Learning Assistant/Tutor in Political Science: Academic Year 2026-27 (Anticipated)

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

Job summary

University of California, Merced in Merced, CA, is seeking an Instructional Learning Assistant/Tutor to support POLI 010 and related courses for Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027. This role focuses on quantitative literacy and in-class student engagement, serving as a bridge between students and faculty.

The position involves facilitating discussions, attending weekly instructor meetings, and taking part in teaching trainings.

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

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.
• Participate in trainings and a teaching seminar course offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning.

Skills

Verbal communication

Written communication

Tutoring experience

Education

Undergraduate student, UC Merced

GPA 3.0 or higher

Job description

Position Overview

Position title: Learning Assistant/Tutor

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: Mid-Late August 2026

Review timeline: Throughout the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semesters

Position duration: Throughout the Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027 semesters

Application Window

Open date: July 9, 2026

Most recent review date: Thursday, Jul 16, 2026 at 11:59pm (Pacific Time)

Final date: Monday, Mar 1, 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 Political Science department in the School of Social Sciences, Humanities and Arts anticipates hiring instructional learning assistant(s)/tutor(s) for the following course(s) for Fall 2026 and/or Spring 2027:

• POLI 010: Understanding Poli Controversy
• Other courses as needed

See catalog for course descriptions

The academic focus of this position is quantitative literacy, with lower-division statistics courses in SSHA. An Instructional Learning Assistant works with groups of students on challenging course materials during class time. This undergraduate student will have recently and successfully completed the course 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, and is interested in: learning more about teaching and/or pursuing a career in teaching, engaging course content more deeply, and working with graduate students and faculty to transform classrooms into active learning opportunities.

• 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.
• Participate in trainings and a teaching seminar course offered by the Center for Teaching and Learning

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

Interested applicants should submit a 1) cover letter identifying the course(s) you are interested in being a Learning Assistant/Tutor for, 2) resume, and 3) 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/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 Office of the Registrar instructions

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

• 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

Preferred qualifications

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

Application Requirements

Document requirements

• Curriculum Vitae - Your most recently updated C.V.
• Cover Letter - Please include the following in your cover letter:
  • UC Merced Student ID
  • 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")?
• 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.

• 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 Office of the Registrar instructions

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.

Candidates must possess valid authorization to work in the United States. UC Merced is not currently able to sponsor individuals residing outside the United States who would require a new H-1B visa for employment. Applicants who do not hold valid U.S. work authorization are presently ineligible for this position.

Additional links: UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy, the UC Anti-Discrimination Policy, and APM 035: Affinitive Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment.

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, CA