Research Assistant

Position Announcement Proposed Start Date: 08/03/2026 Rank: L - Research Assistant Working Title: Research Assistant Position Number: D93375 Representation: AU - AAUP Faculty Type: Fixed Term Research/Grant Fixed Term End Date: 06/30/2028 Position FTE: Variable between 0.5 and 1.0 FTE, starting at 1.0 FTE Term of Service: 12 month Background Portland State University is Oregon’s most affordable public research university, located in the heart of one of America’s most dynamic cities. Our mission to “let knowledge serve the city” reflects our dedication to turning ideas into action — in Portland and around the world. The city is our campus, giving students unmatched access to career connections, a vibrant cultural scene and hands‑on learning experiences with hundreds of community partners. More than 20,000 students from all backgrounds bring diverse perspectives to our classrooms and campus life, from the tree‑lined Park Blocks to the bustling Urban Plaza and state‑of‑the‑art science labs. We are proud of our world‑class faculty, groundbreaking research and international reputation for excellence in sustainability, community engagement and innovation. The College of Education is built for educators and counselors who believe the system can be different, and they are ready to lead that change. The college believes that your goals matter—and so does your life beyond school. Our inclusive programs are designed for people balancing work, family, and ambition while preparing for meaningful careers in education and community leadership. Whether you want to teach, counsel, or lead, you’ll gain the knowledge, practical experience, and community connections to make a lasting difference where it matters most. Position Summary This position will serve in a research role in developing and executing research activities of the US DOE Institute of Educational Science grant, Transition Coalition Self‑Study+ (TCSS+). The Research Assistant will support essential research activities during the last two years of the project (2026‑2027 and 2027‑2028). The full‑time (1.0 FTE) role requires a team‑based individual with strong written and verbal communication skills and experience coordinating research projects, including recruitment, data collection, summarizing data, and using analyzed data to inform the final intervention. Day‑to‑day oversight and assignment of work is the responsibility of Dr. Mary Morningstar, the research principal investigator. Qualifications Primary Activity R – Research Minimum Qualifications Bachelor’s degree in education or related field One (1) or more years of experience with research support Demonstrated ability to develop, edit and enhance existing research procedures and systems with supervision Strong administrative skills exhibited through knowledge of Microsoft Suite (Word, Excel, PowerPoint) Demonstrated ability to perform focused research or evaluation tasks including data management and online data collection Excellent oral and written communication skills Preferred Qualifications Masters degree in education or related field Ability to acknowledge, encourage, and celebrate differences Seek opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement Adhere to all of PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct Key Cultural Competencies Creates an environment that acknowledges, encourages and celebrates differences. Functions and communicates effectively and respectfully within the context of varying beliefs, behaviors, orientations, identities and cultural backgrounds. Seeks opportunities to gain experience working and collaborating in diverse, multicultural, and inclusive settings with a willingness to change for continual improvement Adheres to all PSU’s policies including the policies on Prohibited Discrimination & Harassment and the Professional Standards of Conduct. Environmental Stewardship Contributes to a culture of environmental stewardship, practices resource conservation, and actively works toward achieving long‑term sustainability goals. Professional Standards of Conduct At Portland State University, all employees are expected to conduct themselves in a professional manner which maintains a safe, respectful, and productive environment for faculty, students, administrators, and staff. It is the responsibility of every member of the Portland State University community to conduct themselves in accordance with our PSU Professional Standards of Conduct, available at Total Compensation Range & Benefits Statement Salary is dependent on several factors, and new employees will typically start around the Q1 level to allow for later growth within the salary band. The starting annual salary for this position will be $68,016 (at 1.0 FTE), but may be negotiated above this rate dependent upon the factors mentioned, the budget of the hiring department, and approval from HR. An excellent benefits package includes 95% premium‑paid healthcare; a generous retirement and vacation package; and reduced tuition rates for employee, spouse or dependent at any of the Oregon University System schools. #J-18808-Ljbffr Portland State University, College of Urban and Public Affairs