Skip to main content

Best Practices and Guidelines for Research Assistantships

Some programs, especially in the humanities and non-quantitative social sciences, designate one or more quarters of doctoral students’ The Graduate School (TGS)-sponsored Graduate Teaching Assistants (GAs) funding for students to be Research Assistants (RAs). RAs work with a designated faculty advisor, typically during years 1-5 of doctoral study.

These guidelines are meant to model how to align expectations between faculty advisors and their RAs. The recommendations include obligations for both the student and the faculty advisor. 

Research Assistantships should be structured around the students’ learning outcomes.

Calibrate expectations and responsibilities

The faculty supervisor and RAs should undertake these responsibilities and recommended best practices.

Faculty advisor

Student RA