SRA Associates

The 2024 Teaching Associate recruitment is closed.

Please check back in September for Summer 2025 teaching opportunities.

Program Information

Course dates: July 1 – July 26, 2024 (4-weeks in Session A) 

The Summer Research Academies (SRA) is a competitive program that provides qualified high school students an introduction to the research enterprise through project-based, directed research in interdisciplinary fields. This program provides students with hands-on experience and professional development by allowing them to choose and develop a research project (groups of three) specific to the program track (e.g., Nanotechnology, Machine Learning, Marine Biology, History, Global Studies, etc.).

With the support of our office, you will develop a college-level, special topics course (4 units) focused on exciting research trends. You will learn to utilize a variety of instructional techniques and technologies to successfully meet student learning goals. Additionally, you will master critical communication and leadership skills that will help define your career objectives.

Ideal Associates: Researchers who are passionate about teaching motivated students within their field of expertise.

 

Associate Salary

50% Appointment based on the ASE contract. 

2024 Salary*

  • $6,195 (w/adv. to candidacy)

  • $5,885 (w/o adv. to candidacy)

  • $1,500 supplement for administrative work (paid during the summer quarter)

*Salaries are based on 10/01/2023 scale and are subject to change.


Associate Qualifications

  • Doctoral degree objective must be in a STEM, humanities, or social sciences related fields

  • Master’s degree or advancement to candidacy (by Spring 2024) 

  • One year of teaching experience as a Teaching Assistant (desired)

  • Must be a current student at the time of appointment and enrolled in Spring 2024 units 

  • Strong desire to teach at a university level 

 

To Apply

Propose your own course by submitting the following documents electronically to Dr. Teresa Holden, Assistant Director of Academic Programs (teresaholden@ucsb.edu)

  • Updated CV 

  • Teaching philosophy (1 page maximum) 

  • Short course description (1 page) that:

    • Outlines the general theme (including a title and brief description) with sample topics that will be covered in the lecture.

    • Provides a sample list of labs or activities to be performed by students.

    • Lists sample research questions that students could investigate during the course.


Candidates are encouraged to apply early, as interviews will be conducted on a rolling basis. For primary consideration, applications should be submitted by Friday, October 20, 2023. 

 

Associate Training & Support

  • Monthly training (December – June) for course development and preparation will be provided by the program. 

  • Teaching Assistant support will be provided for the course. 

  • A course budget will be available for research supplies.

  • In-session weekly team meetings during course dates for additional support.

For graduate students enrolled in the Certificate in College and University Teaching (CCUT) program, this appointment will satisfy the teaching requirement (Instructor of Record).

 

Course Framework

Course Description

INT 93LS: Introduction to Research in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences (4 units)
Introduction to university-level research experiences in STEM, Humanities, and Social Sciences disciplines. Students participate in project-based, directed research while learning about current practices and trends. The course culminates with a group presentation and submission of findings.

 

Academic Framework

INT 93LS will be offered over 4 weeks during session A (July 1 – July 26, 2024). It will serve as the core curriculum around which students will branch out into their specific tracks (27–30 students per track). 

The general academic component of the program is as follows:

Week 1: 3 Lectures | 2 Labs | 1 Discussion

Week 2: 4 Lectures | 2 Labs | 2 Discussions

Week 3: 4 Lectures | 3 Discussions

Week 4: 3 Lectures | 3 Discussions

The course will be comprised of lectures, labs, and discussion sections as follows: 

  • Lectures (80 minutes) will teach students fundamental concepts in the particular track they choose, leading to more specific topics in the field. 

  • Labs (180 minutes) are taught by Teaching Assistants and adapted from various UCSB course practicums to demonstrate concepts and reinforce principles learned in lecture. 

  • Discussion sections (120 – 180 minutes) are led by Teaching Assistants and allow student groups of three to develop a research question, investigate findings, and present a final research project to their peers in a formal presentation on the last two days of the program.

 

Program Framework

Students will participate in program events that will help them develop academically and professionally. 

  • Virtual Component – This workshop series will set the stage for students to enter into the academic and research environment at UC Santa Barbara. Students will start to become acquainted with their peers, who will soon become their collaborative research partners, and gain vital skills for being successful researchers.

  • GRIT talks – In this eight-part lecture series, UC Santa Barbara faculty will share how their work is changing the world. Students will have the opportunity to engage with speakers and expand their research interests.

  • Development Workshops – These seminars will provide students with important resources to succeed. Topics include admission to college, stress management, recognizing imposter syndrome, professional communication, effective teamwork, and more.

  • Capstone Seminar – In this formal research conference, students will present their findings to a wide-ranging audience. Student groups will demonstrate the acquisition of the skills learned in lectures, discussions, and labs by giving a professional 15-minute presentation on their research problem and findings.

 

Learning Outcomes

  1. Expose students to academic research in a university setting.

  2. Give students the opportunity to experience the collaborative nature of a research environment.

  3. Teach professional scientific communication techniques via a group research project presentation and lab report. 

 

Contact us

For questions or to schedule a consultation appointment, please contact Dr. Teresa Holden (teresaholden@ucsb.edu)


Resources

Please click on each link below to view past course short descriptions. 

2023 SRA Course/Track Descriptions

2022 SRA Course/Track Descriptions

2021 SRA Course/Track Descriptions

2020 SRA Course/Track Descriptions

For a list of past research projects conducted by students, please download SRA Capstone Seminar programs, available at the bottom of the webpage.