assisting in preparation of lectures, maintaining class records, and tutoring students outside of formal class and laboratory settings.

Teaching Assistant 2 (TA2)

GA duties comprise all of those listed under TA1 but may also include such assignments as making presentations in laboratories or classrooms, conducting lectures, and leading discussion groups provided that the GA is neither the instructor of record nor has primary responsibility for assigning grades.

Teaching Assistant 3 (TA3)

GA duties comprise all of those listed under TA1 and TA2 but also include teaching classes for credit as the instructor of record and/or as the person with primary responsibility for assigning course grades.

Research Assistant (RA)

GAs working under this category will assist in conducting research.

Service Assistant (SA)

GA duties will include, but are not limited to, assisting scholarly journals housed at LSU, conducting data analysis, assisting in library services, and other academic/professional assignments.

• Must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 semester hours in the fall or spring semester (a minimum of six hours for graduate credit), or a minimum of 6 semester hours in the summer term (a minimum of 3 hours for graduate credit).
• Students admitted and enrolled in good academic standing, maintaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 3.00.  

A full assistantship requires a student to work for 20 hours per week on average. Students may or may not be required to report to work during school breaks. Departments may also offer partial assistantships.

The assistantship compensation package offered at LSU includes:

• monthly stipend (paid monthly according to the university's salary payroll schedule)
• non-resident tuition fee waiver (if eligibility requirements are met)
• full tuition exemption (if eligibility requirements are met)*

* Not applicable to all assistantships. Consult with department offering the assistantship.

Tuition and Non-Resident Fee Exemption Requirements

• Spring Semester: March 1
• Summer Semester: 1st Day of Class of 2nd Session
• Fall Semester: October 1
• Receives a full tuition exemption and a non-resident tuition fee waiver (if eligibility requirements are met).
• Student is responsible for paying additional fees. 
• Receives a non-resident tuition fee waiver (if eligibility requirements are met).
• Student is responsible for paying additional fees & tuition.

The following benefits apply to you as a graduate assistant for the duration of your appointment:

• 10% discount on supplies and book purchases at the Barnes and Noble on campus.
• Elect to pay University tuition and fees by payroll deduction. This option allows you to have your total tuition bill deferred in full at the time of registration and paid over a four-month period in equal installments (two months during summer session).
• Elect to defer half of your tuition by payroll deferment. This option allows you to defer a maximum of 50% of your tuition and fees at the time of registration and pay the remaining balance in full at a later time established by the University. There is a service charge of $15.
• Non-resident students who hold assistantships are classified as residents for fee purposes only, and only for the duration of the assistantship appointment.

Departments determine the stipend amount based on the student's qualifications and experience, academic standing, the type of appointment, and availability of funds. The minimum annual stipend amounts for a 25% effort (10 hours) appointment and a 50% effort (20 hours) appointment are below.

• 25% effort appointment is $5,400.
• 50% effort appointment is $10,800.

Tax Information

All graduate assistantship stipends are considered as taxable income.

• Tax forms (W-4 and L-4 forms) must be filed within the first three days of employment, and students will receive an email to complete these documents online.
• Some countries have tax treaties with the US in which all or some portion of earnings may be tax exempt.
• Questions about tax information should be directed to LSU's Office of Accounting Services.

Pay Schedule

• All Graduate Assistants are paid once a month on the last business day of the month.
• If you have an academic-year contract (9 month graduate assistantship), your appointment will start mid-August and end mid-May. The specific dates of your contract will come from the offer letter from your employing department.

English Language Requirement

A graduate assistantship offer is contingent upon receiving and maintaining valid visa status. International students holding teaching positions must meet the University’s language requirements. Some colleges/departments require international students with graduate assistantships to demonstrate additional English proficiency. You will get more information at International Student Orientation and from your department. 

