Student Assistant - Department of Elementary and Special Education - Research Assistant (Spring 2026)

Georgia Southern University is the state's largest and most comprehensive center of higher education south of Atlanta. With nearly 150 degree programs at the bachelor's, master's and doctoral levels, Georgia Southern has been designated a Carnegie Doctoral/R2 "high research" university and serves more than 29,500 students from all 50 states, Washington D.C., and Puerto Rico as well as 106 nations.
With three vibrant campuses - the Statesboro Campus, the Armstrong Campus in Savannah and the Liberty Campus in Hinesville - Georgia Southern offers a dynamic environment which encourages learning, discovery and personal growth. The University is accredited by the Southern Association of Colleges and Schools and has earned special accreditation from professional and academic associations that set standards in their fields.
Georgia Southern is an influencer and intellectual catalyst in southeast Georgia, a rapidly expanding region that is home to international companies such as Hyundai, Gulfstream and JCB, as well as the Port of Savannah and Georgia Ports Authority. With a focus on hands-on learning, Georgia Southern is supporting the demand for highly skilled workers by providing academic excellence and creative innovation in a supportive student-centered environment that empowers the next generation of leaders to succeed.
Beyond an ideal location, there is a place for you to work in an exciting environment abounding with opportunities for personal and professional growth. Named one of the Best U.S. Colleges by The Wall Street Journal, Georgia Southern is nationally ranked for the caliber of its programs and services. Georgia Southern University has been recognized by Forbes as one of "America's Best-In-State Employers" for 2025.

Statesboro Campus - Statesboro, GA

Elementary and Special Education

The Student Assistant will support the Department of Elementary and Special Education as a Research Assistant on the Statesboro Campus beginning Spring 2026. Dr. Montana Smithey (Elementary Mathematics Education) is hiring an undergraduate research assistant to support an ongoing qualitative research project focused on how preservice teachers make instructional decisions in mathematics classrooms in their work with children. This position offers hands-on experience with education research, data analysis, and communicating findings with the broader field of education. The assistant will receive training in qualitative coding methods and work closely with Dr. Smithey through weekly collaborative meetings and independent project work. Prior research experience is not required. Mentorship, training, and ongoing support will be provided throughout the semester. This position includes working weekly on tasks associated with a research project and will include weekly in-person or virtual collaborative research meetings. This position offers flexible independent work hours outside of meetings (approximately 3 hours with Dr. Smithey, 10 hours of independent work to complete tasks). This position does require some time on campus to access research data.
Student employees cannot work more than 1300 hours in a 12-consecutive month period.

• Completes required research ethics training (CITI certification) and participate in weekly collaborative research meetings
• Assists with coding and organizing interview transcripts and support ongoing data analysis 
• Conducts literature searches related to teaching and teacher education and help organize research materials and project documents
• Contributes to the development of conference proposals and other products

Shift Specifics

• Up to 13 hours per week
• Flexible with schedule of availability

Educational Requirements

• Must be enrolled in six or more undergraduate credit hours or three or more graduate credit hours at Georgia Southern University.

$15.00 per hour
This is a non-exempt position paid on a biweekly basis.

• Resume
• Schedule of Availability

• Cover Letter
• Two (2) Professional References

ABILITIES

• Consistently exhibit engaging customer service
• Ability to support various constituencies served by the University
• Proven proficiency with computers including Microsoft Office, Google, and/or applications as required for specific position

KNOWLEDGE

• Adhere to University policies and procedures to meet Institutional goals and support University's mission for student success

SKILLS

• Effective communication (verbal and written), organizational and human relations skills

February 16, 2026
Application review may begin as early as February 09, 2026.

For more information or questions about a job posting, please contact the Department of Human Resources by phone at (912) 478-6947 or by email at hrservice@georgiasouthern.edu .

For technical support, please call the USG Service Desk at (877) 251.2644, or email support@usg.edu .

The University System of Georgia is comprised of our 26 institutions of higher education and learning as well as the System Office. Our USG Statement of Core Values are Integrity, Excellence, Accountability, and Respect. These values serve as the foundation for all that we do as an organization, and each USG community member is responsible for demonstrating and upholding these standards. More details on the USG Statement of Core Values and Code of Conduct are available in USG Board Policy 8.2.18.1.2 and can be found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section8/C224/#p8.2.18_personnel_conduct .

Additionally, USG supports Freedom of Expression as stated in Board Policy 6.5 Freedom of Expression and Academic Freedom found on-line at https://www.usg.edu/policymanual/section6/C2653 .

Offers for student employment may be contingent upon completion of background investigation including a criminal background check demonstrating your eligibility for employment with Georgia Southern University, as determined by Georgia Southern University in its sole discretion, confirmation of the credentials and employment history reflected in your application materials and, if applicable, a satisfactory credit check. Applicants may be subject to a pre-employment drug test.
Offers are made expressly subject to the applicable federal and state laws, to the statutes, rules and regulations of this institution and to the Bylaws and Policies of the Board of Regents (BOR) of the University System of Georgia (USG), which are available for your inspection upon request.
Legally authorized to work in the United States for the duration of employment without assistance from the University.
Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
Georgia Southern University is a Tobacco and Smoke-Free Community.
Must be enrolled in six or more undergraduate or three or more graduate level credit hours at Georgia Southern University.

Georgia Southern University provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment without regard to race, color, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, religion, age, veteran status, political affiliation, or disability. Individuals in need of reasonable accommodations under the Americans with Disabilities Act to participate in the search process should notify Human Resources: (912) 478-6947.

• Must be able to perform duties and responsibilities with or without reasonable accommodation.
• This is not a supervisory position.
• This position is not required to drive.