gmu research assistant

Research Opportunities

Explore research opportunities for students.

As a student in the College of Science you will benefit from internships, cooperative work experience, and other personalized training options that will enhance your education and potential. Our  research centers , science labs, and location to the nation’s capital allow our students to explore more with internships and careers right outside our doors.

Undergraduate Students

Aspiring Scientists Program (ASSIP)   Mason’s ASSIP provides high school juniors, seniors and college undergraduates interested in exploring science and medicine the opportunity to work alongside the university’s faculty researchers. Participants spend eight 40-hour weeks at Mason’s Science and Technology and Fairfax campuses working on real-world science projects related to global challenges such as cancer, HIV, biodefense and climate change. 

College of Science Undergraduate Research Colloquium The College of Science and STEM Accelerator invite undergraduate students to participate in the Annual Undergraduate Research Colloquium (URC).  The purpose of this event is to showcase the variety of undergraduate research projects in the College to the Mason community.  All students engaged in undergraduate research at any level in any academic unit within the College of Science are encouraged to participate.

OSCAR Celebration of Student Scholarship Each year, OSCAR celebrates the work of Mason undergraduate students who represent colleges and programs across the university. This is a great way to showcase your work to the entire campus. 

OSCAR Research Assistants (OSCAR RAs) – Federal Work-Study The Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities and Research (OSCAR) and Mason Impact have coordinated with the Office of Student Financial Aid to use Federal Work-study aid to fund undergraduate research assistants for faculty and staff. See available work-study opportunities on Handshake . 

Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Summer 2021: Online Interdisciplinary Big Data Analytics in Science and Engineerings This Research Experience for Undergraduates (REU) Site program will provide 8-week summer online research experiences to undergraduates on how to utilize modern data science and high performance computing (HPC) techniques to process and analyze big data in many science and engineering disciplines such as Atmospheric Science, Mechanical Engineering, and Medicine. Each participant who successfully finishes the program and completes all requirements will receive  $5,000 stipend  and support to conference traveling to present his/her research.

Summer Team Impact Project (STIP) Summer Team Impact Projects tackle global questions and challenges within all three areas of Mason impact.  Faculty present a question to a team of undergraduate students who work throughout the summer to create a solution and then present their findings, their action plan, or their prototype to the Mason community.

Undergraduate Research Scholars Program (URSP) This program pairs high achieving undergraduate students with faculty mentors to undertake original research or creative projects. It provides each scholar with a stipend for the semester or summer to enable them to participate in a research project and funds to the faculty mentor to cover materials, such as posters, lab supplies, and equipment.

Graduate Students

Graduate Assistantship Assistantships are available at the Masters and Doctoral levels and are compensated according to the unit’s established rates for the contracted responsibilities. Position responsibilities, time commitment, and compensation will vary by department and position.

Graduate Student Appointments and Fellowships Graduate assistantships and lectureships provide a supervised opportunity for Mason students to gain experience in their field of study through teaching, research, or professional career preparation.

Three Minute Thesis 3MT® is a research communication competition where PhD students present their doctoral research to a non-specialist audience using only one single visual aid—all in three minutes. This exercise encourages graduate students to think about their research from an outsider’s perspective, hones their presentation skills, and provides a forum for a cross-disciplinary exchange of exciting ideas and information.

Faculty with Students

NSF I-Corps Site Program The   NSF I-Corps   is a program aimed at teaching university researchers the process for moving a university research discovery towards commercialization.

Undergraduate Research Experiences

Our students have the opportunity to participate in large and small research projects across all disciplines.   

• Meet undergraduate researchers

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Assistantships, Lecturers, and On Campus Employment

Find resources for instructors, get teaching help, tips, guidelines, learn about teaching online.

Graduate assistantships, lectureships, and other on campus employment can provide you with experience in your field of study through teaching, research, and professional training. 

The programs are designed to help students complete their degree requirements. 

The Graduate Division oversees graduate student hiring policies, as well as associated appointment documents. 