• All international graduate students are evaluated in a 30-minute, one-on-one oral interview.
• In order to be employed as a TA2 or TA3, you must have completed English 1051 or be exempted from the course based on your oral interview.
• This must be completed before the appointment begins, and it is usually scheduled during International Orientation.
• For more information about ESL Programs, you can visit the English as a Second Language (ESL) Spoken English Program for International Graduate Assistants website or contact the ESL coordinator below:

Albert S. Camp Allen Hall, 260-J Phone: 225-578-3041 Email: [email protected]  

CGS Resolution 

The CGS Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants

Louisiana State University, as a member of the Council of Graduate Schools' Resolution Regarding Graduate Scholars, Fellows, Trainees, and Assistants, must comply with its terms. Please read the Resolution carefully so that all parties understand the expectations implicit in agreements for financial support. In brief, the resolution states "students are under no obligation to respond to offers of financial support prior to April 15; earlier deadlines for acceptance of such offers violate the intent of this Resolution." The Resolution also states "...acceptance given or left in force after April 15 commits the student not to accept another offer without first obtaining a written release from the institution to which a commitment has been made."

Additional Resources

Additional information about assistantship regulations can be found in the General Catalog and in LSU's Policy Statements PS-21: Graduate Assistantships and PS-85: Preparation of Teaching Assistants .

Please find the 2024 GA Summer Appointments and Allowance Plans here .

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A  graduate student helps a high school senior apply to colleges as part of the Institute for Public Administration's College Application Month program. This is one of the many hands-on research assistantship assignments available to our students.

Financial assistance for doctoral study in the Biden School of Public Policy & Administration may be provided in the form of research assistantships generated by the faculty and Biden School-affiliated research and public service centers .

Research assistantships are competitively awarded to full-time Biden School students who are registered for at least nine graduate-level credit hours in a regular semester. ​

Graduate research assistants are required to work 20 hours per week, including during the January winter session. We make every effort to assign students to projects that are related to their research areas, but assignments are also based on the availability of funding. Research assistants may not hold outside employment during the term of the assistantship. U.S. and non-U.S. citizens are eligible.

Doctoral students in joint degree programs must consult with their primary department regarding the availability of funding support.

Move this whole section up, swapping places with the section above it.

If you are interested in being considered for a research assistantship, you must submit the  Biden School Supplementary Inform​ation Form  ( Word version or PDF version )​ with your application to the academic program. The form provides the opportunity for you to rank your preference (optional) for the centers in which you might be considered for placement.

You may also use the Supplementary Information Form to indicate your interest in being considered for a University Graduate Scholars Award , if you feel you qualify.

• People Finder

Graduate Assistantships & Fellowships

Tuition waiver, graduate assistantships, types of graduate assistantships, annual evaluation of graduate teaching assistants and doctoral students, background check policy, graduate fellowships, graduate assistantship workload policy.

• Graduate Assistant Performance Improvement and Administrative Action Policy
• Sexual and Gender Based Misconduct Policy Training for University Graduate Assistants

Non-Alabama resident graduate assistants may receive a waiver of the out-of-state portion of their tuition if they are on at least a 25 percent graduate assistantship (new appointments beginning in Fall 2013 must be at 33 percent) and are paid a minimum monthly stipend set each year by the provost. Such graduate assistants who have been on assistantship for consecutive fall and spring semesters are eligible to have the out-of-state portion of their tuition waived for the summer semester whether or not they are on assistantship that semester. Students will need to contact the Graduate School to have this waiver applied.

Graduate assistant appointments are temporary. Continuation depends upon availability of funds, level of enrollment, research needs, and satisfactory performance. Salaries are paid in accordance with the budget policies and payroll procedures of the university. The Board of Trustees is obligated to pay certain fixed charges against the institution and thereafter pay salaries in full insofar as funds are available. If for any reason beyond the control of the Board of Trustees funds are not available, salaries will be prorated.

Each graduate assistant must be in a degree-seeking program and registered in the classification of MST, EDS, PHD, or GPR. The student also must be registered for at least one course (during each academic term of the assistantship), must satisfy the minimum course load specifications of the individual departments and must be making satisfactory progress toward the degree.

Workloads for graduate assistants are defined on the basis of a normal teaching load or the equivalent time in other duties as determined by each department head and the dean of the school or college in which the assistant is employed. For example, a one-third workload is one-third of a normal teaching load. Graduate students may hold multiple assistantships and the assistantships may come from different units on campus, but together they cannot add up to more than a 0.50 FTE (20 hours per week) appointment. Maximum course loads for graduate assistants are determined by individual departments. It is recommended that graduate students working more than half-time not carry a full academic load.

Requirements that graduate students register for hours not included in the plan of study as a condition of employment or to enhance credit hour production for administrative purposes are inappropriate. Similarly, requiring hours on the plan of study beyond the degree requirements established by the Graduate Faculty for such administrative purposes is also inappropriate unless the additional requirements are required by university policy.

