Academic Student Employees

Academic Student Employees (ASE)

The Summer 2026 ASE application is now openThe priority deadline (when application review starts) is 8 am, Monday, April 6.Fall 2026 hiring will begin in June (application release: late April/early May).

Please do not send unsolicited messages to Instructors of Record to inquire about GSI positions or your application. We have received some feedback that it is not appreciated. We strongly recommend that you follow the established application process. Read below for more info:

WORKLOAD

Almost all math courses over the summer happen during Summer Sessions C, an 8-week period from June 16 to August 18. 

• Most Math GSI/UGSI appointments over the summer period are set at either 80% FTE, equivalent to 32 hours per week (average over the appointment period), or 100% FTE, equivalent to 40 hours per week (average over the appointment period).
•  The FTE percent time is based on the course assignment and expected workload. 
• Web-based courses are set at 80% FTE and in-person courses are typically set at 100% FTE. 
• Note: Math W54 is provisionally set at 62.5% FTE (~25 hrs/wk).
• Reader appointments FTEs vary but 15-16 hours is typical.
• International students may work above 50% FTE during the summer period.

WEB-BASED COURSES

GSI positions in web-based courses are comparable to Fall/Spring GSI positions (i.e. teach two discussion sections, grade, hold office hours, etc.). The Instructor of Record directs course operations.

IN-PERSON COURSES

In-person courses like Math N1A and N54 do not have discussion sections. GSIs assigned to these in-person courses will teach the lecture. Under the supervision of the Summer Chair, these GSIs are responsible for course operations. Preference will be given to applicants who have prior teaching experience with the course and strong GSI evaluations.

COMPENSATION

Wages are based on the course format, assigned workload (FTE percent time), and teaching experience at Berkeley. Example: a GSI with 1 semester of teaching experience can earn ~$11,164 (before taxes) to $17,862.4 (before taxes) depending on the appointment FTE. Only the Summer Sessions Office (via appointment contract letter) can confirm and finalize your summer salary. Summer GSI pay dates are July 1 and July 31. Note: GSIs will have 7.5% of their earnings diverted to retirement plan (DC Plan) with the option of withdrawing the money once separated from UC employment.

READER POSITIONS

The Math Department also needs Reader support! The department plans to hire a Reader for every in-person course. Hours vary but Readers are commonly assigned 12 hours/week, and compensated $21.36/hour.

APPLICATION NOTES

• Please use the “additional information” box to include any and all information that can help us determine your preferences (e.g. preferred section days and times, preferred instructors, special circumstances, etc.). 
• Please note if you will be holding any other on-campus positions (e.g. GSR, Reader, etc.)
• Please complete the "Experience" section and list all ASE positions you've held, including Reader and Tutor positions.
• For "Class Assignment Preferences," please select at least 1 class in each category (high, medium, low). But do not just select all courses to include as a high preference—this does not help the review and placement. Course placement depends on many factors, including departmental need and experience, and therefore we cannot guarantee applicants placement in their preferred courses.

Important Information (section links)

• Graduate Student Instructor

• Undergraduate GSI

• Reader

• Peer Tutor

• Misconduct Disclosure

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Graduate Student Instructor (GSI)

To be qualified, students must have a strong background in mathematics (i.e. have taken multiple advanced math courses as an undergraduate or graduate student) and have received high grades in relevant coursework (ideally A- or higher). We strongly prefer applicants with prior teaching experience at Berkeley. We will accept GSI applications as long as there is a need. GSI hiring order is as follows: firstly, Mathematics or Logic Group graduate students; secondly, continuing or returning GSIs from outside programs/departments; and thirdly, remaining qualified applicants.

Requirements:

• For non-Math/Logic PhD applicants: attach syllabi or course outlines for any math-relevant courses on your academic record (undergrad and grad). Not including these records will hinder our ability to properly review your application.

