NWS- MSW Research Assistant (RA)

Purpose of Position:

The Master of Social Work program is seeking Research Assistant (RA) positions for the 2026-2027 academic year. These positions support current research project(s) as needed by MSW faculty members through the academic year (Both Fall 2026 and Spring 2027). Supervising faculty to provide clear deliverables and support needs to RAs through the duration of remote employment.

This position is stipend at $750 per semester for a total of $1500 for the 2026 - 2027 Academic Year.

Key Details:

• Main duties and scheduling to be determined between the supervising faculty and students
• Position is paid in a flat fee of $750 per term ($1500 total)
• End of Semester Check-In (self-reflection, project review, etc) to be conducted by Supervising Faculty
• Enrollment in the MSW program required

Responsibilities May Include:

• Searching current literature for articles relevant to project
• Write and/or edit literature review(s) from relevant articles approved by supervisor
• Assist with data collection
• Assist with data analysis
• Write and/or edit summary of research findings to be included in journal article
• Edit draft of journal article prior to submission
• Technical writing and reviewing of clinical manuals
• Technical writing and revising of organizational documents, websites, or manuscripts
• Grant seeking, application writing, and report writing
• Other duties in support of the research project

Faculty Supervisors | RA Position Descriptions

Nancy Murakami - Research Assistant (Remote)

This assistantship focuses on global social work, refugee mental health and psychosocial wellbeing, and social work program development. Dr. Murakami has partnered with social workers in Kisoro, Uganda, since 2017, working most closely with the community based organization Friends of Kisoro (FROK). FROK's psychosocial support program is based in a United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) transit camp in southwestern Uganda, serving both refugees in the camp and host communities in Kisoro district. RAs will have the opportunity to strengthen their cross-cultural professional skills, culturally-informed practice skills, literature review and grant writing skills, awareness of global social work, and program development knowledge.

Community Partners:

• Friends of Kisoro (FROK)
• Nyakabande Refugee Transit Centre, Uganda
• Social Worker Network of Kisoro (SWNK):

Deliverables and Responsibilities:

• Grant applications to support programming of FROK and/or SWNK
• Online educational resource bank for social worker in Kisoro, Uganda
• Literature Review of Topics:
• refugee mental health and psychosocial support (MHPSS),
• group and crisis interventions in refugee camps,
• humanitarian worker wellbeing,
• social work practice with refugees and asylum seekers,
• domestic violence,
• community health worker interventions

Nazan Cetin - Research Assistant (Remote)

The RA will support social work research focused on health equity, service delivery, and psychosocial well-being. Current areas of research include psychosocial interventions and strategies to improve quality of life among youth with chronic health conditions, including those navigating cancer survivorship, and their families; barriers to rural cancer care and integrated behavioral health services; and school social work programs that support children and families across ecological systems.

Deliverables and Responsibilities:

• Conduct literature searches and assist with reviewing, organizing, and synthesizing scholarly literature
• Assist with organization and analysis of existing research data, as applicable
• Support preparation of conference presentations, abstracts, manuscripts, and other scholarly products
• Assist with other research-related tasks based on project needs

Lalit Khandare- Research Assistant (Remote)

Seeking a student RA for a project on self-care and mindfulness in social work curriculum. Duties include literature review, organizing references, and helping design a survey for social work programs. Position is remote, part-time, and flexible. Ideal candidates are MSW students with strong skills in literature review, qualitative/quantitative research, survey design, interest in curriculum development, mindfulness, or professional well-being, and ability to work independently and meet deadlines.

As a Research Assistant, students will strengthen skills in:

• Critical Analysis of Research Materials (Qualitative & Quantitative)
• Writing Skills related to Technical Revisions, Literature Reviews Grant Writing, Conference Presentations, or Community Outreach
• Organizational strategies related to independent work, research, and deadlines
• A deeper understanding of Social Work related to Faculty Areas of Expertise

Applicant Qualifications:

• Currently enrolled MSW Student
• Solid computer literacy skills (including in Google, MS Office, and various other programs, as applicable to the MSW program)
• Ability to commit time towards independent projects as directed by Faculty Supervisor
• Prior experience related to time management, independent research, project management, computer literacy, or collaborative work environment is preferred.
• Strong written and verbal communication skills