International graduate students on F1 visas cannot hold a greater than 50 percent work appointment. International graduate students on F2 visas cannot hold a work appointment. Multiple assistantships for international graduate students cannot add up to more than a 50 percent work appointment.

All international graduate teaching assistants who are assigned to scheduled lecture or laboratory sections must be certified in spoken English proficiency. Evidence of satisfactory speaking skills can be demonstrated with a score of 23 or higher on the Speaking Section of the Internet-based TOEFL (iBT), or a score of 7 on the Speaking section of the IELTS, or a score of 4.4 and above in the Speaking section of the iTEP (which replaced the SPEAK test), which is administered at Auburn University prior to the start of classes. Applicants who hold a baccalaureate degree from an accredited institution whose instruction is in English may be exempted from this requirement. A student may be asked to enroll in a course designed to improve the oral communication skills of international teaching assistants. Hiring units are responsible for making sure that international Graduate Teaching Assistants meet the minimum requirements for employment, including but not limited to a satisfactory background check and proficiency in English. For each international Graduate Teaching Assistant, hiring units are required to submit the International Graduate Teaching Assistant Certification of Eligibility for Employment form and supporting documentation.

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs)

A Graduate Teaching Assistant must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member. The GTA’s primary responsibility is to support the instructional mission of the University. For a student to be classified as a GTA, at least 50% of the student’s responsibility as a teaching assistant must be devoted to the direct instruction of students, typically in a classroom or laboratory setting.* The GTA’s responsibilities may also include, for example: advising or mentoring of students; proctoring exams; grading papers, homework, and/or projects; preparing instructional materials; or providing other general assistance in the instructional process. GTAs may not be given duties to support faculty research or duties primarily clerical in nature. Whatever their instructional responsibilities, GTAs must be supervised by a faculty member who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating their performance at least on an annual basis. GTAs who have no prior teaching experience must be given some form of training before being allowed to teach. Any GTA with primary responsibility for a course must have a minimum of 18 semester hours of graduate course credit in that field of instruction.

*GTAs are not permitted to serve as instructor of record for courses numbered 6000 or above, although they may assist with laboratories for such courses. Additionally, they may not teach or assist with a course in which they are enrolled.

 Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs)

A Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member. The GRA’s primary duty is to engage in original, professional-level research under a faculty member’s supervision in the course of obtaining a graduate degree. The faculty supervisor determines the students’ specific duties and is responsible for monitoring and evaluating the GRA’s performance at least on an annual basis.

 Graduate Extension Assistants (GEAs) 

A Graduate Extension Assistant must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by an appropriate graduate faculty member or extension agent. GEAs are responsible for various kinds of extension work and interaction with the public. The various branches of the Extension Service award these assistantships. A faculty member or extension agent should be responsible for monitoring and evaluating the performance of GEAs at least on an annual basis.

 Graduate Assistants (GAs)

Graduate Assistants must meet eligibility requirements and be supervised by a faculty member, administrator, or other appropriate university employee. GAs are responsible for duties other than teaching, research, or extension. These responsibilities can be varied and could include performing administrative duties not related to the GA’s field of study or the instructional or research missions of the university. Whatever their responsibilities, GAs should be supervised by a faculty member, administrator, or other appropriate university employee who is responsible for monitoring and evaluating their performance at least on an annual basis.

*Tuition waivers for graduate assistants not engaged in teaching, research, or extension are subject to taxation and income tax withholding.

Policy on Paid Leave for Graduate Assistants (GAs)

Graduate Assistants are non-exempt employees and are generally paid for hours worked. However, it is Auburn University policy that hourly-paid Graduate Assistants be paid during official university holidays and breaks, including Fall Break, Spring Break, and/or official University closures.

Policy:  Effective beginning Fall 2014, the Graduate School will require that each department conduct—at least on an annual basis—an evaluation of the progress of each Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) and each graduate student enrolled in a doctoral program. Continuation is contingent upon satisfactory performance.

Reporting:   Annually, each department will report to the Graduate School, confirming that the evaluation of all GTAs and doctoral students has been completed. In addition, the department will provide the Graduate School with a summary report of all instances in which a GTA or doctoral student has received an unsatisfactory review.

