UCSC Graduate Student Employee Transitional Position Pilot Program

The Transitional Position Pilot Program is intended to provide graduate student employees who have active appointments funded by a Principal Investigator (PI) the opportunity for a new transitional position, should their PI leave the University before the expiration of the student’s appointment, or should an irreparable, employment-related conflict arise between the graduate student and PI/supervisor.

This Transitional Position Pilot Program is only available to Graduate Student Researchers (GSRs), who currently hold an appointment funded by a PI, and who are represented by the United Auto Workers (UAW).  

Graduate student employees who meet the following criteria are eligible for this program:

• Are in good employment standing, including conduct and performance;
• Are dependent on their PI for employment;
• Have been with their PI for at least three quarters (or the equivalent amount of time) 
• Have made a clear argument, corroborated by the department, that there is an irreparable employment-related conflict in the supervisor-supervisee relationship and that the supervisor relationship is beyond repair for reasons outside of the graduate student employee’s control,
  or that the graduate student employee’s PI left the University; and
• Have not previously received a transitional position.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit the completed Transitional Position Pilot Program Application form via email, to apo@ucsc.edu, for consideration.

Qualified graduate student employees who are selected will receive up to one quarter of employment in a transitional position as a Graduate Student Researcher (GSR) or an Academic Student Employee (ASE), subject to all the terms and conditions of the appropriate collective bargaining agreement.

The program implements expectations in the November 15, 2024 contract extension between the UC and the UAW BR and BX units, and is subject to the review and approval processes at the University of California, Santa Cruz.  All of the criteria must be met to be eligible for selection to participate in this program.

A limited number of applicants may be selected annually for a transitional position. This program expires on January 1, 2026. For questions regarding the Transitional Position Pilot Program or your application, please contact apo@ucsc.edu.  It is helpful for routing if you include “Transitional Position” in the subject line.