Instructional Learning Assistants/Undergraduate Tutors/Spring 2027

University of California Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 48,000; Part time

Job summary

University of California Merced is seeking an Instructional Learning Assistant/Undergraduate Tutor to support students in selected STEM courses. The LA will help in-class discussions, assist with office hours, and coordinate with the instructor and TAs for course preparation.

The position is up to 25% time, starts January 12, 2027, with review and application dates listed. Preference for undergraduates who excel in the related course and demonstrate effective communication.

Qualifications

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at UC Merced
• Has completed course assigned and earned a B or higher
• GPA 3.0 or higher
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Awareness and sensitivity to individual learning styles and student needs
• Ability to apply study strategies, organizational skills, & time management in sessions

Responsibilities

• Facilitate discussion with groups of students in lecture by asking questions to help students learn material
• Work one-on-one with the students and hold office hours
• Attend weekly meetings with course instructor and TAs to prepare for sessions
• Participate in mandatory one-hour long weekly meetings with the instructor of record
• Working as a newly-hired LA requires you to register for an Instructional Learning Assistant Pedagogy Course, anticipated to meet once per week. Location/Day/Time TBD.

Skills

Strong communication

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Instructional Learning Assistant/Undergraduate Tutor

Salary range: See Table 20 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate is $29.38 per hour.

Percent time: up to 25%

Anticipated start: January 12, 2027

Review timeline: November 12, 2026 - January 4, 2027

Position duration: Spring 2027

Application Window

Open date: October 21, 2026

Next review date: Wednesday, Nov 11, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Sunday, Dec 6, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time). Applications will continue to be accepted until this date, but those received after the review date will only be considered if the position has not yet been filled.

Position description

An Instructional Learning Assistant works with groups of students on challenging course materials during class time. This undergraduate student has recently taken the course they will be working in and works as a bridge between students and faculty. An Instructional Learning Assistant is responsible for interacting with students and managing in class discussions. This job is ideal for someone who is a good listener and communicator, wants to help others learn, interested in learning more about teaching and/or pursuing a career in teaching, wants to learn course content more deeply, and wants to work with graduate students and faculty to transform STEM classrooms.

Key Responsibilities

• Facilitate discussion with groups of students in lecture by asking questions to help students learn material
• Work one-on-one with the students and hold office hours
• Attend weekly meetings with course instructor and TAs to prepare for sessions
• Participate in mandatory one-hour long weekly meetings with the instructor of record
• Working as a newly-hired LA requires you to register for an Instructional Learning Assistant Pedagogy Course, anticipated to meet once per week. Location/Day/Time TBD.

Spring 2027 LA-Supported Courses Include:

• MATH 005: Preparatory Calculus
• MATH 008: Foundations of Quantitative Reasoning
• MATH 021: Calculus I for Physical Sciences and Engineering
• MATH 022: Calculus II for Physical Sciences and Engineering
• BIO 011: Introduction to Molecular Biology
• BIO 012: Introduction to Organismal Biology
• CHEM 002: General Chemistry I
• CHEM 010: General Chemistry II and CHEM 010: Honors
• PHYS 008: Introductory Physics I for Physical Sciences
• PHYS 009: Introductory Physics II for Physical Sciences
• PHYS 018: Introductory Physics I for Biological Sciences
• PHYS 019: Introductory Physics II for Biological Sciences

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at UC Merced
• Has completed course assigned and earned a B or higher
• GPA 3.0 or higher
• Strong verbal and written communication skills
• Awareness and sensitivity to individual learning styles and student needs
• Ability to apply study strategies, organizational skills, & time management in sessions

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with tutoring or mentoring
• Interested in pursuing a teaching career

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated CV or resume.

• Cover Letter - Please include the following in your cover letter:

  UC Merced Student ID

  Have you previously worked as a LA at this program? If yes, what semester and for what courses?

  Why would you like to become a Learning Assistant?

  What motivated you to apply for this position?

  Which course/s are you interested in assisting (see list under "Job Description")? You may choose more than one but, please, include a ranking of preference.

  Briefly describe an experience in which you helped someone learn something. This could be in any context: related to study groups, hobbies, at work, sports, home, etc.

• Unofficial Transcript - Your most recently updated UC Merced unofficial transcript. Make sure your name appears on the transcript.

• Weekly Schedule Spring 2027 - If available, you may choose to provide a weekly schedule showing your available hours to work as LA during Spring 2027.

  (Optional)

• Authorization to Release Information Form - As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

  “Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

  Required Authorization of Information Release may be found at the linked page. Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application.

Reference requirements

• 2-4 required (contact information only)

None

Help contact

[e-mail]

About UC Merced

As a condition of employment, the finalist will be required to disclose if they are subject to any final administrative or judicial decisions within the last seven years determining that they committed any misconduct.

“Misconduct” means any violation of the policies or laws governing conduct at the applicant’s previous place of employment, including, but not limited to, violations of policies or laws prohibiting sexual harassment, sexual assault, or other forms of harassment or discrimination, as defined by the employer.

Please complete, sign, and upload the required Authorization of Information Release to your application: Required Authorization of Information Release Form.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Aff…

The University of California, Merced, is the newest of the University of California system's 10 campuses. Ranked as one of the best public universities in the nation by U.S. News and World Report and recently designated as an R1 institution by Carnegie, UC Merced is committed to innovation and excellence in research. With over 9,000 undergraduate and graduate students (Center of Institutional Effectiveness), UC Merced provides outstanding, inclusive educational opportunities to highly qualified students from the heart of California, the nation, and abroad. The campus has special connections to nearby Yosemite National Park; is on the cutting edge of sustainability in construction and design; and supports the economic development of Central California.

The University of California 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.

As a University employee, you will be required to comply with all applicable University policies and/or collective bargaining agreements, as may be amended from time to time. Federal, state, or local government directives may impose additional requirements. This includes the University of California Policy on Vaccination Programs.

Job location

Merced, California