Research Assistantship FAQs

How does a faculty member establish a research assistantship position?

There are several approaches to establishing a research assistantship (RA) position. If the RA will not be a student, the formal Human Resources procedure is used, where a position is established and posted according to personnel policies at the University. Please contact Terri Pianka (terri.pianka@nurs.utah.edu) to initiate this process. Individuals hired through this process are subject to policies and benefits designated for employees. This approach would be preferred when there are not qualified students (e.g., representative of a specific community in a community-based participatory research study) or when the position might preclude someone in a student position (e.g., no flexibility to accommodate class attendance or extensive travel requirement).

The most common approach is indicated when the position is targeted exclusively to students, since research assistantships can be an important learning experience for students. RA positions are desirable because they serve as way for students to gauge their interest in a research career and/or to hone their research skills. Depending on how the position is classified, graduate students hired as RAs may be eligible for the Graduate School Tuition Benefit (http://www.gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/index.php). However, any level student can be hired as a research assistant. Faculty wishing to establish a student research assistantship can submit the Request for Research Assistant form available on the College of Nursing Website to the Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean for Research and PhD Program (diane.ballard@nurs.utah.edu).

Undergraduate students may also be hired to assist in research through the Work Study program. Work Study positions are only available to students who have established financial need through the procedures of the Financial Aid Office, and the student may become ineligible in the middle of a semester if they receive a scholarship from another source. Contact the Financial Aid Office for information on hiring a Work Study student.

How does a student apply for a research assistant position?

Students wishing to apply for a research assistant (RA) position can submit the Research Assistant Application form available on the College of Nursing Website to the Administrative Assistant to the Associate Dean for Research and PhD Program (diane.ballard@nurs.utah.edu). Students can also talk directly to faculty about available RA positions on their research projects or contact the Financial Aid Office about work study opportunities.

What is the role of the Emma Eccles Jones (EEJ) Center for Nursing Research in hiring students as research assistants?

The function of the EEJ Center for Nursing Research is to facilitate the match between students desiring RA positions and faculty who seek student RAs on their research projects. The Center will maintain a file of active applicants and identify students from the pool of applicants with the skill set and qualifications requested by a faculty investigator. The EEJ Center for Nursing Research will provide the applications and resumes of qualified applicants to the faculty investigator for interview and selection. After the investigator has selected the RA, the EEJ Center for Nursing Research provides guidance on how to formalize the hire and get the new RA on the payroll.

What is the pay rate for RA positions?

The pay rate will depend on the level of the student and the skills required. For example, positions with responsibilities requiring a RN license may pay more than those not requiring a professional credential. In the Tuition Benefit policy (http://www.gradschool.utah.edu/tbp/index.php) the Graduate School requires minimum graduate student RA wages averaging $18-$19 per hour to qualify for the Tuition Benefit, which is a waiver of base tuition payment for up to 12 credits exclusive of tuition differentials. The amount of the Tuition Benefit depends on the number of hours worked with 50% benefit at 10 hours per week, 75% benefit at 15 hours per week, and 100% benefit at 20 hours per week, the maximum allowable number of hours allowed. Faculty hiring graduate student RAs are encouraged to structure positions so that students qualify for the tuition benefit. To qualify for Tuition Benefit, the responsibilities of the RA position must be consistent with the academic goals of the student.

Can students volunteer to work on research projects without remuneration?

Students frequently volunteer to work on research projects for the learning opportunity and resume building, as well as for independent study credit or as part of research practicums. The EEJ Center for Nursing Research will facilitate the match of students with projects whether or not remuneration is involved. However, students looking to volunteer without remuneration should indicate that information on the application. Similarly, faculty seeking volunteers without remuneration should also make that information clear.

What is the source of funds to pay RA salaries? What if a project has no funding?

RA salaries are paid from research grants or faculty development accounts. Projects and faculty who do not have access to grant or development funds can limit their request to volunteer RAs, who are students seeking RA positions for the learning experience rather than remuneration. Faculty may also send a summary of the project and activities to the Program Manager of the PhD program (melissa.pederson@nurs.utah.edu) for consideration by PhD students seeking research practicum opportunities. Particularly desirable for research practicum experiences are projects that involve active participation with a research team, leading to shared authorship, or experience with diverse research skills, rather than projects that are exclusively repetitive activities like data entry or data coding.

As budget permits, the EEJ Center for Nursing Research hires Research Assistants-at-Large (RAL) who can assist with a variety of short-term or time-limited tasks. Submit the Request for RAL Support to diane.ballard@nurs.utah.edu.

The Research Committee and EEJ Center for Nursing Research also awards funds for research projects and expenses. Information and applications are available at http://nursing.utah.edu/research/committee/index.html.

Is it required that student RAs be hired through the EEJ Center for Nursing Research?

No. Frequently faculty with need for student RAs in their research will invite students to work on the project with no formal application process. Students also may make requests to participate on a project directly to faculty. The role of the EEJ Center for Nursing Research is to facilitate the match of students and projects when these matches do not occur as a result of natural academic interaction.

Are student RAs required to work during formal University holidays and breaks?

Generally RA positions do not require the student to work during official university holidays and breaks. However, the requirements of the position for work during these periods should be established between student and faculty at the time of hire, since the research endeavor is not restricted to the academic calendar.