The University of British Columbia

Research Assistantships

The most common form of funding for graduate students is the Research Assistantship (RA). These assistantships are provided through research grants awarded to faculty supervisors for specific projects (which can often provide thesis topics). Some of these grants come from the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council.  Many professors also receive funding from a variety of industrial sources. Amounts paid monthly vary a great deal, depending on the amount of funding available, the nature of the work and whether there is a maximum amount that can be paid as per the rules of the funding agency. 

The decision on whether to grant a research assistantship to a student is made by the individual supervisory professor. Students who have been accepted into the graduate program must contact their supervisor directly regarding the possibility and amount of a research assistantship.

If your supervisor has indicated to you that you will be receiving a Research Assistantship, please remind him/her to set this up as soon as possible. RA appointments are processed by the ECE Administration Office. If you are not a Canadian citizen they will require a copy of your student visa or PR card. You will also need a Social Insurance Number. You can apply for one here.

Requests to initiate RA appointments must come from your supervisor. To ensure that we do not miss any payments, please be aware of the dates of your appointment and remind your supervisor in advance to renew your appointment. RA appointments can only be made for up to one year at a time.

Masters and Ph.D. students, with strong academic standing, are encouraged to apply for Research Assistantship positions which match their research interests and qualifications. Below is a general overview of some RA positions available; not all positions are listed. Please note that not all RA positions are paid positions.