Undergraduate Research & Fellowships (URF) is seeking applicants for a graduate assistant for the 2023-2024 academic year.
The Undergraduate Research & Fellowships Graduate Assistant (GA) will work collaboratively to design and implement innovative co-curricular programming and outreach events, support undergraduates in learning about fellowship and research opportunities, and provide strategies and resources to promote their success in achieving personalized goals.
The GA will support university priorities to increase degree completion, close equity gaps, and build an ecology of validation for UNL’s first-generation, underrepresented, and at-promise scholars. This position will focus specifically on student researcher professional development. Duties include advising candidates for research fellowships and major event coordination, including research symposia, poster sessions, research and fellowship program information sessions, and skill-building workshops. Through personalized advising consultations and writing and interview coaching, the position will also include relationship-building and skills development with the students themselves. Many of our students major and/or conduct research in scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), agricultural sciences, or natural resources fields.
Under guidance from the Director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, the GA will engage with the research literature on undergraduate research, fellowship advising, and diversity, equity and inclusion topics to propose and implement best practices for student success. The GA may propose and lead projects that support students in navigating the “hidden curriculum” of research, fellowship, graduate study, and career options; developing evidence of professional strengths and research or creative accomplishment early in their trajectories; overcoming “imposter syndrome” and finding professional role models; and developing advanced writing, genre analysis, and rhetorical skills for research proposals and fellowship application essays.
This work may include, but is not limited to, designing and delivering outreach materials, presentations and workshop activities, website or Canvas course resources, news stories, social media content, and videos or other media resources to promote student awareness and learning on research and fellowships topics. The GA will also participate in design and administration of assessments and assist with reporting progress toward our programmatic goals.
Required Experience
• Experience with teaching, tutoring, mentoring, advising, coaching, or college access programs.
• Excellent oral and written communication skills essential for designing and delivering presentations, developing promotional materials and web content, and providing feedback on student writing.
• Experience working with staff and student workers in a collaborative team and coordinating or co-leading projects or events.
• Ability to work effectively and communicate with individuals from diverse backgrounds required.
Desired Experience
• Experience managing accurate records and small data sets using tools like Excel.
• Participation in undergraduate research, or related education and/or experience.
• Experience supporting students in scientific, technical, engineering, or mathematics (STEM), agricultural sciences, natural resources, or related fields.
• Experience supporting first generation, low-income, and/or underrepresented ethnic minority college or high school students.
New and continuing University of Nebraska-Lincoln Graduate Students may apply via email to the Director of Undergraduate Research & Fellowships, Courtney Santos, at courtney.santos@unl.edu. Please attach a resume and a cover letter.