Job Description

How to Apply

All positions require that you submit a cover letter and a resume combined into a single PDF file. All GSI applications should be submitted through the graduate student instructors posting on the university careers website. Application materials should be addressed to the faculty noted on the job description or to the chair of the program that you are applying to in cases where the faculty is TBA. The cover letter header must include:

Also, complete the course selection form found here.

Applications are due by December 3, 2024

Limited Availability Positions Eligibility

All graduate student instructor positions listed below are limited availability positions. Please note that only students currently enrolled at Taubman College are eligible to apply to become a graduate student instructor (GSI) at Taubman College.

Generally, each program only hires students from within their field. The positions listed here are for urban planning students only.

Dual-degree students must take 75% of their course work and must be enrolled for at least 6 credit hours at Taubman College in the term they hold a GSI position.

Only students who have satisfactory academic performance are eligible for a GSI position. Satisfactory academic performance is defined as:

Course Description

Course Title: URP 357 - Architecture, Sustainability, and the City
Limited Availability Positions, up to 2 positions available
Required Availability: Mon, Wed 10:00-11:00am
Estimated FTE: 23.7%
Faculty: Jen Maigret

Course Description: Architecture, Sustainability and the City: Ideas, Forces and People Shaping the Built Environment ? An introduction to the design of the build environment, society?s largest investment and biggest consumer of energy, the course?s focus will range from the room to the building to the city to the metropolis, including spaces and places that are consciously planned and intentionally designed, as well as ones that are vernacular and organic.  In addition to the fundamentals, history, theory and practice of design and urban planning, case studies of buildings and cities of different periods and cultures will be presented to deepen the student?s understanding of the environmental, economic, sociocultural and aesthetic impacts of architecture and urbanism.  Contemporary problems and opportunities in sustainable building and community design will be considered, including energy and water conservation, waste management and recycling.  Livability, walkability, bikeability and transit, as well as the importance of a vibrant and diverse public realm, will also be studied.

GSI Responsibilities: Prior to class: Training Session (CRLT) 2 hours + 4 hours preparation. Weekly time: Class contact, lecture attendance (2 hrs/wk + discussion section 1 hr/wk) , office hours (1 hr/wk), GSI prep meeting (1 hr/wk), weekly preparation (1 hr/wk) and grading (2 hrs/wk).

Minimum Qualifications: Academic experience in architecture and/or urban design and/or urban planning, sustainability, and urbanism. The GSI must demonstrate strong verbal communication skills (especially experience or promise in leading oral discussions), strong writing assessment skills, and enthusiasm for teaching.

Desired Qualifications: Previous teaching experience is desirable. Previous urban and/or sustainability courses in architecture, urban design and planning are desirable, as is completion of Arch 515 ?Sustainable Systems?, URP 532 ?Sustainability and Social Change?, or equivalent graduate coursework.

Course Title: URP 390 - Real Estate Design and Development Fundamentals 
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Tue, Thu 11:30am-1:00pm
Estimated FTE: 23.7%
Faculty: Bryan Pritchard

Course Description: Real Estate Design and Development Fundamentals ? This course examines the mechanisms through which real estate is developed in the United States.  Through lectures, reading, field trips, and guest speakers, the course analyzes the interaction of public agencies, developers, and designers in the initiation, financing, and design of developments. Case studies drawn from the local context as well as specific regions throughout the U.S. provide concrete demonstrations of how buildings emerge through negotiation among these various parties. By analyzing the structure of existing developments and generating their own development proposals, students will develop the skills to participate effectively within the complex ecology of powers and agendas governing real estate development and its effects on the building, the city and the region. The course address the following topics: Development fundamentals: Theoretical and historical analysis of how markets interact with regulatory systems such as zoning, land use regulations, building codes, tax codes, and government approval processes.  Evaluating economic feasibility: Analysis of developers? spreadsheets and decision-making process as proposals interact with lenders, governmental agencies, and other stakeholders in the development process.  Structuring developments: Training in how to evaluate risk, structure financing, understand incentives for spurring development as well as social and environmental goals.  The course will also engage students in negotiating and presenting proposals collaboratively.

GSI Responsibilities: Class attendance and student attendance tracking (3 hrs/wk), finalizing slides and connecting it to the classroom screen (1 hr/wk), assisting instructors with grading (2 hrs/wk), organizing, submitting, and managing CoStar registration (.5 hrs/wk), canvas file management (2.5 hrs/wk).

Minimum Qualifications: Currently enrolled in a graduate program related to real estate, strong knowledge of real estate with preferred experience in teaching or tutoring. 

