Applied AI Research Assistant

Applied AI Research Assistant

• Position: Applied AI Research Assistant
• Academic Year: 2026/27
• Modality: In-person
• College: College of Business Administration 
• Department: Dean's Office

Job Overview

The College of Business Administration is accepting applications for the Applied AI Scholar Research Assistant positions for the Academic Year 26/27. Incumbents will be partnered with a CoBA faculty member to assistant in completing research. 

California State University San Marcos is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We consider qualified applicants for employment without regard to age, physical or mental disability, gender or sex, genetic information, gender identity, gender expression, marital status, medical condition, nationality, race or ethnicity, religion or religious creed, sexual orientation, and veteran or military status.

Under supervision, Instructional Student Assistants in this classification perform teaching, grading or tutoring duties for the majority of work hours in a given appointment in a given academic department or equivalent administrative unit over the course of an academic term. Assignments are made by academic department or equivalent administrative unit by a specific supervisor at a CSU campus. The work may be performed on-campus or at an off-campus public agency or private non-profit organization under an agreement with a campus in the CSU system.

General Requirements of the Position:

• Work directly with a CoBA faculty member on an applied AI research project for a real regional business partner.
• Help research, test, and apply AI tools and platforms relevant to the project's business problem.
• Support data collection, analysis, and documentation throughout the research process.
• Assist in preparing the project's applied deliverable (e.g., a playbook, automation blueprint, or assessment tool) for the business partner.
• Help communicate and coordinate with the corporate partner alongside your faculty Fellow.
• Contribute to materials for the academic paper or conference submission, as applicable.
• Co-present research findings at the CoBA AI Research Symposium in Spring 2027, as a recognized assistant

General Minimum Qualifications of the Position:

• Currently enrolled CSUSM CoBA student in good standing; open to all majors.
• Genuine curiosity about applied/practical uses of AI in business — no technical background required.
• Strong communication skills and comfort interacting with business professionals.
• Reliable, organized, and able to manage a consistent weekly schedule over the project period.
• Interest in research, and willingness to learn new AI tools on the job.

ISA work part-time (typically up to 20 hours per week) during academic periods. Incumbents may have concurrent assignments in other Student Assistant classifications as long as 20 hours are not exceeded in total.  

Anticipated Pay Rate

• $17.86/hour

The anticipated hiring range is generally at or near the minimum of the appropriate range, commensurate with education and experience.

Instructional Student Assistants are non-exempt employees. CSU policy limits work assignments to no more than 20 hours in a week in all campus positions combined while students are in session.

Application Timeline 

Applications are accepted and reviewed as needed, on an on-going basis throughout the 26/27 Academic Year. Applications will be reviewed starting July 22st, 2026. All positions are subject to enrollment/registration as a CSUSM student and funding.