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Graduate Research Supervisor Jobs (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Research Supervisor information

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$50K

$98.6K

$173.5K

How much do graduate research supervisor jobs pay per year?

As of Jul 12, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate research supervisor in the United States is $98,569.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $72,000.00 and $114,500.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is the difference between Graduate Research Supervisor vs Research Coordinator?

AspectGraduate Research SupervisorResearch Coordinator
Required CredentialsTypically requires a relevant advanced degree (Master's or PhD) in the fieldOften requires a bachelor's or master's degree, with some roles preferring additional research experience
Work EnvironmentAcademic or research institutions, supervising graduate students' research projectsResearch institutions, labs, or organizations coordinating research activities and logistics
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, colleges, research institutesResearch organizations, government agencies, private labs
Common Search & Comparison IntentUnderstanding academic supervision roles, mentoring graduate studentsManaging research projects, coordinating research activities

The Graduate Research Supervisor primarily mentors and oversees graduate students' research projects within academic settings, requiring advanced degrees. In contrast, Research Coordinators focus on organizing and managing research activities across various organizations, often with different educational backgrounds. Both roles are essential in research environments but serve distinct functions related to supervision versus coordination.

What are Graduate Research Supervisors?

Graduate Research Supervisors are faculty members or experienced researchers who provide guidance, mentorship, and oversight to graduate students conducting research projects or theses. Their primary role is to support students in developing research proposals, conducting experiments or studies, analyzing data, and writing up results. They help ensure academic integrity, provide feedback, and aid in the professional and academic development of the student throughout their graduate program.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a Graduate Research Supervisor, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Research Supervisor, you need advanced expertise in your academic discipline, a doctoral degree, and experience in research methodologies. Familiarity with research management software, academic databases, and compliance regulations is typically required. Strong mentorship, communication, and organizational skills help foster student development and manage multiple projects. These skills are vital for guiding graduate students towards successful research outcomes and maintaining academic standards.

Do you need a PhD to supervise a PhD?

Graduate Research Supervisors typically need a PhD or equivalent doctoral qualification to supervise PhD students, as it demonstrates advanced expertise in the field. In addition to a PhD, strong research experience, publication record, and mentoring skills are often required by academic institutions or research organizations.

What does a research supervisor do?

A research supervisor oversees and guides the research process for students or team members, providing mentorship, feedback, and ensuring the project meets academic or institutional standards. They help design experiments, analyze data, and develop research skills, often working in academic or research institutions. Strong communication, subject expertise, and organizational skills are essential for this role.

What are some common challenges faced by Graduate Research Supervisors when mentoring students, and how can they be addressed?

Graduate Research Supervisors often encounter challenges such as balancing individualized mentorship with managing multiple students, navigating differing research interests, and supporting students' professional development. Effective communication, setting clear expectations, and fostering an inclusive research environment can help address these challenges. Additionally, supervisors benefit from staying up to date with best practices in research supervision and seeking feedback from students to continuously improve their mentoring approach.

Do PhD supervisors get paid more?

PhD supervisors, often faculty members or senior researchers, typically earn higher salaries than entry-level research staff due to their advanced qualifications and experience. Their pay can vary based on the institution, funding sources, and geographic location, but generally, supervisory roles involve higher compensation reflecting their responsibilities and expertise.

How hard is it to find a PhD supervisor?

Finding a graduate research supervisor can be competitive and depends on the field, available funding, and the supervisor's research interests. Success often requires a strong academic record, relevant research experience, and clear communication of research goals. Building relationships with potential supervisors and demonstrating alignment with their work can improve chances of securing supervision.
More about Graduate Research Supervisor jobs
Infographic showing various Graduate Research Supervisor job openings in the United States as of July 2026, with employment types broken down into 3% Internship, 64% Full Time, 30% Part Time, and 3% Contract. Highlights an 91% In-person, and 9% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $98,569 per year, or $47.4 per hour.

Graduate Assistant for Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Data Insights

Svsu

Campus, IL

$16/hr

Part-time

Re-posted 6 days ago


Job description

Job Title:

Graduate Assistant for Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Data Insights

Full or Part Time:

Part time

Hours:

24

Exempt:

No

Supervisory Org:

Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Data Insights (JM-SE)

Job Description:

JOB SUMMARY:

At Saginaw Valley State University (SVSU),the Office ofInstitutional Research, Effectiveness, and Data Insights(IREDI)supportsdata-informed decision-making to enhance student success, institutional effectiveness, and strategic planning. The Graduate Assistant for Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Data Insightswill support data analysis, reporting, and dashboard development toassistuniversity stakeholders in making informed decisions.

