The University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) appreciates your interest in employment at our growing institution. We want your application process to go smoothly and quickly. Final applications must be submitted prior to the close of the recruitment.

If you need assistance or have questions regarding the application process, please contact our recruitment helpline at (775) 784-1495 or [email protected].

The School of Social Work at the University of Nevada, Reno is seeking a Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to support a temporary, grant-funded initiative focused on the development and evaluation of a Child Behavioral Health and Wellness Specialization and Micro-Credential. Under the guidance of School of Social Work faculty and project staff, the GRA will contribute to applied research, program evaluation, data collection and analysis, and project coordination activities that support behavioral health workforce development and social work education.

This position provides a valuable opportunity for a graduate student to apply research methods in a real-world setting while gaining experience in child behavioral health, workforce development, program evaluation, and community-engaged research. The GRA will collaborate with faculty, students, community stakeholders, and project partners and will contribute to the development of research products and dissemination materials, including reports, presentations, manuscripts, and other project deliverables.

The successful candidate will demonstrate strong organizational, communication, analytical, and writing skills and an interest in applied research within social work and behavioral health. Current enrollment in a graduate program in social work, public health, psychology, counseling, or a related field is required. Candidates must obtain and maintain current CITI Human Subjects Research certification. Preference will be given to candidates with experience or coursework in applied social science research methods, qualitative or quantitative research, program evaluation, or community-based research.

Responsibilities

• Support research and evaluation activities related to the development and evaluation of the Child Behavioral Health and Wellness Specialization and Micro-Credential, including literature reviews and research design.
• Assist with data collection and management, including focus groups, interviews, surveys, and the organization and maintenance of qualitative and quantitative research data.
• Contribute to data analysis and interpretation, including qualitative coding, quantitative analysis, and synthesis of findings under the guidance of faculty and project staff.
• Collaborate with faculty, project staff, and community partners to coordinate project activities, meetings, research activities, timelines, and deliverables.
• Support research dissemination and project reporting through the preparation of reports, presentations, manuscripts, posters, briefs, and other materials for academic, professional, and community audiences.
• Maintain professional and ethical research standards, including current CITI Human Subjects Research certification, appropriate data management and confidentiality practices, and culturally responsive engagement with research participants and community partners.

Required Qualifications

• Candidate must be enrolled in either the Master of Social Work (MSW), Psychology, Public Health, Counseling, or other related programs at the University of Nevada, Reno
• Candidate must have a 3.0 GPA or higher
• Candidate must be enrolled in a minimum of 9 credits

Schedule

Expected hours to work per week: 20

Please note, once you submit your application the only attachment/s viewable to you will be the attachment/s to the resume/CV section of the application. Any additional required attachment/s to the cover letter, references, additional documents sections of the application, will not be viewable to you after you submit your application. All uploaded attachment/s will be on the application for the committee to review. To request updates to attachments, prior to the committee review of applications, please contact the candidate helpdesk at [email protected].

Attach the following attachment(s) to your application

Resume/CV – (required) List a detailed description of the major duties that you performed as part of each job. You must demonstrate that you qualify for the position and your education and experience must be clearly documented.

Cover Letter – (required) A brief statement of interests describing research interests and relevant experience

Contact Information for Two Professional References – (required) Please include name, contact information, and relationship.

Unofficial Transcript- (required)

This posting is open until filled

Qualified individuals are encouraged to apply immediately. Recruitment will close without notice when a sufficient number of applications are received or a hiring decision has been made.

A background check will be conducted on the candidate(s) selected for hire.

HR will attempt to verify academic credentials upon receipt of hiring documents. If the academic credentials cannot be verified, HR will notify the faculty member that an official transcript of their highest degree must be submitted within thirty days of the faculty member’s first day of employment.

References will be contacted at the appropriate phase of the recruitment process.

Applicants hired on a federal contract may be subject to E-Verify.

