Employment

Student Researcher Position Description

Purpose:

As a research assistant, you will conduct research on the different local and state governments of South Dakota. Research assistants may also be expected to contribute research for other projects for the political science department faculty. This research is to fulfill contracts made with local and state governments to evaluate problems and find solutions. Through this, you will gain valuable skills in surveying, research methods, data collecting, data analysis, report writing, and more.

Student researcher positions are open to any major at the University of South Dakota, including, but not limited to Political Science, Criminal Justice, Sustainability, Economics, and Computer Science.

Qualifications for student researchers:

• Have an interest in research

• Be able to meet with the executive director regularly

• Be communicative in a timely manner

• Familiarity with basic research skills (e.g. having taken an Information Literacy or research methods class)

• Have familiarity with Word, Excel, Google Docs, Canva, etc.

• Professional writing abilities

Hired students will be expected to:

• Organize data

• Learn data systems

• Sort information

• Conduct necessary background research

• Work as part of a team

• Write reports and summaries

• Present project results

• Manage their own hours (i.e. keep track of hours and submit hours via SNAP)

Working conditions:

Student researchers are able to work 5 to 10 hours per week and will work independently to complete tasks and much of the work will require internet and computer access. Students will need to meet with the Executive Director and the faculty leading the research project regularly, but students will mostly work independently and be responsible for the tasks they are assigned.

Hiring and Work-Study

Positions are available for work-study eligible and non-work-study eligible students. If you are unsure if you are work-study eligible, please contact the USD Office of the Registrar.

Applications are reviewed on an ongoing basis, but hires typically coincide with the beginning of each semester (e.g. fall, spring, summer).