Expectations:   Each department will be responsible for developing procedures (if not already in place) for the annual evaluation of the progress of GTAs and doctoral students. Following guidelines for best practices, the review should include at least the following:

• A student self-report and assessment of academic progress; teaching (if applicable); and research (if applicable) [prepared in advance of the review conference];
• A report prepared by the student’s advisor (and preferably at least one other faculty member, e.g., a member of the student’s advisory committee) that assesses the student’s academic progress, teaching (if applicable), and research (if applicable) that identifies strengths and weaknesses, and establishes expectations for the next year. The report may be augmented by reports from teaching supervisors or other members of the student’s advisory committee.
• An opportunity for the student to discuss the report in person.
• A signed copy of the written assessment should be placed in the student’s file and a copy given to the student.

The Graduate School requires that all graduate student employees (including hourly paid) have an approved consumer report and/or investigative consumer report (background check) as a condition for appointment. The information contained in these reports may be used to deny an individual employment or continued employment with Auburn University. The background report and its contents are deemed private and confidential and shall be disclosed only for the purposes described in “Procedures for Securing Background Reports for Graduate Students Before Hiring” to those University employees who have a need to know, or as otherwise required or permitted by law. This policy is effective for all graduate student employees whose new appointments begin on or after January 1, 2014.  

Auburn University provides in-state tuition fellowships to most of its students holding graduate assistantships. Though administered through the Graduate School, applicants should contact the specific academic departments concerning eligibility and availability.

Graduate students may not normally hold an appointment of more than 50 percent, whether the appointment is from a single unit or multiple units. This policy also applies to internship appointments (whether called an internship or externship). Graduate students may hold multiple assistantships (assistantships and/or hourly employment) from one or more units on campus, but the cumulative appointments cannot add up to more than a 0.50 FTE (20 hours per week) appointment. This allows the students the time needed to devote to their academic programs. An exception is automatically allowed in the special case of a graduate assistant assigned to teach one four credit course and one three/four credit course. In such cases, appointments will be made at 0.58/0.67 FTE, respectively. Other exceptions may be requested, with compelling academic justification, in writing to the Provost by the dean. For multiple assistantships from different units, coordinating approval memos from the home unit and the hiring units are required. Please note that federal regulations limit the cumulative appointment for international graduate students to no more than a 0.50 FTE (20 hours per week) appointment.

Graduate Assistant Performance Improvement and Administrative Action Policy 

Failure to satisfy performance standards.

Performance Improvement Meetings — In addition to regularly scheduled performance reviews, when a supervisor determines that a graduate assistant is failing to meet satisfactory performance standards, the supervisor will meet with the assistant. Together, they will review the duties and responsibilities expected of the graduate assistant, and the supervisor will identify those areas in which the performance of those duties and responsibilities is judged to be unsatisfactory. The supervisor will then advise the graduate assistant that if his or her performance does not improve to a satisfactory level within a time period specified by the supervisor, the assistantship will be terminated. The time period established by the supervisor should provide a sufficient and reasonable time for the graduate assistant to demonstrate a satisfactory level of performance. In some instances, the graduate assistant’s failure to meet satisfactory standards of performance may be disruptive of the educational process (e.g., failure to appear for a teaching assignment, or failure to grade examinations in a timely fashion). In such instances, the graduate student should be advised that any subsequent failure to meet satisfactory performance standards may result in termination of the assistantship. As soon as possible following this meeting (generally within three working days) the supervisor will provide the assistant with a written summary of the meeting, including notice of areas of unsatisfactory performance and the time period specified for improvement to a satisfactory level. A copy will be sent to the department chair for review/approval and to the dean of the Graduate School.

Termination of an Assistantship  — If a graduate assistant fails to meet acceptable standards of performance as prescribed in the performance improvement meeting, the supervisor will notify the department chair. The department chair will schedule a meeting with the supervisor and graduate assistant as soon as possible, generally within three working days. At that meeting, the graduate assistant’s performance will again be reviewed. If it is concluded that the graduate assistant has failed to meet acceptable performance standards, the department chair may terminate the graduate assistantship appointment. The department chair will provide a written notice summarizing the meeting and the action taken to the supervisor, graduate assistant, the dean of the college, and the dean of the Graduate School within five working days of the meeting.