Desired Qualifications: Excellent communication and interpersonal skills, highly organized with keen attention to detail, demonstrates reliability and follow-through on commitments, ability to maintain confidentiality and flexibility in meeting course demands.

Course Title: URP 423 - Introduction to Urban and Environmental Planning
Limited Availability Positions, up to 3 positions available
Required Availability: Tue, Thu 9:00-10:00am 
Estimated FTE: 23.7%
Faculty: Phil D?Anieri

Course description: This course invites students to explore three organizing questions: Who shapes the urban environment? How? What are the implications? With special attention to the challenges of equity and sustainability, the class introduces the key concerns of the urban planning profession?transportation, land use, housing, economic development, infrastructure, etc.,?to better understand a wide array of built environments. Lectures and readings introduce students to a set of central concepts and issues; in discussion sections and homework assignments, students analyze and apply those concepts.

GSI Responsibilities: Class contact (1 hr/wk), discussion prep (1 hr/wk), attend lectures (2 hrs/wk), office hours (1 hr/wk), grading (4 hrs/wk), and occasional meetings (0.5 hrs/wk).
Minimum Qualifications: MURP or PhD student.

Desired Qualifications: Professional experience in planning and/or policy

Course Title: URP 503 - Comparative Planning Institutions and Law
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Mon, Wed 10:00-11:30am
Estimated FTE: 23.7%
Faculty: Ana Paula Pimentel Walker

Course Description: This course focuses on the legal aspects of urban and regional planning from a comparative perspective. Throughout the world, legal systems enable and constrain developers, property owners, environmentalists, housing advocates, and other actors in the achievement of their visions of the good (urban) life. Planning practice is inserted in this legal field of contention. Thus, we will examine how different countries exercise public control of land use and development and the impact that these distinct legal institutions have on urban sustainability. Reading materials, class discussions, and course assignments analyze the U.S. practice of land use regulations vis-a-vis the legal-institutional context of other common and civil law countries. Topics include traditional land use issues, such as alternatives to public regulations (e.g., nuisance law), constitutional and statutory considerations of community planning, the administration of zoning and other land-use regulations, contemporary innovations on inclusionary housing, and environmental protection.

GSI Responsibilities: Grading quizzes and assignments, office hours, attending lectures, support canvas; lead final review. 7.5 to 9.49 hours per week.

Minimum Qualifications: Have taken URP 503 or another land use law course in the past. U.S. Canadian and U.K. law courses translate well for case brief assignments, which are common-law based. Pay attention to detail, especially language. 

Desired Qualifications: N/A

Course Title: URP 535 - Urban Informatics 
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Mon, Wed 11:30am-1:00pm
Estimated FTE: 23.7%
Faculty:  Xiaofan Liang

Course Description: This course provides students an introduction to the technical, theoretical and practice-based dimensions of urban informatics, an interdisciplinary field of research and practice that uses data and information technology for the analysis, management, planning, inhabitation, and usability of cities. Situated at the intersection of digital technologies and the human environments, this course situates itself at the emergence of new disciplines? urban science, big data, smart cities, civic technologies among others. The course is centered around technical lectures interspersed with guest presentations and class debates grouped into five topical categories?data acquisition, numerical analysis, mapping and spatialization, visualization and interaction, and civic technologies-. Students will also have an opportunity to develop their project?based on their research question?that combines these technical aspects in a final analysis and demonstration. Within the seminar and lecture sessions, we will discuss the policy and design questions around the creation of, and use of urban data within the language of urbanism. Seminar and lecture sessions cover topics related to the context and practice models associated with urban technologies, including civic technology, indicators, smart cities, and performance management.

GSI Responsibilities: Attend lecture (1.5 hrs/wk), learn and lead the lab session (4.5 hrs/wk), grading (1.5 hrs/wk), communication (1 hr/wk), office hours (1 hr/wk), improve and modify assignments or quizzes (0.5 hrs/wk).

Minimum Qualifications: Proficiency in GIS/Geospatial Concepts (in GIS software or programming language). Have basic statistical knowledge.

Desired Qualifications: Has taken URP 535; Proficiency in R data wrangling and visualization (ggplot, tidyverse, etc.). Proficiency in R geospatial data wrangling and visualization (sf, tmap, etc.).

Course Title: UT 360 - Service Design and Urban Needs
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Tues, Thurs 1:00-5:30pm
Estimated FTE: 23.7%
Faculty: Alex Johnston

Course Description: Students will be introduced to the basic principles and methods of service design by developing a new product or service that fulfills a fundamental urban need such as housing, food, mobility, social services, and energy. The course will cover the related research and design methodologies of stakeholder analysis, user journey mapping, and the development of a compelling value proposition.

