The Grad Student Job NO ONE Talks About!
What's a Job Grad Students Can Do?
If you never heard of a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) then you may be missing out on a great funding opportunity for your grad school!
So today, we are talking about GSR positions!
What Is a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR)?
A GSR is a position where you work closely with faculty on research projects. It shares some structural similarities with a Teaching Assistant (TA) role—such as pay schedule and benefits—but the focus is exclusively on research rather than teaching.
Key benefits of a GSR position include:
Coverage of in-state tuition.
Health insurance.
A stipend or small salary.
Research/Technical Experience
What Does a GSR Do?
Unlike a Teaching Assistant (TA), GSRs don’t teach classes, grade assignments, or hold office hours. Instead, the work focuses on research, which varies by discipline and faculty mentor.
Examples of GSR responsibilities:
STEM fields: Lab work, experiments, coding data, technical assistance, etc.
Humanities and social sciences: Literature reviews, program administration, event planning, data analysis, etc.
General tasks: Administrative support, grant writing, or helping faculty with their projects and/or initiatives.
These positions offer valuable opportunities to develop skills and gain insight into academic research and administration.
How to Secure a GSR Position
Finding a GSR position often requires persistence and networking. Here are some approaches:
Build relationships with faculty: Tenured professors often have research funding and can create positions for students they know and trust.
Stay connected to department listservs: Subscribe to emails from relevant departments or programs, where opportunities are frequently posted.
Use word-of-mouth: Share your interest in becoming a GSR with peers and mentors who may know of openings.
Reach out directly: If a professor’s work aligns with your research, consider introducing yourself and expressing interest in contributing to their projects.
Why Consider a GSR Role?
Beyond financial support, GSR positions can offer:
Research experience: Build expertise in your field.
Professional development: Develop relationships with faculty and gain insight into academia.
Networking opportunities: Faculty mentors can provide recommendation letters and connect you to other opportunities.
If the position aligns with your research interests, it can also help advance your dissertation or thesis work while providing financial stability.
Final Thoughts
A GSR role is an excellent way to gain experience, grow professionally, and manage the costs of graduate school. While it may require effort to find the right opportunity, persistence and networking often pay off.
If you are curious about how I paid for my graduate school and the mistakes I made so you can avoid them, then you should check out this YouTube Video!
Fellowships & Grants
Here are some featured Fellowships due in the next 6 to 8 weeks!
Dissertation Grants - Due May 30, 2025
The American Educational Research Association (AERA), with support from the NSF, awards around 15 students to stimulate research on US education for 1 year. More Info Here
Scholarship for Native Graduate Students - Due May 31, 2025
The Association on American Indian Affairs (AAIA) offers numerous graduate scholarships for Native Americans for 1 year. There are four different scholarships: Sequoyah Graduate Scholarship, Elizabeth & Sherman Asche Scholarship, Florence Young Memorial Scholarship, and Allogan Slagle Memorial Scholarship. Each scholarship has their own specific eligibility requirements and you may only apply for one scholarship. More Info Here
Congressional Fellowships on Women and Public Policy - Due June 07, 2025
Women's Policy, Inc. (WPI) offers multiple awards for students and recent graduates to work in a DC congressional office as a legislative aide on policy issues affecting women. More Info Here
Catherine Prelinger Award - Due June 15, 2025
The Coordinating Council for Women In History (CCWH) annually offers 1 fellowship to a nontraditional scholar who contributes to women in history, either through scholarly or professional activity. More Info Here
Research Fellowship at Yale - Due June 30, 2025
Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Studies (LGBTS) at Yale University offers a 1-month fellowship for scholars outside Yale to access LGBTQ resources at their university. Fellows will be in residence at Yale, in New Haven, Connecticut, for at least 20 days. They are welcome to utilize faculty resources, manuscript archives, and library collections pertaining to their research. Fellows are expected to participate in Yale's activities. More Info Here
Featured Student Discounts & Affiliate Links
These links are items I use and love or resources that might make grad school easier for you! If you use these affiliate links, you get the products you need (sometimes at a discount!) and I get a small commission that will help support these free resources!
Join Samsung's Education Discount Program and get 30% off storewide!
Simplify your Meal Prep Process with 30% off Hungryroot (Valid until 2028)
(If you know of more student discounts, please leave them in the comments below!)
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