OUR Research Scholar Positions

OUR Research Scholar Positions
Research opportunities on campus are structured experiences allowing students to work with and learn from faculty. Students are not required to already have a project ready or a faculty member to work with. If you already have research experience, a project, and a mentor, then the Scholarly Undergraduate Research Grant (SURG) Program is more appropriate for you. The Scholar will be gaining hands-on, one-on-one experience with faculty mentors on UNC Charlotte’s campus. See “Application Process” to learn more about this.
The Office of Undergraduate Research funds multiple PAID research positions for undergraduate students. During the academic year, full-time Scholars can earn up to $2000 per semester and part-time Scholars can earn up to $1000 per semester.
Position | Hours | Semester |
---|---|---|
OUR Research Scholar* | Work up to 150 hours per semester | Fall & Spring Semesters |
OUR Summer Scholars | Full-Time: 40hrs/week** Part-Time: 20hrs/week | Summer Semesters |
** See OUR Summer Scholars page for more information on Full Time Eligibility
OUR Program: Important Dates
Summer 25 | Fall 25 | Spring 26 | |
Applications Open | January 21st | March 17th | September 18 |
Applications Due | February 20th | April 3rd | October 16 |
Program Dates | May 19th-July 25th | August 15-November 26 | January 12-April 26 |
Mentee/Mentor Agreement Due | May 28th | August 26 | January 22 |
Abstracts Due | July 1st | October 20 | March 5* |
Posters & Videos Due | July 21st | November 17 | April 16* |
Research Presentation | Summer Symposium July 25th | Honors Symposium November 21 | Undergraduate Research Conference April 24 |
Pay Period Approval Dates | May 19th-July 26th | August 11-November 26 | January 12-April 26 |
OUR Research Scholars are expected to:
- Demonstrate interest in research, problem-solving, and agile thinking
- Display strong communication skills (written and oral); interpersonal skills are necessary in order to work with the research mentor and team
- Manage time effectively to balance research and courses; tracking the time on the project and complying with institutional policy including limits on hours worked per week when completing time sheets.
- Maintain excellent professionalism; required attendance at events and symposia, well organized, attention to detail, ability to work with minimal supervision
- Report any needs or concerns regarding the project and/or mentor as soon as they develop to OUR. For example, if you are not receiving sufficient help from your research mentor, please let Dr. Sarah Powell, OUR Associate Director, know as soon as possible
OUR Research Scholars are required to:
- Attend all OUR Professional Development workshops. Excused absences must be approved by Dr. Sarah Powell, Associate Director, at least 48 hrs prior
- Complete a mentoring agreement, mid-term check-in, and the end of research OUR Scholar evaluation.
- Write an abstract based on your research project
- Create a disciplinary-appropriate presentation of research (e.g. poster, talk with slides, performance, display)
- Present research project at the end of the semester:
- Fall: Honors Research Symposium
- Spring: Undergraduate Research Conference
- Summer: Summer Research Symposium
Program Admission Requirements
- Currently enrolled Charlotte undergraduates
- Students must have good academic standing
- Students must be eligible for employment at UNC Charlotte (Visit HR for employment eligibility questions)
Additional Summer Requirements
- Students applying for full-time positions must be enrolled as an undergraduate for the upcoming fall semester, and cannot graduate before December of the same year, in order to be eligible to participate.
- Students applying for only part-time positions and enrolled in a summer class who do not graduate before August are eligible to participate.
- Full-time participants cannot enroll in summer classes or have additional employment while simultaneously participating in the program. However, part-time participants may attend summer classes during the program.