Research Assistant or PhD Candidate Research Assistant

Graduate Assistantship, RIDGS Ethnic Studies Initiative (50% Academic Year 2025-26)

Job Title: Research Assistant or PhD Candidate Research Assistant (Continuous Recruitment)
Location: Twin Cities - West Bank Campus
Job Family: Graduate Assistants
Full/Part Time: Part-Time
Job Code: 9521 - Research Assistant and 9529 - PhD Candidate Research Assistant
Employee Class: Grad/Prof Student Position

This position will provide support for lesson plan development relating to the Center for Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender, and Sexuality (RIDGS) Studies' K-12 Ethnic Studies Initiative. The position is dedicated to collaborating with RIDGS faculty, community partners in the Ethnic Studies Coalition, and Minnesota school districts to continue building out RIDGS' database of K-12 ethnic studies resources as part of RIDGS' Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) grant project. This project includes: writing ethnic studies lesson plans based on RIDGS' and the Minnesota Department of Education's curricular and pedagogical frameworks, reviewing each lesson plan with faculty and community experts and stakeholders, presenting and modeling lesson plans via professional development workshops, and recording lesson plan development processes for grant reporting and public communications. This position will work most closely with Rochester Public Schools to develop lesson plans specifically relating to the language and culture of Minnesota immigrant groups, including but not limited to Hmong, Karen, Oromo, and Somali. The supervisor for this position is Jacob Oertel, RIDGS Program Coordinator.

Appointment Dates
* Fall Semester 2025 appointment dates are August 25 - January 7, 2026
* Spring Semester 2026 appointment dates are January 8 - May 24, 2026
* Academic Year appointment dates are August 25 - May 24, 2026.

Anticipated work schedule. This position requires 50% (20 hours per week) in-person and virtual attendance for Academic Year 2025/26 (08/25/2025 to 05/24/2026).Specific hours and schedules will be set in consultation with the RIDGS program coordinator and director. Successful candidates must be enrolled as a graduate student at the University of Minnesota during the entire 9-month period. Research Assistants must be physically present in Minnesota to work unless prior approval to work outside of MN has been obtained. Work is typically performed on Twin Cities West Bank Campus, with some allowance made for hybrid/remote work. Preference will be given to candidates based in the Twin-Cities.
This search will establish a "pool" of applicants if such openings occur during the 2025/26 Academic Year. Applicants will be selected from this pool on an as-needed basis, should the department not be able to fill its positions. Positions listed below may or may not be available, depending on need. For more information about this position, contact ridgs@umn.edu

This Position is covered by the collective bargaining agreement with the Graduate Labor Union-United Electrical, Radio and Machine Workers of America (GLU-UE).

Research Assistant Duties and Responsibilities.
This position works closely with the RIDGS Program Coordinator and Director to provide capacity for the implementation of the RIDGS Minnesota Humanities Center (MHC) Cultural Heritage grant project.

• Support the development of the RIDGS Ethnic Studies Database, a repository of K-12 ethnic studies lesson plans created to support teachers provide insightful and high quality instruction to their ethnic studies students. Lesson plan creation involves working closely with RIDGS faculty and community partners, and may require the creation of original oral history resources by conducting interviews. RIDGS may also begin new ethnic studies resource-creation projects requiring RA assistance.
• Present the RIDGS Ethnic Studies database at conferences and symposia.
• Contribute to the logistical upkeep of the database on the RIDGS website.
• Develop at least one professional development workshop based around resources in the RIDGS Ethnic Studies Database and help curate a series of additional workshops based around the Database.
• Create write-ups reporting on results and takeaways from grant activities to be shared on RIDGS and Coalition websites, as well as other public-facing outlets.
• Assist in recordkeeping and internal evaluation of the MHC grant project and assist with the preparation of additional grant proposals.
• The scope of the responsibilities may shift during the assistantship period. This will require flexibility, although care will be taken to ensure that the workload does not exceed 20 hours per week.