Assistantship and lectureship opportunities are posted in  Mason Jobs ,  Handshake , and on academic department pages. Students can also contact their program directors and/or advisors for assistantship information and opportunities. 

Graduate Assistantships (GA) 

There are three types, defined by the student’s job responsibilities. 

Graduate Research Assistant (GRA):  A student participating directly in research or research-support activities under faculty supervision. 

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA):  A student acting as an instructor under faculty supervision. The student might or might not be the instructor of record. 

Graduate Professional Assistant (GPA):  A student participating in a non-teaching/non-research position performing work in which they gain experience related to their academic program and that is significantly connected to their fields of study and career preparation. 

University Life also posts assistantship opportunities available in their units.

Graduate Lectureships (GL) 

Graduate Lecturers are students who are the instructor of record for a credit-bearing course for no more than 3 courses or 10 credit hours per semester. Faculty supervision is required. 

Assistantship opportunities are posted in a variety of places including: the Mason HR Jobs website, Career Services’ Handshake site, and in academic  departments.  Students may also contact their advisors for assistantship information and opportunities.

Training and Support for GTAs and Graduate Lecturers 

The  Stearns Center for Teaching and Learning  offers a range of learning and support opportunities for instructors at all levels of experience—including materials designed specifically for graduate students in teaching roles.  

Whether supporting a course or serving as an instructor of record, GTAs and GLs are welcome to  request an individual consultation  or participate in Stearns Center programs. Check out the  Stearn's Center's advice for GTAs . 

For more information, contact the Graduate Education Manager at 703-993-8912. 

On Campus Employment

University career services/handshake.

Connect with potential employers, attend career fairs, prepare for your job search.  Check out Mason's job and internship search platform: Handshake ! Graduate students enrolled at Mason can apply for on-campus jobs, as well as off-campus internships, full-and part-time positions, and cooperative education. Graduate students enrolled in the following schools may use career development services located within their individual school: Carter School for Peace and Conflict Resolution , School of Law ,  School of Business , and Schar School of Policy and Government . 

Mason HR Job Listings

Human Resources provides a site to search for assistantship positions as well as student and non-student wage and other Mason staffing classifications.

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• Schar School of Policy and Government

Undergraduate Research Assistant Program

The Schar School Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP) offers undergraduate students the opportunity to gain hands-on experience with social science research. Students receive direction and mentorship from Schar School faculty who seek to work with undergraduate research assistants. The program matches faculty research projects with undergraduate students who have interests or skills consistent with specific faculty research projects.

FALL 2024 PROGRAM

GOVT 399 URAP: Spring 2024 Research Practicum Contract

Project Descriptions Fall 2024

Application links available to undergraduates subscribed to the Schar listserv

PREPARING STUDENTS FOR A FULFILLING CAREER

BA in Government and International Politics student Hadiyyah Abdul-Jalaal speaks about how the Schar School's Undergraduate Research Assistant Program helped her discover her interests and the value it will bring in her post-graduate journey.

ADVANCING RESEARCH AND ANALYTIC SKILLS

BA in Public Administration student Aditi Goal shares how a summer research experience gave her the opportunity to help build and analyze Virginia’s legislative policy database.

The Schar School's Undergraduate Research Assistant Program (URAP) benefits undergraduate students seeking hands-on experience with social science research and Schar School faculty who seek undergraduate research assistants.  This is a volunteer program. Students and faculty will be matched by common interests. Faculty and students apply for participation in the fall and work together in the spring semester.

"Through the URAP program I saw an opportunity to develop a guided research output that while based on my original ideas, gave the undergraduate students the opportunity to develop research skills and explore theories at a higher level than they would otherwise – very much like introductory PhD student work."  Delton Daigle  Associate Professor, on his experience with URAP in preparing Populism, Nativism, and Economic Uncertainty (pictured here), coauthored with Joséphine Neulen (former URAP student) and PhD candidate Austin Hofeman

ELIGIBILITY

Any Mason student who is in good standing and a declared major in GVIP, PUAD, or  International Security/Law (ISLW) may apply to the program. Any Schar School faculty person may agree to mentor an Undergraduate Research Assistant (URA).

