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ASE Classification Descriptions

Classification Title Classification Description
Reader/Grader Reader/Graders provide diverse services as course assistants, which will normally include grading student papers and examinations. Reader/Grader duties may also include: attendance at lectures, office hours, consultation with instructors, and other duties as assigned. Reader/Graders may not perform teaching duties.
Tutor Tutors provide individual or group instructional activities in support of regular academic programs. Under supervision, Tutor duties may include: individual tutoring sessions, group tutoring sessions, presentation at workshops, and other duties as assigned. Tutors may not perform teaching duties.
Undergraduate Teaching Assistant Undergraduate Teaching Assistants provide administrative support for quiz, discussion, or laboratory sections and serve as class assistants. Faculty or other academic personnel should provide appropriate guidance and feedback, particularly in cases where Undergraduate Teaching Assistants are filling new roles and engaging in activities that are new to them. Undergraduate Teaching Assistants may not perform teaching duties.
Undergraduate Research Assistant Undergraduate Research Assistants engage in research on sponsored research projects under the direct guidance and supervision of faculty or other research staff.
Teaching Assistant Teaching Assistants lead quiz, discussion, or laboratory sections, serve as a class assistants, or provide supervised teaching. Faculty or other academic personnel should provide appropriate guidance and feedback, particularly in cases where Teaching Assistants are filling new roles and engaging in activities that are new to them. A Teaching Assistant is usually a pre-master’s student.
Teaching Associate I Teaching Associates take on greater independence in the development and teaching of academic courses. Guidance and feedback provided by faculty should take into account the more advanced stages of experience and development expected at this level. A Teaching Associate I is usually a post-master’s student.
Teaching Associate II Teaching Associates take on greater independence in the development and teaching of academic courses. Guidance and feedback provided by faculty should take into account the more advanced stages of experience and development expected at this level. A Teaching Associate II is usually a Ph.D. Candidate.
Pre-doctoral Lecturer A Pre-Doctoral Lecturer is ordinarily a predoctoral student who has held a teaching appointment at the rank of assistant professor or higher in an institution for higher education or who has achieved a comparable level of ability through other experience. Pre-doctoral Instructors normally work independently and are solely responsible for the development and teaching of academic courses.
Pre-doctoral Instructor A Pre-doctoral Instructor is ordinarily a doctoral student who has achieved candidacy. Pre-doctoral Instructors normally work independently and are solely responsible for the development and teaching of academic courses.
Research Assistant Research Assistants engage in research on sponsored research projects under the general supervision of faculty or other research staff. Appropriate activities may also include independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. A Research Assistant is normally a pre-master’s student.
Research Associate I Research Associates engage in research on sponsored research projects under the supervision of faculty or other research staff. Appropriate activities may also include independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. A Research Associate I is normally a post-master’s student.
Research Associate II Research Associates engage in research on sponsored research projects under the general supervision of faculty or other research staff. Appropriate activities may also include independent research under the guidance of a faculty member. A Research Associate II is normally a doctoral candidate.
Predoctoral Researcher Pre-doctoral Researchers engage in sponsored research on an independent basis with little or no faculty supervision. A Pre-doctoral Researcher is normally a doctoral candidate.
Stipend Grad Trainee C Stipend trainees engage in sponsored research and provide service to the University under the general supervision of faculty or other research staff. Individuals are appointed in this category rather than the RA, RAI or RAII categories because the source of funding for the position specifies payment of an educational stipend rather than a salary. A trainee with no service obligation to the University or a service obligation of less than 110 hours over the period of the appointment should be classified as Stipend Grad Trainee A.
Staff Assistant Staff Assistants engage in activities such as student advising, institutional research, museum or art gallery assistance, university administration, etc. The activities should complement formal academic training, or research and teaching activities. A Staff Assistant is normally a pre-master’s student.
Staff Associate I Staff Associates engage in activities such as student advising, institutional research, museum or art gallery assistance, university administration, etc. The activities should complement formal academic training, or research and teaching activities. A Staff Associate I is normally a post-master’s student.
Staff Associate II Staff Associates engage in such activities as student advising, institutional research, museum or art gallery assistance, university administration, etc. The activities should complement formal academic training, or research and teaching activities. A Staff Associate II is normally a doctoral candidate.