CPT Research Assistant Jobs
Research Assistant jobs are one of the most CPT-compatible roles for F-1 students: the work directly ties to your academic program, and most university labs and research institutions are already familiar with the DSO authorization process. Your CPT must be declared integral to your curriculum before you start work.
See All CPT Research Assistant JobsOverview
Showing 5 of 11+ Research Assistant jobs
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
Have you applied for this role?
See all Research Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new Research Assistant roles.
Get Access To All JobsPosting Information
This posting will be used to hire both undergraduate and graduate psychology research assistants. Additionally, the department will use this posting to hire both regular research assistants and federal work study program (FWSP) qualifying research assistants.
Upon Applying, Please Be Prepared To Answer The Following
Are you eligible for Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) employment for Fall and Spring?
Describe the times you’re available to work Monday-Friday. Email tjeyaraj@uco.edu if you have any questions about this position.
Position Overview
Research assistants are students who, in the course of their academic training, are employed in part-time or temporary research positions, where the student's academic training is based in part on the research performed. All duties and services are to be carried out under the supervision and direction of faculty or administration. These duties may include assisting a faculty member in descriptive, exploratory or experimental research; publication activities, data collection, data management and/or data analysis.
Hours per Week
Up to 15 hours per week, flexible scheduling, Monday-Friday.
College/Department Overview
The Psychology department functions as a pre-professional degree that prepares students to pursue graduate education in psychology or related fields. It is designed to provide a variety of experiences for a well-rounded education. Graduates receive foundational education in statistical design, experimental psychology, neuroscience, cognition, learning, perception, and behavior.
Department Specific Job Functions
The research assistants will pursue two categories of activities that will benefit them directly:
1) specialist skills include developing, designing, programming, and collecting data for their own experiments and
2) generalist skills include supporting the daily research activities of other students who benefit from having the psychology laboratory available for their research, coursework, and independent projects. Both categories supply the workplace preparation needed by those who eventually direct large research programs or occupy other positions of responsibility. Both categories supply useful experience for those going to graduate school.
Enrollment Requirements
Fall/Spring Semesters: All student employees must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible to work any UCO student position. Half-time enrollment for fall/spring semesters is considered 5 hours for graduates and 6 hours for undergraduates. International students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible to work as a student employee. Full-time enrollment is 9 credit hours for graduates and 12 credit hours for undergraduates.
Summer Semester: Student employees working regular student positions must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours to be eligible to work during the summer. Students not enrolled in summer classes must be enrolled in fall classes in order to work during the summer, but they (and the department) will be required to pay FICA taxes. Student employees working FWSP positions must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours (if undergraduate) or 5 credit hours (if graduate) in order to work during the summer in a Federal Work Study Program position.
Enrollment Exception: If the number of credit hours needed to graduate is less than the minimum number of hours required for student employment, the student must obtain a letter from their Academic Advisor (stating the number of hours needed to graduate and anticipated graduation date) and submit it to Human Resources. This pertains to both regular and Federal Work Study Program positions. Contact jobs@uco.edu for more information.
FWSP Requirements
To be considered for Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) employment, you must be awarded work study through the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Please be aware, the summer FWSP award is a separate application process, and is not included with the fall/spring FWSP award. Contact Financial Aid for more information. Enrollment requirements for FWSP employment are the same each semester. Undergraduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, and Graduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credit hours. If a student is enrolled in their final semester and the number of credit hours needed to graduate is less than the minimum number of hours required for student employment, the student must obtain a letter from their Academic Advisor (stating the number of remaining credit hours needed to graduate and the anticipated graduation date) and provide the letter to the hiring department for submission to Human Resources. Contact jobs@uco.edu for more information.
Qualifications/Experience Required
Undergraduate or graduate student classification at UCO is required.
Qualifications/Experience Preferred
FWSP eligible preferred, but not required.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Sensitivity of intercultural communication and good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong technology skills with ability to learn new software programs quickly.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to perform basic troubleshooting.
- Detail oriented, dependable, and punctual.
Physical Demands
Reasonable accommodation, in accordance with ADA requirements, may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
Posting Information
This posting will be used to hire both undergraduate and graduate psychology research assistants. Additionally, the department will use this posting to hire both regular research assistants and federal work study program (FWSP) qualifying research assistants.
Upon Applying, Please Be Prepared To Answer The Following
Are you eligible for Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) employment for Fall and Spring?
Describe the times you’re available to work Monday-Friday. Email tjeyaraj@uco.edu if you have any questions about this position.
Position Overview
Research assistants are students who, in the course of their academic training, are employed in part-time or temporary research positions, where the student's academic training is based in part on the research performed. All duties and services are to be carried out under the supervision and direction of faculty or administration. These duties may include assisting a faculty member in descriptive, exploratory or experimental research; publication activities, data collection, data management and/or data analysis.
Hours per Week
Up to 15 hours per week, flexible scheduling, Monday-Friday.
College/Department Overview
The Psychology department functions as a pre-professional degree that prepares students to pursue graduate education in psychology or related fields. It is designed to provide a variety of experiences for a well-rounded education. Graduates receive foundational education in statistical design, experimental psychology, neuroscience, cognition, learning, perception, and behavior.
