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:
- Name
- Program (MURP, MUD, URP, B.S. UTech, PhD, etc.)
- Expected date of graduation (MM/YYYY)
- Umich email address
- Student ID #
- Position(s) to which you are applying
Also, complete the winter 2026 urban planning course selection form.
Applications are due by December 9, 2025.
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:
- 3.0 GPA or above
- No more than one outstanding incomplete
- Progress toward degree at the rate of 9 or more credits per semester
If at any point in the hiring process or after a GSI position is assigned, it is determined that you do not meet the minimum qualifications posted for that course, your GSI position will be terminated and offered to another individual, effective immediately, even in cases where the class has already started and you have begun working.
Please note: When a student receives a Taubman College GSI appointment for a term, the GSI/GSRA tuition benefits replace any Taubman College scholarships awarded for the same term of the GSI/GSRA appointment. These scholarships cannot be held nor applied to future terms.
Course Description
Course Title: URP 423 - Introduction to Urban and Environmental Planning
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Tue, Thurs 9:00-10:00am, Thur 12:00-1:00pm, Fri 12:00-1:00pm
Estimated FTE: 18.7% - 5.5 to 7.49 hours per week
Salary: $5,458.90 term rate
Tuition Waiver: 64% of tuition
Faculty: Philip 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: The GSI is responsible for class contact (1 hr/wk), attendance at lectures (2hrs/wk), office hours and meetings (2.49 hrs/wk), grading (1hr/wk), and preparation (1hr/wk)
Minimum Qualifications: A commitment to fostering critical thinking in undergraduate students; experience in/exposure to the field of planning outside of the applicant's graduate work at Michigan
Desired Qualifications: N/A
Course Title: Arch/URP 357 - Architecture, Sustainability, and the City
Limited Availability Positions, up to 2 positions available
Required Availability: Mon, Wed, Fri 9:00-10:00am, Fri 10:00am-12:00pm
Estimated FTE: 18.7% appointment - 5.5 to 7.49 hours per week
Salary: $5,458.90 term rate
Tuition Waiver: 64% of tuition
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 built 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: GSI is responsible for class contact/teaching one discussion section on Friday mornings between 9am and 1pm- specific time to be determined (1 hr/wk), attendance at lectures on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9-10am (2 hrs/wk), student support in the form of student hours and/or grading/ feedback (2.4 hrs/wk), preparation such as lesson plans, class notes, instructional materials, etc. (1 hrs/wk), and weekly teaching team meetings with Instructor (1 hr/wk) meetings.
Minimum Qualifications:GPA 3.0 or above. Previous experience in graduate level coursework related to promoting and achieving sustainability in the built environment (such as Arch 515 or similar), strong oral communication skills with an ability to explain complex ideas to learners from a range of disciplines, strong desire to join a collaborative teaching team.
Desired Qualifications: Teaching experience related to leading discussions, small group workshops or similar.
Course Title: Arch/UT 411/509 - Becoming Digital
Limited Availability Positions, up to 2 positions available
Required Availability: Tue, Thu 10:00-11:30am
Estimated FTE: 18.7% - 5.5 to 7.49 hours per week
Salary: $5,458.90 term rate
Tuition Waiver: 64% of tuition
Faculty: Ellie Abrons
Course description: This course introduces students to the histories and principles that structure digital technologies and the ethical dilemmas they often pose, and endeavors to more deeply understand the benefits and risks of the digital for the built environment. Students will gain digital literacy ? characterized by a broad understanding of how technology works, its inherent biases and power structures, and its effect on people ? with a commitment to a more healthful, equitable, and just world strengthened by design.
GSI Responsibilities: GSI is responsible for attending class each week (3 hrs/wk) and periodic meetings for office hours or to coordinate teaching (avg 0.5 hrs/wk). GSI will prepare for and lead weekly reading discussions (2 hrs/wk prep time), grade weekly reading responses (1 hrs/wk), and grade end-of-term papers (avg 0.25 hrs/wk). Weekly time commitment is 5.5 - 7.49 hours.
Minimum Qualifications: Master or Doctoral student; Knowledge of and interest in digital culture and technology, including software, art, culture, urban tech, etc. (i.e., not limited to fabrication and hardware); Strong writing and critical thinking skills; Strong verbal communication skills (including experience or promise in leading class discussions); Enthusiasm for teaching (including enthusiasm for and experience in leading reading discussions); Strong organizational skills; Facility with online teaching platforms such as Zoom and Miro.
Desired Qualifications: N/A
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 20, 2026. 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: 46
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:
- Relevant academic experience
- Academic standing of 3.0 or more
- Professional and well thought out cover letter stating specific skills, and resume indicating the use of those skills. If the applicant has made email or in-person contact with the faculty member or chair about the GSI position, those communications can be considered as representative of the applicant's communication style.
- Individual faculty may choose to conduct interviews with qualified applicants.
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an equal employment opportunity employer.