Undergraduate Research Assistantships

UNDERGRADUATE RESEARCH ASSISTANT (URA)

Ten-week undergraduate research assistantships held during the spring, summer or fall semester are intended for Kent State Stark students contemplating advanced study or for those who have already completed significant coursework in a discipline or interdisciplinary field of study. URAs assist faculty members in their academic and professional research. Typically, this involves contributing to the development of research study or assisting in the preparation of an article or conference presentation. Specific duties are arranged between the URA and the professor paired through this program. Students will hone their scholarly skills, acquire expertise, and gain new perspectives on the work of research. Fundamentally, the goal of the URA program is to offer students research-oriented learning opportunities.

APPLICANT REQUIREMENTS

Be enrolled as a student at Kent State Stark for a minimum of 6 hours
Have a minimum GPA of 3.0 (students below may still apply but should explain why their application should be considered)
Express a strong interest in academic research
Demonstrate a willingness to work under direct supervision of a faculty member
Be available for 5 to 10 hours per week

Number of Hours Per Week: Variable (5 to 10)
Compensation: $12 per hour (upon approval)

PREFERRED SKILLS MAY INCLUDE

Bibliographic work/construction
Library research
ILL management (requests, pick-up, etc.)
Data collection: field work, specimen collection and cataloging
Statistical analysis
Spread sheet preparation and management
Proof reading/editorial assistance/translation
Help with meeting presentation/poster preparation
Monitor and update content-based web pages/lectures
Supporting research through copying, emailing, scanning, etc.

APPLICATIONS

Applications are made to the Committee on Undergraduate Research Assistantships
Appointments are for ten weeks over one semester but may be renewed contingent on funding
Both faculty and students must complete the application form
Faculty and students may apply either as a team with a specific student or faculty member of their choice, or individually to be matched with an available URA or faculty member
URAs will be selected by the committee in consultation with the faculty applicant
The committee will decide on appointments in consultation with faculty members who have requested assistants, and based on level of need and fit with the URA pool

Late applications will not be considered.

Faculty-student pairs interested in applying should use the forms below. Applications must be submitted jointly.

Student Application:

Not accepting applications at this time.

Faculty Application:

Not accepting applications at this time.

REPORTS

After completion of the URA, recipients (both faculty and students) should provide the committee and the Kent State Stark administration with a thorough and detailed report of activities performed, skills attained and developed, and tangible products (published works, creative works and performances, presentations, and grants) resulting from the URA activity. To help with this, students are asked to keep a journal of their activities and skills gained and used throughout the assistantship.