Skip to main content Skip to navigation

The university has paused implementation of the COVID-19 vaccine mandate due to an injunction issued by a federal court. UW–Madison employees remain subject to the COVID-19 Workplace Safety Policy. Please visit covidresponse.wisc.edu for more information.

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Student Jobs

University of Wisconsin–Madison

Filter

Student Assistants (GA/PA/TA/RA/Fellowship)

Apply now(opens in a new window) Job No: 511422
Division/Organization: College of Letters & Science
Department: Political Science
Job Type: UW Student Assistant
Remote Eligbility: Not Remote
Location: NORTH HALL
Salary/Wage Range or Lump Sum: $25.00
Job Categories: Interpersonal Communication, Leadership, Digital Technology, Communications, Broadcasting, and Media Arts, Data Analysis, Graduate Assistant-Research, Graduate Assistant-Programs/Projects, Libraries, Archives, and Museums

Department Overview:

 This position is based within the field of Political Science, with interdisciplinary connections to Political Psychology, Critical Race Studies, and Narrative Studies. The research project, In Stories We Trust: Books, Race, and Civic Imagination, examines how fiction influences civic imagination—the ability to envision alternative political futures and understand oneself as a civic agent. The project uses focus groups and interviews to explore how young people of color interpret political themes in literature and how storytelling shapes their perspectives on democracy and belonging.

Anticipated Start Date:

 June 1st, 2026

Anticipated End Date (If Applicable):

 August 17th, 2026

Remote Work Eligibility Detail:

Not Remote

 

Anticipated Hours Per Week:

 Minimum: 1 Maximum: 5

Schedule:

 Approximately 40 total hours over 12 weeks. Schedule includes:

- Weekly 1-hour team meetings
- Four 2-hour focus group sessions
- Additional time for preparation, recruitment, writing field notes, and transcription work in NVivo
- Schedule is flexible, weekly meetings can be virtual but will require in-person availability required during scheduled focus group sessions.

Salary/Wage Range/Lump Sum:

 Minimum: $25/hour Maximum: 

Number of Positions:

 3

Qualifications:

 - Interest in research related to race, politics, literature, or social sciences
- Experience with or willingness to learn qualitative research methods (such as NVivo, Transcription services, interviewing skills, etc.)
- Reliable and able to commit to the full duration of the project
- Must reside in Madison, WI and ability to run in-person group interviews, every two-weeks.

Knowledge, Skills & Abilities:

- Strong communication and interpersonal skills
- Ability to facilitate and guide group discussions
- Attention to detail and strong organizational skills
- Basic computer skills; familiarity with qualitative software (e.g., NVivo) is a plus
- Ability to maintain confidentiality and handle sensitive discussions thoughtfully

Position Summary/Job Duties:

Research Assistants will support a qualitative research project by:
- Facilitating and leading racial affinity-based focus groups
- Writing field notes following each session
- Uploading, organizing, and editing transcripts in NVivo
- Participating in weekly meetings with the principal researcher
- Assisting with preliminary qualitative analysis and project coordination
- help with recruiting other young people of either Black, Indigenous, or Latine descent to join focus group meetings

Physical Demands:

- Ability to sit for extended periods during meetings and transcription work
- Ability to actively participate in and facilitate in-person or virtual group discussions
- Occasional light lifting (e.g., books or materials for focus groups)

Institutional Statements:

Equal Employment Opportunity Statement:

UW-Madison is an Equal Employment, Equal Access Employer committed to increasing the diversity of our workforce.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.

The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background-people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.

For more information on diversity and inclusion on campus, please visit: diversity.wisc.edu

Accommodation Statement:

If you need to request an accommodation because of a disability, you can find information about how to make a request at the following website:https://employeedisabilities.wisc.edu/disability-accommodation-information-for-applicants/
 
 

Advertised: Central Daylight Time
Applications close: Central Daylight Time

Back to search results Apply now Refer a friend