Student applicants choose which type of URA experience they seek and apply to specific projects. Faculty-mentors and URAs will make written agreements about category, scope, tasks, meeting frequency, and evaluation. Note: GOVT 399 is the research practicum course number. If students earn GOVT 399 credit, tuition will be assessed at the number of credits chosen (1-2- or 3-credits).

Students earn 1-credit towards their degree (GOVT 399), write a minimum of 5 pages, and agree to work 5-10 hours/week.

Students earn 2-credits towards their degree (GOVT 399), write a minimum of 10 pages, and agree to work a minimum of 10 hours/week.

Students earn 3-credits towards their degree (GOVT 399), write a minimum of 15 pages, and agree to work 10-15 hours/week.

Students who are eligible for Federal Work Study may be able to use the URAP as their spring semester Federal Work Study assignment.

URAs may agree to work with a faculty mentor for no pay or credit.

RESEARCH FAIR

All students participating in URAP are encouraged to make a presentation at our annual research fair.  The event for Fall 2023 will be held on  Thursday, November 30th, 2023 from 10 am to 2 pm in Dewberry Hall in the Johnson Center, Fairfax campus.

The Schar School Research Fair will now be held every semester – please stay tuned for the Spring 2024 research fair date.

HOW TO APPLY

Applications are expected to open early each semester.

Any Mason student who is in good standing and a declared major in GVIP, PUAD, or  International Security/Law (ISLW) may apply to the program. Any Schar School faculty person may agree to mentor a URA. Student applicants choose which type of URA experience they seek and apply to specific projects. Faculty-mentors and URAs will make written agreements about category, scope, tasks, meeting frequency, and evaluation.

Email [email protected] for any further inquiries and questions.

“Strasberg is now including his successful proposal in his personal statement for PhD applications. He said his class with McGlinchey and the entire URAP program provided “professionalizing resources” and gave him confidence in future endeavors.”   Read More —Andrew Strasberg, BS in Public Administration student

“Being an RA has been one of the highlights of my time at Mason. Whether it was revising research notes, being introduced to new data-processing programs, or coding both qualitative and quantitative variables, this opportunity gave me the chance to work closely with a Mason professor in discovering what it entails to be a political scientist.”  —Nathan Falk, BA in Government and International Politics '15

“I was able to expand my knowledge on LGBTQ issues in a global perspective, and how the United States’ attempts to push certain policies spill over into international relations. Not only was I able to expand my knowledge on human rights, but I learned about a key research tool: Zotero. It was my first time using the software and now it is an essential for writing research papers in other courses.”  —Zuri Hodnett, BA in Government and International Politics student

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Federal Work-Study Research Assistant

Become a research assistant, hire a research assistant, find a mentor, federal work study.

OSCAR, in coordination with the Office of Student Financial Aid, has created the OSCAR Research Assistant (OSCAR-RA) Program. Undergraduate students awarded Federal Work-Study (FWS) may use their award to work with faculty, staff, and university programs on research projects. 

Students who want to be a Research Assistant

Student Expectations

Students must be enrolled at least half-time (six credit hours per semester) to be eligible for this program. 

Students can work up to 125 hours per semester as an OSCAR-RA. The total hours available will be dependent on the total FWS Award allocated to the student. The schedule will be worked out between the student and the faculty member. 

Students will fill out a bi-weekly timesheet on PatriotWeb to get paid.  Timesheets must be submitted on time and accurately reflect the hours and days worked. Students will not be paid for hours they have not worked. 

It is the responsibility of the students to keep track of their own hours worked to ensure overage does not occur. Students are able to see the hours they have worked on PatriotWeb on their paystubs. 

The pay rate for OSCAR-RA is $14.00/hour. 

Students can only have one FWS position at a time.

