GRADUATE ASSISTANT Job in Wright-Patterson AFB, OH

Summary

This job is open to

• The public

  U.S. Citizens, Nationals or those who owe allegiance to the U.S.

Duties

(Research)

• The primary role of a Research Assistant (RA) is to provide assistance to a faculty mentor to enhance the value and effectiveness of AFIT sponsored research, which feeds and enhances AFIT graduate education and coursework.
• RA duties will generally include activities directly supporting sponsored research including, but not limited to: maintaining labs, equipment, hardware, and software; literature reviews; collecting, analyzing, and interpreting data; adapting existing equipment to support new research; and developing research products such as papers, presentations, and code that support sponsored research deliverables.
• RAs work under the close supervision of an experienced graduate faculty member, and the association is meant to be collegial and educational. In consultation with the supervisor, the RA works to gain research skills and to enhance his/her grasp of the essentials of the academic discipline, the conduct of research, the role and responsibilities of a faculty member, and the role of technology in support of the Air Force. RAs will perform duties consistent with their prior academic preparation and experience.

• The primary duty of a Teaching Assistant (TA) is to provide teaching assistance to the instructor of record in the classroom, which cannot be classified as routine clerical work, to enhance the value and effectiveness of AFIT graduate education.
• TA duties will generally include coordinating courses, assisting with classroom discussions, supporting in-classroom activities, recommending grades on homework and exams, conducting review and assistance sessions, assisting with classroom management (e.g. attending classes, taking notes, taking attendance, proctoring exams, and corresponding with class members), setting up labs, developing supporting course material, and other relevant duties as assigned.
• TAs with at least a MS/ME may also deliver lessons under controlled conditions (e.g., with the instructor of record present), prepare lecture materials, and assist in the development of homework and exams. TAs will work under the close supervision of an experienced instructor of record for each course, and the association is meant to be collegial and educational. In consultation with the instructor of record, the TA works to gain instructional skills and to enhance his/her grasp of the essentials of the academic discipline, the role and responsibilities of a faculty member, and the role of technology in support of the Air Force.

Requirements

Conditions of Employment

• U.S. Citizenship is required
• The selected candidate will be subject to a security investigation leading to successful completion of a background investigation with a favorable adjudication.
• Males must be registered for Selective Service, see www.sss.gov.
• Initial appointment is under Schedule A appointing authority, Excepted Appointment Not-to-Exceed 366 days
• At the time of the expiration of the initial appointment an employee who adequately demonstrates professional competence can be extended in increments up to 3 years or for an indefinite period.
• Employee may be required to work other than normal duty hours, to include evenings, weekends and/or holidays
• Employee must maintain current certifications
• Incumbent may be subject to serve a one-year trial period.
• Candidates are not required to have active duty service or veterans' preference to be referred and considered. All qualified candidates who meet the recruitment assessment criteria will be referred to the selecting official.
• Essential qualities expected of every faculty member include the personal attributes of integrity, industry, cooperation, initiative, and breadth of intellectual interests.
• Travel by military or commercial transportation to gather ideas for improving the curriculum, establish research contacts and agreements, conduct research, and present results of research may be required.
• An initial appointment can be allowed to expire for an employee who does not adequately demonstrate professional competence.
• The appointment cannot be converted to a permanent tenure in the competitive service.
• Current Federal employees on a permanent or indefinite appointment will be required to have a minimum of 3 day break in service if selected.
• Recruitment and/or retention incentives may be offered
• Travel and relocation expenses WILL NOT be paid
• Work may require travel away from the normal duty station on military and commercial aircraft
• This position meets the professional exemption criteria for the Fair Labor Stands Act (5 CFR 551.207)

How You Will Be Evaluated

Required Documents

How to Apply

The complete Application Package must be submitted by 11:59 PM (ET) on 12/31/2025

To preview the Application Questionnaire, please click the following link: https://apply.usastaffing.gov/ViewQuestionnaire/12659581

To begin the process, click the Apply Online button to create an account or log in to your existing USAJOBS account. Follow the prompts to complete the application questionnaire. Please ensure you click the Submit My Application button at the end of the process.

To apply for this position, you must provide a complete Application Package which includes:

A complete application package will include a letter of application (cover letter), curriculum vitae, legible copies of ALL transcripts. An undergraduate degree is required, but ALL transcripts must be provided for ALL degrees being pursued or obtained as stated in your curriculum vitae, and a list of three professional references (to include names, complete mailing addresses, and telephone numbers) are required. Three letters of recommendation from individuals familiar with your professional work is highly desired.

An incomplete package will result in non-consideration of your application.

If you are claiming veterans' preference, please provide basic eligibility information in your cover letter. Also include in your application a copy of your DD-214 (Member Copy 4) and, if disabled, a completed SF-15 (Application for 10-Point Veterans' Preference), along with a letter for federal employment from the Department of Veterans Affairs indicating your service-connected disability rating.

IF APPLICABLE: An active duty military member's statement of service/certification letter will be accepted in lieu of a DD-214. The statement/certification letter can be obtained from your servicing military personnel office and must be signed by, or by direction of, the adjutant, personnel officer, or commander of your unit or higher headquarters and must indicate your rank, dates of active duty service, and type of discharge/character of service (i.e. honorable). Your preference and/or appointment eligibility will be verified prior to appointment. Military members may be appointed before the effective date of their military separation, if member is on terminal leave, and if applicable, with the appropriate 180-day approved waiver.

PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant's responsibility to verify that information entered and/or uploaded, (i.e., resume) is received, accurate, and submitted by the closing date. You may verify your documents have been processed with your application package successfully. You can access your USAJOBS account to do so by clicking here. Uploaded documents may take up to one hour to clear the virus scan.

Human Resources WILL NOT modify or change any answers submitted by an applicant.

Next steps

Upon vacancy closeout, applicants will be notified via e-mail acknowledging receipt of their application package and advised of the anticipated selection date.

Upon candidate selection, all applicants will be notified via e-mail of their selection/non-selection status.