Associate Instructor in Cognitive and Informational Sciences: AY 2026-2027

University of California - Merced; California (MO); On-site; USD 73,000 - 99,000; Part time

Job summary

University of California, Merced invites applications for Associate Instructor in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts. The role supports lower- and upper-division Cognitive and Informational Sciences courses for AY 2026-2027, with grading, lectures attendance, and discussion sections as needed.

Appointments are up to one semester, with start in Fall 2026 or Spring 2027, and 25–50% time. Candidates must be UC Merced graduate students in full-time residence and meet basic

Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the subject area or a related field.
• Maintenance of a qualifying grade point average.
• Academically eligible to hold the appointment per UC Merced's 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; incoming students for summer appointment have submitted the Statement of Intent to Register).
• Must have passed an Oral English Proficiency Examination (if applicable)

Responsibilities

• Grading, attending lectures, leading discussion sections when appropriate, and holding office hours.

Skills

Grading

Discussion leading

Office hours

Lecture attendance

Education

Bachelor's degree in the subject area

Job description

Position Overview

Position title: Associate Instructor

Salary range: See Table 19 for the salary range for this position. Salary is normally based on an annual full-time salary at Salary Point 6 of $85,898; see Table 19 for the full range of salary points. Associate Instructors will not be appointed for more than 50% time during the Fall & Spring semesters.

Percent time: 25.00% to 50.00%

Anticipated start: Fall 2026 - August 19, 2026; Spring 2027 - January 1, 2027

Position duration: Duration may be up to one semester.

Position Description

The School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts anticipates hiring Associate Instructors for lower- and upper-division courses for Academic Year 2026-2027 in the following disciplines: Cognitive and Informational Sciences.

The Associate Instructors will be responsible for grading, attending lectures, leading discussion sections when appropriate, and holding office hours.

The University of California Associate Instructors are represented by the UAW-AFL-CIO.

Program and School

Program: https://cogsci.ucmerced.edu/graduate-program

School: https://ssha-grad.ucmerced.edu/

Basic Qualifications

• Bachelor's degree in the subject area or a related field
• Maintenance of a qualifying grade point average
• Academically eligible to hold the appointment per UC Merced's 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; incoming students for summer appointment have submitted the Statement of Intent to Register)
• Must have passed an Oral English Proficiency Examination (if applicable)

Additional Qualifications

• One year of Teaching Assistant experience.

Employment and Benefits

The University of California, Merced, is an Equal Opportunity Employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, national origin, disability, age, protected veteran status, or other protected status under state or federal law.

Applicants must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced does not sponsor H‑1B visas for individuals residing outside the United States. Applicants without U.S. work authorization are not eligible for this position.

Job Location

Merced, CA