STEM Research Mentor

Join Our Team as a Research Mentor (RM)

Are you passionate about guiding young minds through the world of STEM research? At IRI (International Research Institute of North Carolina), we're offering you the chance to make a real difference in the lives of high school students and young university students from across the globe.
As an RM, you'll have the rewarding opportunity to mentor and support these eager young researchers as they embark on their scientific journeys.

What You'll Gain as a Research Mentor:

• Co-authorship Opportunities:
  Collaborate on peer-reviewed papers and contribute to the advancement of scientific knowledge.
• Mentorship Experience:
  Guide and inspire students from diverse backgrounds, helping them unleash their full potential.
• Expand Your Knowledge:
  Explore a wide range of scientific subjects and enhance your understanding through direct engagement with students and faculty.
• Enhance Academic Writing:
  Sharpen your academic writing skills as you assist students in crafting their research papers and proposals.
• Work with Top-tier Faculty:
  Collaborate directly with faculty members in several fields across several universities, gaining valuable insights and networking opportunities.
• Work-Life Balance:
  Enjoy the flexibility of remote work and create a schedule that suits your needs while you study.

About IRI:

IRI emerged from the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic with a mission to provide safe and accessible research opportunities for talented high school students worldwide.
Our remote research programs connect students with university faculty, enabling them to conduct meaningful research from the comfort of their homes.
Whether students hail from rural communities or urban centers, IRI is dedicated to fostering their research skills and facilitating publication in peer-reviewed journals.

About the Role:

As an RM, you'll play a pivotal role in guiding students through their research journey.
Your responsibilities will include:

• Connecting with students and understanding their interests, goals, and motivation.
• Facilitating literature searches and guiding students through the research process.
• Assisting students in developing research methodologies and obtaining necessary ethics approvals.
• Providing ongoing support and guidance to help students overcome challenges and progress in their research.
• Meeting with the student for one hour per week, sending debrief emails about the meeting, and scheduling the next one.
  Sixteen one-on-one sessions are required for each student in the Research Assistant program, and eight one-on-one sessions are required for the Intro to Research program.
• Occasionally attend lab meetings when you are assigned Research Assistant students.
  The time may vary based on each lab.
  You will occasionally be asked to present your research and/or work at the lab meetings (e.g., lead paper reviews and participate in discussion).
• Evaluating student performance (once per term)

As a Research Mentor with IRI, you'll be vital in guiding students through every step of their research journey, from inception to publication.
In our introductory program, you'll assist students in refining their research questions, defining themes and sub-themes, and identifying relevant sources.
You'll provide access to these sources and support students as they prepare and deliver academic presentations.
You'll also guide them through writing a comprehensive literature review.

In our advanced program (Research Assistant - RA), which spans from research question to publication, your role becomes even more pivotal.
You'll not only mentor students directly but also collaborate closely with the Principal Investigator/Faculty.
Together, you'll support the student in all aspects of their research, from the early stages of finding the right research question to defining the most effective methodology to obtaining ethics approval, gathering and analyzing data, and finally, writing and editing the final paper for publication with you as co-author.

Requirements:

• Previous research experience and a passion for mentoring teenagers.
• Current Master's or PhD student
• Fluent in English with excellent verbal and written communication skills (C1 level required).
• Access to a stable internet connection for remote work.
• Applicants from all countries will be considered, but you must have studied your Master's/PhD at an American, Canadian, or British University.
• Published scientific papers are a plus but not a must.
• Previous experience as a Teaching Assistant is also a plus.
  

Important Considerations:

• As a Research Mentor, you'll enjoy the flexibility of scheduling your activities according to your availability, as there are no fixed business hours for this fully remote position.
  You'll have the opportunity to connect with students and staff from diverse backgrounds and time zones, participating in regular meetings to support their research journey.
  While scheduling these activities, we encourage you to collaborate with students and partners to find mutually convenient times.
• IRI is a highly diverse organization; we value respect and tolerance.
  Our students and faculty come from very different cultures and backgrounds.
• Applicants from all countries will be considered, but you must have studied your Master's/PhD at an American, Canadian, or British University.

Salary:
$15-$25 USD per hour depending on experience

At IRI, we embrace diversity and are committed to creating an inclusive workplace where everyone feels valued and respected.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and ensure that every candidate is considered fairly, regardless of race, color, religion, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, nationality, veteran status, disability, or any other protected status.
Our dedication to diversity and equality is ingrained in everything we do, and we actively strive to uphold these values by fostering a workplace that is free from discrimination.

If you're ready to embark on this rewarding journey as a Research Mentor with IRI, apply now and be part of our mission to empower the next generation of researchers!

Find an example of a paper one of our students published here.

Learn more about IRI, our programs, faculty, and students at iri-nc.org.