"Teaching Assistant / Teaching Fellow in Physics / Natural Sciences: AY 25-26, Includes Summer 2025"

Position overview

Position title: Teaching Assistant or Teaching Fellow

Salary range: See Table 18 for the salary range for this position. Teaching Assistant (TA) salary is based on an annual full-time salary of $68,000. Teaching Fellow (TF) salary is based on an annual full-time salary of $80,712. These positions will not be appointed for more than 50% time during the Fall & Spring semesters.

Percent time: 25% - 50%

Anticipated start: Summer 2025-May, 2025; Fall 2025 - August, 2025; Spring 2026 - January, 2026

Position duration: 25% - 50% or up to 100% during Summer term only

Application Window

Open date: March 24, 2025

Most recent review date: Monday, Dec 8, 2025 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Applications received after this date will be reviewed by the search committee if the position has not yet been filled.

Final date: Sunday, Mar 1, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Position description

The School of Natural Sciences anticipates hiring Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows for Academic Year 2025-2026, including Summer Session 2025.

The Teaching Assistant (TA) will be responsible for conducting assigned laboratory and/or discussion sections. Additional responsibilities include attending lecture, lab and TA meetings; proctoring all exams related to the course, grading homework, scheduling at least two fixed office hours per week and other instructional related duties in support of the supervising instructor.

The Teaching Fellow (TF) will be responsible for conducting assigned laboratory and/or discussion sections. Additional responsibilities include attending lecture, lab and TA meetings; proctoring all exams related to the course, grading homework, scheduling at least two fixed office hours per week and other instructional related duties in support of the supervising instructor.

The University of California Teaching Assistants and Teaching Fellows are represented by the UAW-AFL-CIO. https://ucnet.universityofcalifornia.edu/labor/bargaining-units/bx/index.html

Recruitment will remain open until filled.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

Bachelor of Science degree in the subject area or a related field; Must be a registered UC Merced graduate student in full-time residence.

For continuing graduate students:

• Satisfactory academic progress toward the degree objective.
• Enrollment in at least 12 units throughout the current semester.
• Completion of 8 units or more of upper division or graduate level credit courses during each of the two most recent semesters of enrollment.
• No more than two incomplete (I) grades still on record.
• A cumulative GPA of 3.0 or higher in those courses where a letter grade (A through F) was received.

Additionally, Teaching Fellows must have advanced to candidacy for the doctorate:

• Maintenance of a qualifying grade point average
• Academically eligible to hold the appointment (as outlined in the Graduate Policies and Procedures Handbook)
• Must be a registered UC Merced graduate student in full-time residence (registered for 12 units per term appointed; for summer appointment registered in 12 units in the previous term)
• Must have passed an Oral English Proficiency Examination (if applicable)

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Copy of Undergraduate Transcripts