In the Center for Rhetoric in Society, graduate students play a vital role in fulfilling our mission. We offer assistantships to Virginia Tech students across the curriculum, and we are committed to providing intellectual and professional growth for all of our assistants.

Graduate research assistants participate in all aspects of the Center, including grant writing, assisting faculty in research and data analysis, organizing research symposia, and writing scholarly articles.

Criteria for Selection

• Knowledge of the fields of rhetoric and composition and familiarity with areas and methods of research in the discipline
• Strong research and writing skills with interest or experience in grant writing preferred
• Good communication skills demonstrated by a collaborative working style, openness to diverse perspectives, and a desire to interact with a range of the center’s partners and constituents including faculty at Virginia Tech and nationally, regional community members, students, and faculty across the disciplines
• Flexibility, creativity, and dependability
• Computer skills, especially graphic and document design using Adobe Creative Cloud and front-end web development including HTML, CSS, JavaScript, and content management systems like WordPress
• Ability to work independently and take initiative on new projects

Responsibilities

• Work with Center Director, affiliated faculty, and graduate students to determine specific tasks at the beginning of each term in the position
• Work collaboratively to develop, participate in, and lead Center research projects and activities
• Attend a weekly staff meeting, hold office hours, and work collaboratively on projects
• Work independently on projects during the week (schedules will depend on project deadlines, coursework schedules, and other factors)