Student Assistant I

Palo Alto University (PAU) is a private, nonprofit university located in the heart of Silicon Valley with a singular focus on mental and behavioral health education. For five decades, PAU has been dedicated to addressing pressing and emerging challenges affecting individuals, organizations, and communities, preparing practitioners and scholars to meet the evolving needs of contemporary society. With an enrollment of approximately 1,200 graduate students and a small cohort of undergraduate students, the University offers a comprehensive portfolio of bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral, and professional programs delivered through innovative online, hybrid, and residential modalities.

PAU is distinguished by faculty who are nationally and internationally recognized for their contributions to research, teaching, and clinical practice. Through rigorous academic preparation, applied research, and extensive hands-on clinical training, PAU equips students with the knowledge, skills, and professional judgment required for meaningful impact in the behavioral health fields. Together, these elements define PAU’s mission-driven approach to education and its legacy of preparing confident, competent, and compassionate professionals who make a difference in the communities they serve.

Position Description 

Job Title: Student Assistant I 

Department: Counseling 

Reports To:  Dr. Jorge Lopez

Location: Remote via Zoom  

Date: March 30, 2026 - August 21, 2026

 Employment Status: Part Time; approximately 5-10 hours per week 

Overview 

I am seeking a highly motivated individual to work as a student/research assistant for anAssistant Professor of Counseling. The successful candidate will assist the professor in variouscounseling course tasks, research projects and student gatekeeping processes. Counselingcourses include Career Counseling, Group Counseling, Couples Counseling and more depending on the quarter.

Specific Duties and Responsibilities: 

• Assist with student evaluation and gatekeeping processes.  
• Maintain accurate records safeguarding the confidentiality of subjects and students, as needed.  
• Conduct literature reviews and gather relevant research articles. 
• Assist in the preparation of manuscripts and presentations. 
• Attend research/administrative meetings and take notes. 
• Assist in the organization of research materials and data. 
• Complete clerical updates to Canvas 
• Assist with various course tasks.  
• Other duties as assigned.

Required Qualifications: 

To perform this job successfully, an individual must be able to perform each essential duty satisfactorily. The requirements listed below are representative of the knowledge, skill, and/or ability required. Reasonable accommodations may be made to enable individuals with disabilities to perform the essential functions. 

• Be a current PAU student 
• CES doctoral applicant preferred and will consider a MA in CMHC student or doctoral students in other PAU programs
• Bachelor’s degree in psychology, counseling, or a related field 
• Be detail-oriented; Have strong organizational, verbal, and written communication skills 
• Ability to meet deadlines 
• Proficient with APA formatting 
• Proficient with Qualtrics 
• Comfort with Excel 
• Ability to work independently and collaboratively 
• Knowledge of research methods and data analysis software is preferred  
• Familiarity with counseling-related research preferred 
• Experience with IRB protocols and procedures preferred 

Application Procedures: 

PAU is committed to providing an educational environment that supports a diverse, equitable and inclusive population.  In your cover letter, please include information on how your background and experience has prepared you to be in an environment that holds equity and inclusion core to its mission and values.  

EEOC Policy: 

No Discrimination: The University is an equal opportunity employer and is firmly committed to non-discrimination in its hiring and other employment practices and in the application of its personnel policies. In compliance with all applicable federal and state laws, except where a bona fide occupational qualification exists, employment decisions will be made irrespective of the staff member's backgrounds of race, color, religion, religious creed, ancestry, national origin, age (except for minors), sex, marital status, citizenship status, military service status, sexual orientation, medical condition (cancer-related or genetic condition), disability and/or any another status protected by law. 

As provided by law, and when it is requested to do so, the University will offer reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, if the individual is otherwise qualified to safely and to the University standards of quality of work, perform all essential functions of the position and if it will be done without undue hardship to the University.

PAU has a high-quality work environment that attracts and welcomes a diversity of backgrounds of its employees.  In your application or in a cover letter, please include information on how your background and experience has prepared you to work at a high level of quality of work with co-workers from a variety of different backgrounds.