Acts of Misconduct and Unprofessionalism — Acts of misconduct or unprofessionalism may require prompt action. Such acts may include, but are not limited to:

• Refusing to obey reasonable and necessary instructions or job assignments, insubordination, or using abusive or unprofessional language in the workplace.
• Indulging in offensive or obscene manner.
• Drinking intoxicants on University property, with exception of events acting in accordance with the University Campus Alcohol Policy.
• Using illegal drugs on University property. 
• Stealing or misappropriating University property or property belonging to students or university employees.
• Scientific misconduct

Appropriate actions include termination of an assistantship, suspension of an assistantship for a specified period, and reduction of the FTE and/or benefits associated with that assistantship. If a supervisor believes a graduate assistant has engaged in such an act of misconduct or unprofessionalism, the following steps are to be taken.

For incident(s) of unprofessional acts or behavior which violate accepted norms of professional conduct, the supervisor will provide notice of the proposed administrative action to the graduate assistant and document the situation in a written report. In such cases, the graduate assistant may be placed on immediate administrative leave with pay from the assistantship duties, at the discretion of the supervisor. The report will be provided to the department chair to whom the supervisor reports, who will schedule a meeting with the supervisor and graduate assistant as soon as possible, generally within three working days. At that meeting, the incident(s) will be reviewed, and the proposed administrative action may be affirmed, amended, or overturned by the department chair. The department chair will provide a written notice summarizing the meeting and his/her decision regarding administrative action to the supervisor, graduate assistant, the dean of the college, and the dean of the Graduate School within five working days of the meeting.

Acts of misconduct may include, but are not limited to, theft, fraud, physical altercation, and sexual harassment. Additionally, for misconduct covered by the Student Code of Conduct, Title IX Sexual Harassment Policy, and/or the Policy Against Discrimination and Harassment, the case will also be referred to the Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity – Title IX Office. 

Supervisors and students should be aware that termination or reduction of the FTE of an assistantship, will have large financial impacts, which can be particularly problematic for a student if termination or FTE reduction occurs before the last class day of a semester. A description of the rules regarding graduate assistant benefits, including tuition fellowships and health insurance, can be found on the Graduate School website.  

Appealing Action Regarding an Assistantship — If a graduate assistant wishes to appeal a decision of administrative action regarding an assistantship, including termination, he/she may file a written appeal within five working days of receipt of the department chair’s written notice with the dean of that college. The graduate assistant will be notified in writing of the result of the appeal within five working days of the submission of the written appeal. The decision resulting from this process is final and not subject to further appeal.

Sexual and Gender Based Misconduct Policy Training for Auburn University Graduate Assistants 

Title ix & discrimination: identifying & responding to sexual misconduct training for auburn university graduate assistants .

The Graduate School requires that all Graduate Assistants, including Graduate Teaching Assistants, Graduate Research Assistants, Graduate Extension Assistants, and Graduate Assistants, have approved Title IX & Discrimination: Identifying & Responding to Sexual Misconduct training as a condition for continued appointment. The specific form of the required training will be determined in consultation with the Graduate School and the Office of Affirmative Action/Equal Employment Opportunity.

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PhD Research Assistantship (towards a PhD degree in Water Resources)

The TEAROOM project seeks a dedicated PhD researcher to explore cutting-edge methodologies for incorporating site-level tracer data into hydrologic models. You are enthusiastic about the outdoors, conducting fieldwork to collect and analyze data from various sites. You are excited and willing to learn about developing, calibrating, and validating hydrologic models using tracer data, among others.

You should hold a BS or MS in an engineering field, environmental, or geoscience-related discipline. We are looking for dedicated, highly-independent, and team-oriented candidates with excellent verbal and written communication skills, proficiency in computer programming (Python, MATLAB, R), applied statistics and/or experience in data analysis and modeling. You must be fluent in English (oral and written).

If you are interested in either opportunity, please familiarize yourself with Warnell School’s admission requirements and deadlines, and send a single PDF containing: (1) a 1-2 page statement of your research interests and a summary of your professional career goals, explaining why [you think] working in the Critical Zone Hydrology Lab will help you achieve these goals; (2) a current CV; (3) unofficial transcripts showing all previous coursework, degrees, and GPA; and (4) contact information of three references to Dr. Jaivime Evaristo ([email protected]). If selected to compete for this assistantship, you will be encouraged to submit an application to the UGA Graduate School. Please contact Dr. Jaivime Evaristo with any additional questions. The positions are open until filled.

