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
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 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.
Specific to each course as described above.
Specific to each course as described above.
Specific to each course as described above.
Course Title: URP 506 - Planning Methods
Limited Availability Positions, up to 1 position available
Required Availability: Tues, Thurs 10:00-11:30am
Estimated FTE: 18.7% - 5.5 to 7.49 hours per week
Salary: TBD (GEO contract in negotiation)
Tuition Waiver: 64% of tuition
Faculty: Xiaofan Liang
Course description: This course introduces students to essential methods and techniques used in planning practice and urban research. Analytic approaches include research design, multivariate regression, population forecasting, survey research, case study research, evaluation, and graphic data presentation. The emphasis is on methods in the context of planning and urban policy research, and matching the methods to the problem. We will cover computer applications for data analysis, including some computer lab time scheduled periodically through the semester.
GSI Responsibilities: The GSI is responsible for assisting a lab session (1.5hrs/wk), lab preparation (3.5hrs/wk), grading (2hrs/wk), and logistics/communications (0.49hrs/wk).
Minimum Qualifications: Know R and Statistics
Desired Qualifications: Have taken URP 506 before.
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.
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]
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 previous academic year: 42
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.
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.
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.
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.
