What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant position at Portland State University?
Position Details
Proposed Start Date
08/03/2026
Rank
L - Research Assistant
Working Title
Research Assistant
Position Number
D93375
Representation
AU - AAUP
Faculty Type
Fixed Term Research/Grant
Fixed Term End Date:
06/30/2028
Position FTE
Variable between .5 and 1.0 FTE, starting at 1.0 FTE
Term of Service
12 month
Position Summary
Brief Description of PSU/School/Dept
Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands-on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
The College of Education is built for educators and counselors who believe the system can be different, and they are ready to lead that change. The college believes that your goals matter—and so does your life beyond school. Our inclusive programs are designed for people balancing work, family, and ambition while preparing for meaningful careers in education and community leadership. Whether you want to teach, counsel, or lead, you’ll gain the knowledge, practical experience, and community connections to make a lasting difference where it matters most.
More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree-lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state-of-the-art science labs. We are proud of our world-class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation.
The College of Education is built for educators and counselors who believe the system can be different, and they are ready to lead that change. The college believes that your goals matter—and so does your life beyond school. Our inclusive programs are designed for people balancing work, family, and ambition while preparing for meaningful careers in education and community leadership. Whether you want to teach, counsel, or lead, you’ll gain the knowledge, practical experience, and community connections to make a lasting difference where it matters most.
Position Summary
This position will serve in a research role in developing and executing research activities of the US DOE Institute of Educational Science grant, Transition Coalition Self-Study
The Research Assistant position is associated with a funded research grant, Transition Coalition Self-Study (TCSS ) in the Department of Leadership, Learning, & Counseling. The Research Assistant position will support several essential research activities to occur during the last two years of the project (2026-2027 and 2027-2028).
This full time (1.0 FTE) position requires a team-based individual with strong communication skills, both written and verbal and experience coordinating research projects, including recruitment, data collection, summarizing data, and using analyzed data to inform the final intervention. Day to day oversight and assigning of work is the responsibility of Dr. Mary Morningstar, the research principal investigator.
The Research Assistant position is associated with a funded research grant, Transition Coalition Self-Study (TCSS ) in the Department of Leadership, Learning, & Counseling. The Research Assistant position will support several essential research activities to occur during the last two years of the project (2026-2027 and 2027-2028).
This full time (1.0 FTE) position requires a team-based individual with strong communication skills, both written and verbal and experience coordinating research projects, including recruitment, data collection, summarizing data, and using analyzed data to inform the final intervention. Day to day oversight and assigning of work is the responsibility of Dr. Mary Morningstar, the research principal investigator.
Primary Activity
R - Research
Minimum Qualifications
- Bachelor’s degree in education or related field
- One (1) or more years of experience with research support
- Demonstrated ability to develop, edit and enhance existing research procedures and systems with supervision
- Strong administrative skills exhibited through knowledge of Microsoft Suite (word, excel, power point)
- Demonstrated ability to perform focused research or evaluation tasks including data
- management and online data collection
- Excellent oral and written communication skills
Preferred Qualifications
- Masters degree in education or related field
- Ability to acknowledge, encourage, and celebrate differences
- Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
- Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct
Key Cultural Competencies
- Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences.
- Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds.
- Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement
- Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct.
Environmental Stewardship
Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long-term sustainability goals.
Professional Standards of Conduct
At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct which are available at https://www.pdx.edu/human-resources/professional-standards-conduct-policy.
Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement
Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. PSU has a structured process for determining starting compensation, taking into account years of related experience, applicable skills, knowledge and abilities, market parity, and internal equity.
The starting annual salary for this position will be $68,016 (at 1.0 FTE), but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
The starting annual salary for this position will be $68,016 (at 1.0 FTE), but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors above, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR.
An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools.
Please visit our total compensation calculator to see the full value of our benefits package.
Application Instructions
Additional Information
This is an on campus position. Upon completion of the training period, the supervisor may permit one day of remote work per week.
Additional Application Instructions (deadlines, etc.)
Please list the names, telephone numbers and email addresses for three professional references. References will be contacted only if you are selected as finalist.
Does this position require the employee to drive a motor vehicle?
No
Background Check Required
No
If you have questions
Please email
Salary : $68,016