Education Research Assistant Jobs in Decatur, GA

About Us
Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With nearly 150 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 "high research" university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington, D.C., Puerto Rico, and more than 100 countries.
With four vibrant campuses - the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah, the Liberty Campus in Hinesville, and the East Georgia Campus in Swainsboro - Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment that encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned specialized accreditation from numerous professional and academic associations that set standards in their respective fields.
Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority. With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive, student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed.
Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally recognized for the caliber of its academic programs and student experience. Georgia Southern University has also been recognized by Forbes as one of "America's Best-In-State Employers" for 2025.
Location
Statesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA
Department Information
Sociology and Anthropology
Job Summary
The Work Study Student will support the Department of Sociology and Anthropology as a Research Assistant on the Statesboro Campus beginning Fall 2026.
The Federal Work-Study student will serve as a Research Assistant on Dr. Anthony Albanese's ongoing research. The project that the student will assist with examines how members of politically extreme organizations understand political leadership through religious belief systems. The project will use approximately 70 in-depth qualitative interviews to investigate how participants interpret political leaders and contemporary political events through concepts such as divine purpose, moral struggle, and spiritual warfare. A primary goal of this assistantship is to provide the student with a comprehensive understanding of the research process from project conception to publication. Rather than learning research methods solely in the classroom, the student will gain firsthand experience recruiting participants, conducting interviews, managing qualitative data, analyzing interview transcripts, and interpreting empirical findings. Dr. Albanese will also mentor the student in scholarly writing and the peer-review process, explaining how manuscripts are prepared, submitted to academic journals, revised in response to reviewer feedback, and ultimately published. Throughout the project, the student will participate in regular research meetings where we discuss emerging findings, methodological decisions, and strategies for producing rigorous, publishable scholarship. This mentorship will provide the student with an understanding of how high-quality research is developed, refined, and communicated to the broader academic community. These experiences will provide valuable preparation for graduate study and careers requiring advanced research, analytical, and communication skills while offering the student a meaningful opportunity to participate in an active faculty research project.
Student employees cannot work more than 1300 hours in a 12-consecutive month period.
Employment is contingent upon funding.
Please confirm your federal work study eligibility with the Office of Financial Aid or Request Federal Work Study Eligibility Here.
Responsibilities

• Assists with participant recruitment by identifying organizations, compiling contact information, conducting outreach, and helping develop a sample of interview participant
• Assists in conducting interviews with research participants
• Receives hands-on experience in qualitative data analysis
• Reviews interview transcripts for accuracy
• Writes analytic memos following interviews
• Organizes research materials
• Assists with the coding of interview transcripts to identify recurring themes and patterns

Shift Specifics

• Up to 20 hours per week
• Flexible with schedule of availability
• Shifts available Tuesdays and Thursdays

Required Qualifications
Educational Requirements

• Must be enrolled in six or more undergraduate credit hours at Georgia Southern University.

Other Required Qualifications

• Must be Federal Work eligible.

Preferred Qualifications
Preferred Education

• Student with Junior or Senior classification
• A background in the social sciences (e.g., sociology, political science, psychology, economics, etc.) or humanities (e.g., philosophy, English, history, etc.)

Preferred Experience

• Previous research experience - including either professional experience or methodologically-oriented coursework

Proposed Salary
$12.00 per hour
This is a non-exempt position paid on a biweekly basis.
Required Documents to Attach

• Resume
• Schedule of Availability

Knowledge, Skills, & Abilities
ABILITIES

• Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
• Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
• Proficiency with computer and Microsoft Office applications software including word processing, spreadsheets, and databases

KNOWLEDGE

• Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success

SKILLS

• Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills

Apply Before Date
August 13, 2026
Application review may begin as early as August 07, 2026.
Contact Information
For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) 478-6947 or by email at hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu .
For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu .
USG Core Values
The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 25 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .
Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .
Conditions of Employment
Offers for student employment may be contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.
Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.
Legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without assistance from the University.
Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.
Employment is contingent upon funding.
Must be enrolled in six or more undergraduate credit hours at Georgia Southern University.
Must maintain Federal Work-Study eligibility.
Equal Employment Opportunity
Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947.
Other Information

• Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position is not required to drive.