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Student Research Assistant Jobs in Iowa (NOW HIRING)

Research Faculty

Davenport, IA · On-site

$75 - $100/hr

Position Overview Assistant Professor in the Palmer Center for Chiropractic Research (PCCR ... Mentor Research Honors students and post‑DC research scholars. * Provide service to the college ...

Finally, the Greenhouse Manager is expected to assist laboratories and student research in a fraction of the Department's courses that focus on plant biology and utilize the greenhouse and its ...

Finally, the Greenhouse Manager is expected to assist laboratories and student research in a fraction of the Department's courses that focus on plant biology and utilize the greenhouse and its ...

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Student Research Assistant information

See Iowa salary details

$6

$15

$22

How much do student research assistant jobs pay per hour?

As of Sep 3, 2026, the average hourly pay for student research assistant in Iowa is $15.56, according to ZipRecruiter salary data. Most workers in this role earn between $13.75 and $17.40 per hour, depending on experience, location, and employer.

What is a student research assistant?

Student Research Assistants are students, often at the undergraduate or graduate level, who support faculty or researchers in conducting academic or scientific research. Their responsibilities may include data collection, literature reviews, data analysis, laboratory work, or helping prepare research reports and presentations. These positions provide hands-on experience in research methodologies and can help students develop valuable skills for future academic or professional pursuits.

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

To thrive as a Student Research Assistant, you need strong analytical skills, attention to detail, and a solid academic background related to the research field. Familiarity with data collection methods, statistical analysis software (such as SPSS or Excel), and literature search tools is often required. Effective communication, time management, and teamwork are crucial soft skills for collaborating with faculty and peers. These competencies ensure accurate research results, efficient project completion, and a valuable contribution to research teams.

What are some common challenges faced by student research assistants, and how can they be addressed?

Student Research Assistants often encounter challenges such as balancing research responsibilities with their academic workload, managing time effectively, and adapting to unfamiliar research methodologies or tools. To address these challenges, it's important to communicate regularly with your supervising researcher, prioritize tasks, and seek guidance when needed. Many institutions also offer workshops or support resources to help students develop research and time management skills, making it easier to navigate the demands of the role successfully.

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

AspectStudent Research AssistantResearch Intern
Required CredentialsEnrolled student, often pursuing a related degreeTypically undergraduate or graduate students, sometimes recent graduates
Work EnvironmentAcademic labs, university research projectsResearch institutions, corporate labs, or academic settings
Employer & Industry UsageUniversities, academic research programsResearch organizations, industry R&D departments
Common Search & ComparisonStudent Research AssistantResearch Intern

The main difference between a Student Research Assistant and a Research Intern lies in their typical work setting and credentials. Student Research Assistants are usually enrolled students working on academic research projects within universities, while Research Interns may be students or recent graduates working in research roles across various organizations. Both roles involve assisting with research tasks, but the context and industry focus differ.

What are the most commonly searched types of Student Research jobs in Iowa?

The most popular types of Student Research jobs in Iowa are:

What cities in Iowa are hiring for Student Research Assistant jobs?

Cities in Iowa with the most Student Research Assistant job openings:

Infographic showing various Student Research Assistant job openings in Iowa as of August 2026, with employment types broken down into 1% As Needed, 72% Full Time, 24% Part Time, 1% Temporary, and 2% Contract. Highlights an 98% Physical, 1% Hybrid, and 1% Remote job distribution, with an average salary of $32,371 per year, or $15.6 per hour.

