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Graduate Student Researcher Jobs in California (NOW HIRING)

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Graduate Student Researcher information

See California salary details

$29.6K

$111.6K

$162.3K

How much do graduate student researcher jobs pay per year?

As of Sep 7, 2026, the average yearly pay for graduate student researcher in California is $111,621.00, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $66,100.00 and $152,000.00 per year, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a graduate student researcher?

A Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) is a graduate-level student, typically pursuing a master's or doctoral degree, who conducts academic research under the supervision of a faculty member or principal investigator. GSRs contribute to research projects in their field of study, assisting with experiments, data analysis, and scholarly publications. This position often provides valuable hands-on experience and may include financial support or tuition remission as part of a research assistantship. GSRs play a crucial role in advancing university research while gaining skills and expertise necessary for academic or professional careers.

What are some common challenges graduate student researchers face when balancing research and coursework?

Graduate Student Researchers often juggle multiple responsibilities, including conducting research, attending classes, and sometimes teaching or mentoring. Time management is a frequent challenge, as project deadlines and coursework can overlap. It's important to set clear priorities, communicate regularly with your advisor, and utilize university support resources to manage stress and workload effectively. Developing strong organizational skills early on can help you maintain a healthy balance and make steady progress towards your academic and research goals.

What are the key skills and qualifications needed to thrive as a graduate student researcher, and why are they important?

To thrive as a Graduate Student Researcher, you need strong analytical thinking, research methodology knowledge, and typically enrollment in a relevant graduate program. Familiarity with data analysis software (such as SPSS, R, or Python), academic databases, and sometimes laboratory equipment is often required. Excellent written and verbal communication, time management, and collaboration skills help you excel in conducting and presenting research. These competencies ensure rigorous, impactful research and effective teamwork within academic or scientific environments.

What is the difference between Graduate Student Researcher vs Research Assistant?

AspectGraduate Student ResearcherResearch Assistant
Required CredentialsEnrolled graduate student, relevant courseworkUndergraduate or graduate student, sometimes with specific skills
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, university settingsResearch labs, academic or industry settings
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, research institutionsUniversities, research centers, industry
Common Search & ComparisonYesNo

In summary, a Graduate Student Researcher is typically a graduate student engaged in research projects within academic settings, often focusing on their thesis or dissertation work. A Research Assistant may be an undergraduate or graduate student assisting with research tasks but may have broader roles across various research environments. The key difference lies in the level of education and specific responsibilities.

What are good jobs for graduate student researchers?

Graduate student researchers often find employment in academic institutions, research labs, or industry R&D departments, where they can apply their specialized knowledge and research skills. Common roles include research assistant, lab technician, data analyst, or project coordinator, often requiring familiarity with tools like statistical software and adherence to project deadlines.
Graduate Student Researcher jobs near you
Infographic showing various Graduate Student Researcher job openings in California as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 58% Full Time, 36% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 4% Contract. Highlights an 80% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 19% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $111,621 per year, or $53.7 per hour.

Graduate Student Assistant - Secretary of State - California State Archives

University Enterprises, Inc.

