How to Apply

In addition to applying via the University of Michigan Careers website, applicants should complete the following steps:

1. Applicants MUST identify courses they are interested in applying for by completing the departmental application: http://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/Apply/2310
2. Submit a basic academic and professional information 
3. Submit a resume/CV
4. Submit an unofficial transcript

Graduate Student Instructor positions are only open to current or matriculating University of Michigan graduate students. 

Questions may be directed to [email protected]

Course Description

Graduate Student Instructor, Asian Languages & Cultures, Winter 2026

The Department of Asian Languages & Cultures seeks Graduate Student Instructors (GSI) for the Winter 2026 semester. These positions may range from .25 to .50 appointments (with the majority being .35 appointments), and as posted, are 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. 

Course descriptions for each course can be found on the LSA Course Guide: lsa.umich.edu/cg.

ASIAN 220: Philosophy and Religion in Asia 
ASIAN 231: Introduction to Tibetan Buddhism 
ASIAN 261: Introduction to Modern Chinese Culture
ASIAN 325: Zen: History, Culture and Critique
ASIAN 333: Language Justice in South Asia

ADDITIONAL COURSE INFORMATION CAN BE FOUND ON THE LSA COURSE GUIDE (https://webapps.lsa.umich.edu/cg/). 

Responsibilities*

GSI Positions for Sectioned Courses:

GSIs are expected to provide general pedagogical support for the course, which may include, but is not limited to: attending lecture, teaching discussion sections, grading and commenting on papers and exams, and meeting with enrolled students during office hours. The number of sections a GSI with a full appointment (a 0.50 position) will be asked to teach depends on the structure of the course. Most appointments for undergraduate courses include two or three hour-long sections of 20-30 student (per section) per week in a full .05 appointment. 

GSI Positions for Upper-Level Writing Requirement Courses:

Some courses in the department meet as lectures, without discussion sections, but have GSI or GSI graders in place to support the course's roles in fulfilling the College of LSA's Upper-Level Writing Requirement (ULWR). ULWR courses require a signification amount of writing and revision, classroom instructions on writing in the discipline, and careful attendance to writing issues when discussing course assignments and in grading and commenting on papers. Duties for GSIs in ULWR courses may include, but are not limited to: attending lecture, grading and commenting extensively on papers and exams, and holding office hours to support students in developing their writing skills. First-time GSIs in ULWR courses must also enroll in the Sweetland Center for Writing's WRITING 993: Teaching Writing in the Disciplines, a one-credit seminar, for the winter term. 

Students who have not previously been a GSI for the College of LSA will be required to attend the online CRLT GSI Teaching Orientation as an online program. 

Students who have not previously been a GSI for the Department of Asian Languages & Cultures will also be required to attend an orientation. 

GSIs are expected to be on campus and available to work no later than Wednesday, January 8, 2026, the first day of classes. 

Required Qualifications*

All applicants must be graduate students enrolled at the University of Michigan in good academic standing. Students whose undergraduate degree is from an institution where the language of instruction is not English must have already taken or be currently enrolled in the English Language Institute's ELI 994. The student must have a passing score of 4 on the Oral English Test (OET).  

Desired Qualifications*

The most successful applicants will have completed a previous coursework, undergraduate degree, or graduate degree in Asian Studies, Philosophy, Religion, International Studies, History, Art History, Political Science, Anthropology, or related discipline relevant to the course content/subject matter.  Previous experience in higher education instruction, preferably within the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures or a related discipline. LSA student enrolled in a graduate program

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

Contact [email protected] with any questions related to your application. 

Decision Making Process

All applications will be forwarded to the primary instructor of the courses selected. The instructor will make a hiring recommendation to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork. 

Selection Process

All applications will be forwarded to the primary instructor of the courses selected. The instructor will make a hiring recommendation to the department and a department administrator will then authorize the appointment paperwork. 

Unsuccessful applications will be retained for consideration in the event that there are last minute openings for available positions. 

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.