Teaching Assistant Opportunities with the ICPSR Summer Program

The Inter-university Consortium for Political and Social Research (ICPSR) Summer Program in Quantitative Methods of Social Research is always looking for talented and motivated Teaching Assistants (TAs) to support our world-renowned instructors and contribute to a highly respected methods training program. Even when applications aren’t open, this page remains your year-round resource to learn about the position, meet past TAs, and sign up for updates on upcoming opportunities.

Support. Teach. Inspire. Learn.

About the Role

Each summer, the ICPSR Summer Program hires a team of temporary Teaching Assistants to support instructors during the General Sessions, a comprehensive methods training series covering a wide range of topics – from introductory statistics to advanced quantitative techniques and specialized research methods.

The General Sessions are offered in a dual-mode/hybrid format, with both in-person and online participants. This dynamic environment offers TAs the chance to engage with a diverse, multidisciplinary, and international body of participants, including students, faculty, and practitioners from across the social, behavioral, and health sciences.

 

Three participants sitting at a table while one talks to the others.

Key Responsibilities

  • Provide instructional and technical support to General Session instructors
  • Assist participants with statistical software and course materials
  • Lead or support lab sessions and discussion sections
  • Help manage hybrid learning environments (in-person and online)
  • Contribute to a collaborative, inclusive, and intellectually engaging learning experience

Qualifications

Ideal candidates will have:

  • Graduate-level training in a social science, data science, or related quantitative fields
  • Proficiency in at least one major statistical software package (e.g., Stata, R, SAS, SPSS, Python, Mplus, etc.)
  • Strong communication and problem-solving skills
  • Prior teaching, tutoring, or research experience (preferred but not required)
  • Enthusiasm for supporting others in their learning journey

Two participants sitting at a table and looking at a laptop screen together.

Why Be a TA at ICPSR?

Working as a Teaching Assistant is more than a summer job. It’s an opportunity to join a global network of researchers, instructors, and scholars committed to advancing the social sciences through rigorous methods training. You’ll gain valuable teaching experience, deepen your methodological expertise, and make professional connections that last far beyond the summer.

“This position offered an opportunity to branch out of my immediate circles and build a wider network. The amount of senior scholars who are gathering here is akin to a small academic conference. You get to network with so many people, and not just the faculty, but also the students.”

— Anmol Panda, 2025 Teaching Assistant

“Serving as a TA this summer was truly a blessing. It was also a space I felt welcomed, like I belonged. ICPSR has this unique ability to make people feel like they are a part of something greater than themselves. I had that experience as a TA. Not only was I able to work alongside some of the greatest scholars but also the brilliant staff, I had access for advice and guidance throughout the whole process. Even more than that, being able to fully immerse in the work with the phenomenal participants reminded me why I decided to pursue academia.”

— Joy Rhodes, 2025 Teaching Assistant

Stay Connected

Interested in joining the team in the future? Sign up to be notified when new Teaching Assistant positions open.

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