As part of the hiring process, applicants for positions in the Nevada System of Higher Education may be required to demonstrate the ability to perform job-related tasks.

For positions that require driving, evidence of a valid driver's license will be required at the time of employment and as a condition of continued employment.

Schedules are subject to change based on organizational needs.

The University of Nevada, Reno is committed to providing a place of work and learning free of discrimination on the basis of a person’s age (40 or older), disability, whether actual or perceived by others (including service-connected disabilities), gender (including pregnancy related conditions), military status or military obligations, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, genetic information, national origin, race (including hair texture and protected hairstyles such as natural hairstyles, afros, bantu knots, curls, braids, locks and twists), color, or religion (protected classes). 

About Us

The University of Nevada, Reno is a leading public research university committed to the promise of a future powered by knowledge. Founded in 1874 as Nevada’s original land-grant university, the University serves more than 23,000 undergraduate and graduate students from all 50 states and 63 countries.

Classified by the Carnegie® Classification of Institutions of Higher Education as an R1 (“Very High Research”) university, it is also recognized in the Carnegie® Community Engagement classification. The University is also ranked by U.S. News & World Report among the “Best National Universities” and “Best National Public Universities.” It also ranks in the top tier of the WSJ/Times Higher Education World University Rankings and the New York Times’ “Top Colleges for Economic Diversity.”

Since 2009, nearly $1 billion has been has invested in advanced labs, facilities, and residence halls on the main campus. The University is home to Nevada’s first medical school – the University of Nevada, Reno School of Medicine and the Wayne L. Prim Campus at Lake Tahoe, where education, research, and creative work thrive in a stunning mountain setting. The University delivers on its original land-grant mission with outreach across the state through the University of Nevada, Reno Extension, Nevada Agricultural Experiment Station, Nevada Bureau of Mines and Geology, Nevada Small Business Development Center, the Nevada Seismological Laboratory, and Wolf Pack Athletics.

The main campus is in Reno, Nevada, a burgeoning global technology hub with a vibrant midtown and downtown. Found where the high desert of the Great Basin meets the High Sierra and Lake Tahoe, the beautiful, 290-acre main campus is also a Nevada State Arboretum. The University’s physical infrastructure is expanding with ongoing construction of the newly named John Tullock Business Building, set to open in fall 2025. Groundbreaking is also planned for a new State Public Health Laboratory Building on campus, alongside the recent acquisition of 16 parcels near campus, known as “University Village,” to provide affordable housing for graduate students and early career faculty.

Collaborating with world-renowned organizations, the University fosters innovation through initiatives such as the Digital Wolf Pack partnership with Apple, which ensures equitable access to technology for students, providing new incoming freshman or transfer students with an iPad Air and accessories. Google’s TechWise initiate is an 18-month program that fully supports undergraduate students in becoming entry-level software engineers by graduation.

In 2023, the U.S. Department of Commerce’s Economic Development Administration (EDA) announced that Nevada – led by the University of Nevada, Reno – was named one of the inaugural 31 Regional Technology and Innovation Hubs (TechHubs). Nevada was selected from a competitive pool of 489 applicants from across the United States and its territories. Nevada’s Tech Hub will strengthen America’s lithium batteries, critical elements and other electric vehicle materials industry sectors within the state.

Through its commitment to high-impact education, world-improving research and creative activity, and outreach that’s transforming Nevada’s communities and businesses, the University continues its 150-year tradition of benefitting our state, nation and world.

The University recognizes that diversity promotes excellence in education and research. The inclusive and engaged community on campus recognizes the added value that students, faculty, and staff from different backgrounds bring to the educational experience.

Today, the University delivers on its original land-grant mission of access to education and knowledge by investing in the academics, facilities, support, engagement and vibrant campus life that promote our diverse students’ cognitive growth and academic achievement – all while remaining one of the best values in American higher education.

For more information, please visit the University’s website.

University of Nevada, Reno