Want to inspire and support the next generation of undergraduate researchers at Illinois? The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign recruits and supports a team of Illinois Undergraduate Research Ambassadors (IURAs). IURA’s are undergraduate students from all majors who help peers learn about and navigate research at Illinois. If you have participated in a research project, be it through coursework, assisting faculty, research staff, or graduate students, or conducting a mentored project of your own, we invite you to apply to become an Ambassador and help other students along their research journeys.
Ambassadors are student-facing representatives of OUR. They share their own research pathways, help demystify what “research” can look like across disciplines, and encourage other students to explore opportunities that fit their interests and goals. Ambassadors are paid $15 per hour and are expected to work 30 hours per semester.
Application Timeline
Recruitment typically occurs once per year, with applications usually opening in November for positions that begin in the Spring semester and continue through the following academic year.
Responsibilities
IURAs must be active participants in all assigned responsibilities, including occasional mandatory weekend and evening events, for the full academic year. As an Ambassador, you will:
- Mentor, support, and guide undergraduate students at various stages of their research journey through one-on-one meetings, drop-in sessions, and outreach.
- Represent and promote OUR’s mission to current and prospective undergraduate researchers at on-campus recruiting and outreach events, classroom presentations, and other informational sessions.
- Lead or assist in workshops on undergraduate research and participate as a panelist to share your experience in undergraduate research.
- Support OUR’s social media campaigns.
- Assist in the organization and logistics of the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
- Be required to attend monthly Ambassador cohort meetings covering professional development topics such as training in peer mentoring, communication, public speaking, event planning, outreach, and program development.
Requirements
Time Commitment
- Ability to dedicate 30 hours over each semester.
- Ability to dedicate at least 4 hours to assist with the Undergraduate Research Symposium in April.
- Commitment to actively participate in all assigned responsibilities, including occasional mandatory weekend and evening events
Required Skills and Experiences
- At least 1 semester of engagement in research/creative inquiry
- Strong communication skills.
- Proven reliability, organization, personability, and respectfulness.
- A strong commitment and excitement for the opportunity to support current and prospective undergraduate researchers.
Does My Experience Count as Research?
Research looks different across various fields! How do you know if you have research experience? You probably have experience if you have: participated in a research-based course; participated in a research program; are currently pursuing a thesis, capstone project, or independent study.
You may also have experience if you have done any of the following under the supervision of a graduate student, faculty, or research staff member: conducted lab work; conducted literature reviews; conducted textual analysis of different literature; analyzed primary sources; conducted interviews, surveys, or focus groups; produced creative work (e.g., story, artwork, etc.) based on some of the previous steps.
If you are unsure if your experience counts, reach out to us! We are happy to answer any questions. Contact us at ugresearch@illinois.edu.
Preferred
- Experience with peer mentorship or advising