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Phd graduate research assistantship.

PhD Graduate Research Assistantship in plant breeding and genetics at the University of Florida (UF)

A PhD graduate research assistantship is available at the University of Florida's Gulf Coast Research and Education Center in Wimauma, FL (USA) beginning in summer or fall 2021. The PhD student will conduct genetic and genomic research and breeding in lantana.

PhD student selected for this position will perform genome and transcriptome sequencing, develop molecular markers for important reproductive traits (unreduced female gamete formation and apomixis), investigate the mode of inheritance and genetic mechanisms for these traits, screen germplasm for disease resistance, create desirable diploid and tetraploid breeding parents, and develop sterile, non-invasive, disease-resistant triploid lantana cultivars.

The student will leverage existing lantana genetic and genomic resources and generate and analyze new genomic and transcriptomic datasets to find genes controlling the formation of unreduced female gametes and apomictic seeds. Additional research topics (including gene editing, gene cloning, genetic transformation, etc.) and/or ornamental crops may also be pursued, depending on the interests and abilities of the student.

The graduate research assistant will conduct laboratory/greenhouse/field studies, collect data, analyze research results, prepare reports, write journal articles, present research results, and prepare a dissertation. This half-time assistantship will provide an initial stipend ($25,000 per year) and a full tuition waiver for four years. Opportunities for additional income in the form of fellowship are also available at the UF/IFAS' Department of Environmental Horticulture ( https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/environmental-horticulture-graduate-program/funding/ ), the home department of the faculty supervisor and the student selected.

Desired qualifications: An MSc in horticulture, plant science, genetics, or a related field and experience in applied plant breeding and inheritance study are preferred. Experience with molecular marker development and analysis, genotyping by sequencing, and genetic mapping are all beneficial. Other desirable qualities include a strong work ethic, ability to work independently, advanced English language proficiency (verbal and written), and enthusiasm for plant breeding and genetic research. Candidates must also meet the admission requirements of UF's Graduate School and the Department of Environmental Horticulture ( https://hort.ifas.ufl.edu/environmental-horticulture-graduate-program/ ). Interested candidates that meet these qualifications are encouraged to inquire about the position by contacting Dr. Zhanao Deng at [email protected] .

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Shana hirsch, cayla key, and emily tseng join the hcde faculty.

Leah Pistorius May 21, 2024

The University of Washington's Department of Human Centered Design & Engineering is pleased to announce the addition of three new faculty members: Dr. Shana Lee Hirsch, Cayla Key, and Emily Tseng. Together, their expertise enhances the department's focus in strategic areas such as environmental science and sociotechnical change, inclusive design and ethics, and equitable computing and social responsibility.

Shana Lee Hirsch, PhD Research Assistant Professor

Starting Spring 2024

Dr. Shana Lee Hirsch works at the nexus of environmental science and sociotechnical change. She draws from her transdisciplinary background in natural resource science, policy, and management and her experiences working with engineers and scientists that are on “the front lines” of climate change. Her aim is to create a research program that supports diverse ways of knowing, designing, and innovating to address environmental challenges. Shana is Co-Director of the Pacific Marine Energy Center, a consortium of universities focused on the responsible advancement of marine renewable energy by expanding scientific understanding, engaging stakeholders, and educating students. Her current grants support the development of national foundational research capacity in marine energy; understanding community benefits from offshore wind; and supporting access to novel conservation monitoring technologies at the eDNA Collaborative at UW. Shana holds a PhD in Water Resources Law, Policy, and Management from the University of Idaho; an MSc in Global Environment, Politics, and Society from the University of Edinburgh; an MA in Cultural Studies from the University of Washington Bothell; and a BA in Liberal Arts from The Evergreen State College.

