Graduate Assistant

Research Assistant Position

The primary role of a Research Assistant (RA) is to provide assistance to a faculty mentor to enhance the value and effectiveness of AFIT sponsored research, which feeds and enhances AFIT graduate education and coursework.

RA duties will generally include activities directly supporting sponsored research including, but not limited to: maintaining labs, equipment, hardware, and software; literature reviews; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; adapting existing equipment to support new research; and developing research products such as papers, presentations, and code that support sponsored research deliverables.

RAs work under the close supervision of an experienced graduate faculty member, and the association is meant to be collegial and educational. In consultation with the supervisor, the RA works to gain research skills and to enhance his/her grasp of the essentials of the academic discipline, the conduct of research, the role and responsibilities of a faculty member, and the role of technology in support of the Air Force.

RAs will perform duties consistent with their prior academic preparation and experience.

The primary duty of a Teaching Assistant (TA) is to provide teaching assistance to the instructor of record in the classroom, which cannot be classified as routine clerical work, to enhance the value and effectiveness of AFIT graduate education.

TA duties will generally include coordinating courses, assisting with classroom discussions, supporting in-classroom activities, recommending grades on homework and exams, conducting review and assistance sessions, assisting with classroom management (e.g., attending classes, taking notes, taking attendance, proctoring exams, and corresponding with class members), setting up labs, developing supporting course material, and other relevant duties as assigned.

TAs with at least a MS/ME may also deliver lessons under controlled conditions (e.g., with the instructor of record present), prepare lecture materials, and assist in the development of homework and exams. TAs will work under the close supervision of an experienced instructor of record for each course, and the association is meant to be collegial and educational. In consultation with the instructor of record, the TA works to gain instructional skills and to enhance his/her grasp of the essentials of the academic discipline, the role and responsibilities of a faculty member, and the role of technology in support of the Air Force.