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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:
Applications are due by July 29, 2026.
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 architecture 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:
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.
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.
Course Description
Course Title: Arch 313 - History of Architecture I
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Lecture: Mon, Wed 8:30-9:30am. Discussions Wed 9:30-10:30am or 10:30-11:30am
Estimated FTE: 18.7% - 5.5 to 7.49 hours per week
Salary: TBD (GEO contract in negotiation)
Tuition Waiver: 64% of tuition
Faculty: Joy Knoblauch
Course description: This course is the first in the undergraduate two-course sequence (ARCH 313/323) surveying the history of architecture from antiquity to the present. The course introduces students to leading developments in the history and theory of architecture and urban design from ancient times through the Renaissance. Innovation and change in architectural conception, stylistic expression, building typology, and construction technique are examined. Attention is also paid to the way architecture has historically been shaped by varying combinations of the formal and theoretical intentions of the architect, the preferences and needs of the client, and the particular mix of social, economic, cultural, and technical factors operating to define the specific characteristics of a given time and place.
GSI Responsibilities: The GSI will attend all lectures (1 hr/wk), prepare for and run discussion sections (1hr/wk), teaching prep (2hrs/wk), grading (2hrs/wk), and course administration (0.5hrs/wk).
Minimum Qualifications: GPA 3.0 or above, acute coursework knowledge of theory; strong writing and thinking skills. Please include in cover letter the courses taken relevant to this course.
Desired Qualifications: GPA above 3.5, Skilled at managing a diverse discussion, interested in working with students, conscientious, well organized, good listening and reading skills; writing skills. Experience leading oral discussions.
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 August 28, 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 in previous academic year: 82
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 Statement
The University of Michigan is an Equal Opportunity Employer. We are committed to providing an environment of mutual respect where equal employment opportunities are available to all applicants, including protected veterans and individuals with disabilities.