Apply to be a student URS Fellow

Eligibility

• Complete at least four semesters of college before the fall of the appointment year.
• Complete at least two semesters of research and/or creative-practice experience. URS Scholar-year projects meet this requirement; students with other experience may apply.

Time commitment

• required   Must have time for at least 10 hours a week of URS work during the Fall and Spring semesters, including these specific meetings:
  • required   New Fellows Meetings: Monday, 4:30–6:30 pm in the Fall. New Fellows have a few hours of additional preparation, increasing the estimated weekly work time in the Fall to 12-14 hours.
  • required   Fellows Summer Remote Training: A 25-hour, asynchronous, Canvas training.
  • required   Fall Fellows Training: Held the week before Fall classes begin.
  • required   Spring Fellows Training: Typically a 2- to 3-hour meeting the night before Spring semester courses begin.
  • required   URS staff meeting and Inter-LS 250 seminar: Wednesdays, 4:00–6:30 pm, in the Fall and Spring semesters.

Preferred experience and skills

• Strong interpersonal and communication skills.
• Comfort leading small groups of students.
• Ability to be resourceful and take initiative.
• Familiarity with enrichment opportunities available to UW–Madison students.
• Reliability and strong follow‑through on commitments.
• Openness to learning and willingness to ask questions when needed.
• Ability to work collaboratively with peers and staff.

Responsibilities

URS Fellows serve as near‑peer mentors who cofacilitate weekly seminars for a cohort of about 20 Undergraduate Research Scholars. Fellows select scholarly sources, design weekly class plans, and lead learning activities that encourage Scholars to think broadly about their research and creative practice projects. They foster an inclusive, supportive classroom environment where all students feel welcome and capable.

Fellows guide Scholars in strengthening their written work and offer thoughtful, actionable feedback as students prepare for the annual Undergraduate Symposium. They also provide individualized support during weekly office hours. In addition, Fellows take turns leading activities in weekly staff meetings and collaborate closely with one another to explore timely topics in research, creative practice, and scholarly community building.

Hiring Timeline

• Application Deadline: Friday, March 6, 2026
• Interview Invitations: Tuesday, March 10. Additional interview invitations may be issued before April 17 if further candidates are needed for consideration.
• Interviews: March 16 to March 24
• Hiring offers are typically made by April 10
• Date of Hire: April 29. Newly hired Fellows are invited to a New Fellows Welcome meeting on April 29 from 4:00 to 5:00 pm where incoming Fellows meet graduating and returning URS Fellows and learn about expectations for the summer remote training and the Fall 2026 in-person Fellows training.

Compensation

• Incoming Fellows: $15.00/hour.
• Returning Fellows: $15.50/ hour.