About the Department
Title: Graduate Research Assistant
Position Number: 0000GA11
Hiring Unit: University of Hawai'i at Manoa, College of Social Sciences (CSS)
Location: University of Hawaii at Manoa (Honolulu, HI)
Date Posted: 04/2122026
Closing Date: Continuous recruitment until the position is filled; first review date May 01, 2026
Salary Information:
Effective 06/01/26: GA11 Step 15 ($29,148 annual) for MA students and GA11 Step 17 ($31,524 annual) for PhD students.
Effective 08/01/26: GA11 Step 18 ($32,784 annual) for MA students and GA11 Step 19 ($34,098 annual) for PhD students.
The current Graduate Assistant Compensation Schedule is available on the UHM Graduate Division website.Monthly Type: 11-month
Full Time/Part Time: Part-Time 50%
Temporary/Permanent: Temporary, pending availability of funds and satisfactory performance.
Other Conditions: To begin approximately Summer 2026, not to exceed July 31, 2027, subject to position clearance and availability of funds. Temporary, half-time (50%) position. Renewable, subject to satisfactory work performance, program needs, academic progress, and availability of funds.
Project DescriptionRII-BEC: Transcending Barriers to Success in Economics (TBSE) for Underrepresented Students: From COVID-Affected to Climate-Resilient, creates a new economics bridge between Kapiolani Community College (KCC) and the University of Hawaii at Manoa (UHM) to transfer 100 participants from disproportionately Affected Groups, including Native Hawaiians, Pacific Islanders, Filipinos, and women. TBSE adopts the concept of "indigenous economics" to contextualize economics coursework and provides student support services, drawing on earlier NSF projects and previous federal investment in minority-serving programs. TBSE leverages educational and research expertise at the two campuses.
Duties and Responsibilities - Assist the UHM Economics Undergraduate Chair with student engagement activities, including the supervision of the TBSE Undergraduate Student Ambassadors.
- Provide administrative and logistical support for TBSE.
- Assist with the preparation, coordination, and completion of the program report for NSF (National Science Foundation).
- Assist in providing information to individuals interested in admission on Program options, requirements, financial aid opportunities, the application process, and Program expectations.
- Assist with research on various topics and conduct summaries and literature reviews.
- Work collaboratively with the faculty and staff associated with the TBSE project from the University of Hawai'i at Manoa and Kapi'olani Community College.
- Assist in the planning and execution of public events and other events that are consistent with the educational, research, and service goals of the TBSE project.
- Perform other related duties as assigned.
Minimum Qualifications- Must be a full-time graduate student admitted to or registered in a graduate program for an MA/MPA or PhD degree in Economics, Public Administration, or a related field under the University of Hawai'i at Manoa (UHM) Graduate Division;
- Must be in good academic standing (non-probationary status and 3.0 GPA or above);
- Familiarity with Macintosh operating systems, Google Apps (such as Google Docs, Sheets, and Slides), Cloud Computing Software (e.g., Dropbox and Box), and Microsoft Office (Word, Excel, and PowerPoint);
- Ability to conduct literature reviews, research findings, and write short analytical summaries;
- Must be self-motivated, persistent, and have a strong desire to learn;
- Demonstrated ability to work as a good team player with a collaborative spirit;
- Able to handle multiple tasks;
- Able to work independently and proactively;
- Demonstrated ability to collaborate and communicate effectively and establish and maintain effective working relationships with faculty, staff, students, and community;
- Demonstrated ability to establish and maintain effective working relationships with internal and external organizations, groups, team members, and individuals;
- Must have good communication skills, oral and written English, and
- Demonstrated ability to be flexible and to lead projects with minimal guidance.
- Must be available in summer, evenings, and weekends, when necessary.
Desirable Qualifications- Experience working in an educational setting.
- Experience as a transfer student.
- Experience with Native Hawaiian, Pacific Islander, or Filipino communities.
- Demonstrated experience with Adobe Creative Suite of applications.
- Knowledge of and experience in community-based service, research, or internships.
- Knowledge of the University of Hawai'i System, including its academic policies.
- Reliability and efficiency.
- Administrative, event planning, and organizational skills, particularly in the context of academic administration.
- Familiarity with quantitative and qualitative analysis.
- One (1) year of experience in a graduate-level program.
To Apply:Submit a cover letter indicating how you satisfy the minimum and desirable qualifications; current curriculum vitae, a copy of official transcripts; and the names with contact information (including email addresses) of 3 professional references. For security reasons, do not send applications via email. Applications must be submitted electronically to
JaretL@hawaii.edu via the UH FileDrop Service at
https://www.hawaii.edu/filedrop/, with a 7-day expiration timer for the file upload. (Note: only complete applications will be considered.)
Inquiries:Jaret KC Leong;
JaretL@hawaii.eduPosition Duties
The University of Hawai'i is an Equal Opportunity Institution and is committed to a policy of nondiscrimination in employment, including on the basis of veteran and disability status. For more information, visit: https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/policies/
Employment is contingent on satisfying employment eligibility verification requirements of the Immigration Reform and Control Act of 1986; reference checks of previous employers; and for certain positions, criminal history record checks.
In accordance with the Jeanne Clery Disclosure of Campus Security Policy and Campus Crime Statistics Act, annual campus crime statistics for the University of Hawai'i may be viewed at:
https://www.hawaii.edu/titleix/help/campus-security/, or a paper copy may be obtained upon request from the respective UH Campus Security or Administrative Services Office.
Accommodation Request: The University of Hawai'i complies with the provisions of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA). Applicants requiring a reasonable accommodation for any part of the application and hiring process should contact the EEO coordinator directly. Determination on requests for reasonable accommodation will be made on a case-by-case basis. For further information, please refer to the following link:
https://www.hawaii.edu/offices/eeo/accommodation-request/