Graduate Research Assistant

Job Posting Title:

Graduate Research Assistant

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Hiring Department:

Department of Medicine

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Position Open To:

All Applicants

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Weekly Scheduled Hours:

10

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FLSA Status:

Exempt

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Earliest Start Date:

Oct 01, 2025

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Position Duration:

Expected to Continue Until Aug 31, 2026

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Location:

UT MAIN CAMPUS

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Job Details:

Purpose

The Research Assistant will contribute technical expertise to the development of an AI-powered chatbot for Long COVID. The role emphasizes programming, large language model (LLM) integration, and user interface (UI) development within a retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) framework. The RA will work closely with Dr. Brode and technical mentors in computer science and informatics to support model building, evaluation, and refinement, providing hands-on experience at the intersection of AI engineering and healthcare.

Responsibilities

Programming & AI Development

• Implement and test components of the retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) chatbot using Python and related frameworks with minimal supervision.
• Integrate large language models (LLMs) and preprocessing of clinical knowledge sources.
• Develop model evaluation pipelines, including automation of factuality and citation checks.

User Interface (UI) Design & Optimization

• Build and refine patient-facing and clinician-facing interfaces using modern web frameworks.
• Ensure usability, accessibility, and alignment with project goals through iterative testing and collaboration with clinical/informatics mentors.

Usability & Human-Subjects Research

• Help coordinate and schedule usability testing sessions with patients and clinicians.
• Assist with administration of surveys and assist with qualitative data collection under IRB-approved protocols.

Project Coordination & Dissemination

• Contribute to project documentation, meeting preparation, and literature reviews.
• Assist with preparation of manuscripts, conference posters, and progress reports.
• Provide technical input to support interdisciplinary team collaboration.

Required Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Computer Science, Information Science, Data Science, or related technical field; or currently enrolled in a graduate program in one of these areas.
• Demonstrated programming experience (e.g., Python, JavaScript, or similar).
• Familiarity with large language models (LLMs) and/or natural language processing (NLP) concepts.
• Ability to work independently and in collaboration with interdisciplinary teams.

Relevant education and experience may be substituted as appropriate.

Preferred Qualifications

• Prior experience with retrieval-augmented generation (RAG) or integration of large language models (LLMs) into applications.
• Strong proficiency in Python (e.g., data structures, API integration, automation) and familiarity with modern web frameworks (e.g., React, Next.js) for interface development.
• Experience building or automating evaluation pipelines (e.g., factuality checks, citation fidelity, benchmarking).
• Familiarity with biomedical or healthcare data sources (e.g., PubMed, EHRs) or other domain-specific corpora.
• Prior research experience in machine learning, human-computer interaction, or health informatics.

Salary Range

$15,000 + depending on qualifications

Working Conditions

• May work around standard office equipment
• Repetitive use of a keyboard at a workstation

• Use of manual dexterity

• Occasional weekend, overtime and evening work to meet deadlines

• Other working conditions (optional): Potential remote/hybrid schedule

Required Materials

• Resume/CV

• Letter of interest

Important for applicants who are NOT current university employees or contingent workers: You will be prompted to submit your resume the first time you apply, then you will be provided an option to upload a new Resume for subsequent applications. Any additional Required Materials (letter of interest, references, etc.) will be uploaded in the Application Questions section; you will be able to multi-select additional files. Before submitting your online job application, ensure that ALL Required Materials have been u