Research Assistant - Embassy Outreach & Event Support (Fall 2025 C91375)

Position Summary

The Tapas with MIIS initiative is designed to strengthen connections between Middlebury and the diplomatic community in Washington, D.C. through semi-structured networking events. We are seeking one Graduate Research Assistant (GRA) to support embassy outreach, manage contact data, and assist with event design and execution. Each research assistant will also serve as a student panelist, sharing their experiences at Middlebury from the graduate perspective.

This position is compensated at the Level B rate on the MIIS student wage scale: $17.00 - $17.50 per hour.

Qualifications

• Strong research, writing, and organizational skills

• Professional demeanor and ability to engage with high-level professionals in cross-cultural settings

• Interest in international relations, diplomacy, or cross-institutional partnerships

• Ability to work independently and meet deadlines

• Comfort using spreadsheets and communication tools

• Desired Social Media skills to post on LinkedIn and create new Instagram account Time Commitment & Compensation

• Approx. 3-5 hours per week, August 2025 – December 2025

Essential Functions:

• Research and identify cultural, educational, and political attaché contacts at selected embassies

• Compile and maintain a detailed contact database for outreach

• Draft and send outreach communications, invitations, and follow-ups

• Support development of surveys to assess embassy needs and collaboration interests

• Participate as a panelist at a Tapas with MIIS event, representing the graduate or undergraduate student perspective

• Assist with event logistics, guest coordination, and materials preparation

• Contribute to post-event reporting and recommendations

* Lead coordination of embassy outreach strategy

• Manage ongoing communications and relationship development with embassy representatives

• Serve as primary liaison with project supervisors for event planning updates

• Multilingual ability strongly preferred

Student Employment Eligibility:

Unless restricted by certain visa status, all students with an active status for the semester are eligible for jobs on campus.

Students on leave or withdrawn are not eligible to work in student employment positions until the semester in which they return. If you are currently withdrawn or on leave you are eligible to be employed in staff positions.

Some may be restricted due to financial aid status. International students (non-resident aliens) may not work off campus unless they have applied for and received work authorization from the United States government. (An F-1 visa does not give work authorization.) Off campus work study positions are available only to U.S. citizens on financial aid with a federal work study component.

Student are not eligible to work remotely from International locations.

Don’t check off every box? Apply anyway! Studies have shown that women and people of color are less likely to apply for jobs unless they meet every listed qualification. If you’re excited about this role but your past experience doesn’t align perfectly, we encourage you to apply anyway – you might just be the right candidate. If you are interested in this role please send a 30-60 second video of yourself to [email protected] and [email protected]. In your video, please share your background and why you think you’d be a good fit for this role.

Hour Limitations:

All student employees are limited to working no more than 20 hours per week in on campus jobs during the academic year (this includes exam periods). The only exception is when there is a full week when school is not in session. Specifically: February recess, Spring recess, and full weeks of December or summer recess. During these time periods only, students can work up to 40 hours per week. International Students: Visa restrictions prohibit international students from exceeding 20 hours of work per academic calendar week.