Assistantship and Hourly Opportunities

UMass Amherst is dedicated to providing as many opportunities for on-campus employment as possible to our graduate students. 

Below are open employment opportunities for graduate students. 

Note that assistantships of 10 hours or more per week are only available to students who are eligible for tuition waivers. If you are unsure if you qualify for this benefit, please contact your graduate program director. 

Additional hourly employment positions can be found here. 

Faculty and staff may use the On-Campus Graduate Assistant Vacancy Notice form to post an open graduate assistantship on this page. 

Appointment Type: Teaching Assistant

Application Deadline: August 15, 2025

Job Description: Graduate Teaching Assistant for an Online Research Methods Course 

Course: SPP 607 Policy Methods (Online, Fall 2025) / Instructor: Professor Viviana Wu 

We are seeking a doctoral-level Teaching Assistant to support SPP 607: Policy Methods, a 7-week asynchronous online course offered through Univ+ at the School of Public Policy. The TA will assist in facilitating student engagement, supporting course administration, providing initial feedback, and helping ensure student success throughout the course. Key Responsibilities: Assist with course administration, including managing Canvas content, tracking student progress, and posting weekly announcements and reminders Send weekly communications to students summarizing key tasks and deadlines Facilitate online discussions on Perusall, guiding students in engaging with course readings and materials Provide timely, constructive feedback on student assignments Hold one weekly virtual office hour to answer questions and support student learning Coordinate regularly with the instructor to ensure smooth and effective course delivery

Hours: 4 hours/week

Date of Appointment: 9/2/25 – 10/24/25 (8 weeks)

Hourly Rate: GEO Minimum $38.89 per hour

Experience Required: Doctoral student with research experience in public policy, communication, political science, or a related social science field Background in qualitative and/or quantitative research methods (such as survey and interview) Experience using Canvas and Perusall for online instruction and communication Strong written communication and organizational skills Commitment to supporting student success in an online learning environment.

How to Apply: Interested candidates should email the following materials to vivianachius@umass.edu by August 15, 2025. 

  1. Resume.
  2. 1-page personal statement explaining why this position is a good fit and how they meet the qualifications.
  3. Transcript of their graduate coursework (unofficial is acceptable). 

Additional Information: Before applying, students should first check with their academic department (Graduate Program Director) to confirm if they are eligible to hold an assistantship position.