Research Assistant Opportunity. The Consortium Research Fellows Program invites undergraduate students enrolled in degree-granting programs in information technology or computer science to apply for an immediate Research Assistant opportunity. Applicants must be citizens of the United States.

Location. National Defense University (NDU), Information Resources Management College, Information Operations and Assurance Department, Ft. McNair, Washington D.C.

Duties. The Research Assistant will prepare the computer laboratory for classroom presentations and exercises, install and test new hardware and software so that it is reliable and useable in a computer laboratory for instructional purposes, solve routine hardware and software problems and report more difficult problems to the helpdesk, prepare and/or test laboratory exercises, conduct literature searches to supplement exercises, explain the underlying concepts and practical uses of the material being taught, and research and work with emerging hardware and software in the areas of decision support, speech recognition, modeling and simulation, geographical information systems, and robotics.

Schedules. Each Research Assistant’s schedule is flexible and is worked out individually between the student and government mentor. Research Assistants may work up to 20 hours per week during the school year and 40 hours per week in the summer. Appointments are for a minimum of one year and a maximum of three years.

Qualifications. Applicants should have a strong background in using personal computers, some knowledge of networks, and database management systems. Experience in C++ programming is preferred. The Research Assistant must be able to work on two or more tasks within a given work period, to organize his/her work so that he/she can continue with a project over weeks with periodic interruptions, to absorb and apply new knowledge, and to work with and help adult students to grasp computer/network concepts in a collaborative manner.

Applicants must be students who are pursuing recognized degrees at accredited institutions of higher learning in the United States, willing to commit to the CRFP for a minimum of one year, willing to work 10 to 20 hours per week during the school year and up to 40 hours per week during the summer, and be able to pass a low-level security check imposed by the DoD agency where you will potentially be placed, so as to gain access to facilities and computer networks. This is at a Confidential security level, not a Secret or higher level.

Compensation. Research Assistants are paid an hourly rate based upon educational experience and program of study, ranging between $14.25 and $19.00 per hour. If all hours are worked, Research Assistants will earn between $18,525 and $24,700 annually.

To Apply. Please visit our website at www.consortium-research-fellows.org to learn more about the CRFP. If you feel that have the skills required and meet our general qualifications, apply via the online application links in the “Employment” section of our website. Please call 703-602-7824 if you have any questions.