09/17/2014

SCHOOL OF SOCIAL WELFARE

GRA EMPLOYMENT GUIDELINES AND PROCEDURES

Graduate Research Assistant Levels and Salary Ranges

MSW GRA - has responsibility for specific tasks within a project directed and conducted under close supervision. Examples: data collection, data coding and entry, assisting with data analysis and assisting with literature reviews. Salary: $24,960 - $33,000 (Annualized FTE) ($12.00 - $15.86/hr equivalent)

GRA I – has responsibility for specific tasks within a project directed and conducted under close supervision. Examples: data collection, data coding and entry, data analysis, student unit supervision, conducting and writing a literature review. Salary: $33,575 - $38,664 (Annualized FTE) ($16.14 - $18.58/hr equivalent)

Ph.D. GRA II – may perform functions similar to a Research Assistant I with additional responsibilities for planning, conducting, and implementing project activities. Operational responsibility for project remains with faculty or senior staff. May be viewed as contact or liaison to external groups. Examples: curriculum development, training, targeted technical assistance and consultation, project/program evaluation. Salary: $38,665 - $43,751 (Annualized FTE) ($18.59 - $21.03/hr equivalent)

Ph.D. GRA III -has responsibility for the planning and operation of a project or projects in a more autonomous fashion than Research Assistant I or II with only broad guidance from a faculty supervisor. May supervise other students on the project and takes the lead in working with external parties necessary to the project. Examples: operational responsibility for entire project. Salary: $43,752 – $48,839(Annualized FTE) ($21.04-$23.48/hr equivalent)

Procedures

  1. Graduate Research Assistantships must be structured to meet educational needs of the student and cannot be treated as staff positions. According to the Student Employee Handbook, in order to be eligible for a (GRA) appointment, the following criteria must be met: 1) be a degree seeking graduate student, admitted to a graduate program during the current semester (fall/spring); 2) meet the enrollment requirements (outlined in elsewhere in the Student Handbook); 3) perform research in his/her field (or related field) of study; 4) perform work that is integral to the student's education (e.g. thesis/dissertation topic); and 5) funded from an appropriate source. Graduate Research Assistants should be evaluated and provided guidance on an on-going basis because their research is a part of their academic program. In addition, it is recommended that supervisors conduct at least one formal evaluation per year.
  2. Consider the functions and responsibilities outlined above when making new appointments and budgeting for new and continuing projects. Please consult with the Associate Dean for Research if problems arise.
  3. The Office of the Associate Dean for Research will conduct an annual review of GRA salaries and produce a report providing average, minimum, maximum and median salaries by GRA level and gender. The report will be available to faculty, PI’s and graduate students.

Check the following link for updates to School of Social Welfare GRA pay matrix.