Our Team

Working with us

The Student Learning Development team are looking for up to 2 GTAs to help our Stats Adviser to run 1:1 appointments and drop-in classes for students in any subject across campus.

PhD students from any subject area are eligible to apply.

What would you be teaching?

  • Helping students with the stats that come up in their courses
  • For a chat about the most common topics, contact our Stats Adviser (details below)
    • It may be possible, if you wish, to also help out with the maths side of our Maths and Stats GTA team, depending on demand for appointments and on your maths experience

Who would you be teaching?

  • Potentially students from any subject across campus - exciting variety
    • Most common Stats questions come from students in Economics, Biology, Psychology, Sociology, and Geography
  • A range of undergrad and postgrad students

When would you be teaching?

  • Average ~4h per week during term time
  • Flexible to suit your schedule, with some defined hours agreed at the start of each semester
  • Each contract is for up to 85 hours per year
    • pro-rated for the remaining time in the year when you join; opportunities may exist to contine your contract through the following academic year, depending on departmental budget

Where would you be teaching?

  • One-to-one appointments take place online or in the McMillan Round Reading Room - one of the best-looking buildings on campus
  • Drop-ins may take place in in the same building, or in teaching rooms across campus

Additional benefits and opportunities

  • Join SLD's Maths and Stats Subteam who meet regularly to share experiences and advice, as well as engaging in reading groups on educational topics such as maths anxiety
  • Receive training in teaching and tutoring, and get the chance to teach alongside our permanent staff
  • Range of tutoring experiences available, from 1:1 appointments, to drop-ins, to larger scheduled classes
  • Improve your digital skills experience, e.g. building Moodle lessons and quizzes
  • Freedom to build and teach an elective module about your research topic of choice for Transition 2 Glasgow (T2G), our course for incoming undergraduates, just before semester starts each September (www.gla.ac.uk/t2g)

The Application System

Closing date: Fri 20 Feb

Important: read the 'Advice for your Application' guidance further down this page.

If you upload a CV without a cover letter which shows us how you fulfil each of the essential criteria for the post, you are unlikely to be offered an interview.

Read 'Advice for your application' below, then apply here

Hear what previous GTAs in our department have to say about working with us

Advice for your application

Why work with SLD?

  • We're a large and friendly team!
    • 14 permanent staff and 20+ GTAs
    • You'll get access to a Teams Channel where you can learn about how a university teaching department operates behind the scenes
  • You'll join our active Maths & Stats subteam who meet regularly to
    • share experiences and advice
    • engage in reading groups on topics such as maths anxiety
  • Range of tutoring experiences available, from 1:1 appointments, to drop-ins, to larger scheduled classes
  • Additional opportunities for personal career development
    • Training in teaching and tutoring
    • Teaching alongside our permanent staff
    • Improve your digital skills experience, e.g. building Moodle lessons and quizzes
    • Freedom to build and teach an elective module about your research topic of choice for Transition 2 Glasgow (T2G), our course for incoming undergraduates, just before semester starts each September (www.gla.ac.uk/t2g)
  • Work in the McMillan Reading Room - one of the best-looking buildings on campus...

Showing us how you meet the essential criteria (don't just upload your standard CV)

The job description includes 'essential criteria'. This means that if you do not tell us that you have these essential skills, experiences and qualifications in your application, we are unable to offer you an interview.

Simply uploading your standard CV is unlikely to achieve this.

We are looking for candidates who will teach well, and who are interested and motivated by this particular role. Successful candidates will likely have:

  • written a cover letter to tell us briefly why they would like this job, not just any job
  • mentioned briefly how they meet each of the essential criteria from the job description

Example excerpt from a cover letter

The following criteria come from a previous, different job advert.

Read these example responses here to help you think about structuring your own responses as part of your cover letter.

-----

Dear hiring committee

I am interested in this role because [insert reasons].

I feel that I am qualified for the post because I meet the essential criteria from the job description in the following ways.

Qualifications 

  • Essential: 
    • A1 – Honours degree (SCQF Level 10) relevant to the teaching area, or expertise in a relevant field, together with an understanding of the principles of teaching, learning and assessment. 
      • [Example response:] I have a BSc (Hons) in [degree topic]
    • ...etc for all other criteria in this section.

