Find an RA Position
Research assistantships (RAs) provide funding for a significant number of both new and continuing students. As is the case with funding in general, a higher percentage of PhD students will be supported through RA positions than Master’s students. Most students who secure RA positions find them through faculty within the Department of Epidemiology. However, some of our students have had success securing RA positions in other departments at the School of Public Health. For instance, the START Center, housed in the Department of Global Health, hires 3-5 new Epi students as RA’s each year. Some students find positions across the University outside of the School of Public Health, and outside the UW at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center and Seattle Children’s Hospital. We encourage you to explore those possibilities and are happy to help you make those connections if possible.
Research assistantships (RAs) are appointed by individual faculty members with available funding and paid directly through the UW. Although many positions are matched to second year masters and doctoral students, all interested students are welcome to apply. You must be a full-time student to be eligible.
To find an RA position, start by talking with Epidemiology core faculty with research interests similar to your own. In addition to core faculty, some students have found RA positions with adjunct and affiliate faculty. You may consider reviewing the bio information and abstracts of articles on PubMed written by faculty members who interest you. The NIH Reporter tool can also be a helpful resource for identifying current research being done by faculty.
Current RA openings:
No open positions at this time.
Submit a separate application form for each course you wish to apply for.
Other current, publicly-advertised funding opportunities from across the School of Public Health are listed on the SPH Student Funding and Opportunities webpage (UW NetID required).
Epidemiology faculty with appointments at the Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center (FHCC) and Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute (KPWA) are also able to hire RAs through the UW system, so you receive the same benefits as UW RAs. At the FHCC site, you can enter your research area and contact investigators and lab directors with similar interests. For KPWA, contact Dr. Jessica Chubak at jessica.chubak@kp.org.
Some students have success finding RA positions in other UW Labs and Research Centers.
Pay rates for RAs are determined by the Academic Student Employee (ASE) Union contract with the UW. Specific salary for an offered position will be stated in the offer letter.
All UW Academic Student Employee (ASE) RA and TA positions provide a standard salary based on student level. Thus, a 50% FTE (i.e., 20 hours/week) RA or TA position for:
- A student in the MS or MPH program provides a salary of $2664/month.
- A student in the PhD program who has not yet passed the General Exam provides a salary of $2863/month.
- A student in the PhD program who has passed the General Exam provides a salary of $3076/month.
In addition, a 50% FTE RA or TA position provides excellent health coverage – medical, dental, and vision care – through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP).
Finally, a student who is supported by a 50% FTE RA or TA position does not pay any tuition and only a small amount in fees each quarter.
RA and TA appointments at less than 50% FTE (usually these are 25% FTE, or 10 hours/week) only pay a salary and do not include tuition coverage or health insurance.
If appointed, you are expected to abide by the Student Conduct Code and maintain good academic standing.
- Remain open-minded. All research is relevant, especially in your first year. You may change positions during your second year when you select a thesis or dissertation topic.
- Think of these contacts primarily as professional networking and developing working relationships rather than simply as a job search. Even if you don’t initially find an opportunity with a particular faculty member, creating and continuing a connection with that person can lead to future opportunities.
- Customize your emails for each individual faculty member rather than mass emailing faculty members. Personalized emails convey your reasons for pursuing an opportunity with that particular person and articulates how they might help you achieve your goals.
- Attach your resume or CV and include a description of your research interests, experience, and skills.
- If a faculty member that you contact has no available funding, ask him/her to recommend other investigators.