The Office of Undergraduate Research (OUR) is looking for motivated and personable undergraduate students in all majors who are excited to introduce and support peers through the Illinois research experience. If you have engaged in research or creative inquiry, be it through coursework, assisting faculty, research staff, or graduate students, or conducting a project of your own, we invite you to apply to the IURA Program and help other students along their research journeys. This application is for the 24/25 academic year. Students will dedicate 5 hours in the Spring 2024 semester to training and assisting with the Undergraduate Research Symposium. Ambassadors will then be expected to work 30 hours per semester for Fall 2024 and Spring 2025.

Program description: IURAs are a collaborative cohort of accomplished and experienced students at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Ambassadors will promote undergraduate research on the UIUC campus and help OUR develop and maintain student-focused programs that represent UIUC’s diverse array of disciplines. 

Responsibilities: Ambassadors must be active participants in all assigned responsibilities, including occasional mandatory weekend and evening events, for the full 24/25 academic year. As a Research Ambassador, you will: 

  • Represent and promote OUR's mission to current and prospective undergraduate researchers at on-campus recruiting & outreach events, classroom presentations, and other informational events.
  • Lead or assist in workshops on undergraduate research and participate as a panelist to share your research experience
  • Support OUR's social media campaigns.
  • Mentor, support, and guide undergraduate students at various stages of their research journey.
  • Assist in the organization and logistics of the Undergraduate Research Symposium.
  • Have access to professional development opportunities, such as training in peer mentoring, communication, public speaking, event planning, outreach, and program development.

To learn more about the IURA program and how to apply, check out our call for applicationsIf you are unsure if your experience counts, reach out to us! If you have any questions, please email us at ugresearch@illinois.edu or schedule an appointment at http://go.illinois.edu/askOUR.

Deadline to apply is Monday, March 18, 2024 at 11:59pm