Graduate Assistantships
Interested in applying for a graduate assistant position? These are paid positions, which offer excellent experience for our students. The UNI Department of Biology most often awards Graduate Teaching Assistant positions. Learn more about the Teaching Assistant position below.
Graduate Assistantship Position Details
Semesters of Employment Available: Fall 2025 and Spring 2026
Terms of Employment:
- For the fall semester, 20 or 10 hours per week, beginning August 25, 2025 and ending December 19, 2025 (dates might vary upon approval of the academic calendar)
- For the spring semester, 20 or 10 hours per week, beginning January 20, 2026 and ending May 15, 2026 (dates might vary upon approval of the academic calendar)
Compensation:
- Graduate Assistantship stipend is $3,090.00 for half-time appointment (10 hours per week) and $6,180.00 for full-time (20 hours per week) per semester. Stipend is prorated depending on start date. Stipend amounts are subject to change year to year
- Graduate Assistants and their spouses may qualify for in-state tuition
- Graduate Assistants may receive University holidays and do not work during the interims between semesters
- For more information regarding Graduate Assistantship procedures review the Graduate College's funding page
Primary Responsibilities:
- Teaching 1-2 lab sections of a UNI Foundation Inquiry (UNIFI) course
- Attending a lab being taught prior to your teaching times throughout the first semester of the assignment in order to learn your duties
- Attending group lab prep meetings
- Meeting with students during office hours or as arranged
- Grading assignments and examinations
- Corresponding with students via email or other means to answer any questions they may have about course content
Application Process and Deadline:
- If you are admitted (without provisions) to the Biology Department's Master of Science program at UNI, our Department Head will consider you for Graduate Assistantship funding. Please apply for funding using the Assistantship Application form on the Graduate College's website
- In order to be given full consideration for graduate assistantship funding in the 25-26 year, your application for admission should be completed no later than February 1st, 2025
- Funding is not guaranteed and amounts vary each year depending on what is awarded to our department by the Graduate College
- Awards are offered in March of each year for the following academic year (i.e. awards for the 25-26 year will be offered in March 2025)
- If you opt to start the program during a spring semester, you may have at least one semester without graduate assistantship funding due to the decision-making timeline
UNI actively seeks to enhance diversity and is an Equal Opportunity/Affirmative Action employer. The University encourages applications form persons of color, women, individuals living with disabilities, and protected veterans. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to age, color, creed, disability, gender identify, national origin, race, religion, sex, sexual orientation, protected veteran status, or any other basis protected by federal and/or state law.
GA Qualifications and Requirements
Ready to Apply for a Graduate Assistantship?
Fill out the online graduate assistantship application, linked below. Applications received by February 1st will be given preferential consideration.
To be admitted, you will need:
- a bachelor’s degree with a 2.75 (or higher) overall undergraduate GPA. Students who have less than a 2.75 GPA may be admitted to provisional degree status depending on other indicators of academic potential.
- three favorable letters of recommendation.
- a written Applicant Statement which demonstrates your potential to succeed in graduate studies.
Graduate assistantships are available as well as various forms of financial aid. You can apply for an assistantship using the "Apply Today" button below. Contact the Financial Aid Office to explore other forms of financial aid.
Note: International students whose first language is not English must submit TOEFL or IELTS scores. For more information, see International Admissions.