Undergraduate Research Assistantships
Info for faculty Info for students
Info for students
What are Undergraduate Research Assistantships?
- Part-time campus jobs working with faculty members in their labs or research projects
- Hands-on research opportunities for students in all disciplines
How do I find a position?
URAs are recruited directly by faculty members. You can find opportunities on our Job Board, and if you are seeking a long-term mentor, consider joining our Mustang Mentors program.
URA Job Board:
How do I apply?
You do not need to complete an application for us. Contact professors directly if you'd like to work with them.
What are the requirements?
Undergraduate Research Assistants work on a schedule agreed upon with their faculty mentor/supervisor. URAs are also expected to complete an online Reflection form at the end of each semester, and a Research Report at the end of Spring* and Summer. Report guidelines.
*Fall URA reports are required only for URAs not continuing in the spring. If you are a URA for both Fall and Spring, submit one (1) report by May 15.
Info for faculty
The Office of Engaged Learning's Undergraduate Research Assistantship program provides matching funds to a department, school, or research grant. We also match selected SMU scholarships, including Hamilton and McNair.
-
URAs (Fall & Spring semesters) work up to 10 hours a week, at wages up to $15.00 per hour (50% paid by you, 50% paid by us).
-
Up to $1500 is available for each student for the year ($3000 total)
- This comes to:
- @ $10/hr = 300 hours per year
- @ $11/hr = 272 hours
- @ $12/hr = 250 hours
- @ $13/hr = 230 hours
- @ $14/hr = 214 hours
- @ $15/hr = 200 hours
-
Faculty members may apply to fund up to four (4) URAs at a time
-
Note for Dedman College faculty: since our office subsidizes the wages of Hamilton Scholars, those students will be counted among the four positions
-
Our office coordinates paperwork and payroll for the students
-
All URAs submit a final report and survey
To apply for funding, please visit the link below. If selected, the Office of Engaged Learning will send a Docusign agreement to the Faculty Mentor and URA. Our office will then complete the hiring forms in My.SMU. (Link to Docusign template). Students may not begin work until the Hire forms are completed and approved in My.SMU!
Summer funding
For Summer funding, see our new Summer Research Intensive.
Recruiting students
Have a research opportunity for an undergraduate student? Submit it here, and it will be accessible to students in the table linked above. Seeking long-term mentoring relationships? Become a mentor on our Mustang Mentors platform.