Cayla Key Assistant Teaching Professor

Starting Summer 2024

Cayla Key (Cayla/they/them) is a creative educator and researcher working at the intersection of design, technology, and ethics. Drawing on Queer and Feminist perspectives, Cayla develops teaching and research agendas that center ethics, sustainability, and marginalized perspectives as critical starting points for design thinking. Viewing design not only as a catalyst for environmental reparation and community engagement but also as a conduit for exploration and intellectual inquiry, Cayla encourages students to challenge conventional design paradigms and embrace innovative approaches. Cayla currently serves as an Interaction Design Lecturer at the University of Washington's School of Art + Art History + Design. Cayla is a former Marie Sklodowska-Curie Research Fellow and a Mozilla Research Fellow with diverse design experiences ranging from graphic to soft-goods industrial design. Cayla’s work had been awarded a Best Paper Award and 4 Best Paper Honorable Mention Awards at the ACM conferences Human Factors in Computing Systems (CHI) and Designing Interactive Systems (DIS). Their work has been funded by the European Commission and Mozilla Foundation. Cayla is a PhD candidate in Human-Computer Interaction from Northumbria University and holds a BS in Interaction Design from the University of Washington.

Emily Tseng Assistant Professor

Starting Autumn 2025

Emily Tseng studies the role of computing in individual, interpersonal, and structural harms, and how to create more equitable tech. She uses theories of social responsibility (e.g., feminism, trauma-informed care, participation) to reimagine how we design data-driven systems, and build and test alternatives in deep collaborations with affected communities. Emily publishes at top-tier venues in human-computer interaction (ACM CHI, CSCW) and computer security and privacy (USENIX Security, IEEE Oakland). For five years, she has served as a researcher-practitioner with the Clinic to End Tech Abuse, where her work has enabled specialized security services for over 500 survivors of intimate partner violence (IPV). Emily is the recipient of a Microsoft Research PhD Fellowship, Rising Stars in EECS, Best Paper Awards at CHI, CSCW, and USENIX Security, and third place in the Internet Defense Prize. She has interned at Google and with the Social Media Collective at Microsoft Research. In prior lives, she made print, radio, and multimedia journalism, ran product development at a consumer biotechnology startup, and taught software engineering. Emily holds a BA in Ecology and Evolutionary Biology from Princeton University, where her undergraduate research on statistical approaches to epidemiology was awarded the department's top prize in mathematical modeling. She will join HCDE from the Department of Information Science at Cornell University, where she is finishing her PhD.  

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Florentine Rutaganira, PhD

The assistant professor of biochemistry and developmental biology has received a grant from the Hypothesis Fund. The Hypothesis Fund advances scientific knowledge by supporting early stage, innovative research that increases our adaptability against systemic risks to the health of people and the planet. Rutaganira will receive a grant of $104,000 to understand what early multicellular life might teach us about the evolution of cancer.

About Stanford Medicine

Stanford Medicine is an integrated academic health system comprising the Stanford School of Medicine and adult and pediatric health care delivery systems. Together, they harness the full potential of biomedicine through collaborative research, education and clinical care for patients. For more information, please visit http://mednews.stanford.edu .

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Beth-Ann Cummings receives 2024 IHSE Research and Scholarship Catalyst Award

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Beth-Ann Cummings, MDCM, MSc (HPE), is the 2024 recipient of the Institute of Health Sciences Education (IHSE) Research and Scholarship Catalyst Award.   

The award recognizes IHSE members who have shown a commitment to catalyzing, supporting and facilitating research and scholarship in health sciences education.  

An Associate Professor of Medicine at McGill University and a member of the IHSE, Dr. Cummings was nominated for the award by her peers.   

She was presented with the honour at the Richard and Sylvia Cruess Symposium on Scholarship in Health Sciences Education: Insights and Innovations, which took place at the McGill Faculty Club and Conference Centre on Tuesday, May 14, 2024.   

“I am overwhelmed with a sense of surprise and gratitude,” said Dr. Cummings. “Receiving this award feels particularly meaningful, because it represents what I do and who I am, rather than a single accomplishment.”  

Meredith Young, Associate Director, Research at the IHSE, said: “Dr. Cummings is an unparalleled and invaluable collaborator and a very deserving recipient of this award.”  

“Having worked with Beth and having seen her work with others over the years, she has an uncanny ability to balance good scholarship, good practice, and how work can be communicated effectively to a variety of audiences,” she added. “She always has ideas as to how to improve a piece of scholarship, other angles to consider, and how to ensure innovations are woven into practice. I’m so pleased that she has been recognized by her peers though this award – she is a try catalyst for research, scholarship, and all those involved in it.”  

Elizabeth Anne Kinsella, Director of the IHSE, said: “We initiated this award to recognize people who are exceptional team players and catalysts for the advancement of medical and health sciences education research. Beth is a truly deserving recipient. She is catalyzing research and fostering networks at McGill and across Canada, and making an important difference in our ecosystem and in the field.”   

