Learning Assistant/Tutor in Chemical and Materials Engineering: Academic Year2026-2027 (Anticipated)

University of California Merced; Merced (CA); On-site; USD 33,000 - 45,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of California Merced is seeking Learning Assistants/Tutors for Chemical and Materials Engineering for AY 2026-2027. You will support students across listed courses, facilitate active learning, and collaborate with graduate students and faculty to improve STEM classrooms.

Ideal candidates are strong communicators, eager to learn teaching methods, and currently enrolled undergraduates at UC Merced with a GPA of 3.0 or higher.

Qualifications

• Desire to enhance instruction in engineering classes.
• Interest in integrating technology-mediated learning tools in engineering.
• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at UC Merced.
• Grade of 'B' or higher in the course or related course for TA roles.
• 3.0+ cumulative GPA and in good standing at the University.
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Sensitivity to diverse learning styles and student needs.
• Ability to apply study strategies, organizational skills and time management in sessions.

Responsibilities

• Facilitate discussion with groups of students in lecture by asking questions to help students learn materials.
• Attend weekly meetings with course instructor and teaching assistants to prepare for sessions.
• Participate in trainings and a teaching seminar course.

Skills

Instruction enhancement

Technology-mediated learning

Undergraduate student UC Merced

GPA 3.0+

Strong communication

Learning-style awareness

Time management

Study strategies

Job description

Position overview

Position title: Learning Assistant/Tutor in Chemical and Materials Engineering Salary range: See Table 20 for the salary range for this position. A reasonable estimate for this position is $28.52 per hour. Anticipated start: Anticipated start date per below: Academic Year: 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2027 Fall Semester: 8/1/2026 - 12/31/2026 Spring Semester: 1/1/2027 - 5/31/2027 Position duration: Duration through Academic Year 2026-2027

Application Window

Open date: May 6, 2026

Most recent review date: Monday, Aug 24, 2026 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: Thursday, May 6, 2027 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

The Chemical and Materials Engineering department in the School of Engineering anticipates hiring multiple instructional learning assistants/tutors for the following courses for Academic Year 2026-2027:

ENGR 45: Introduction to Materials
ENGR 156: Technical/Professional Writing
ENGR 170: Intro to Electron Micro
MBSE 211: Mater. Properties & Selection
MBSE 245: Condensed Matter Physics
MBSE 291: Research Seminar
MBSE 294: Responsible Conduct Research
MSE 1: Intro to ChemE and Mat Sci Eng
MSE 104: Engineering Living Systems
MSE 113: Materials Characterization
MSE 118: Intro Nanotech and Nanoscience
MSE 152: Mater. Properties & Selection
MSE 176: Microelectronics Fabrication
Other courses as needed

See catalog for course description.

A Learning Assistant works with groups of students on challenging course materials during class time. As a Learning Assistant, you will play a crucial role in contributing to the experience of students in engineering. The learning assistant will be responsible for helping students in actively learning in classrooms by managing in-class discussions and promoting interaction among students. 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 materials.
• Attend weekly meetings with course instructor and teaching assistants (TAs) to prepare for sessions.
• Working as a newly hired Learning Assistant requires you to participate in trainings and a teaching seminar course.

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

Appointments for AY 2026-2027 and/or Fall 2026 semester are reviewed around April, and for Spring 2027 semester are reviewed around October. Applications will be reviewed on a continuous basis and this job posting will remain open until May 2027 to accommodate upcoming course needs and new applicants.

Academic Year: 7/1/2026 - 6/30/2026
Fall Semester: 8/1/2026 - 12/31/2026
Spring Semester: 1/1/2027 - 5/31/2027

If offered a position, you will be asked to provide acceptable I-9 documents for your appointment intake process. Please refer to the Form I-9 Acceptable Documents webpage for a list of acceptable documents you will be expected to provide.

Qualifications

Basic qualifications

• A desire to enhance instruction in engineering classes.
• Interest in integration of technology-mediated learning tools in engineering.
• Currently enrolled as an undergraduate student at UC Merced.
• Grade of "B" or higher in the course or related course you are requesting to be a Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor/Tutor for.
• Are in good standing at the University with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (GPA).
• Strong verbal and written communication skills.
• Awareness and sensitivity to individual learning styles and student needs.
• Ability to apply study strategies, organizational skills, and time management in sessions.

Preferred qualifications

• Experience with tutoring or mentoring.

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae/Resume - Your most recently updated C.V./resume.

• Cover Letter - Cover letter identifying the course(s) you are interested in being a Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor for.

• Unofficial Transcript - Unofficial transcript confirming you have successfully completed and received a grade of "B" or higher in the course or related course you are requesting to be a Learning Assistant/Remedial Tutor for and are in good standing at the University with at least a 3.0 cumulative grade-point average (GPA). To access your UCM unofficial transcript, please follow the instructions on the following webpage: services/transcripts#unofficial.

• 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