Working with us
We are not currently hiring, but read below for a sense of what working with us involves and keep an eye out for recruitment emails from SLD if you are interested.
PhD students from any subject area are eligible to apply.
What would you be teaching?
- Helping students with the maths that come up in their courses
- Optionally, if you have a knowledge of stats, this would be useful to the team (but not essential!)
- You're not expected to teach beyond your own level of knowledge
- For a chat about the most common topics, contact our Maths and / or Stats Advisers (below)
Who would you be teaching?
- Potentially students from any subject across campus - exciting variety
- Most common Maths questions come from students in Engineering, Economics and Biology
- 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?
- Flexible to suit your schedule, with defined hours agreed at the start of each semester
- Each contract is for up to 100 hours per year
- Average ~4h per week during term time
- Peak times around exams in Nov/Dec and in Apr/May, and again at resit time in Jul/Aug
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 take place 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)
Hear what previous GTAs in our department have to say about working with us
Advice for your application
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.
Use 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.
Knowledge / Qualifications
- Essential:
- A1 – A first degree (in a subject relevant to College remit)
- I have a BSc (Hons) in [degree topic].
- A2 – Knowledge and understanding of the current teaching, learning and assessment practice
- I attended drop-in classes during my own degree on similar topics to the ones I would teach in this role. I have spoken to previous tutors about their experiences and the teacher training they received, and I understand how important it is for students to receive active practice in their subject while on their courses.
- I attended drop-in classes during my own degree on similar topics to the ones I would teach in this role. I have spoken to previous tutors about their experiences and the teacher training they received, and I understand how important it is for students to receive active practice in their subject while on their courses.
- ...etc.
- A1 – A first degree (in a subject relevant to College remit)
- Desirable:
- B1 – PhD or relevant professional experience
- I am in the final stages of my PhD in [PhD topic].
- B2 – Understanding of the role of technology in supporting student learning
- 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.
- B1 – PhD or relevant professional experience
Skills
- Essential:
- C1 – Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
- I have presented to peers at various conferences, and I have tutored a high school student privately, all of which required me to be articulate and concise.
- C2 – The organisational, planning and administrative ability to handle a range of projects and activities simultaneously, timeously, and effectively.
- 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.
- C1 – Excellent communication skills, both written and oral
-----
If you have any questions about this, contact the Maths Adviser, Dr Jenny August, for a chat: jenny.august@glasgow.ac.uk
From the job description: Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of undergraduate teaching.
- Deliver a range of teaching and assessment activities directed towards the delivery of subjects at undergraduate level.
- Participate in a range of course administration duties, within required timescales, including effective communication of information, marking, assessment and timeous constructive feedback.
- Assist with the development of appropriate teaching materials ensuring content and methods of delivery meet determined learning objectives.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.
- 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'
Essential Knowledge/Qualifications:
A1 Honours degree (SCQF Level 10) relevant to the teaching area or have 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 (MPhil/PhD) or PGT qualification in a relevant subject.
A3 Expert knowledge of the subject area.
Essential Skills:
C1 Excellent communication and presentation skills.
C2 Ability to use IT and relevant software packages to support teaching and learning.
C3 Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team.
C4 Ability to work to deadlines.
C5 Commitment to the University’s published values and professional behaviours.
Essential Experience:
E1 Experience of delivering and supporting undergraduate or postgraduate students either in an online, distance learning or face to face environment.
E2 Experience of supervising, mentoring or teaching students in practical and active learning environments.
E3 Relevant administrative experience (e.g. student support, course administration etc.)