• All applicants should report if they will have additional appointments (Reader, GSI, GSR, on-campus, other campus, or LBNL). Please include as much detail as possible, e.g. percentage FTE, position, and hiring unit (ex. 25% GSI MEC ENG). If you are uncertain, share as much information as possible. 
  • Unreported concurrent appointments may cause work authorization issues.

• All applicants should list at least 3 courses per “level of interest” on the application (exclude grad-level 200 courses). Course placement depends on many factors, including departmental need and GSI experience, and therefore we cannot guarantee applicants placement in their preferred courses. For information on course and GSI section logistics, please see the following link: Math GSI position details for Spring 2026.

 Important things to keep in mind for GSI positions:  

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Undergraduate Student Instructor (UGSI) 

UGSIs are appointed by exception only. Exceptions are approved by the Campus only if a department is not able to recruit any qualified graduate students (including graduate students from other departments) to fill an essential GSI position. Positive prior experience in other academic appointments (e.g. Reader, Tutor) is taken into consideration when selecting UGSIs. UGSIs are subject to many of the same requirements as GSIs so please review the GSI section of this page as well.

Important things to keep in mind for UGSI positions:  

• Applicants must have a 3.3 overall GPA or better, and have earned an A- or better in the course they wish to teach.

• Eligibility requirements for GSIs (see hiring info section for GSIs above) also apply to UGSIs, including language proficiency (if applicable) and first-time GSI requirements.

• View Berkeley Labor Relations to see current rates for UGSI pay.

• UGSIs are eligible for fee remissions, provided directly by the Department.

• ASE union requirement: New UGSIs must attend UAW Orientations.

• Learn more about UGSI eligibility via the Appointments Handbook.

Please note the following when submitting a UGSI application:

• All applicants should report if they will have additional appointments (Reader, GSI, GSR, on-campus, other campus, or LBNL). Please include as much detail as possible, e.g. percentage FTE, position, and hiring unit (ex. 20% SLC Tutor). If you are uncertain, share as much information as possible. 
  • Unreported concurrent appointments may cause work authorization issues.

• For "Class Assignment Preferences,” select only lower-division courses and please list at least 3 classes in each interest category (high, medium, low). 

• Use the “additional information” box to include any and all information that can help us determine your qualifications to teach (e.g. prior teaching or Reader experience, math background, etc.).

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Reader

Readers primarily support the grading of student papers and examinations but may also be asked to perform other course-related duties (e.g. proctoring, holding office hours). Readers do not perform teaching duties. Eligibility requirements:

• Applicants must have a 3.3 overall GPA or better and an A- or better in the mathematics courses (or equivalent) for which they want to be a Reader. 

• View Berkeley Labor Relations to see current rates for Reader pay.

• Undergraduate Readers are not eligible for fee remissions.

• ASE union requirement: New readers must attend UAW Orientations.

• Hiring for Readers will depend on course enrollment and additional class support needs. The number of available positions varies each semester.

Learn more about Reader position eligibility via the Appointments Handbook.

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Peer Tutor

Students interested in supporting math learning as a Peer Tutor should visit the Student Learning Center's (SLC) Peer Tutor staffing page. SLC hires Peer Tutors to support several Math courses every semester. Application procedures, minimum qualifications, and compensation details are located on SLC's staffing page.

The Mathematics Department does not manage Peer Tutor appointments nor have input in Peer Tutor hiring decisions.

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Misconduct Disclosure

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, are currently being investigated for misconduct, left a position during an investigation for alleged misconduct, or have filed an appeal with a previous employer.

• “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, discrimination, dishonesty, or unethical conduct, as defined by the Employer. 

• UC Sexual Violence and Sexual Harassment Policy

• UC Anti-Discrimination Policy for Employees, Students and Third Parties

• APM - 035: Affirmative Action and Nondiscrimination in Employment

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For salary information for positions, please refer to the published salary scales available at the UCOP website and local website at: P&C website

If you have a question that is not addressed here, please send your inquiry to christiannatividad@berkeley.edu (Mathematics Graduate Advisor). Please do not send unsolicited application-related messages to Instructors of Record.