Sacramento, CA • On-site

$21.49 - $30.57/hr

Part-time

Posted 10 days ago

Job description

Description
The Secretary of State (SOS) is seeking to hire three (3) Graduate Student Assistants for the California State Archives Graduate Intern Program. This program provides the opportunity for students with an interest in pursuing a career in the archival profession to have an educational experience that will allow them to work with and learn from professionals and scholars in the archival field. Student Assistants will train in a variety of archival programs.
Graduate Students Only. Undergraduate Students Will Not Be Considered.
Requirements
Conditions of
Employment
This is a part-time, temporary, non-benefited, student position. Employment in all positions with University Enterprises, Inc. is dependent upon the mutual consent of University Enterprises, Inc. and the employee. This means that either University Enterprises, Inc. or the employee can, at any time, terminate the employment relationship at will, with or without cause.
Depending on the type of position you are applying for, a pre-employment background check consisting of one or more of the following may be conducted: employment history, professional references, criminal check: educational verification (degree, license, or official transcript) or DMV clearance. Applicants will be required to pass required pre-employment checks to the satisfaction of University Enterprises, Inc. (UEI) and the hiring Agency or Department.
UEI does not allow students to hold more than one UEI Job at a time, or work in more than one account per pay period. UEI employees who are considering leaving their current UEI student assistant position for a different UEI student assistant position should inform their supervisor in writing and provide at least a week's notice.
UEI is not a multi-state employer. UEI only employs candidates who live and work in the state of California. If selected for the position you must reside in California and all work must be performed in the state of California throughout the course of employment.
Prerequisites
Must be a Graduate Student attending classes during the regular term (Fall, Spring and Winter, if applicable), at one of the accredited colleges or universities on our affiliation list. To view our current affiliation list please paste the following URL into your browser: http://www.calinterns.org/wp-content/uploads/Affiliation_List.pdf
Graduate Students must be enrolled in at least: four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students.
Graduate Students declared major must match the major(s) listed in the job posting.
Majors/Fields of Study
Graduate Program in Library Science, Public History, History, or a related field.
Work Schedule
Flexible workdays and work hours, Monday - Friday, between 7:30AM - 5 PM.
Must include a shift of 9:30-12:30 OR 12:30-4:00 at least once a week.
Schedule will be finalized in coordination with the supervisor.
Additional Work Schedule
Student Assistant and Graduate Assistant employees generally work up to 24 hours per workweek (Sunday - Saturday) during the academic year and up to 40 hours per workweek during breaks; (winter, spring, and summer).
Compensation
$21.49 to $30.57 per hour.
Minimum Qualifications
  • Must be enrolled in at least four-semester units or six quarter units for graduate students.
  • Must be able to make a one-year commitment, during which their student status must be maintained.
  • Must be seriously considering a career in archival work.
  • Experience with Microsoft Office software, in particular, Word, Excel, Teams, and Outlook.
  • Ability to pay close attention to detail.
  • Ability to work both independently and with other staff.
  • Good writing and research skills.
  • Excellent customer service skills.

Preferred Qualifications
  • Experience with historical records.
  • Knowledge of California history and government.
  • Completed coursework in information science or history.
  • Pursuing a career in archives.

Duties and Responsibilities
Under direction of professional staff, students will:
    • Review records transferred from State Government entities to determine appropriateness of materials for inclusion in the State Archives collections.
    • Create indexes and catalog information for archival collections.
    • Work within the State Archives' collection management system to input catalog information and conduct searches of the collections.
    • Performs basic preservation work.
    • Provide in-person and remote reference services to the public.
    • Depending on circumstances and after appropriate training, students may participate in preservation, digitization, or outreach projects. Please see the Program Overview document below for more information about the objectives of this internship position.

Physical Requirements
Sit for extended periods; frequently stand and walk; manual dexterity and hand-eye coordination; corrected hearing and vision to normal range; verbal communication; use of office equipment including computer workstations, telephones, calculators, copiers, printers, and scanners with or without reasonable accommodation.
Working Conditions
Work is performed in an office environment.
Application Instructions
Please complete all fields of the employment application. Include your educational history in the "Educational Experience" section and any employment history in the "Employment Experience" section of our application.
Please upload the following documents:
  • A resume with your full name, mailing address, phone number, e-mail address, related higher education including grade point average, other relevant education (workshops, seminars), applicable work experience, and current professional affiliations (Upload in "Applicant Documents" section of the online application).
  • A writing sample, preferably a research paper in history that demonstrates your writing ability and your use of primary sources (Upload in "Applicant Documents" section of the online application).
  • Answers to the following questions with typed responses (no more than 3 pages total for all 5 questions). It is recommended that you answer these questions in a Word document, and copy and paste your responses into the appropriate fields of the application form (In the "Supplemental Questions" section of the online application).
    • What are your long-term career goals?
    • What is your experience doing historical research, research with primary sources, or working in an archive, library, or other research institution?
    • What do you hope to gain or learn from this internship program?
    • What strengths do you feel you bring to an archival career? What professional weaknesses do you hope to improve?
  • Letters of Recommendation: We require two letters of recommendation from each applicant. These letters should be from someone who is familiar with your academic work, such as a graduate advisor, professor or similar professional. These recommendations should be sent to the intern coordinator at GradInterns@sos.ca.gov directly from the individuals who are writing them for you. Letters must be signed, scanned, and sent as an attachment.

Apply by: September 18, 2026
Graduate Students Only. Undergraduate Students Will Not Be Considered.
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About University Enterprises

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As the nation’s leading university system, the CSU has pushed the boundaries of higher education for 60 years. We remain committed to delivering quality education, while fostering a culture of inclusion and understanding for our students and valued faculty and staff.

Industry

Colleges, universities, and professional schools

Company size

1,001 - 5,000 Employees

Headquarters location

Sacramento, CA, US

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