Research Assistant - Higher Education and Language Assessment

Project: The Use of English Language Proficiency Tests in Selecting International Graduate Students at a U.S. University

Project Description:

Davy Tran and Janay Crabtree of UVA’s Center for American English Language and Culture (CAELC), together with Chris Chang-Bacon of the School of Education and Human Development, are seeking a graduate research assistant for a qualitative research project.

The study investigates how admissions officers across UVA’s schools and programs interpret and use English-language proficiency scores, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, and Duolingo English Test (DET), when evaluating international applicants to graduate programs.

Responsibilities:

The research assistant will work closely with the research team to:

• Contact admissions officers and coordinate interview schedules with the researchers.
• Conduct or assist with interviews with admissions officers.
• Review and correct interview transcripts generated through Otter.ai.
• Organize and manage interview data and related research documents.
• Assist with coding and analyzing qualitative interview data.
• Search for relevant scholarly articles and contribute to the literature review.
• Assist with drafting, editing, and preparing a research manuscript.
• Complete other project-related research and administrative tasks as assigned.
• Report to Davy Tran, who is the principal investigator.

Qualifications

Required qualifications:

• Current enrollment in a master’s or doctoral program at UVA.
• Previous experience with qualitative research methods or the qualitative research process.
• Ability to handle research data responsibly and maintain confidentiality.
• Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail.

Preferred qualifications:

• Academic background in TESOL, applied linguistics, linguistics, language education, or a related field.
• Familiarity with English-language proficiency assessments, such as the TOEFL, IELTS, or DET.
• Interest in language assessment, international graduate admissions, or higher-education research.
• Interest in developing skills in conducting qualitative research.
• Familiarity with AI tools useful for qualitative research (Otter.ai, Consensus, etc.)

Position type: Part-time research assistant. This is an hourly wage position, not a Graduate Research Assistantship.
Compensation: $18 per hour (this position doesn’t provide tuition waiver, health insurance, or stipend)
Hours: Up to 10 hours per week
Employment period: Spring 2027 and Fall 2027
Location: Charlottesville, VA – online or hybrid

How to Apply

Interested applicants should submit:

• A cover letter.
• A current résumé or curriculum vitae.

Priority application deadline: November 20, 2026
Anticipated start date: January 25, 2027

MINIMUM REQUIREMENTS:

Resume and cover letter

Education: Current graduate UVA student
Experience: None
Licensure: None

The University of Virginia is an equal opportunity employer. All interested persons are encouraged to apply, including veterans and individuals with disabilities. Learn more about UVA’s commitment to non-discrimination and equal opportunity employment.

About Us

In 1819, Thomas Jefferson founded the University of Virginia and inaugurated a bold experiment. Two centuries later, Jefferson’s vision thrives. Across Grounds - and throughout the world - UVA students, faculty, staff and alumni challenge convention, break barriers and pursue the greater good.

The University of Virginia is made up of eleven schools and affiliated foundations in Charlottesville plus the College at Wise in Southwest Virginia.

The University of Virginia Health System is a renowned academic medical center committed to providing outstanding patient care, educating tomorrow's health care leaders and discovering new and better ways to treat diseases. The University's Medical Center, School of Medicine and Physicians Group are recognized for their excellence in patient care, education and research.

At UVA, we offer a rich collection benefits, which have long been recognized and valued for their comprehensiveness and competitiveness in the market. In addition to a robust array of traditional benefits such as health care, time off, and retirement, UVA offers a comprehensive list of benefits and services to help staff and faculty meet their personal and family needs.