Student Research Assistant Jobs in Riverside, CA

California State University, San Bernardino (CSUSB) is a preeminent center of intellectual and cultural activity in the Inland Empire region of Southern California. Opened in 1965 and set at the foothills of the beautiful San Bernardino mountains, the university serves approximately 19,000 students. CSUSB is a federally recognized minority-serving and Hispanic-serving institution that reflects the dynamic diversity of the region and has the most diverse student population of any university in the Inland Empire: 74 percent of its students are members of underrepresented groups, 80 percent are first-generation, and 56 percent are Pell eligible. For more information on the campus, please visit the CSUSB website.

CSUSB employs 467 full-time faculty and offers 48 undergraduate, 35 graduate, and one doctoral degree programs and 14 academic programs with national accreditation. At CSUSB, diversity, equity and inclusion are values central to our mission. We recognize that diversity and inclusion in all its forms are necessary for our institutional success. By fully leveraging our diverse experiences, backgrounds and insights, we inspire innovation, challenge the status quo and create better outcomes for our students and community. As part of CSUSB's commitment to hire, develop and retain a diverse faculty, we offer a variety of networking, mentoring and development programs for our junior faculty. We are committed to building and sustaining a CSUSB community that is supportive and inclusive of all individuals. Qualified applicants with experience in ethnically diverse settings and/or who demonstrate a commitment to serving diverse student populations are strongly encouraged to apply.

JOB SUMMARY

Time Commitment: 5 - 10 hours per week depending on project involvement

Duration: January through early May (16 weeks) with the possibility of extension

Key Responsibilities

• Participant Support & Communication: Serve as the welcoming face and guiding voice for student participants. Answer questions, schedule sessions, and ensure everyone knows when, where, and how to show up.
• Study Logistics & Coordination: Manage calendars, room bookings, tech setups, survey distributions, and participant reminders. If a detail exists, you'll likely be the one making sure it behaves itself.
• Data Handling & Documentation: Track participation, maintain records, help manage secure data capture, and organize materials with the precision of a librarian who alphabetizes their dreams.
• Quality Assurance: Help identify gaps, inconsistencies, or procedural gremlins. Offer suggestions that keep the research elegant and the workflow graceful.
• Research Assistance: Support literature reviews, help assemble study materials, and assist with project milestone tracking.

TYPICAL ACTIVITIES

Dr. Murphy is seeking one to two bright, organized, and curious Student Research Assistants to help support one or two of her research projects.  One project explores the development of AI-based counseling tools and its impact on student learning. The other explores the impact of food selection and eating habits on focus and student learning. Research Assistants may engage with one or both projects depending on interest and qualifications.

MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS

Strong Organizational Skills Clear Communication Technical Competence Project Coordination Experience (or strong interest) Understanding of timelines and deliverables Research Literacy Professional Conduct Strong comprehension of nutrition principles and counseling techniques Ability to thoughtfully give and receive supervisor and peer feedback Comfort designing and producing client and promotional materials.

REQUIRED QUALIFICATIONS

Strong Organizational Skills Clear Communication Technical Competence Project Coordination Experience (or strong interest) Understanding of timelines and deliverables Research Literacy Professional Conduct Strong comprehension of nutrition principles and counseling techniques Ability to thoughtfully give and receive supervisor and peer feedback Comfort designing and producing client and promotional materials.

PREFERRED QUALIFICATIONS

Warm Communicator Detail-Devotee Adaptable Curious & Engaged Ethics-Anchored Collaborative Spirit

SPECIAL CONDITIONS

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

Following a conditional offer of employment, a background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate may start work with CSUSB. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may result in the withdrawal of the offer of employment. Note: CSUSB cannot deny an applicant a position solely or in part due to a criminal conviction history until it has performed an individualized assessment and linked the relevant conviction history with specific job duties in the position being sought.

Please note: Current employees who are offered positions on campus will be required to undergo a background check for any position where a background check is required by law or that CSUSB has designated as sensitive. Sensitive positions are those requiring heightened scrutiny of individuals holding the position based on potential for harm to children, concerns for the safety and security of people, animals, or property, or heightened risk of financial loss to CSUSB or individuals in the university community.

For health and well-being, CSUSB is a smoke & tobacco-free campus. The university is committed to promoting a healthy environment for all members of our community.

ABOUT THE DEPARTMENT

Please submit cover letter and resume by 8:00am on Tuesday, January 20, 2026 to Dr. Murphy (melissa.murphy@csusb.edu).

HOW TO APPLY

Please submit

1. Cover Letter that includes: 

    2. Unofficial copies of all postsecondary degree transcripts (official transcripts will be required prior to appointment).

1. Reference List - names, telephone numbers, and email addresses of three (3) referees whom we may contact to obtain letters of recommendation. Confidential letters of recommendation will be solicited from those listed as references on the application if the applicant is moved forward in the recruitment process. Non-confidential letters of recommendation can be uploaded by the applicant during the application process.
2. Diversity Statement, which may include your interpretation of diversity, equity and inclusion, and must include specific examples of how your background and your educational and/or professional experiences have prepared you for this role at California State University, San Bernardino (maximum 1,000 words).

Formal review of applications will be as needed.

If you are interested in this opportunity, we invite you to apply by using this CSU Recruit Hyperlink at:

https://secure.dc4.pageuppeople.com/apply/873/gateway/Default.aspx?c=apply&sJobIDs=553962&SourceTypeID=803&sLanguage=en-us&lApplicationSubSourceID=11243

Please Note:  CSUSB is currently not sponsoring applicants for H-1B employment that are subject to the $100,000 fee established by the "Presidential Proclamation: Restriction on Entry of Certain Nonimmigrant Workers" issued on September 19, 2025. Applicants are responsible for determining the applicability of the fee.

Salary is commensurate with experience.

(Actual Salary will be in accordance with percentage of time appointed) 

Instructional Student Assistant (1150)             $17.86 - $23.84  Per Hour

CSU Salary Schedule: https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/careers/compensation/Pages/salary-schedule.aspx

A background check (including a criminal records check) must be completed satisfactorily before any candidate can be offered a position with the CSU. Failure to satisfactorily complete the background check may affect the application status of applicants or continued employment of current CSU employees who apply for the position.

The person holding this position is considered a 'mandated reporter' under the California Child Abuse and Neglect Reporting Act and is required to comply with the requirements set forth in CSU Executive Order 1083 as a condition of employment.

California State University, San Bernardino is an Affirmative Action/Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to race, religion, color, national origin, ancestry, age, sex, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, genetic information, medical condition, disability, marital status, or protected veteran status. This position adheres to CSU policies against Sex Discrimination, Sexual Harassment, and Sexual Violence, including Domestic Violence, Dating Violence, and Stalking. This requires completion of Sexual Violence Prevention Training within 6 months of assuming employment and on a two-year basis thereafter. (Executive Order 1096)

This position may be "Designated" under California State University's Conflict of Interest Code. This would require the filing of a Statement of Economic Interest on an annual basis and the completion of training within 6 months of assuming office and every 2 years thereafter. Visit the Human Resources Conflict of Interest webpage link for additional information:
https://www.csusb.edu/human-resources/current-employees/employee-relations/conflict-interest