Prospective Fellows

URS hires Research Fellows each spring. The URS Research Fellows application is not open at this time. The deadline to apply to serve as a Research Fellow for the ’25-’26 academic year was Monday, March 7 @ 12:00 noon. We will open the application again in January 2026, hiring for the ’26-’27 academic year. If you have any questions about the Fellows hiring process, please be in touch with URS Assistant Director Marina Kelly: marina.kelly@wisc.edu

General URS Fellows Timeline:

• Summer Remote Training/Onboarding: All Fellows take part in a remote training during the summer months. This asynchronous Canvas training takes approximately 25 hours to complete.
• Fall Contributions: All Fellows must submit 1 curriculum contribution during the summer. This contribution consists of a topic you would like to discuss with your Scholars and some possible sources.
• Fellows Training: All Research Fellows participate in a week-long in-person training the week before the start of the fall semester (typically the last week of August).
• Fall New Fellows Meeting: All new Fellows must be available on Mondays during the fall 2025 semester from 4:30-6:30 pm. In the past, Fellows have participated in Inter-LS 315: Paradigms and Process in Academic Inquiry which met on Mondays from 4:30-6:30 and was taught by URS Director Hannah Bailey. As of spring 2025, we are considering whether this class will continue to be offered or if new Fellows will participate in a weekly meeting, instead. Updates will be shared throughout the hiring process and a decision will be made prior to hiring offers.
• Spring Contributions: Fellows are invited to submit a new curriculum contribution in January and/or review some URS teaching & learning resources.
• Fellows Training Refresher: All Fellows must attend a 1 day Spring Training (typically held a day or two before spring classes begin).
• URS Reception: URS celebrates a successful academic year with a reception at the end of spring semester. All graduating and outgoing Fellows are invited to speak at the reception.

• Four or more semesters of college by the beginning of appointment.
• One year (or 2 semesters) of research/creative practice experience.
• Must be available from 4:30-6:30 pm during the fall ’25 semester. This time period is held for important conversations between incoming Research Fellows and the URS Director Hannah Bailey.
• Must be available on Wednesdays from 4:00 to 6:30 pm for the full academic year. This time period includes the weekly URS staff meeting and the Inter-LS 250 URS seminar.

• Participate in a remote (Canvas-based) summer training. This Canvas course takes approximately 25 hours to complete.
• Take part in URS fall and spring trainings. Prior to the fall semester, we host a week-long training. This training offers sessions on leadership skills, community building, organizing small group discussions, building class plans and program administration. We prioritize “serious play” in our approach to training and ensure plenty of time to get to know one another as colleagues and friends.
• Contribute to weekly conversations with other incoming/new Research Fellows on Mondays between 4:30-6:30 p.m.
• Attend regular staff meetings from 4:00-5:00 pm on Wednesday afternoons before seminar.
• Partner with another Fellow to lead a small group of 15-18 URS students who will gather from 5:30-6:30 pm on Wednesdays to discuss issues related to research and creative practice, and share strategies on successfully navigating early college years.
• Plan seminar objectives and choose seminar topics with a  co-Fellow.
• Develop weekly class plans with co-Fellow for the Inter-LS 250 class.
• Provide guidance to and keep in regular contact with URS Scholars.
• Review and provide feedback on URS Scholar assignments.
• Serve as the link between the URS staff and the Scholars.
• Periodically represent URS at various campus functions like Office of Admissions & Recruitment events.
• Participate as needed in the general operation of the URS Program, contributing ideas & learning activities and providing feedback on class plans, trainings and workshops.
• URS Research Fellows work an average of 10 hrs/week.

• Must be able to work in a flexible environment.
• Should have experience in research or a creative endeavor and/or have experience in leadership roles.
• Should be resourceful and able to take initiative.
• Should have a good sense of the enrichment opportunities available to UW-Madison students or know how to find this information.
• Should have strong skills in interpersonal communication, including effective use of email.
• Should be comfortable leading small groups of students.
• Must be able to meet weekly deadlines associated with URS administration and seminars.