Grant-Funded Student Employment Opportunities
Grant-Funded Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Grant-Funded Wage Positions
PhD students are eligible to be hired to work on projects funded by agencies outside of the University (e.g., U.S. Department of Education). Job descriptions will vary based on the nature of the project and hiring parameters from the funding agency.
GRA: GRA positions pay a stipend and tuition benefits. Students selected for a 10-hour per week GRA must be enrolled in at least 9 credits per semester, and students selected for a 20-hour per week GRA must be enrolled in at least 6 credits per semester. Compensation rates vary by funding source. Some positions are multi-year.
Wage: Wage positions pay an hourly rate only. Some grants have restrictions for hiring based on degree-seeking status and the number of credit hours taken each semester; any enrollment restrictions are noted in the advertisement below. Compensation rates vary by funding source. Time commitment and duration can also vary. There are university restrictions for the number of hours across all positions.
Please note: The project start and end dates are subject to change. Hiring start date cannot be before project start date.
Step 1:
Complete the graduate assistantship application. You cannot be hired for any GRA or wage positions without completing this form and uploading your current vita. (Currently closed)
Step 2:
Review the list of projects with open positions (listed below), including any special requirements and qualifications. Then, contact faculty directly to express your interest in the position.
Grant-Funded Student Positions for the 2022-2023 Academic Year
CAREER: Second Chance STEM: Uncovering School Policies Structuring Access to and Engagement in High School STEM Credit Recovery
Funding Agency: National Science Foundation (NSF)
Principal Investigator: Samantha Viano
Project Start Date: 9/15/23
Project End Date: 8/31/28
Faculty Contact: Samantha Viano
Faculty Email: sviano@gmu.edu
Position Type: 20 hour/week assistantship
Position Status: Position Open
Special Requirements: • Availability during the school day (i.e., weekdays 8am-3pm) in the 24-25 academic year as well as potentially Summer 2024 and Summer 2025 and a flexible schedule for collecting data.
• Access to a vehicle and a valid driver's license.
• Availability for a full-time GRA for 24-25 academic year and Summer 2025. Note this position has potential for full-time academic year and summer funding through 2028.
Job Description:
Dr. Samantha Viano, an assistant professor in the Education Leadership and Policy division, is recruiting two, full-time, 20-hour a week, GRAs for the 24-25 academic year for a project funded by the National Science Foundation. You can find more information on the project, titled “CAREER: Second Chance STEM: Uncovering school policies structuring access to and engagement in high school STEM credit recovery” at this link: https://www.nsf.gov/awardsearch/showAward?AWD_ID=2237703.
The GRAs will assist with qualitative data collection in the 24-25 academic year. The qualitative data collection will occur in-person in high schools in Northern Virginia. Access to a car is required, and mileage will be reimbursed. This project will include significant publication opportunities (if desired) along with mixed methods data analysis occurring in the second year. The GRA will be a 20-hour a week appointment during the academic year and the summer, including tuition and health insurance. The project also budgets for conference travel for the GRA to present findings. This project will include opportunities for qualitative, mixed methods, and quantitative analysis, and involvement in analysis will depend on GRA interest and expertise. The GRA positions are renewable up until the 2027-28 AY.
Required qualifications:
- Availability during the school day (i.e., weekdays 8am-3pm) in the 24-25 academic year and a flexible schedule for collecting data.
- Access to a vehicle in the 24-25 academic year.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working in a school.
- Experience with qualitative data collection and/or analysis.
- Interest in the topic (online learning, school leadership, educational policy, etc.)
Current representation of women in intercollegiate athletics (NCAA and NAIA)
Funding Agency:
Principal Investigator: Jacqueline McDowell
Project Start Date: 7/1/24
Project End Date: 12/31/24
Faculty Contact: Jacqueline McDowell
Faculty Email: jmcdowe7@gmu.edu
Position Type:
Position Status: Position Filled
Special Requirements: The student will begin work in October 2024. Flexible and consistent communication and correspondence with the research team are needed. The student will need to be available for virtual meetings with the research team on Mondays at 2 p.m. and weekly (virtual and possibly face-to-face) meetings with Dr. McDowell at a time to be determined.
Job Description:
Dr. Jacqueline McDowell, an associate professor in the School of Sport, Recreation and Tourism Management, is recruiting one part-time wage worker for the Fall 2024 semester for a project funded by Wasserman Media, a sports marketing and talent management company. The student will work closely with the research team on a project that seeks to explore the representation of women in NCAA and NAIA intercollegiate athletic coaching and administrative positions. This is an excellent opportunity to gain practical experience in research methodologies and statistical analysis. The position will be a 10 – 15 hour a week appointment during the Fall 2024 semester and possibly January 2025. Salary is $22.00 per hour.
Responsibilities:
- Assist in data collection, cleaning, and management.
- Conduct descriptive and inferential statistical analyses using SPSS.
- Interpret and summarize statistical findings for reports, manuscripts, and presentations.
- Perform literature reviews and synthesize relevant academic sources.
- Prepare visualizations, tables, and charts to communicate research results effectively.
- Support faculty members in other research tasks as needed.
- Collaborate with other research team members to ensure timely project completion.
Required qualifications:
- Current graduate student in the College of Education and Human Development.
- Demonstrated experience with SPSS software for conducting both descriptive and inferential statistical analyses.
- Strong written and verbal communication skills.
Preferred qualifications:
- Previous experience conducting academic research.
More than Just Safety: School Security Measures and Academic, Behavioral and Social Outcomes
Funding Agency: Florida State University
Principal Investigator: Samantha Viano
Project Start Date: 7/1/22
Project End Date: 6/30/25
Faculty Contact: Samantha Viano
Faculty Email: sviano@gmu.edu
Position Type:
Position Status: Position Filled
Special Requirements: • Availability during the school day (i.e., weekdays 8am-3pm) in the 23-24 academic year and a flexible schedule for collecting data. (Note that scheduling during the 24-25 academic year will be more flexible although 20 hours of work a week will be expected.)
• Access to a vehicle in the 23-24 academic year.
• Availability for a full-time GRA for 23-24 and 24-25 academic years.
Job Description:
Dr. Samantha Viano, an assistant professor in the Education Leadership and Policy division, is recruiting a full-time, 20-hour a week, GRA for the 23-24 and 24-25 academic years for a project funded by the Institute of Education Sciences in the US Department of Education. You can find more information on the project, titled “More Than Just Safety: School Security Measures and Academic, Behavioral, and Social Outcomes” at this link: https://ies.ed.gov/ncer/projects/grant.asp?ProgID=21&grantid=5800&NameID=38. Note that the GRA will assist primarily with the case study aspect of the project.
The GRA will assist with qualitative data collection in the 23-24 academic year and with mixed methods data analysis in the 24-25 academic year. The qualitative data collection will occur in-person in high schools in Northern Virginia. Access to a car is required, and mileage will be reimbursed. This project will include significant publication opportunities (if desired) along with the data analysis occurring in the second year. The GRA will be a 20-hour a week appointment including tuition and health insurance. The project also budgets for conference travel for the GRA in Year 2 to present findings.
Required qualifications:
- Availability during the school day (i.e., weekdays 8am-3pm) in the 23-24 academic year and a flexible schedule for collecting data. (Note that scheduling during the 24-25 academic year will be more flexible although 20 hours of work a week will be expected.)
- Access to a vehicle in the 23-24 academic year.
- Availability for a full-time GRA for 23-24 and 24-25 academic years.
Preferred qualifications:
- Experience working in a school.
- Experience with qualitative data collection and/or analysis.
- Interest in the topic (school security, school climate, etc.)