We're hiring!

We're hiring!

The Student Learning Development team are looking for up to 10 GTAs to help our Effective Learning Advisers 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, though please choose the vacancy number that best suits your degree subject. One of the essential criteria is a relevant undergraduate degree in a relevant disciplinary area, so you would be unlikely to be selected for interview if you apply in an unsuitable category.
 
Who would you be teaching?
  • A range of undergrad and postgrad students from across your subject area
What would you be teaching?
  • Helping students with their academic writing, research, and study skills
  • Plenty of training, information, guidance, and details will be provided at every stage
When would you be teaching?
  • Minimum ~4h per week during term time
  • Flexible to suit your schedule, with some defined hours agreed with your line manager
  • Each contract is for up to 100 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 performance and departmental budget.

Questions? Contact Jennifer.Boyle@glasgow.ac.uk, Head of Student Learning Development

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 30+ GTAs
    • You'll get access to a Teams Channel where you can learn about how a university teaching department operates behind the scenes
  • Range of tutoring experiences available, from 1:1 appointments, to drop-ins, to larger scheduled classes
  • Additional opportunities for personal career development
    • Training programme in teaching and tutoring
    • Shadowing opportunities with our permanent staff
    • Improve your digital skills experience, e.g. building Moodle lessons and quizzes
    • Design your own optional drop-in class(es)
    • 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 Dr Jennifer Boyle, Head of Student Learning Development - jennifer.boyle@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 academic literacies teaching to taught students in [the relevant Colleges for the vacancy you're applying to] 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) in a subject relevant to the College(s), 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 a discipline relevant to the College remit.

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 Experience of delivering teaching and supporting undergraduate or postgraduate students either in an online, distance learning or face to face environment. 

C2 Experience of supervising, mentoring or teaching students in practical and active learning environments. 

C3 Relevant administrative experience (e.g. student support, course administration etc.) 

C4 Excellent communication skills, both oral and written 

C5 Ability to use IT and relevant software packages to support teaching and learning. 

C6 Proven ability to work independently and as part of a team. 

C7 Ability to work to deadlines. 

C8 Commitment to the University’s published values and professional behaviours. 

C9 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.)