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Graduate Research Assistant Jobs in Mequon, WI (NOW HIRING)

Research Assistant

Milwaukee, WI ยท On-site

$19 - $26/hr

... assistant. Lab studies will examine how human memory supports optimal decision making in both ... Professional development for graduate school or research positions. * A supportive culture that ...

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Graduate Research Assistant information

See Mequon, WI salary details

$5

$17

$27

How much do graduate research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research assistant in Mequon, WI is $17.16, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.22 and $20.48 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate research assistant?

Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) are graduate students who work under the supervision of faculty members to assist with academic research projects. Their responsibilities can include data collection, literature reviews, conducting experiments, analyzing results, and helping to prepare research publications or presentations. These positions often provide students with hands-on experience in their field of study and may offer a stipend or tuition waiver as compensation. GRAs play a crucial role in advancing university research while developing skills for future academic or professional careers.

What skills and qualifications are needed to be a graduate research assistant?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Assistant, you need a solid academic background in your field, strong analytical skills, and experience with research methodologies. Proficiency with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or MATLAB), literature databases, and possibly laboratory equipment is often required. Excellent organization, attention to detail, and strong communication skills set candidates apart in collaborative research environments. These skills are essential for producing high-quality research, meeting project deadlines, and contributing effectively to academic teams.

What challenges do graduate research assistants face when balancing research projects with coursework?

Graduate Research Assistants often juggle multiple responsibilities, including research tasks, coursework, and sometimes teaching duties. Time management is a frequent challenge, as research projects may have unpredictable workloads or urgent deadlines that overlap with academic requirements. Clear communication with your advisor and setting realistic expectations can help manage these demands. Many assistants find that developing strong organizational skills and seeking support from peers or mentors aids in maintaining a healthy balance between research and academic obligations.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Assistant vs Research Intern?

AspectGraduate Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsGraduate degree (Master's or Ph.D.) often requiredUndergraduate or graduate students, less formal credentials needed
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institution, often part of a universityResearch labs, industry, or academic settings, usually temporary
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutes, government agenciesCorporations, research firms, academic labs

In summary, a Graduate Research Assistant typically holds a graduate degree and works within academic or research institutions, focusing on long-term research projects. In contrast, a Research Intern is often a student or early-career individual gaining practical experience, usually on a temporary basis in various research settings.

Can you be a graduate research assistant with a master's degree?

Yes, a master's degree is often sufficient to qualify for a graduate research assistant position, which typically requires strong research skills, familiarity with relevant tools, and academic coursework. Some positions may prefer or require additional qualifications such as a related bachelor's degree or specific technical expertise.

Is being a graduate research assistant worth it?

A graduate research assistant role provides valuable research experience, skills in data analysis and academic writing, and networking opportunities within a university environment. However, it often involves low pay and a demanding schedule, so its worth depends on individual career goals and financial needs.
More about Graduate Research Assistant jobs

What cities near Mequon, WI are hiring for Graduate Research Assistant jobs?

Cities near Mequon, WI with the most Graduate Research Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Assistant job openings in Mequon, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 71% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $35,692 per year, or $17.2 per hour.

Research Assistant

HaML Lab

Milwaukee, WI โ€ข On-site

$19 - $26/hr

Other

Posted 4 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Assist in running experimental sessions and collecting behavioral and neuroimaging data.

  • Participate in designing studies, developing tasks, and supervising data collection.

  • Engage in research activities such as literature reviews and creating research products.


Job description

The Human and Machine Learning (HaML) Lab in the Department of Psychological and Brain Sciences at the University of Wisconsinโ€“Milwaukee is seeking a research assistant. Lab studies will examine how human memory supports optimal decision making in both familiar contexts and new situations, using behavioral and neuroimaging data and model simulations. Lab studies will examine how human memory supports optimal decision making in both familiar contexts and new situations, using behavioral and neuroimaging data and model simulations. This volunteer position that will last for two semesters. This position is ideal for those interested in gaining research experience and the opportunity to present at conferences and co-author publications.

Background

The HaML Lab studies how humans acquire and apply knowledge to make informed decisions in a complex and uncertain world. We aim to develop a more comprehensive theory of human learning that takes into account memory limitations, motivation, and uncertainty, while explaining how memories are formed and transformed through memory consolidation. We use a combination of behavioral methods from cognitive psychology and neural measures obtained using neuroimaging, which are used to inform development of neurally informed machine learning models that mimic human behavior and brain activity. We ultimately aim to have an impact beyond the lab by informing understanding of memory problems and memory-related disorders such as PTSD. The HaML Lab is directed by Neal Morton, PhD . See the research page for more information about Dr.Mortonโ€™s previous research.

Roles

To participate in research, undergraduate researchers must first undergo Level I training in one or more of the specific research roles. Level I training involves reading about best practices and passing a short quiz. Itโ€™s most common to start with being a Study Proctor, who helps run experimental sessions. Researchers can also get involved with designing studies, developing tasks, supervising data collection for a study, or conducting literature reviews. Undergraduate Researchers can be certified as having completed training for various research roles:

  • Study Designer: Creates the experimental design for a study.
  • Study Developer: Takes an experimental design and implements it as a task.
  • Study Proctor: Runs participants through a task to collect data.
  • Study Coordinator: Supervises data collection for a study and performs quality assurance checks on the data.

Any completed training will be displayed on your profile on the lab website, which you can show to potential employers or graduate school advisors. After completing Level I training, researchers can work on a project. If they complete a certain amount of research through that project, then they will qualify for Level II certification, which then enables them to take on an independent project like writing a literature review on a topic theyโ€™re interested in or designing and running a new study. Researchers who complete an independent project and create an approved research product, such as a paper, thesis, or cognitive task, qualify for Level III certification, which indicates that they are skilled at performing some aspect of research independently.

  • Hands-on training in cutting-edge psychology and neuroscience research techniques.
  • Experience and training in working with data, data visualization, and science communication.
  • Opportunities to present research at national and local conferences, network with leading neuroscientists.
  • Professional development for graduate school or research positions.
  • A supportive culture that encourages time off and a healthy work-life balance.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Some relevant coursework in psychology, neuroscience, math, and/or statistics.
Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with research, especially research studies with human participants.
  • Programming experience.
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