Overview

The International Policy Research Assistantship (IPRA) program provides Ford School students the opportunity to build practical skills while supporting new and ongoing faculty research. IPRA is administered by the Ford School’s International Policy Center (IPC) and made possible through the generosity of the Weiser Family.

Prof. Shobita Parthasarathy seeks an in-residence Ford School of Public Policy BA major or MPA/MPP to serve as a part-time research assistant for the Fall 2026 term.  The selected candidate may be asked to continue work during the Winter 2027 term, contingent upon funding availability and successful completion of Fall 2026 research tasks and IPC reporting requirements.

Prof. Parthasarathy’s current research project examines, from a cross-national perspective, whether and how technology innovation policies and institutions might better serve the public interest. In her current work, Parthasarathy examines experimental technology innovation approaches around the world that prioritize social equity and justice--primarily focused on health--to understand what lessons can be learned.

Work Location

The work location for this position is primarily remote, with periodic in-person check-ins at Weill Hall with the faculty supervisor.

Start Date

The tentative start date will be Monday, September 14 or 21.

Responsibilities

The student will have opportunities to conduct research-related tasks in support of the faculty’s ongoing project. Illustrative tasks include:

·       Conducting internet research and scholarly literature review;

·       Engaging in document/website/media analysis;

·       Writing case studies (for possible publication, in partnership with STPP).

Eligibility & Qualifications

·       Current and incoming (in-residence) Ford School BA majors and MPA/MPP students in good standing. PhD students and non-Ford School students are ineligible for this opportunity. Please note that the Ford School may provide academic standing-related information to faculty supervisors prior to making hiring decisions;

·       Students may only serve in one (1) IPRA position during a given term;

·       Availability to work between 10 and 20 hours per week on a regular schedule determined by Prof. Parthasarathy and the students at the beginning of the semester;

·       Demonstrated interest in international (including cross-national) policy required. Interest in technology and innovation policy issues preferred;

·       Excellent writing and research skills required;

·       Experience conducting case study analysis preferred;

·       Proficiency in one or more foreign languages preferred (particularly reading and writing);

·       Prior experience conducting literature reviews and/or data analyses preferred.

Compensation

·       $16 per hour for BA major applicants;

·       $20 per hour for MPP/MPA applicants.

Other Considerations

·       If hired, the student must agree to prepare a brief narrative report for IPC each term, detailing IPRA tasks and skills acquired. IPC may share this narrative report information publicly and with the Weiser Family, an IPRA donor, to demonstrate program impact.

How to Apply

Please submit a resumé, one-page cover letter, transcript, and a writing sample (under 1,000 words) as a single PDF file (required) via U-M’s Student Employment portal by Friday, August 28 (11:59pm). Do NOT submit these materials directly to the faculty supervisor or IPC staff.

·       Current and incoming (in-residence) Ford School BA majors and MPA/MPP students in good standing. PhD students and non-Ford School students are ineligible for this opportunity. Please note that the Ford School may provide academic standing-related information to faculty supervisors prior to making hiring decisions;

·       Students may only serve in one (1) IPRA position during a given term;

·       Availability to work between 10 and 20 hours per week on a regular schedule determined by Prof. Parthasarathy and the students at the beginning of the semester;

·       Demonstrated interest in international (including cross-national) policy required. Interest in technology and innovation policy issues preferred;

·       Excellent writing and research skills required;

·       Experience conducting case study analysis preferred;

·       Proficiency in one or more foreign languages preferred (particularly reading and writing);

Prior experience conducting literature reviews and/or data analyses preferred