Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs)

What is a GSR?

GSRs are selected for high achievement and promise as creative scholars and assist faculty members with research.  Students must be enrolled full-time (12 units) with a cumulative GPA of 3.0 to qualify for these positions.

Because GSR positions are frequently found through individual contact with faculty members or fellow classmates, students should expect to be matriculated at FSPH for at least several quarters before finding a GSR position.

  • Selected for high achievement  and  promise  as  creative  scholars
  • Assist faculty  members  with  scholarly  research
  • May or  may  not  collaborate  in  the  publication  of  research  results  as  determined  by  supervising  faculty  members
  • GSRs may NOT be assigned teaching, administrative or general assistance duties
  • Must be an active registered UCLA graduate student
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Enrolled in at least 12 units

Graduate Student Researcher (title code 3276)

Step III- One academic year of experience as an RA/GSR or its equivalent

  • Completion of at  least two academic  years of  full-time  graduate  study  at  UCLA  or comparable institution
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Enrolled in at least 12 units

Step V- Two academic year  of experience as an RA/GSR or its equivalent

  • Advancement to doctoral candidacy
  • 3.0 GPA
  • Enrolled in at least 12 units

GSR Salary Scale: GSR Salary Scale

Range adjustments happen at the beginning of each October. Academic apprentice personnel are compensated at rates established by the University of California Office of the President. Student assistants who have previously served in academic apprentice positions may be reappointed or advanced to the titles for which they are qualified no later than two weeks prior to the effective date of their employment. No advancements can occur for a given quarter after the beginning of that quarter. Reappointments and advancements are not automatic.

For more information, please click here.

Process

Flowchart

Step-By-Step Process

Flowchart

Step by Step Process

Additional Stipend: Instructions if supplement is from current PI/Supervisor/Mentor.

  1. Complete Action Request form: Please make sure to include the following information on the appropriate fields on the form.
    • Indicate new FAU.
    • Indicate amount per month.
    • Indicate fund name.
    • Indicate authorizing agency.
    • Add comments to confirm request.
    • Add administrator and fund manager names.
  1. Submit the form to ATO email for processing. (This is supposed to be number 2 but it will not let me change it).

Additional GSR appointment Supplement: Instructions if supplement is from current PI/Supervisor/Mentor.

  1. Complete Action Request form: Please make sure to include the following information on the appropriate fields on the form.
    • Indicate new FAU.
    • Indicate amount per month.
    • Indicate fund name.
    • Indicate authorizing agency.
    • Add comments to confirm request.
    • Add administrator and fund manager names.
  1. Submit the form to ATO email for processing. . (This is supposed to be number 2 but it will not let me change it).

Additional GSR appointment Supplement and or Stipend: If the request is not from the current PI/Supervisor/Mentor. Please contact ATO for further guidance.

Friendly Reminder: Graduate Students are allowed to work a maximum amount of 50% during the academic year. Any additional FTE will require an exception from Graduate Division. Please work with the Graduate Student’s Student Affairs Officer prior to any additional appointment submissions.

Forms

Action Request Form

When do I use this form? When you need to request changes to current and active Postdoc, Predoc, GSRs, or TA appointments.

Graduate Student Researcher & Predoctoral Scholar Appointment Form

When do I use this form? When you would like to appoint a graduate student researchers and/or predoctoral scholar.

Pre-Appointment Questionnaire for Graduate Student Researcher, Predoctoral Fellows, and TAs

When do I use this form? This is required to provide ATO information regarding student appointment information. Must be included in GSR/Predoc/TA pre-appointment packet.

Frequently Asked Questions

See chart below. The cost will be charged as a direct cost to fund sources. In the event of multiple appointments collectively equal to 25% time or greater (45% time or greater for GSR NRST only), charges will be prorated among the eligible fund distributions.

1) Selected for high achievement and promise as creative scholars

2) Assist faculty members with scholarly research

3) May or may not collaborate in the publication of research results as determined by supervising faculty members 

GSRs may NOT be assigned teaching, administrative or general assistance duties 

Step III:

  • One academic year of experience as an RA/GSR or its equivalent² 
  • Completion of at least two academic years of full-time graduate study at UCLA or comparable institution 
  • 3.0 GPA 
  • Enrolled in at least 12 units

Step V:  

  • Two academic year of experience as an RA/GSR or its equivalent² 
  • Advancement to doctoral candidacy 
  • 3.0 GPA 
  • Enrolled in at least 12 units

Hold GSR title for no more than four academic years (12 academic quarters) and, by exception only following advancement to candidacy, no more than 18 quarters

UC students may not be employed for more than 50 percent of full time during an academic quarter, in any single or combination of University titles, academic and/or staff, including University Extension unless authorized by the Dean of the student’s school or college. Percentages are figured on the basis of 100 percent = 40 hours per week. Students can be employed up to 100 percent during quarter breaks and summer. For graduate student researchers, the 20 hours should include the time spent in library, laboratory, and all other research tasks providing assistance to the assigned project.