• This position is open until filled with an initial application review to take place after May 27, 2024.
• The rate of pay is $20 - $24 per hour, 10 - 20 hours per week. 

With support from the Mellon Foundation, SDSU VISTA will embark on a three-year project to

grow the impact of our two-year degree program for incarcerated students with a focus on

mental and emotional well-being, holistic assessment and student support, and research and

implementation of best practices for teaching students who are incarcerated. Additionally, we

would expand our degree offerings to include a degree in a Humanities field. Further, we have

been approved by the Western Association of Schools and Colleges to bring the BA degree to

two prisons and Mellon funds will support a degree for a third cohort of students.

Position Overview

The Research Assistant (RA) position supports the Mellon Project team in their goal to research

and create innovative student-centered teaching and learning tools for students who are

incarcerated. In addition, the RA will offer logistical and administrative support on the team’s

goal of creating a toolkit for holistic learning in higher education in prisons.

Responsibility 95%

• Attend regularly scheduled collaborative team and subcommittee meetings
• Support fellows with note-taking and organization for visits to gather information with

students in the prison

• Engage in collaborative dialogue in relation to learning needs
• Support the project goal is locating and organizing resources for students and the team
• Collaborate on discussions related to projected learning innovations with project team

and students

• Support the fellows in the organization and secure data story of information gathered

both formally and informally

• Assist in the creation a toolkit outline
• Assist in the development of questionnaires and feedback forms
• Track and record feedback

Other duties as assigned 5%

Duration

The Mellon Research Assistant position is a one-year term with the possibility of continuing for a second one-year term based on interest and performance.

Knowledge and Abilities

• Ability to interact effectively with co-workers, clients and study participants
• Ability to understand and follow posted work rules and procedures
• Ability to relate well to others within the project environment.
• Ability to display motivation and strong interpersonal skills
• Ability to communicate effectively, both orally and in writing
• Ability to display organization, meet deadlines, display detail orientation, possess good judgment and common sense
• Ability to demonstrate a high level of cross-cultural sensitivity
• Current graduate student enrolled in a related discipline at SDSU; research in a similar or
• related field; passion for the mission and work of the project; flexibility, patience, positivity,
• problem solving skills, and willingness to work as a team.

Experience/Education

• Equivalent to completion of a bachelor’s degree and registration in an SDSU graduate degree program.

ADDITIONAL APPLICANT INFORMATION:

• Candidate must reside in California or live in a commutable distance from SDSU at time of hire.
• Job offer is contingent upon satisfactory clearance based on Background Check results (including a criminal record check).
• San Diego State University Research Foundation is an EEO/AA/Disability/Vets/Title IX Employer.