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Graduate Research Assistant Jobs in Middleton, WI

Research Specialist - Psychology

Madison, WI ยท On-site

$45K - $65K/yr

Brooke Ammerman, the ASSIST Lab, in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin ... This position is well suited for individuals planning to pursue graduate training in clinical ...

Assistant Professor Job Summary: The Marketing Department in the Wisconsin School of Business seeks ... Create and maintain a strong program of research. Teach undergraduate and graduate level courses in ...

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Graduate Research Assistant information

See Middleton, WI salary details

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How much do graduate research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 5, 2026, the average hourly pay for graduate research assistant in Middleton, WI is $19.40, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $14.95 and $23.17 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 are the most commonly searched types of Graduate Research jobs in Middleton, WI?

The most popular types of Graduate Research jobs in Middleton, WI are:

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

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

Infographic showing various Graduate Research Assistant job openings in Middleton, WI as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 70% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 94% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 5% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $40,342 per year, or $19.4 per hour.

Research Specialist - Psychology

Wisconsin

Madison, WI โ€ข On-site

$45K - $65K/yr

Full-time

Retirement, PTO

Posted 8 days ago


Key responsibilities

  • Coordinate and implement the longitudinal study examining the transition from nonsuicidal self-injury to suicidal behavior among adolescents.

  • Recruit, screen, schedule participants and their caregivers, and coordinate study visits and follow-up assessments.

  • Monitor participant retention, protocol adherence, and data quality, and support research protocols and study documentation.


Job description

Current Employees: If you are currently employed at any of the Universities of Wisconsin, log in to Workday to apply through the internal application process.Job Category:Academic StaffEmployment Type:RegularJob Profile:Research SpecialistJob Summary:

The laboratory of Dr. Brooke Ammerman, the ASSIST Lab, in the Department of Psychology at the University of Wisconsin-Madison is seeking a full-time Research Specialist. The lab conducts research focused on nonsuicidal and suicidal thoughts and behaviors, with an emphasis on understanding how risk develops and changes over time.

The Research Specialist will primarily coordinate a longitudinal study examining the transition from nonsuicidal self-injury to suicidal behavior among adolescents ages 13 to 17. The study seeks to identify factors that may explain why some adolescents who engage in nonsuicidal self-injury later experience suicidal behavior, with a particular focus on intrapersonal distress, social connection, emotion regulation, and self-perception. The project uses clinical assessments, self-report measures, and novel research methods to evaluate nonsuicidal self-injury severity and related psychological processes across multiple time points.

The project is based at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and is conducted in collaboration with investigators at Massachusetts General Hospital.

The Research Specialist will oversee the day-to-day coordination and implementation of the study. Responsibilities will include recruiting, screening, and scheduling adolescent participants and their caregivers; coordinating study visits and follow-up assessments; administering or supporting research protocols; maintaining communication with participating families; monitoring participant retention, protocol adherence, and data quality; and maintaining study documentation and materials. The Research Specialist will also support Institutional Review Board and regulatory processes, coordinate project activities across investigators and collaborating institutions, and provide guidance to undergraduate research assistants involved in the study.

The Research Specialist may also contribute to other research and operational activities within the lab. These responsibilities may include supporting additional studies, assisting with general lab coordination, supervising undergraduate research assistants, conducting literature reviews, preparing research materials, and contributing to presentations, manuscripts, and grant-related activities.

This position is well suited for individuals planning to pursue graduate training in clinical psychology or a related field and seeking hands-on clinical research experience. The Research Specialist will gain experience in adolescent participant-facing research, longitudinal study coordination, suicide and self-injury assessment, multi-institutional collaboration, research ethics and regulatory processes, and the collection and management of complex clinical data.

Key Job Responsibilities:
  • Conducts research experiments according to established research protocols with moderate impact to the project(s). Collects data and monitors test results
  • Performs literature reviews and writes reports
  • Reviews, analyzes, and interprets data and/or documents results for presentations and/or reporting to internal and external audiences
  • Participates in the development, interpretation, and implementation of research methodology and materials
  • Provides operational guidance on day-to-day activities of unit or program staff and/or student workers
  • Operates, cleans, and maintains organization of research equipment and research area. Tracks inventory levels and places replenishment orders
Department:

College of Letters & Science, Department of Psychology

Compensation:

The expected salary range for this position is $45,879 - $65,608 for highly experienced candidates. Actual pay within this range will depend on experience, qualifications, and FTE.

Employees in this position can expect to receive benefits such as generous vacation, holidays, and sick leave; competitive insurances and savings accounts; retirement benefits. Please review the summary of benefits for more information.

Required Qualifications:
  • Minimum 1 year experience in a research lab setting
  • Excellent organizational and interpersonal skills
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Prior research conducted within the field of self-injury/suicide research
  • Experience working with adolescents / families
  • Experience with overseeing a research study and associated recruitment, familiarity with IRB application development and submission, and participant-facing interactions in the research setting
Education:

Bachelor's degree in psychology or a related field.

How to Apply:

For the best experience completing your application, we recommend using Chrome or Firefox as your web browser.

To apply for this position, select either "I am a current employee" or "I am not a current employee" under Apply Now. You will then be prompted to upload your application materials.

Important: The application has only one attachment field. Upload the following documents in that field, either as a single combined file or as multiple files in the same upload area. All listed application materials must be submitted for your application to be considered. Please submit only the materials specified; additional materials will not be reviewed.

To be considered for this recruitment, you must upload:

-Resume

-Cover Letter

The materials should address your experience relating to the qualifications referenced above. Specifically, applicants should describe why they are interested in this position and how their previous experience makes them qualified.

Please note that successful applicants are responsible for ensuring their eligibility to work in the United States (i.e. a citizen or national of the United States, a lawful permanent resident, a foreign national authorized to work in the United States without need of employer sponsorship) on or before the effective date of appointment.

Contact Information:
Brooke Ammerman,baammerman@wisc.edu
Relay Access (WTRS): 7-1-1. SeeRELAY_SERVICEfor further information.

Institutional Statement on Diversity:

Diversity is a source of strength, creativity, and innovation for UW-Madison. We value the contributions of each person and respect the profound ways their identity, culture, background, experience, status, abilities, and opinion enrich the university community. We commit ourselves to the pursuit of excellence in teaching, research, outreach, and diversity as inextricably linked goals.
The University of Wisconsin-Madison fulfills its public mission by creating a welcoming and inclusive community for people from every background - people who as students, faculty, and staff serve Wisconsin and the world.


The University of Wisconsin-Madison is an Equal OpportunityEmployer.

Qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to, including but not limited to, race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, national origin, age, pregnancy, disability, or status as a protected veteran and other bases as defined by federal regulations and UW System policies. We promote excellence by acknowledging skills and expertise from all backgroundsand encourage all qualified individuals to apply. For more information regarding applicant and employee rights and to view federal and state required postings, visit the Human Resources Workplace Poster website.


To request a disability or pregnancy-related accommodationfor any step in the hiring process (e.g., application, interview, pre-employment testing, etc.), please contact the Divisional Disability Representative (DDR)in the division you are applying to.Please make your request as soon as possible to help the university respond most effectively to you.


Employment may require a criminal background check. It may also require your references to answer questions regarding misconduct, including sexual violence and sexual harassment.
The University of Wisconsin System will not reveal the identities of applicants who request confidentiality in writing, except that the identity of the successful candidate will be released. See Wis. Stat. sec. 19.36(7).
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