How to Apply
Fill out the application here on UM jobs by clicking the Apply Now button below. Make sure you have the following materials combined into ONE PDF document before applying. You will need this to complete the application process. If you are having trouble uploading, please review our application guide Name the .PDF file as follows: Last Name.First Name.Course Number. For example: Doe.John.Environ321.
- a cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
- a resume or curriculum vita
- copy of undergraduate and graduate transcripts (unofficial is fine); if transcripts are long or difficult to read, a list of relevant courses (number and title) and grade achieved should also be included to expedite the review process.
- teaching history (list course and department)
- any available teaching evaluations
Verify your own course schedule against the schedule for the course to which you are applying as a GSI. All GSIs are required to attend the lecture and discussion times as posted. In Fall 2024, the ENVIRON 321 GSI posting had 78 applicants.
This posting is for one GSI position at 25% FTE.
Course Description
Climate change is arguably the greatest environmental challenge facing the world. Unaddressed, it will lead to catastrophic and irreversible impacts on the prospects for greater human welfare and development, and the likelihood of environmental and natural resource conservation. The impacts of climate change are likely to be particularly severe for the most vulnerable and poorer peoples on the planet, and ecosystem services and biodiversity in more fragile environments. Further, the adverse impacts of climate change are likely to be exacerbated by ongoing global processes and stressors related to demographic shifts, market integration, economic growth, urbanization, and erosion of ecosystem services. We now know that even if the most optimistic assumptions about reduction in greenhouse gas emissions (GHGs) are realized, the global system is committed to a sizable change in global temperatures and precipitation. To begin to address the environmental and economic challenges associated with climate change, therefore, it is critically necessary to understand better how different human societies can adapt to social impacts that climate change will inevitably produce.
Responsibilities*
- Attend course lectures and help with preparation
- Grading of weekly/biweekly assignments
- Student project support and evaluation
- Help with final project preparation and grading
Required Qualifications*
- Knowledge of MS Office and Canvas
- Strong background on the environmental social sciences
- Knowledge of climate change adaptation, especially in less developed regions.
- Strong communication skills, both written and oral
- Applicant must be in good standing as a graduate student at the University of Michigan. If the language of instruction at a student's undergraduate institution was not English, they must be evaluated by the English Language Institute (ELI) for English proficiency and either pass the GSI-OET or have this test waived by the ELI before they can be eligible for a GSI appointment in LS&A.
Desired Qualifications*
- Demonstrated expertise and interest in subject area. For Environ 321, individuals should have a strong grounding in social systems, as well as an understanding of climate change impacts, vulnerability, and adaptation. A candidate's depth and enthusiasm will be assessed based on their course work, research experience, and nontraditional experiences in the subject area.
- Adequate technology skills. Many Environ 321 activities are web-based, with the final project requiring the application of three types of media.
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
If you have questions about how to apply for the position, please email [email protected]
Please contact the follow for questions about job responsibilities - Devin Gill: [email protected]
Application Deadline
Job openings are posted for a minimum of fourteen calendar days. The review and selection process may begin as early as the fifteenth day after posting. This opening may be removed from posting boards and filled anytime after the minimum posting period has ended
Decision Making Process
Faculty review applications for positions in their courses and indicate their ranked preferences. They are also asked to indicate whether they regard any applicants as unqualified and why based on the Required and Desired qualifications listed above. Faculty may look at previous teaching experience as a positive, but will not view a lack of teaching experience as a negative on an application.
Applications are NOT rolling. Faculty will not be provided with any applications until after the application deadline.
In the event that a student is ranked as the number one preference for multiple courses, they will receive multiple offer letters and have the opportunity to decide which offer they want to accept.
We anticipate all offer letters to be sent by Wednesday, April 30, 2025. However, in the event that a position opens back up due to unforeseen circumstances after being filled, applicants information will be kept on file to be contacted with a potential offer letter.
Selection Process
Instructors have access to their position description and selection criteria along with the applications for their course(s). Instructors review their applications and rank the candidates for each position. Once professors have submitted their top candidates, candidates are matched to the professors who selected them and sent offer letters.
GEO Contract Information
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.
Information for the Office for Institutional Equity may be found at https://oie.umich.edu/ 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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.