Research Assistant Professor - Electrical and Computer Engineering

Iowa State University

Ames, IA • On-site

Full-time

Medical, Dental, Life, Retirement

Re-posted 2 days ago


Iowa State University rating

7.2

Company rating: 7.2 out of 10

Based on 86 frontline employees who took The Breakroom Quiz

388th of 628 rated colleges and universities


Job description

Position Title:
Research Assistant Professor - Electrical and Computer Engineering
Appointment Type:
Faculty
Job Description:
Summary of Duties and Responsibilities:
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering (ece.iastate.edu), in the College of Engineering at Iowa State University, invites applications for the position of Research Assistant Professor. This is a 3-year term research faculty position that holds responsibilities primarily contributing to the research mission of the department through scholarly impact and an externally funded research program in the areas of wireless and network systems. Specifically, besides contributing to the research, education, and innovation projects led by the Center for Wireless, Communities and Innovation (wici.iastate.edu), the responsibilities include mentoring graduate and undergraduate students working on research and design projects.
Term Faculty hold limited-term, full or part-time, renewable appointments that are not eligible for tenure, but have the potential to be reviewed for advancement into senior ranks. Research faculty must secure extramural funding to fully support their research program and at least 80% but no more than 90% of their salary, with the remainder salary provided by the department.
Successful candidates will have experience that demonstrates exceptional ability or potential to produce scholarship, compete for and secure funding from external sources, and the capability for long-term leadership in their research field. They will also exhibit excellent communication skills.
Required Minimum Qualifications:
  • Ph. D. in Computer Engineering, Computer Science, Electrical Engineering, or equivalent.
Preferred Qualifications:
  • Research experience and quality publications in advanced wireless and network systems (e.g., safety-critical wireless, URLLC, Open RAN, 6G/NextG);
  • Hands-on experience with cellular network platforms (e.g., O-RAN, srsRAN, OpenAirInterface, Aether/SD-RAN), edge/cloud computing platforms (e.g., Kubernetes, OpenStack), SDN, and/or VNF;
  • Hands-on experience in designing, developing, deploying, and/or operating field-deployed wireless, network, and/or distributed systems;
  • Hands-on experiences in edge/cloud systems management, virtual machines/containers, Linux systems administration, shell scripting, etc;
  • Capability of building systems prototypes based on reference publications and/or open-source software;
  • Knowledge of wireless systems, networked/distributed systems, operating systems, virtualization, systems and network security;
  • Programming skills: Python, C, C++, Java, Web etc.

Department/Program & College Description:
The Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering at Iowa State University is home to 60 faculty and is associated with 11 research centers and institutes, for instance, the Center for Wireless, Community and Innovation (WiCI). The department boasts 20 IEEE Fellows, over $15.4M in research expenditures (FY20), and one of the largest ECpE enrollments in the nation.
About Iowa State University and the Ames Community
Iowa State University is classified as a Carnegie Foundation Doctoral/Research University-Extensive. More than 30,000 students are enrolled and are served by over 6,200 faculty and staff. The College of Engineering consists of eight departments with annual research expenditures exceeding $105 million.
Iowa State University is located in Ames, IA, a progressive community of 66,000, located approximately 30 minutes north of Des Moines, one of the fastest-growing metro areas in the Midwest, and is beaming with community pride and accolades.
Iowa State University and the College of Engineering are responsive to the needs of dual-career couples and are dedicated to work-life balance through an array of flexible work policies.
Department Unit/Website:
For more information about our department's engineering programs, go to www.ece.iastate.edu.
Proposed Start Date:
August 16, 2026
Proposed End Date or Length of Term:
May 15, 2029
Number of Months Employed Per Year:
09 Month Work Period
Time Type:
Full time
Application Instructions:
Applications will be accepted until the position is filled. However, to receive full consideration, applications should be received by May 31st, 2026. All interested, qualified persons must apply for this position online at jobs.iastate.edu.
The following documents are required to be submitted in PDF format:
  • Resume/Curriculum Vitae
  • Letter of Application/Cover Letter that briefly discusses how the candidate meets each of the preferred qualifications
  • Contact information for at least three references, including name, mailing address, email address, phone number, and other pertinent information
  • Research statement

Inquiries regarding this position may be directed to Hongwei Zhang (hongwei@iastate.edu) or Sara K. Harris (skharris@iastate.edu).
Why Choose ISU?
Iowa State Faculty enjoy comprehensive health and work-life benefits, including medical and dental; as well as:
• Retirement benefits, including defined benefit and defined contribution plans
• Generous leave plans
• Onsite childcare (Ames, Iowa)
• Life insurance and long-term disability
• Flexible Spending Accounts
• Various voluntary benefits and discounts
• Employee Assistance Program
• Wellbeing program
Original Posting Date:
March 4, 2026
Posting Close Date:
Job Requisition Number:
R18719

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