Student Eligibility

You must have been awarded FWS as part of your financial aid package to apply for these positions, you need a FWS Award to be hired for these positions. If you have been awarded other federal aid, you may be eligible for work-study. Eligibility is based on the student’s financial aid award package from on their FAFSA. 

If you are unsure if you have an FWS Award please contact the  Financial Aid Office .

How to Become a Research Assistant

OSCAR-RA opportunities are posted to  Handshake  as they become available, and applications are submitted and processed entirely through Handshake. 

Students can find current positions on Handshake by searching " George Mason University - Office of Student Scholarship, Creative Activities, and Research ". 

Faculty who needs a Research Assistant

Hire a Federal Work-Study Research Assistant

Submit a position description to  [email protected]  .

As requested by Financial Aid, all position descriptions must be submitted on the following form:      On-Campus Job Description Form .  Please download and save the form before filling out. All forms must be submitted to [email protected].

Interview students – there are no specific requirements for interview.

Email  [email protected]  with your chosen student to start the hiring process.

The hiring process usually takes 2 - 3 weeks, please do not allow students to start work before their official start date.

Additional Details for Faculty and Staff

There is no cost to the faculty member or department, as OSCAR and the Office of Financial Aid share the expense. 

Faculty members can assign graduate students or experienced undergraduate students to serve as mentors for the OSCAR-RA, however Faculty or Staff must be timesheet approvers for the OSCAR-RA. 

Students are hired for the full academic year, unless otherwise specified.

Students who develop a new research idea from the assistantship may apply for the  Undergraduate Research Student  Project  in the future.

Students are also eligible to apply for the  Undergraduate Student Travel Fund  if they are an author of a project presented at a conference or other appropriate scholarly event.

How to Write a Position Description

All positions must give the students direct experience with research or scholarship, at a level that is consistent with the student's skills and interests. We expect that you will treat the OSCAR-RA as a full member of your research or creative team. 

• 2-5 sentences describing the project/research goals 
• 2-5 sentences describing the job duties or expectations 
• 2-5 sentences describing the requirements for the position 
• A reasonably nontechnical description written in language geared toward undergraduate students 
• Supervisor contact information in case a student has direct questions about the position 

CEHD-Funded Research Assistantships

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Graduate Research Assistantships (GRA) and Graduate Research Scholarship (GRS) Positions

PhD students are eligible to be hired by faculty as graduate research assistants (GRA) or graduate research scholars (GRS).

GRA: These positions are available to full-time students who are not employed over 19 hours in other positions (within or outside Mason). 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. GRA positions pay a stipend and tuition benefits. Current compensation rates and other benefits can be found here .

GRS: These positions are available to full- and part-time students. Outside employment is not a factor when being selected. Students can be enrolled in any number of credits per semester. GRS positions include a tuition benefit. Current compensation rates and other benefits can be found here .

Complete the graduate assistantship application . You cannot be hired without completing this form and uploading your current vita. (Open NOW)

Review the list of faculty with open positions (listed below) and contact faculty directly to express your interest in the position. It is recommended that you limit your requests to faculty who are doing work in an area that aligns in some way with your own research interests.

Faculty with an Open GRA/GRS Position for the 2024-2025 Academic Year

George Mason University is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer, committed to promoting inclusion and equity in its community. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, age, disability or veteran status, or any characteristic protected by law.

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Graduate Research Assistants

The Department of Social Work awards a number of graduate research and teaching assistantship positions for the academic year (August 25 - May 24). Depending on availability of funds, one-semester positions may be available. The positions will involve work within the social work department, under the supervision of social work faculty. The following are the specifics:

• 10 or 20 hr/wk positions are available.
• Both Summer 2024 and Fall 2024-Spring 2025 positions are available.
• Selection is based on merit: strong academic record (ability to write, critically think, and conduct research) and financial need.
• Positions are open to new and continuing students.
• Tuition assistance is not available.

