Minimum Salaries for Graduate Assistants – USC Department of Contracts and Grants

For USC Students and Postdocs

Working closely with our faculty, USC students at all levels have opportunities to participate in research–in labs, the community, and in the field, sometimes traveling around the globe — conducting work for the benefit of society.

Postdoctoral Scholars

In addition to working directly with faculty advisors and mentors, postdoctoral scholars can get involved in USC research centers and institutes:

USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health offers several fellowship opportunities for students and postdocs interested in conducting research both in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more.
USC Wrigley Marine Science Center offers several opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Through fellowships at Catalina Island and on the USC main campus, graduate students and postdocs develop research capabilities, advance fundamental knowledge, and become the next generation of science leaders. Learn more.
Find more USC research centers and institutes.

Diversity in Research provides examples of existing programs for students and postdocs at USC that support diversity and scholarship in research as a foundation toward future efforts. Learn more.

Center for Excellence in Research (CER) organizes workshops for USC researchers. These courses are designed to provide faculty, postdocs and graduate students across all fields of study with specialized skills and knowledge in seeking funding from government, foundation, and corporate organizations as well as a variety of other topics. Learn more.

Center for Excellence in Teaching (CET) promotes a vibrant culture of teaching and learning for the university community, for schools, and for faculty. Through a variety of programs and resources for USC faculty and future faculty (graduate fellows/TAs), CET encourages best practices in course design, instruction, and evaluation. Learn more.

Office of International Services supports USC’s international students and scholars with information about visas, employment, etc. Learn more.

Graduate Students

USC’s Graduate School and individual schools manage graduate student programs.

In addition to working directly with faculty advisors and mentors, graduate students can get involved in USC research centers and institutes:

Bridge Art + Science Alliance (BASA) at the Bridge Institute is a self-governed creation of USC students who are creating connections and catalyzing collaborations between artists and scientists. Learn more.
Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)offers a number of resources and funding for graduate students who are contemplating a career in scientific research. Learn more.
USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health offers several fellowship opportunities for students and postdocs interested in conducting research both in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more.
USC Wrigley Marine Science Center offers several opportunities for graduate students and postdoctoral researchers. Through fellowships at Catalina Island and on the USC main campus, graduate students and postdocs develop research capabilities, advance fundamental knowledge, and become the next generation of science leaders. Learn more.
Find more USC research centers and institutes.

Diversity in Research provides examples of existing programs for students and postdocs at USC that support diversity and scholarship in research as a foundation toward future efforts. Learn more.

USC Stevens Student Innovator Showcase provides an opportunity for USC students to present their inventions, startups and prototypes (in all disciplines) to faculty and leaders from the local venture, entrepreneur, and business community. Learn more.

Spark SC is a student-run entrepreneurship ecosystem at USC dedicated to building communities, unlocking opportunities, and expanding social impact for current and budding entrepreneurs. Learn more.

Undergraduate Students

Undergraduate research is a key part of USC’s research ecosystem and USC’s many researchers, labs, center, and institutes actively welcome undergraduate researchers.

Undergraduate Research Opportunities in various USC schools:

In addition to working directly with faculty advisors and mentors, undergraduate students can get involved in USC research centers and institutes:

Bridge Art + Science Alliance (BASA) at the Bridge Institute is a self-governed creation of USC students who are creating connections and catalyzing collaborations between artists and scientists. Learn more.
Bridge Undergraduate Science Program (BUGS) at the Bridge Institute is training the next generation of students to surmount disciplinary boundaries as they work to better understand the human body. Learn more.
Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)offers a number of resources and funding for undergraduate students who are contemplating a career in scientific research. Learn more.
Southern California Earthquake Center seeks to enhance the competency and diversity of the STEM workforce by engaging students and early career scientists in the SCEC Community and offers a number of undergraduate opportunities. Learn more.
USC Institute on Inequalities in Global Health offers several fellowship opportunities for students and postdocs interested in conducting research both in the U.S. and internationally. Learn more.
USC Wrigley Institute for Environmental Studies offers several programs for undergraduate students including the Research Experiences for Undergraduates (REU). Learn more.
Find more USC research centers and institutes.

Diversity in Research provides examples of existing programs for students and postdocs at USC that support diversity and scholarship in research as a foundation toward future efforts. Learn more.

Federal Work-Study Awards are eligible to be used for undergraduate research positions.

High School Students

In addition to instruction-based programs for high-school students, USC features a variety of research opportunities for high school students.

Bridge Undergraduate Science Program (BUGS-Jr) at the Bridge Institute is training the next generation of students to surmount disciplinary boundaries as they work to better understand the human body. Learn more.

Center for Dark Energy Biosphere Investigations (C-DEBI)offers a weeklong Summer Science Camp providing high school students from underrepresented backgrounds the opportunity to visit the USC Wrigley Marine Science Center on Catalina Island. Learn more.

Summer High School Intensive in Next-Generation Engineering (SHINE) is a unique seven-week opportunity to participate in hands-on engineering laboratory and/or computational research focused on real-world problems at one of the top-ranked engineering schools in the nation. Learn more.

USC STAR Program brings together USC scientists and engineers with Francisco Bravo Medical Magnet High School students in Los Angeles. STAR students learn about STEM in world class laboratories that advances scientific breakthroughs at the bench and around the globe. Learn more.

USC Young Researchers Program is a six-week program that matches talented and motivated Los Angeles-area high school rising seniors with USC research groups for a summer of research under the supervision of faculty and graduate students. Learn more.