51ÉçÇønological University Graduate School: Graduate Student Assistantships
(0.25 or 0.50 FTE; Stipend Grade I-III)
This classification applies to graduate students funded through research-related accounts, such as external grants, contracts, or internal funds from indirect cost returns. GRA positions require either 10 hours per week (0.25 FTE) or 20 hours per week (0.50 FTE), with work assignments determined by the research grant or contract. Any additional hours beyond the appointment should contribute to the student’s thesis or coursework.
(0.25 or 0.50 FTE)
Stipent Grade 1: A GTA assists with course duties and student instruction. Examples of GTA duties include assistance with laboratory set up, leading organized student help sessions, assistance with development of student assessments, delivery of class lectures on an occasional (~monthly) basis, and grading. GTAs are allocated to the department, selection is made by the Department Head, and the award is made through the Graduate School.
Stipend Grades 2 and 3: Upgraded stipends [Graduate Student Instructors} are available for graduate students that partially (Grade 2) or entirely (Grade 3) oversee instruction on a course, as outlined here under classification 9-250.
Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) and Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions are awarded by the department, with selections made by the Department Head and processed through Student Employment. Once an applicant submits a complete admissions application, they are automatically considered for an assistantship.
Assistantships are granted based on departmental funding allocations and the strength of the applicant’s qualifications. Assistantships are merit-based and take into account academic performance, relevant experience, and service within the discipline. To qualify for an assistantship position, students must:
- Maintain satisfactory progress toward their degree
- Be professional in your interactions with peers, faculty, and students.
- Hold a minimum 3.0 GPA
- Be enrolled in at least 6 credits at the 400-500 level
Exceptions to these requirements are rare and require approval from the Dean of the Graduate School. Contact the Graduate School Office via gradschool@mtech.edu for further details.
To ensure full consideration for continuation, the student is advised to:
-
Keep regular hours and meet the expectations stated in your employment documents.
-
Check in regularly with your supervisor. Come prepared for the meeting.
- Depending on circumstances, your assistantship may be either overlap—or be adjacent to—your thesis research. Be sure you discuss this with your supervisor and/or advisor to ensure you are on the same page. Your assistantship should clearly state expectations, and thesis credits for which you are registered provide you an opportunity to excel in progress toward your degree.
Submit a strong application, within the priority deadlines listed below to ensure your application receives the highest consideration for the available funding opportunities.
Connect with relevant faculty to build meaningful relationships. While securing a faculty advisor before applying is not required, establishing connections can improve your chances of obtaining an assistantship.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Civil Engineering here.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Electrical Engineering here.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Environmental Engineering here.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Chemistry & Geochemistry here.
GTA or UTA is needed to provide support to the Geological Engineering Educational Task Lead in the development of two Mining Geology Certificates as part of the online Micro-Credentials in Extractive Technologies program. Graduate students will receive priority, but undergraduate students are also eligible for this appointment.
Responsibilities
- In priority: review of the content for the Ore Deposits course and supplying feedback to the Task Lead (Note: Previous experience or knowledge of the mining industry is not a prerequisite. We seek individuals who can offer insights from the student perspective.)
- Reviewing content as it is developed for subsequent courses, including but not limited to geochemistry for mineral exploration (currently in progress), geophysics for mineral exploration, modeling and ore control, hydrogeology and dewatering, and mine waters.
- Assisting in the course development process by sourcing and creating educational materials such as illustrations, reading assignments, videos, and virtual field trips using Google Earth, among other resources.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Pre-requisites
Completion of Geology 101, along with basic chemistry and physics. Knowledge of GIS is preferred but not mandatory.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistanships in Geological Engineering here.
Mechanical Engineering anticipates 4 GTA’s for the Fall 2025 semester. The GTA position will assist in the teaching of mechanical engineering labs (EMEC 215 Introduction to CAD Modeling, EGEN 306 Mechanics of Materials Lab, EGEN 336 Fluid Mechanics Lab, EMEC 402 Mechanical Engineering Lab). The GTA position in Mechanical Engineering may be required to provide grading assistance in courses such as EGEN 202 Dynamics, EMEC 326 Fundamentals of Heat Transfer, or EMEC 455 Mechanical Component Design.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Mechanical Engineering here.
Metallurgical Engineering A graduate teaching assistant (GTA) is needed to provide support to Metallurgical Engineering Education Task Lead in the development of one Extractive Metallurgy Certificate and one Mineral Processing Certificate, as part of the online Micro-Credentials in Extractive Technologies Program.
Responsibilities
- Assisting in course development by sourcing online material for state-of-the-art processing of metals, supplemental learning material, and creating and/or sourcing high quality graphics and videos for demonstrating extractive processes.
- Review material for overall clarity as assigned.
- Performing other duties as assigned.
Pre-requisites
Completion of chemical thermodynamics (EMAT 307, or equivalent), along with basic chemistry, physics, and calculus.
Contact Jerry Downey (jdowney@mtech.edu) regarding this position.
Contact other relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Metallurgical & Materials Engineering here.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Mining Engineering here.
Contact relevant faculty regarding available assistantships in Restoration Ecology/Biology here.
View Student Employment Policy & Guidelines below.
View the Student Job Classifications, with relevant classifications and current stipend levels below.
View the Student Employment Certification Form.
View Cyber Bear Direct Deposit Instructions below.
View how to Access Paystubs and W-2's below.
Contact Student Employment below.
We can answer your questions and help you get started.
MUS 211
(406) 496-4781
GradSchool@mtech.edu