Undergraduate research is a high-impact practice that measurably improves student success and helps prepare the next generation of scientists and leaders. Hiring undergraduate students in paid research positions provides measurable, positive impact on student success and increases access to research experience for students who must work while earning their degree. Hiring student researchers supports the University of Arizona's strategic imperative of success for every student.
The University of Arizona uses Undergraduate Research job codes and classifications when hiring student researchers. These jobs codes assist in data collection, evaluation, and assessment purposes. Data from these job codes help measure the impact these experiences have on student success and provide information the University of Arizona can use to support and expand access to these valuable high-impact experiences.
The Undergraduate Research Job Classifications and Codes should be used any time an undergraduate student is hired as an hourly worker through the University of Arizona payroll system to engage in research.
Access the Undergraduate Research Job Codes & Classifications in the student employment manual
Description:
Student Research Job Codes and classifications are divided into two levels based on experience and knowledge: entry-level and advanced.
| Level | Job Classification | Job Code | Pay Range |
| Entry | Undergraduate Research Assistant I | 198632 | $14.70 to $15.50 |
| Advanced | Undergraduate Research Assistant II | 198633 | $14.70 to $22.50 |
Undergraduate Research Assistant I: Only undergraduate students may be hired as Undergraduate Research Assistants I. Students employed in this classification are paid hourly for work supporting research projects led by University of Arizona faculty members or other research personnel. Undergraduate Research Assistants I participate in Undergraduate Research. This classification is not appropriate for students whose job duties solely involve cleaning, materials preparation, and/or other administrative tasks that do not require any emerging understanding of the research question, research methods, data collection, systematic analysis, or presentation of research data or other scholarly research products. Students hired into this classification may be required to possess anywhere from little or no previous training or work experience to one to two years of college or one to two years of comparable experience. Preference for a specific area of study may be indicated. Work is performed under close to general supervision. Undergraduates in this classification may lead other Student Workers (undergraduate or graduate).
Undergraduate Research Assistant II: Only qualified upper-division undergraduate students may be hired as Undergraduate Research Assistants II. Students employed in this classification are paid on an hourly basis for work supporting research projects led by University faculty members or other research personnel. Undergraduate Research Assistants II participate in Undergraduate Research. This classification is not appropriate for students whose job duties solely involve cleaning, materials preparation, or other administrative tasks that do not require any emerging understanding of the research question, research methods, data collection, systematic analysis, or presentation of research data or other scholarly research products. Students hired into this classification require extensive training or experience and advanced knowledge at the upper-division undergraduate level or higher related to the duties assigned, as determined at the discretion of the department, or three to four years of comparable experience. Work is performed under general supervision; requires considerable knowledge of a discipline; and entails exercising independent judgement and decision-making in the development of new procedures, techniques, systems, or equipment. Licensing or certification by a state agency may be required. Undergraduates in this classification generally lead other Student Workers (undergraduate or graduate).
For the purpose of these job codes, “Research” counts as work that drives an academic question or field forward in our collective human understanding. This research can be in any academic field, including the production of creative output in fields such as the Fine or Performing Arts.
The Undergraduate Research Job Classification further defines the nature of research work:
“This classification is not appropriate for students whose job duties solely involve cleaning, materials preparation, or other administrative tasks that do not require any emerging understanding of the research question, research methods, data collection, systematic analysis, or presentation of research data or other scholarly research products.”
Thus:
- Students working in research should demonstrate at least an emerging understanding of the research question and be involved in research methods, data collection, systematic analysis, or presentation of the work for the purpose of advancing human understanding.
- These job codes should NOT be used for students who are SOLELY performing maintenance, cleaning, or administrative tasks. This includes students who work in research communication, recruitment, or outreach who do not advance a research question through their work.
- A student who works limited hours or whose position includes a combination of research work and outreach / recruitment / education may be considered a researcher as long as they engage in enough activity to meet the definition of research work outlined above.
Email Kelley Merriam-Castro with questions.