 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience

  • Essential:
    • C6 – Ability to work to deadlines.  
      • [Example response:] I have managed my own time on my PhD at the same time as holding a part-time job. This has meant I needed to plan my experiments ahead of time and book equipment in advance, coordinating and communicating well with others in the team to avoid clashes.
    • ...etc for all other criteria in this section

 

  • Desirable:
    • C9 – Understanding of the role of technology in supporting student learning 
      • [Example response:] I have experience of using Moodle, Turnitin and EndNote Web, all or some of which the students in this subject area will likely encounter at some point in their careers, and the use of which I am keen and able to give advice on. I also subscribe to various technology blogs, which keeps me up-to-date with advancements in educational technology.
    • ...etc for all other criteria in this section

-----

If you have any questions about this, contact Deputy Head of Student Learning Development (Sciences, Maths and Stats Team) - Dr Scott Ramsay - scott.ramsay.2@glasgow.ac.uk

From the job description: Main Duties and Responsibilities

Please note: the following are from the job advert and are the generic descriptions for GTA roles across the University of Glasgow. For a better idea of what this particualr role involes, please read the information above.
 

Job Purpose 

To work alongside members of staff in Student Learning Development (SLD) in the delivery of mathematics and/or statistics support across the institution through one-to-one sessions, open drop-ins, and themed workshops/classes on specific topics; to aid in the creation of online teaching resources; and to assist in the delivery, development and implementation of SLD provision in line with the university-level Learning & Teaching Strategy and other relevant policies. 

Main Duties and Responsibilities 

  1. Contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate-taught teaching. 
  2. Deliver a range of teaching and assessment activities directed towards the delivery of subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate taught level. 
  3. Participate in a range of administration duties associated with teaching load, within required timescales, including effective communication of information, marking, assessment and timeous constructive feedback. 
  4. Assist with the development of appropriate teaching materials ensuring content and methods of delivery meet determined learning objectives.  
  5. Contribute to the effective use of learning technologies to support and enhance course delivery, course organisation, feedback and assessment. This may involve blended and/or online provision including the use of Moodle and other IT materials. 
  6. Apply specialist knowledge to teaching that best meet the needs of individuals and groups of learners, ensuring an inclusive and evidence-based approach that promotes student participation and learning outcome attainment. 
  7. Participate in the full assessment process using a variety of methods and techniques, including oral assessment, and provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students that supports their learning. 
  8. Assist with the supervision of student projects, dissertations, and any practical work, advising on skills, methods and techniques to assist the transfer of knowledge, and respond appropriately to the diverse range of learner support needs. 
  9. Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate. 
  10. Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by line manager or the Head of Student Learning Development. 
  11. To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan. 

From the job description: Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience - 'the recruitment criteria'

Qualifications  

Essential 

A1 Honours degree (SCQF Level 10) relevant to the teaching area, or expertise in a relevant field, together with an understanding of the principles of teaching, learning and assessment. 

A2 Registered for and working towards the achievement of a PhD qualification in a relevant subject. 

Desirable 

B1 A postgraduate qualification (SCQF Level 11 or 12) in Mathematics, or Statistics, or a numerate discipline with a substantial mathematical component. 

B2 Completion of the University of Glasgow’s GTA Statutory Training course. 

B3 Associate Fellowship or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (or, equivalently, the University of Glasgow’s RET Scheme) 

 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Essential 

C1 Ability to solve and explain mathematical and / or statistical problems confidently 

C2 Relevant administrative experience (e.g. student support, course administration etc.) 

C3 Excellent communication skills, both oral and written 

C4 Ability to use IT and relevant software packages to support teaching and learning. 

C5 Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

C6 Ability to work to deadlines. 

C7 Commitment to the University’s published values and professional behaviours. 

C8 Ability to deal professionally, confidently, sensitively and tactfully in an ethical and legal manner with students in one-to-one and group settings. 

Desirable 

C9 An understanding of the role of technology in supporting student learning 

C10 Familiarity with virtual learning environments (e.g. Moodle, Blackboard, Canvas, etc.) 

Who would you be working with?

Dr Jenny August profile photo

Maths advice

Stats Adviser