Department Specific Job Functions
The research assistants will pursue two categories of activities that will benefit them directly:
1) specialist skills include developing, designing, programming, and collecting data for their own experiments and
2) generalist skills include supporting the daily research activities of other students who benefit from having the psychology laboratory available for their research, coursework, and independent projects. Both categories supply the workplace preparation needed by those who eventually direct large research programs or occupy other positions of responsibility. Both categories supply useful experience for those going to graduate school.
Enrollment Requirements
Fall/Spring Semesters: All student employees must be enrolled at least half-time to be eligible to work any UCO student position. Half-time enrollment for fall/spring semesters is considered 5 hours for graduates and 6 hours for undergraduates. International students must be enrolled full-time to be eligible to work as a student employee. Full-time enrollment is 9 credit hours for graduates and 12 credit hours for undergraduates.
Summer Semester: Student employees working regular student positions must be enrolled in at least 3 credit hours to be eligible to work during the summer. Students not enrolled in summer classes must be enrolled in fall classes in order to work during the summer, but they (and the department) will be required to pay FICA taxes. Student employees working FWSP positions must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours (if undergraduate) or 5 credit hours (if graduate) in order to work during the summer in a Federal Work Study Program position.
Enrollment Exception: If the number of credit hours needed to graduate is less than the minimum number of hours required for student employment, the student must obtain a letter from their Academic Advisor (stating the number of hours needed to graduate and anticipated graduation date) and submit it to Human Resources. This pertains to both regular and Federal Work Study Program positions. Contact jobs@uco.edu for more information.
FWSP Requirements
To be considered for Federal Work Study Program (FWSP) employment, you must be awarded work study through the Office of Financial Aid & Scholarships. Please be aware, the summer FWSP award is a separate application process, and is not included with the fall/spring FWSP award. Contact Financial Aid for more information. Enrollment requirements for FWSP employment are the same each semester. Undergraduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 6 credit hours, and Graduates must be enrolled in a minimum of 5 credit hours. If a student is enrolled in their final semester and the number of credit hours needed to graduate is less than the minimum number of hours required for student employment, the student must obtain a letter from their Academic Advisor (stating the number of remaining credit hours needed to graduate and the anticipated graduation date) and provide the letter to the hiring department for submission to Human Resources. Contact jobs@uco.edu for more information.
Qualifications/Experience Required
Undergraduate or graduate student classification at UCO is required.
Qualifications/Experience Preferred
FWSP eligible preferred, but not required.
Knowledge/Skills/Abilities
- Sensitivity of intercultural communication and good interpersonal skills.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Strong technology skills with ability to learn new software programs quickly.
- Critical thinking and problem-solving skills.
- Ability to perform basic troubleshooting.
- Detail oriented, dependable, and punctual.
Physical Demands
Reasonable accommodation, in accordance with ADA requirements, may be made upon request to enable individuals with disabilities to perform essential functions.
See all CPT Research Assistant Jobs
Sign up for free to unlock all listings, filter by visa type, and get alerts for new CPT Research Assistant Jobs.
Get Access To All JobsResearch Assistant CPT: Frequently Asked Questions
Does a Research Assistant position qualify for CPT authorization?
A Research Assistant role qualifies for CPT if the work is an integral part of your established curriculum, not just related to your field. Your program must require or formally offer academic credit for the experience. A generic research job that your DSO can't connect to a specific course or program requirement won't clear CPT authorization, even if it's in your exact field of study.
Can I do CPT at a lab or institution outside my university?
Yes. CPT is not restricted to on-campus employers. Off-campus Research Assistant positions at government labs, private research institutions, or industry employers all qualify as long as your DSO certifies the work is integral to your curriculum. Your DSO will typically require a training agreement or offer letter describing the research duties before issuing the updated I-20.
How do I find Research Assistant employers who understand CPT?
Migrate Mate shows Research Assistant postings from employers with documented work authorization filing history, helping you identify institutions already familiar with F-1 students. Federal and university-affiliated research labs are generally the most CPT-experienced. Avoid leading with CPT mechanics in your outreach; instead confirm the employer can provide the offer letter your DSO requires.
Does CPT for a Research Assistant role affect my future H-1B eligibility?
CPT itself doesn't affect H-1B visa eligibility. What matters is your OPT usage: if you accumulate 12 or more months of full-time CPT across your degree, you lose your OPT eligibility, which eliminates the OPT and cap-gap path to H-1B. Part-time CPT, defined by USCIS as under 20 hours per week, doesn't count toward that 12-month threshold regardless of how many semesters you work.
What documents does a Research Assistant employer need from me for CPT?
You'll need to provide your CPT-authorized I-20, which lists the specific employer, job title, start and end dates, and whether the authorization is part-time or full-time. Some employers also request your F-1 visa stamp and I-94 record. The employer is not required to file anything with USCIS for CPT; the authorization is entirely school-issued, which is why the offer letter must come before your DSO issues the updated I-20.