This position provides hands-on experience in higher education data analytics, reporting systems, and institutional assessment. The Graduate Assistant will contribute to research requests, reporting processes, and data visualization efforts while developing technical and analytical skills in a professional setting.

This appointment is for a maximum of two calendar years.

JOB DETAILS:

Hourly Rate: $16.00/hour

Schedule: Flexible between Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. - 4:30 p.m., based on class schedule

Graduate Assistantsare required towork a minimum of 10 hours per week. During the fall and winter semesters, work hours may not exceed 24 hours per week. During the spring and summer semesters, Graduate Assistants may work up to, but not exceed,40 hoursper week.

ESSENTIAL DUTIES & RESPONSIBILITIES:

  • Assistwith responding to internal and external research and data requests

  • Support the development and maintenance of dashboards, reports, tables, and data visualizations

  • Assistinmaintainingdatasets related to student retention, admissions, degree completion, and surveys

  • Support updates to IREDIweb pages and reporting dashboards

  • Assistwith preparation of state and federal reports (e.g., IPEDS, HEIDI, and other required reporting)

  • Help analyze and interpret institutional data using spreadsheet and statistical tools

  • Assistwith data integration efforts between systems such as CRM (Slate), SIS (Colleague), and Workday Student

  • Support the creation and distribution of reports for internal stakeholders

  • Assistwith external surveys and data submissions (e.g., Common Data Set, U.S. News & World Report)

  • Providegeneral supportfor data-related projects and office operations
    Perform other duties as assigned.

SUPERVISION RECEIVED:

General supervision is received fromthe Director of Institutional Research, Effectiveness, and Data Insights.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS:

  • Bachelor's degree

  • Currently admitted to a graduate program or eligible and intending to apply upon accepting the offer. Graduate programs that qualify for this positioninclude:Master of Business Administration (MBA), Master of Public Administration (MPA),or Master of Computer Science & Information Systems (MS), Master of Public Health (MPH), and theMaster of Health Administration (MHA)

  • Demonstrated analytical and problem-solving skills, including experience with spreadsheets and basic data analysis

  • Familiarity with Microsoft Excel and ability to learn data tools and systems

  • Strong attention to detail and organizational skills

  • Effective written and verbal communication skills

  • Proficient in Microsoft Office Suite andhave theability to learn new software quickly.

  • Experience and ability to positively interact with all members of the campus community

  • Ability to perform the essential duties of the position with or withoutaccommodations.

TUITION ELIGIBILITY& TAX IMPLICATIONS:

Graduate Assistantships include a tuition and fee waiver of up to12 credit hours per semester(maximum 30 per academic year), funded by the SVSU central budget.

Full-time enrollment (9 credits or more) isrequiredin the Fall and Winter semesters, with minimal exceptions available.Less than full-time enrollment is allowed in the final semester for completion or for programs that do not offer full-time enrollment

All tuition/fee waivers will be reportable as taxable income per IRS regulations. Employees should consult a tax advisor for guidance.

.

WORKING CONDITIONS:

  • Duties aregenerally performedinside and not exposed to adverse conditions.

  • All work associated with this role must be performed within the state of Michigan.

The above reflects the general details considered necessary to describe the essential functions of the job. It shall not be construed as an exhaustive statement of duties, responsibilities, or requirements that may be inherent in the job.It is not intended to limit or in any waymodifythe right of any supervisor to assign, direct, and control the work of employees under his/her supervision.The use of a particular expression or illustration describing duties shall not be held to exclude other duties not mentioned that are of similar kind or level of difficulty.

About SVSU:

Saginaw Valley State University is a comprehensive university with more than 100 programs of study for its roughly 7,000 students. Located on a suburban campus in Michigan's Great Lakes Bay Region, SVSU is committed to a supportive and empowering environment for students, faculty and staff. SVSU was recognized as a "Great College to Work For" for 9 consecutive years (2016-2024).
SVSU emphasizes undergraduate teaching and learning, and community-based research. SVSU earned the Community Engagement classification from the Carnegie Foundation for the Advancement of Teaching, a distinction achieved by only 7 percent of U.S. colleges and universities. By their senior year, 84 percent of students have engaged with community employers and agencies in internships, field placements or some other component of their academic preparation.
SVSU is establishing itself as a leader in STEAM education for the Great Lakes Bay Region, partnering with businesses, foundations and school districts to improve students' performance in math, science and the arts at the middle school, high school and university levels. SVSU is constructing the first university research facility on Lake Huron to improve public health and the economy in the Saginaw Bay watershed.
More than 70 percent of SVSU freshmen live on campus in student housing that has been rated No. 1 among public universities in the U.S. (2018-2025). SVSU fields 20 varsity sports at the NCAA Division II level. The average class size is 23 students. For more information, please visit our website,http://www.svsu.edu.