About this role
Student Research Assistant
Position Overview: The School of Journalism and Mass Communications is seeking a motivated and detail-oriented Student Research Assistant to support qualitative research examining women's health topics at the intersection of media, technology, and ethics. The ideal candidate is eager to contribute to an upcoming project investigating pregnant women and AI, alongside ongoing work in health communication, political communication, and digital media. All work will assist in development of conference presentations and research papers. The person in this role should be a creative self-starter with a willingness to learn, grow, and ask questions. An interest or background in health communication, digital health, reproductive justice, or the cultural implications of emerging technologies (such as AI, algorithmic bias, or reproductive tech like NIPT) is preferred.
Job Description: 35% - Qualitative Data Analysis & Coding: Conducting thematic analysis and coding interview transcripts, digital media artifacts, and promotional materials using software like ATLAS.ti or Delve
25% - Literature Reviews & Writing Support: Conducting literature searches, synthesizing sources, and assisting with drafting manuscripts and reports
25% - Participant Interviews & Recruitment: Assisting with participant recruitment, scheduling, and conducting semi-structured qualitative interviews
15% - Administrative & Other Duties: Managing project files, organizing reference libraries, transcription tasks, and other research-related duties as assigned
Required Qualifications: • Experience completing projects and duties on deadline as evidenced by application materials • Experience working independently and collaboratively as evidenced by application materials • During the semester term of the appointment, the student hourly must be enrolled in no fewer than 6 credit hours. For summer periods the student hourly must: (1) have been enrolled in no less than 6 hours in the past spring semester or (2) be pre-enrolled in the upcoming fall semester in no less than 6 hours or (3) be enrolled in summer session or (4) be admitted to study in the upcoming fall semester. Student Hourlies may be undergraduate or graduate students. (Exceptions granted for GRA/GTA/GA appointments DO NOT apply to Student Hourly appointments).
Preferred Qualifications: • Experience identifying and summarizing academic articles or books on related topics as evidenced by application materials • Experience collecting and analyzing interview data as evidenced by application materials • Excellent communication skills as evidenced by application materials • Strong academic writing skills, experience synthesizing literature reviews, and excellent attention to detail as evidenced by application materials
Employment Conditions: (1) Student employees are not eligible for remote work arrangements unless an exception is approved by the unit leadership and HR.
(2) This is an hourly/non-exempt position. A student employee cannot hold an hourly/non-exempt position and a salaried/exempt graduate or undergraduate position (GRA/GTA/GA/RUA/RGA) concurrently.
Additional Candidate Instruction: Application review begins October 30, 2026, and will continue until a qualified pool of applicants has been identified.
In addition to the online application, the following are required to be considered for this position:
• Resume • Cover letter addressing how the required and preferred qualifications are met Incomplete applications will not be considered.
Contact Information to Applicants: Megan Denneny, [email protected]
Work Schedule: Approximately 10 hours per week
Disclaimer: The University of Kansas prohibits discrimination on the basis of race, color, ethnicity, religion, sex, national origin, age, ancestry, disability, status as a veteran, sexual orientation, marital status, parental status, gender identity, gender expression, and genetic information in the university's programs and activities. Retaliation is also prohibited by university policy. The following person has been designated to handle inquiries regarding the nondiscrimination policies and is the Title IX coordinator for all KU and KUMC campuses: Associate Vice Chancellor for Civil Rights and Title IX, [email protected], Room 1082, Dole Human Development Center, 1000 Sunnyside Avenue, Lawrence, KS 66045, 785-864-6414, 711 TTY.