Careers

Description:

The University of Washington Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health Program (FSNH) prepares students to improve individual and population health through the study of foods, nutrients, dietary behaviors, health outcomes, and food and policy environments. The Program offers the FSNH major (BA) and Nutrition minor; MS, MPH, and PhD graduate degrees; and graduate level training leading to the Registered Dietitian Nutritionist (RDN) professional credential.

2 teaching assistant (TA) positions (average 20 hours per week) are available to support an undergraduate course with an expected enrollment of approximately 50-60 students.

NUTR 493: Food Systems Capstone
Instructor: Yona Sipos

Course Description: The Food Systems Capstone is a culminating academic endeavor for students majoring in Food Systems, Nutrition, and Health. The capstone provides students with an opportunity to apply knowledge and skills acquired in their courses to a specific food systems problem or issue. Emphasizing systems thinking, the capstone experience will explore solutions to real world issues through focused study and under the direction of a faculty member.

Duties:

• Attend lectures (required): TTh 1:00-2:20 p.m. Please indicate your availability to attend lectures in your cover letter.
• Co-lead one 110-minute lab/discussion section each week. Please note: Individuals applying for these positions are required to provide their availability in their cover letters to ensure coverage for the scheduled discussion time: F 1:30-3:20 p.m.
• Set up and provide support for computer equipment, course website (Canvas), and instructional technologies.
• Support guest speakers: coordinate logistics (including parking), assist with on-site visits and presentations (including equipment set up and technical support), and write thank-you notes.
• Facilitate student team-based learning on community identified projects, including providing guidance and feedback to student teams.
• Contribute to the grading of student work, including reflections, assignments, and individual and team projects.
• Support proposal and final student team presentation events.
• Respond to student questions in class and via Canvas.
• Hold weekly office hours and facilitate help sessions as needed.
• Meet regularly with instructional team to coordinate work.
• Additional duties may be assigned.

Skills/Eligibility:

Eligibility Requirements:

• Master’s or doctoral students with background (education, experience) in nutrition and/or food systems.
• TAs must be enrolled in at least 10 credits during the quarter of employment.
• TA applicants without prior UW teaching or TA experience must complete the Center for Teaching and Learning’s “Teaching@UW: Strategies for TAs.” Additional training may be necessary.
• If you are not a native English speaker, you must meet the UW Graduate School’s spoken English proficiency requirements to hold a TA position. Before applying, please review UW Graduate School Policy 5.2 for additional information. If you have questions about this condition of employment or whether you have satisfied the requirement, please contact us at nspfund@uw.edu.
• Students who have or are seeking multiple ASE or training grant positions are required to confirm with their supervisor(s) that there are no restrictions on being appointed to more than one role.
• Prospective ASEs must complete a Sexual Misconduct Declaration form prior to receiving an offer of employment.

Compensation: Teaching Assistant (TA) positions are appointed at 50% FTE (20 hours/week) from 12/16/25 to 3/15/26. Pay rates are established in accordance with the ASE union contract. The 2025-26 base rate for University of Washington Teaching Assistants (established in accordance with the ASE union contract) is $3,283 per month at the premaster level, $3,449 at the intermediate level, and $3,621 at the candidate level. TAs also receive a tuition waiver (except for approximately $500 in fees) during the quarter of employment and up to 10 paid University holidays, one personal holiday, and 28 hours of sick time (prorated based on FTE). In addition, TAs and their dependents are eligible for UW-paid medical, dental, and vision coverage through the Graduate Appointee Insurance Program (GAIP).

How to Apply:

To Apply: 

• Review and confirm that you have satisfied the position eligibility requirements listed above. (Please use the winter 2026 quarter time schedule (available on October 10) to verify your availability to attend class sessions as requested in the job description.)
• Send a single PDF document that includes your résumé and a cover letter to nspfund@uw.edu.

In your cover letter:

1. Note the course number(s) of the position(s) for which you wish to be considered.
2. If applying for multiple positions, list all the positions and course numbers in one cover letter and rank them in order of preference.
3. Indicate your ability to attend all course lectures and sections (if applicable) for each course.

The application deadline is Sunday, October 12, 2025.

Final hiring selections will be made by the course instructor and Program based on the applicants’ qualifications and fit with the skills and knowledge areas required for the course.

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The University of Washington is an affirmative action and equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, national origin, age, protected veteran or disabled status, or genetic information. 

The University of Washington prohibits sex discrimination and sex-based harassment in any education program or activity that it operates. Individuals may report concerns, make complaints, or direct inquiries to the Title IX Coordinator. The notice of nondiscrimination is located at: uw.edu/titleix/title-ix-notice/.

The University of Washington is committed to providing access and reasonable accommodation in its services, programs, activities, education and employment for individuals with disabilities. To request disability accommodation in the application process, contact the Disability Services Office at least ten days in advance at: 206.543.6450/V, 206.543.6452/TTY, 206.685.7264 (FAX), or dso@uw.edu<