Generous, creative and thoughtful  

Nominating Dr. Cummings, Robert Sternszus, MDCM, MA (Ed), Associate Professor in the Department of Pediatrics and Faculty Member at the IHSE, said: “As I look at the ‘key words’ used to describe this award, namely generosity, enthusiasm, initiative and creativity, I can’t help but think about Beth.”  

“She has been a valued mentor to so many and has helped countless people develop their careers as medical educators,” he added. “Beth takes great pride in the success of others and is always prepared to try and contribute to it in any way that she can.”  

In her nomination letter, former Vice-Dean, Education, Annette Majnemer, OT, PhD, recalled her time working with Dr. Cummings when she held the role of Assistant Dean, Health Professions Education. She commended Dr. Cummings for her “ongoing commitment to catalyzing and supporting research and scholarship in health professions education”.   

 “Her enthusiastic work in community building as a context in which to support scholarship and evidence-based educational practices has been critical to our Faculty’s educational excellence,” she added.   

In another nomination letter, Deborah Danoff, MD, Affiliate Member of the IHSE, praised Dr. Cummings’s thoughtful feedback and support to her colleagues and students at the IHSE’s weekly meetings.   

“I am constantly impressed by her validation of the presenter at the same time as she extends the discussion in depth and new directions,” she wrote. “As novices present their ideas, she is never pedantic and offers positive meaningful suggestions.”  

Asked about her philosophy of supporting others, Dr. Cummings paid tribute to the many individuals in the IHSE, McGill and beyond who have acted as catalysts for her in every aspect of her career.  

She also highlighted the IHSE as a place where health sciences education researchers and scholars can find guidance and encouragement from peers across disciplines.   

“The IHSE is a really special place that is about community, sharing and mutual support,” she said. “It’s a space where people can bring ideas and explore them, and you can only do that when you have people who are generous with their thoughts, time and spirit.”  

“Calling this place a community of practice is so important. The philosophy of paying it forward and more senior people recognizing potential in others who don’t have opportunities yet really fosters that sense of community.”  

Congratulations, Dr. Cummings!  

Stay tuned for more coverage of the Richard and Sylvia Cruess Symposium on Scholarship in Health Sciences Education: Insights and Innovations over the coming weeks.

Department and University Information

Institute of health sciences education.

Dr. Peng Zhang, PhD, Appointed to Research Track

School of medicine.

Peng Zhang, Ph.D. – Biography

Peng Zhang received his B.S. from Shandong Normal University (China) in 2004. He received his Ph.D. in Biochemistry and Molecular Biology from China Agricultural University in 2009, where he studied with Weiquan Liu, Ph.D., focusing on anti-avian influenza virus research. Following this, Dr. Zhang obtained postdoctoral training in Xinhua Lin, Ph.D.’s Lab (2009-2011) at the Institute of Zoology of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he began using Drosophila models to study Wnt signaling regulation and organ patterning. From 2011 to 2014, Dr. Zhang held the positions of Assistant & Associate Professor at the Institute of Biophysics of Chinese Academy of Sciences, where he ran an independent research program focusing on Hippo pathway regulation and organ size control.

To expand his expertise in the field of stem cell biology, Dr. Zhang joined Bruce Edgar, Ph.D.’s lab at the German Cancer Research Center (DKFZ)/Heidelberg University in 2014 as a senior postdoctoral researcher and relocated with the lab to the Huntsman Cancer Institute/University of Utah in 2016. In 2021, he was honored as a Susan Cooper Jones Endowed Fellow in Cancer Research. 

Dr. Zhang is currently a Research Assistant Professor at the Huntsman Cancer Institute and the Department of Oncological Sciences of the University of Utah School of Medicine. His research focuses on utilizing Drosophila gut and mammalian intestinal organoid models to study the mechanisms that govern intestinal stem cell proliferation, gut regeneration, and tumorigenesis. Aside from conducting research projects, Dr. Zhang engages in training and mentoring new students (both graduate and undergraduate) and technicians in Drosophila genetics and molecular biology. 

Research Interests

• Cancer Biology
• Stem Cell Biology
• Damage Sensing and Gut Regeneration
• Drosophila melanogaster