Graduate research/teaching assistantship (GRA/GTA) applications are still being accepted for Summer 2024, and Fall 2024-Spring 2025. The application deadline has been extended until April 26, 2024. Please complete the application  and submit a resume electronically to [email protected] .

For more information on Graduate Assistantships, please visit the  Graduate Student Appointments on the Provost's website .

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Graduate Student Assistantships

Explore our research, learn about our phd program, earn an ms in statistical science.

We offer competitive research or teaching assistantships to Ph.D. students and also teaching assistantships to master's students. Additional research assistantships at various levels may be available from faculty research grants or other funds. 

1. Ph.D. Student Opportunities 

Our assistantships for Ph.D. students include: 

Presidential Graduate Research Assistantships: A four-year graduate research assistant directed by a department faculty member. Salary for nine months plus 18 credits of tuition reimbursement and individual health insurance. Renewable for each year if the Grade Point Average (GPA) is 3.5 or higher. New students only. Minimal requirement: 3.5 GPA at admission with 310 combined GRE.

Graduate Research Assistantships:  Depending on external funding of faculty members, a limited number of graduate research Assistantships for Ph.D. students may be available directed by a department faculty member. Salary for nine months plus 18 credits of tuition reimbursement and individual health insurance. Some GRAs may include some summer support.

Graduate Teaching Assistantships: Salary for nine months plus 18 credits of tuition reimbursement and individual health insurance. A limited number of graduate teaching assistantships positions are also available in the summer.

Federal Government Internships/Work-Study/Fellowships:  U.S. citizens only. Several government agencies in the Fairfax/Washington D.C.- area, including the Bureau of Labor Statistics, Census Bureau, and Department of Agriculture, offer a variety of programs to assist Ph.D. students who are U.S. citizens.

Summer Internships: Because of our proximity to major companies and government agencies that do statistical work, a number of internships are available to students each year.

Students who have assistantships may not have external employment. Interested students should note on their application form that they wish to be considered for an assistantship. See also "Other Opportunity"  for additional information.

• For Ph.D. assistantships, contact graduate studies Director Lily Wang .

2. Master Student Opportunities

Graduate Teaching Assistantships: Salary for nine months with partial tuition grants. Health insurance is not available. A limited number of graduate teaching assistant positions are also available in the summer.

• For MS assistantships, contact the Associate Chair for Education,  Brett Hunter .

3. Other Opportunites

Wage support for research or grading may be available for upper-level undergraduate students, M.S. students, and Ph.D. students  majoring in statistics.  

• For undergraduate or other opportunities, contact the Associate Chair for Education,  Brett Hunter .

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Research Assistant

The National Security Institute (NSI) is dedicated to strengthening American national security and U.S. global leadership by educating future leaders and advancing actionable solutions based on practical experience.  NSI draws on the expertise of its 250+ group of national security and cyber and tech experts who have held senior positions in the intelligence, defense, technology, and law sectors to put on innovative programming and produce research and actionable policy proposals.

NSI seeks  paid Fall 2024 Research Assistants to support NSI by conducting research for upcoming publications and policy papers and by monitoring Congressional and legislative developments.  In this position, you will also keep a pulse on what other key stakeholders in the policy field are working on, as well as where policy conversations on critical and timely issues are moving. Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis .

You will have the opportunity to:

• Research national security, foreign policy, cyber, and tech policy issues;
• Monitor Congressional legislative activity, including legislation, hearings, and member and Committee announcements and policy developments;
• Support NSI’s programming, events, publications, and podcasts;
• Attend and provide event support, including day of and in-person support; and
• Network with leading national security and cyber and tech experts.

Required Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled as a law or graduate student;
• Minimum GPA of 3.0;
• Interest in defense, national security, and/or cyber and tech issues;
• Experience with Microsoft Office Suite; and
• Available to work 10-20 hours per week during regular business hours (9:00 AM – 5:00 PM ET).

Compensation:

• Research Assistants are compensated $13.00 per hour.

Please fill out the form below to apply: