This sample Announcement for Assistant-in-Instruction opportunities is from Fall 2020, intended only to show what the process looks like. Our announcements are typically emailed to all graduate students in late summer (for fall appointments) and late fall (for spring appointments).
Fall 2020 AI Announcement Email
Dear SoA Graduate Students,
Our application for Fall 2020 Assistant-in-Instruction (AI) appointments is now open. Please see below for information about the application process, requirements, rules, and list of opportunities.
Application Process
To apply, please submit an application online (https://forms.gle/dcUsqRBdBf3KHZHw9 ). The form link will prompt you to log in using your NetID. Please rank your choices. A cover letter, portfolio and CV, or a brief statement of interest and 2-page selection of work is required IF the faculty member expressly specified additional materials in their AI description (see below).
The deadline for applications is 9:00 a.m. on Wednesday, August 5, 2020. Due to the competitive nature of these applications, no late submissions will be accepted after this time. AI appointments will be announced around August 12. For those who do not get an appointment, please note that additional AI positions may become available as enrollment shifts.
Requirements
Regardless of prior teaching experience, all first-time AIs are required by the Graduate School to attend AI Orientation. This fall, the McGraw Center for Teaching and Learning will offer AI Orientation virtually during the month of August.
AIs are also required to complete the University's an online education program, Preventing Sexual Harassment, to help us provide a safe and supportive environment for all community member. The program is available at http://princeton.stridepoint.com/ and must be completed before the fall semester begins.
Rules
- In order to AI a course, students must be available at the meeting times listed with each course.
- Any student with an incomplete on his/her transcript will not be eligible for an AI position.
- Selection of AIs is at the discretion of the faculty member teaching each course and is subject to approval by the DGS.
- Ph.D. students who are in ET/DCC status are not eligible for AI positions.
- Students must have completed any English Language Proficiency programming and testing required at the time of admission.
- The number of AI positions and hours assigned is determined by the Dean of the Faculty. If a course does not meet the required enrollment number, the AI appointment will unfortunately be cancelled. The department cannot replace this appointment. Conversely, if enrollment in courses increases, additional AI positions may become available and students who applied for those positions will be contacted within the first few weeks of the semester.
- 1 AI Hour = about 3.3 actual hours per week. 6 AI Hours = about 20 actual hours per week.
FALL 2020 AI Opportunities at the School of Architecture
ARC 203: Introduction to Architectural Thinking
Stan Allen
Tuesday/Thursday, 11:00-11:50
Applicants should have a strong background in architectural history and the capacity to work independently. The ability to explain ideas clearly to undergraduates who have limited background in the field is crucial. One AI will have organizational and research skills to serve as the “head” AI organizing readings, exams, grading and images. Please apply with a cover letter and CV.
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ARC 205: Interdisciplinary Design Studio
Mario Gandelsonas, Adrián Lerner Patron [Mellon]
Tuesday/Thursday, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will be instrumental in helping the students conceptualize and develop their design projects, through a range of tools and methodologies. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong Design Skills. Expected to attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for desk critiques. Please apply with a brief statement and a selection of work.
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ARC 308: History of Architectural Theory
Kurt Forster
Wednesday, 11:00-12:20 plus precepts
Background: Ph.D. or M.Arch. student able to assist in writing assignments as necessary, providing supplementary support to students as they develop their individual projects, leading and participating in group discussions, organizing and coordinating classroom setups, postings on Blackboard, and collecting/grading student assignments.
Applicants should have a strong background in architectural history and be able to explain ideas clearly to undergraduates who have limited background in the field. AI will organize readings, grading, and images, holding one precept weekly. This includes actually reading the required readings posted on Blackboard, helping to prepare and grade the mid-term short paper (week 7) and final report [due Dean’s Date]. Reliability and punctuality are essential. Please apply with a cover letter in which the salient features of your work and interest are mentioned.
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ARC 311: Building Science and Technology: Building Systems
Stefana Parascho
Wednesday, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
Primary Duties:
Attend and participate in all sessions (lectures and individual student tutoring sessions). Three sessions will be offered in person. The AI will need to physically fabricate a limited number of the students’ designs, using the Zund, Lasercutter and 3d Printers. Students will prepare all necessary files and the AI will execute them in the Architecture SoA shop.
One robotic exercise will be performed remotely through a custom remote control setup. The AI will be physically present in the ECL and control the robot while students will be sending commands.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD student. Strong digital fabrication skills (laser cutters, CNC, Zund, 3d printers). Traditional woodshop skills not necessary. Rhino and Grasshopper skills required, Python programming is a plus. Prior experience with the robotic setup in the ECL is required (the AI will need to have received the training in the last semesters), no expert level necessary though. Please apply with a brief statement, two-page selection of work, and CV.
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ARC 350: Junior Studio
E. Silva
Tuesday/Thursday, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will be instrumental in helping the students conceptualize and develop their design projects, through a range of tools and methodologies. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, lead workshops to strengthen digital skills, compile background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong Design Skills. Expected to attend and participate in all public reviews, be available to students for desk critiques and additional workshops to strengthen digital skills (rhino, photoshop, illustrator, laser-cutting). Please apply with CV, statement of interest and selection of work.
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ARC 403 Topics: History & Theory of Architecture
C. Wu
Tuesday, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will aid the instructor in providing feedback and editing of short weekly writing assignments for undergrad senior architecture concentrators. The AI is required to attend and participate in seminar sessions to discuss a broad range of topics of the architectural discipline as seniors develop their written thesis topics. AI will manage BlackBoard site, reading assignments, and organize the day-long undergrad thesis topic “symposium” at the end of the semester.
Background Required: PhD or advanced M. Arch or with strong history theory background. Strong writing/editing skills a must, accompanied by broad bibliographic knowledge relating to the diverse range of architectural topics.
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ARC 404 Senior Studio
M. Brown
Wednesday/Friday, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
Primary Duties: Studio AI should be available either during studio and/or outside of class time. Attendance at reviews is useful as well. The primary roles will be to assist the instructor with preparatory work and to help students with skills and technical issues during and/or outside of class hours.
Background Required: Hand drawing and modeling skills required, in addition to digital skills; strong design and/or studio art background; Competence in basic research and library work; Good organizational habits. Some video editing experience desirable. Please apply with CV and portfolio.
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ARC 501 Architecture: Design Studio
M. Meredith, E. Besler
Monday/Thursday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will be instrumental in helping the students conceptualize and develop their design projects, through a range of tools and methodologies. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews.
Background Required: Open to all 2nd and 3rd year students in the MArch programs. Need to have strong design skills, and design education, know the software. Will provide virtual instruction with Rhino. Expected to attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for desk critiques. Please apply with statement of interest and selection of work.
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ARC 503 Integrated Building Studio
J. Reiser
Wednesday/Friday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: Studio AI should attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for informal desk critiques. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, and assist with the schedule and coordinate reviews.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background; Knowledge of buildings systems (structure and passive thermal) and building materials; Strong Design Skills with the ability to sketch ideas. Please apply with cover letter, portfolio and CV.
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ARC 504 Integrated Building Studio
A. Zaera-Polo
Tuesday/Friday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
- Advanced M. Arch or PhD student with a design and technology background
- Strong Design Skills and extensive practical experience
- Familiarity with Rhino/Grasshopper environment and plug-ins. GIS skills will also be appreciated.
- Studio AI should attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for informal desk critiques. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews/travel.
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ARC 505A: Vertical Studio
M. Henry, M. Au (Current Interests)
Tuesday/Friday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: Studio AI should attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for informal desk critiques. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews/travel.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong Design Skills. Ability to work with visiting, international faculty to facilitate communication, organizational logistics, and if necessary, travel plans. Ability to motivate students and assist in remote reviews/desk crits. Ability to assist students in (physical) model making, architectural drawings and representation. Please apply with statement of interest and selection of work.
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ARC 505B: Vertical Studio
A. French (French 2D)
Wednesday/Friday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will be instrumental in helping the students conceptualize and develop their design projects, through a range of tools and methodologies. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong Design Skills. Expected to attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for desk critiques. Please apply with statement of interest and selection of work.
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ARC 505C: Vertical Studio
F. Idenburg, J. Liu (SO-IL)
Tuesday/Friday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: Studio AI should attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for informal desk critiques. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews/travel.
Background Required: Advanced M.Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong Design Skills. Please apply with a brief statement of interest and 2-page selection of work.
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ARC 507: M. Arch Post-Prof Thesis Studio
J. Reiser
Wednesday, 1:30-5:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will be instrumental in helping the students conceptualize and develop their design projects, through a range of tools and methodologies. Studio AI will organize all rooms, reading assignments, background material for design problems, update Blackboard site, schedule and coordinate reviews.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong Design Skills. Expected to attend and participate in all public reviews and be available to students for desk critiques. Please apply with cover letter, portfolio and CV.
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ARC 510: Structural Analysis for Architecture
S. Black
Tuesday, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
The AI is expected to:
- Have a comfortable understanding of moment, shear, & free body diagrams.
- Teach precept 1 hour per week. Prior experience teaching/precepting a technical subject preferred. (Precept will be conducted remotely, via Zoom this year.)
- Grade exams & Quizzes (Answer keys will be provided to the AI).
- Grade homework. (Most homework will typically be marked simply as complete or incomplete, serving as practice for the students rather than a detailed assessment. Quizzes & exams will fill the assessment role.)
- Attend lectures & assist with answering student questions as they work through in-class design problems. (Lectures will be conducted remotely, via Zoom this year.)
- Present/assist students in working through in-class “precept problems.” An answer key for the precept problem will be provided to the AI. This precept problem will not be officially graded, but rather offers students a guided practice session.
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ARC 530: M. Arch Thesis Seminar
S. Lavin, L. Diller
Friday, 10:00-12:50 p.m.
Primary Duties: in additional to typical logistical responsibilities (arranging schedules, guests and review orchestration and managing student assignments) intellectual responsibilities will include assisting students as they develop research protocols for their individual projects.
Background Required: the ideal candidate for AI for thesis prep is a PhD student with strong interest in current design culture. Please apply with brief statement and a cv that indicates if you have studio teaching experience.
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ARC 547: Introduction to Formal Analysis
C. Wu
Wednesdays, 1:30-4:20 p.m.
Primary Duties: The AI will aid the instructor in preparing bi-weekly analysis and design exercises. The AI is required to attend and participate in lecture/workshop sessions and is also required to be available for desk critiques in advance of exercise submissions. AI will manage Blackboard site, organize rooms, reading assignments, and background material for assignments.
Background Required: Advanced M. Arch or PhD with a design background. Strong technical skills (Rhino, Grasshopper) in addition to analytic and design skills.