How to Apply
Applicants must include with this application the following materials:
1) a cover letter addressing interest and qualifications for the position
2) a resume or curriculum vita
3) teaching history (list course and department)
4) any available teaching evaluations
Please send questions to [email protected]
Course Description
Target Openings: 1 (Limited Availability Position)
ORGSTUDY 410. Advanced Research Methods in Organizational Studies (Prof. Lisa Fein)
This course focuses on the use of social science research methods to study organizational adaptation, problem solving, and change. The course emphasizes interview, observational and survey methods, while also highlighting data analysis and communication skills. The primary purpose of this course is to provide you with an actionable toolkit of research methods that can be used to uncover organizational challenges and recommend potential changes. The secondary but no less important purpose of this course is to make you a more informed consumer of research.
This hands-on course emphasizes learning by doing. You will learn how to conduct organizational research from start to finish. You and your team will be charged with finding a focal organization and carrying out a field research project there. I expect that each project will provide you with an opportunity to experience an in-depth study that includes designing and administering appropriate interview, observational and survey data collection techniques; planning and conducting data analysis; interpreting the data; and communicating the results in written and oral presentations. I am excited to work with you throughout this process. Class sessions will be a mix of lecture, discussions, and workshops. Readings will focus on research issues, methods and theories, and will include articles to enable you to gain first-hand experience in reading and processing organizational research. The assignments have been designed to help you develop research skills and apply them to your field research project.
Anticipated Class Schedule: Tuesday/Thursday 1:00pm-2:30pm, Discussion Friday 11-12pm
Estimated effort for the positions: 1 GSI position (.50 FTE)
Benefits: Tuition waiver and stipend as provided in UM/GEO Agreement
Responsibilities*
Lecture in whole or in part one or more classes, jointly hold discussion with the faculty, and consult with the students during office hours. Work closely with student teams, advise on research plans, content, analysis, and written and oral reports. The GSI and the faculty will jointly grade the group assignments and final projects. The GSI will grade the individual assignments, with review by the faculty.
The GSI will be expected to work with students one-to-one and in teams, read and grade research reports, run discussion sessions, and give lectures. 100% of the GSI?s time will be spent on teaching activities, including preparation, lectures, instruction, holding office hours, grading, and mentoring. He/she will be expected to attend every class lecture and discussion sessions. Office hours will be held. The GSI, with the faculty, will meet with the focal organizations as needed. The faculty will meet with the GSI at least once a week to discuss the class, its progress, and preparation for the following week. It is anticipated that the responsibilities will average 16.5-20 hours per week for a .50 FTE GSI.
A first-time GSI is required to attend 20 hours of pedagogical classes offered by CRLT. They must attend the CRLT Fall 2025 GSI Teaching Orientation (GSITO), dates to be announced. Any remaining hours required beyond the CRLT GSI Orientation may be fulfilled by a series of planned pedagogical conversations with your faculty instructor of record and/or additional courses provided by CRLT or other UM units related to teaching. Possibilities include: ENGR 580, GERMAN 531, ROMLING 528, BA 830 & 831, PIBS 505, EEB/MCDB 494, ED 720, ED 7373, ED 834, HIST 812, PSYCH 958, MUICOL 509, or ELI 9941 (only sections focused on college level teaching), ED 790, ELI 994 or SWC/WRITING 993.
Required Qualifications*
Graduate student in good standing with a BA or graduate work in sociology, psychology, or related social science or professional field. Must have training in social science research methods, including qualitative and quantitative data collection and analysis. Must demonstrate excellent organizational skills and ability to respond quickly to student and instructor requests.
In compliance with the 2023-2026 UM/GEO agreement, the College of LSA requires that potential GSIs whose undergraduate medium of instruction is not English be evaluated for effective proficiency in classroom English. Effective proficiency includes fluent and intelligible speech, the ability to understand the English spoken by the undergraduate students, the ability to produce organized, coherent explanations, and the ability to contribute to the development of interactions with their students. As part of the training and testing, graduate students are required to demonstrate their effective proficiency by taking the GSI-OET conducted by independent evaluators from the Testing Division at the English Language Institute and a faculty representative from the department in which the prospective GSI will be teaching.
Desired Qualifications*
Interest in social psychology and organizational behavior; graduate students in related disciplines. Selection criteria include strong interest in the subject matter, merit, experience, other training or experience which may be required and explicit to the teaching goals/requirements of a specific course, and relevance to graduate training. LSA graduate student preferred, students in non-LSA fields are welcome to apply.
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
Tanya Dietz, Executive Secretary, [email protected]
Application Deadline
All applications for this position must be received by May 9, 2025.
Decision Making Process
All applications will be submitted for review to the faculty member teaching the course. After review of applications and possible interviews, the decisions will be made by the professor of the course.
Selection Process
Selection criteria include strong interest in the subject matter, merit, experience, other training or experience which may be required and explicit to the teaching goals/requirements of a specific course and relevance to graduate training. The anticipated date by which an offer will be made is August 2, 2025.
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.