GSI Responsibilities: Attendance at lectures (2 hrs/wk), office hours (1 hr/wk), preparation such as lesson plans, class notes, instructional materials, etc. (2 hrs/wk), lab or problem solving (4 hrs/wk), primary responsibility for GSI will be joining the twice-weekly class period and helping the instructor run workshops and provide feedback to students.

Minimum Qualifications: GPA 3.0 or above. Experience in leading oral discussions, as well as assessing students? writing and presentation skills. Demonstration of oral and written design-focused presentation mastery.

Desired Qualifications: Familiarity with design thinking; experience in UI/UX design, interaction design, or service design; experience or background in planning, public policy, or urban studies.

Responsibilities*

Specific to each course as described above.

Required Qualifications*

Specific to each course as described above.

Desired Qualifications*

Specific to each course as described above.

Modes of Work

Positions that are eligible for hybrid or mobile/remote work mode are at the discretion of the hiring department. Work agreements are reviewed annually at a minimum and are subject to change at any time, and for any reason, throughout the course of employment. Learn more about the work modes.

Contact Information

Cassie Germain, Human Resources Coordinator for Staff and Students
Taubman College of Architecture and Urban Planning
The University of Michigan
2000 Bonisteel Blvd, Ann Arbor, MI 48109-2069
[email protected] 

Decision Making Process

After review of the applicants and their materials, the faculty will rank up to four candidates for each GSI position with the applicants preference from the course selection form taken into consideration. In addition to selecting their top applicants, faculty can list those applicants whose qualifications are not sufficient to serve as a GSI in the course. The chair will be responsible for matching faculty and student preferences for final GSI assignments.

Where there are similarly qualified candidates, the preference is for students who have not had an opportunity to be a GSI at Taubman College.

Offers will be extended within six weeks after the application due date and we estimate that all positions will be filled, and the applicants notified by January 7, 2025. As a reminder, applicants may request the status of their application from the appointing unit throughout the process.

The percentage of effort for each position is detailed in the posting. Should enrollment warrant, and the GSI agree, an increase in percentage is possible. GSIs and faculty should check in regularly to ensure that the outline on the fraction calculation accurately reflects the effort.

Number of applications received previous academic year: 33

Criteria for late appointments:

All appointments should be prepared and submitted prior to the beginning of the term or another period of appointment. However, late appointments can happen on rare occasions. A `late appointment' is one that is sent to human resources subsequent to the first pay date of the appointment period involved. Because the specific period of appointment for GSIs and GSSAs has numerous implications for the employee contractual rights and benefits, a written statement affirming that the activities involved in the appointment are, in fact, taking place throughout the designated period should accompany any late appointments. 

Selection Process

Taubman College follows the GSI/GSSA hiring procedures from Article IX, Section C. Hiring Procedures in the U-M GEO 2023-2026 (p.39).

Applicants will be reviewed by the faculty noted on the job description; in cases where the faculty is TBA the chair will review applications in consultation with faculty who teach in that subject area. They will review the cover letter and resume submitted as part of the application. Selection criteria will include:

GEO Contract Information

The following information is required to be in all GSI/GSSA job postings per the U-M GEO 2023-2026 contract and applies to all of the courses listed above.

The University will not discriminate against any applicant for employment because of race, creed, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, genetic information, marital status, familial status, parental status or pregnancy status, sex, gender identity or expression (whether actual or perceived), sexual orientation, age, height, weight, disability, citizenship status, veteran status, HIV antibody status, political belief, membership in any social or political organization, participation in a grievance or complaint whether formal or informal, medical conditions including those related to pregnancy, childbirth and breastfeeding, arrest record, or any other factor where the item in question will not interfere with job performance and where the employee is otherwise qualified. The University of Michigan agrees to abide by the protections afforded employees with disabilities as outlined in the rules and regulations which implement Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973 and the Americans with Disabilities Act.

Contact information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://ecrt.umich.edu/about-us/contact-us/ and for the University Ombuds at https://ombuds.umich.edu/

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. In the event that an employee does not receive their preferred assignment, they can request a written explanation or an in-person interview with the hiring agents(s) to be scheduled at a mutually agreed upon time.

This position, as posted, is subject to a collective bargaining agreement between the Regents of the University of Michigan and the Graduate Employees' Organization, American Federation of Teachers, AFL-CIO 3550.

Standard Practice Guide 601.38, Required Disclosure of Felony Charges and/or Felony Convictions applies to all Graduate Student Assistants (GSAs). SPG 601.38 may be accessed online at https://spg.umich.edu/policy/601.38 , and its relation to your employment can be found in MOU 10 of your employment contract.

U-M EEO/AA Statement

The University of Michigan is an equal opportunity/affirmative action employer.

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