Eligibility & Qualifications

Required Qualifications

• Must have academic background and a demonstrated understanding of the subject matter of the research projects they will support as a graduate research assistant.
• Limited to students registered in a graduate or post-baccalaureate professional degree program at the University of Minnesota.
• Each student is limited to a total of 75% time University employment except during vacation periods. If on an F-1 visa, the student is limited to 50% time employment except during vacation periods.
• Meet the language proficiency requirement for non-native English-speaking TAs. For more information visit this website: https://policy.umn.edu/hr/language.
• Strong communication and organization skills
• Demonstrated ability to apply knowledge and skills to a recurring task or activity with an emphasis on precision and timeliness of execution.
• Excellent collaborative and communication skills.
• Academic and/or professional background in race, indigeneity, disability, gender, and sexuality studies

Preferred Qualifications.

• Evidence of excellent oral communication skills.
• Experience designing K-12 lesson plans.
• Experience working with multiple units and deadlines, often independently.
• Experience collaborating with faculty across disciplines.
• Experience managing projects.
• Experience with public communications and awareness of current events relating to ethnic studies and K-12 schools.
• Prior experience working with teachers, administrators, and/or students in K-12 schools.
• Experience working in a higher education setting assisting with event planning and execution.
• Web and graphic design experience.
• Experience explaining policies and procedures.
• Experience with Hmong, Karen, Oromo, and Somali language and culture.

Established in 2015, the Race, Indigeneity, Disability, Gender & Sexuality Initiative (RIDGS) was created to support innovative research, teaching, and community-building for scholars engaged with issues of race, indigeneity, gender, and sexuality. RIDGS is dedicated to bringing faculty and students together to pursue lines of inquiry that challenge systems of power and inequality, assert human dignity, and imagine social transformation.

Pay Range: $28.94/hour; depending on education/qualifications/experience
Pay Frequency: The pay period is 14 days in length and you will be paid bi-weekly (every other
Wednesday) according to the University's biweekly payroll calendar. depending on education/qualifications/experience

Please visit the Benefits for Postdoctoral Candidates website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

• Competitive wages, paid holidays, and generous time off
• Continuous learning opportunities through professional training
• Medical, dental, and pharmacy plans
• Healthcare and dependent care flexible spending accounts
• University HSA contributions
• Disability and life insurance
• Employee wellbeing program
• Financial counseling services
• Employee Assistance Program with eight sessions of counseling at no cost

Please visit the Office of Student Health Benefits website for more information regarding benefit eligibility.

Student workers are eligible to participate in the Student Health Benefit Plan, if they maintain 6 or more eligible course credits within a given semester. The same applies for Undergraduate Students, Graduate Assistants, Residents, Fellows and Interns.

While our salary ranges provide a framework, it is important to note that most of the time, the initial pay may not reach the maximum of the range. This approach ensures that compensation reflects the value and unique contributions of each candidate while maintaining equity within our organization. As part of our commitment to fair and equitable compensation, please be aware that the salary offered to incoming candidates will be based on their individual credentials and experience.

Student positions are a form of financial support while pursuing an education at the University of Minnesota.

Applications must be submitted online. To be considered for this position, please click the Apply button and follow the instructions. You will have the opportunity to complete an online application for the position and attach a resume.

Additional documents may be attached after application by accessing your "My Job Applications" page and uploading documents in the "My Cover Letters and Attachments" section.

Applications will be accepted until the position(s) are filled. Priority application deadline is August 8, 2025.

To request an accommodation during the application process, please e-mail employ@umn.edu or call (612) 624-8647.

The University recognizes and values the importance of diversity and inclusion in enriching the employment experience of its employees and in supporting the academic mission. The University is committed to attracting and retaining employees with varying identities and backgrounds.

The University of Minnesota provides equal access to and opportunity in its programs, facilities, and employment without regard to race, color, creed, religion, national origin, gender, age, marital status, disability, public assistance status, veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. To learn more about diversity at the U: http://diversity.umn.edu

Any offer of employment is contingent upon the successful completion of a background check. Our presumption is that prospective employees are eligible to work here. Criminal convictions do not automatically disqualify finalists from employment.

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