What are the responsibilities and job description for the Research Assistant (Staff Wage) position at The Rector & Visitors of the University of Virginia?
These roles are responsible for conducting experiments and analyses in laboratory settings to investigate scientific questions in fields like biology, chemistry, and physics. Laboratory researchers design and execute experiments, collect data, and collaborate with scientists to advance understanding of fundamental and applied research.
*POSITION LOCATED IN DENVER, COLORADO*
The Department of Educational Leadership, Foundations and Policy at the University of Virginia School of Education and Human Development seeks 5-6 part-time Research Assistants in Denver, Colorado to work 30-40 hours total across 3 months in the fall of 2026. This study investigates teacher home visits with students and their families. We are interested in what occurs during home visits, families' perceptions of them, and how they impact family-teacher relationships. Focusing on Latine families, the study aims to better understand and support family engagement programs like Parent Teacher Home Visits (PTHV). The study will be conducted in partnership with Denver Public Schools with 25 first- and second-grade teachers and 75 Spanish-speaking Latine families. Research Assistants (RAs) will help us collect data, including observation notes, participant logs, interviews and surveys.
RAs will collect data on home visit observations and conduct interviews for the study. Working closely with the Project Manager and Principal Investigators, RAs will ensure smooth data collection for home visits and interviews. The position requires strong organization, communication, and time management skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to collaborate with diverse partners (district, school, family, research team). In addition to doing site visits for home observations and participating in training sessions, RAs will conduct interviews with families.
Key Responsibilities include:
Attending a five-hour researcher training in July or August;
Communicating with teachers to organize and schedule home visit observations;
Operating recording equipment (i.e., iPads);
Verifying information in the post-home visit family interview transcripts;
Implementing surveys and interviews with families and teachers;
Completing post-visit memos after every home visit observation
Minimum Requirements
Education: High school diploma or equivalent.
Experience: Strong communication and time management skills.
Bilingualism: Professional or native-like fluency in spoken and written Spanish and English to communicate with Latine families participating in the study.
Preferred Qualifications (individuals who do not meet 100% of preferred qualifications are still encouraged to apply)
Experience engaging with families of elementary-aged children;
Highly curious and eager to learn about how to conduct interviews and surveys
Adaptable and open to working with teachers and families in the home context
Comfortable using audio and video recording technology
Flexible, positive, and open to new experiences and people
Physical Demands: This job requires traveling some distance to complete training and complete home visit observations/interviews.
Position Compensation: $30 per hour plus end of work bonus upon completing all assigned observation
Exemption Status: This is a non-exempt-level, part-time, wage position which is not eligible for leave or other benefits and is limited to 1500 hours of work in a year. For more information, refer to the Wage Employment link: http://uvapolicy.virginia.edu/policy/HRM-029
Funding Details: This is a restricted position, which is dependent on funding and is contingent upon funding availability.
Work Arrangement: This position is located in Denver, Colorado, and involves driving to schools and home visits.
Application Timeline: Applications submitted by May 1, 2026 will receive full consideration. Applications will remain open until the position is filled.
Background Checks: Background checks will be conducted on all new hires prior to employment.
Visa Sponsorship: This position will not consider candidates who require immigration sponsorship now or in the future.
How to Apply: Please apply online, by searching for requisition number R0082560. Complete an application with the following documents:
Resume
Cover Letter (max 1 page) is optional but strongly encouraged.
Upload all materials into the resume submission field. You can submit multiple documents into this one field or combine them into one PDF.Applications without all required documents will not receive full consideration.
Internal applicants may search and apply for jobs on the UVA Internal Careers website.
Reference Check Process: Reference checks will be completed by UVA's third-party partner, SkillSurvey, during the final phase of the interview. Five references will be requested, with at least three responses required.
Department Contact: For questions about the position, please contact Sarah Howard.
Questions related to the application process may be directed to Brandi Shifflett, Interim Manager, UVA Temps and Wage Hiring at brc2s@virginia.edu.
The University will perform background checks on all new hires prior to employment. This position will also require an Education Verification
The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA's commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.
The University of Virginia, including the UVA Health System which represents the UVA Medical Center, Schools of Medicine and Nursing, UVA Physician’s Group and the Claude Moore Health Sciences Library, are fundamentally committed to the diversity of our faculty and staff. We believe diversity is excellence expressing itself through every person's perspectives and lived experiences. We are equal opportunity and affirmative action employers. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, disability, gender identity or expression, marital status, national or ethnic origin, political affiliation, race, religion, sex, pregnancy, sexual orientation, veteran or military status, and family medical or genetic information.
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