Undergraduate Research Assistantships

Dr. John Buynak demonstrating chemistry research technique with a student

Undergraduate Research Assistantships (URA) are part-time campus jobs where students work with faculty members in their labs or research projects. The Office of Engaged Learning provides half of the funding for each URA and coordinates Payroll, assessment, and related activities.

What URAs are saying:

  • "Because we are the only people with radio and spectroscopic data for many galaxies, I am the first person to see how the active black hole affects its host galaxy. . .I still have mini celebrations when I see a galaxy that has a gorgeous rotation and turbulence map."
  • "This project consistently takes knowledge from my major-related classes and allows me to apply that knowledge outside of class. And the vice versa in that I can recognize when things I have picked up in the lab are mentioned in class."
  • "We're preparing for publication so it's been exciting to be involved in the writing process. Reflecting on the work done has inspired me to think creatively about the future and the potential for community-engaged research methods."

See below for information about the program:

Info for faculty

The Office of Engaged Learning's Undergraduate Research Assistantship program provides a 50% match to a department, school, or research grant. We also match selected 51²è¹Ý scholarships, including Hamilton Scholars.

  • Up to $1500 is available for each URA for the year. Once this funding is exhausted, the faculty member is responsible for the student's full wage.
  • $12-15/hr is recommended range for a competitive wage. $15/hr will fund the student for 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 these students All URAs submit a final report and survey

How to apply

You may apply for up to 4 lines of funding. Students do not need to be identified at the time of application.

The form asks for a basic description of your research project and the students' duties. It will also ask for your funding source(s) and students' emails.

Hiring process

If selected, the Office of Engaged Learning will approve the form and complete the hiring forms in My.51²è¹Ý. We will also monitor and approve URA hours. Students may not begin work until the Hire forms are completed and approved! 

On each hire form, the funding provided by the faculty will read as 100%. This is not a mistake! The "URA" job codes will trigger an automatic 50/50 split funding (Federal Work Study codes trigger a similar split). 

Summer funding

For Summer funding, see the Summer Research Intensive. Applications are generally due mid-March.

Recruiting students

Have a research opportunity for an undergraduate student? You can email it to us (engagedlearning@smu.edu) and we will post it on our social media channels. 

Undergraduate Research Assistants are accountable to the same policies from Research Compliance as the faculty. It is expected that these will be discussed with URAs as part of the mentoring process. Please be aware of these guidelines and discuss any concerns or questions that you have with your students.

HR guidelines for hiring student workers

 

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 apply?

URAs are recruited directly by faculty members. Reach out to professors you know, and keep an eye on our  and 51²è¹Ý 360.

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 term, and a Research Report at the end of spring term.*

*Fall URA reports are required only for URAs not continuing in the spring. If you are a URA for both fall and spring terms, submit one (1) report by May 15.

Report guidelines

Final reports are expected of all URAs and SRAs. This helps ensure that students gain meaningful experience as assistants, and hone their communication skills. Reports should be approximately 750-1000 words.

  • Title of project
  • Introduction: research problem and hypothesis; literature review
  • Method: experimental laboratory work, case studies, field studies, questionnaires, etc.
  • Results found through the stated research method
  • Discussion of the results and future work
  • Include images, diagrams, and graphs, if relevant

Undergraduate Research Assistants are accountable to the same policies from Research Compliance as the faculty. It is expected that these will be discussed with URAs as part of the mentoring process. Please be aware of these guidelines and discuss any concerns or questions that you have with your faculty mentor.