Graduate Student Appointments

A Research Assistant is an MIT graduate student and a member of a research group in a laboratory or on a project whose principal duty is to contribute, under supervision, to a program of departmental or interdepartmental research. Through project work, the assistant gains increased facility in organizing work, applying new experimental techniques to real problems, and experience in oral presentations. Most students welcome the opportunity a research assistantship gives them to participate as junior colleagues of the faculty in an ongoing research project; this experience frequently influences their choice of thesis topic.

Research Assistants (RAs) are compensated on the basis of the time devoted to their research activities and pay full tuition. The RA appointment is comprised of a stipend and a full tuition scholarship. Graduate students holding research assistant appointments must register as full time resident students.

Students who receive financial support from other sources (fellowships, scholarships, teaching assistantships) may receive supplementary stipends as part time research assistants as long as they are in accordance with Institute and departmental guidelines.

For more information, please see MIT's guide to graduate policies and procedures.

Appointing Graduate Students

Approximately two months prior to the start of each semester, a list containing his or her current graduate students is sent to each CSAIL PI. This is the opportunity to set up all graduate students at one time. HR asks that the form is completed as thoroughly as possible so CSAIL HQ can accurately track student progress, departures, and PI fiscal projections.

Included with the list of students is a memo delineating the stipend level of each student and corresponding costs to research accounts. Please note: The stipend amount is pre-determined by the student's academic department and degree level (Masters or PhD).

To hire a new student or to change or cancel the appointment of a current student, please email HR with the student's name, email address, and the account number to charge, making sure to indicate whether the student will have an RA, TA, or fellowship stipend. The student must check in at CSAIL HQ before the appointment can be processed.

Feel free to contact CSAIL's Human Resources office with any questions regarding this process.

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Resources

• CSAIL Human Resources
• MIT Graduate Policies and Procedures

-- Main.rptraughber - 20 Aug 2010