We're hiring!
The Student Learning Development team are looking for up to three GTAs to help our Maths Adviser run 1:1 appointments and drop-in classes for students in any subject right across campus.
PhD students from any subject area are eligible to apply. If you have the skills, we want to hear from you!
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 any topic 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 upon hiring
- 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
Job title: "PhD Student (Tutor) - Maths & Stats Team"
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.
After reading the full guidance, click here to apply: gla.ac.uk/jobs
Vacancy reference #144391
Hear what previous GTAs in our department have to say about working with us
Advice for your application
Why work with SLD?
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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
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Range of tutoring experiences available, from 1:1 appointments, to drop-ins, to larger scheduled classes
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Additional opportunities for personal career development
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Training programme in teaching and tutoring
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Shadowing opportunities with our permanent staff
- Improve your digital skills experience, e.g. building Moodle lessons and quizzes
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Design your own optional drop-in class(es)
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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)
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Work in the McMillan Reading Room - one of the best-looking buildings on campus...
From the job description: Main Duties and Responsibilities
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
- Contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate-taught teaching.
- Deliver a range of teaching and assessment activities directed towards the delivery of subjects at undergraduate and postgraduate taught level.
- 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.
- 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.
- Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by line manager or the Head of Student Learning Development.
- 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 An understanding of the role of technology in supporting student learning
A3 Familiarity with virtual learning environments
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)
B4 Experience of working in Higher Education
B5 Experience of developing teaching / learning resources
Skills
Essential
C1 Ability to solve and explain mathematical and / or statistical problems confidently
C2 Ability to deal professionally, confidently, sensitively and tactfully with students in one-to-one and group settings
C3 Ability to work with students in a sensitive, ethical and legal manner
C4 Working knowledge of relevant software packages and the ability to use them effectively to support students
C5 Ability to produce creative learning materials to support the development of students’ academic skills relating to the team’s remit
C6 Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
C7 Ability to work independently and as part of a team
C8 Ability to accept collegiate responsibilities and act accordingly
Experience
Essential
E1 Registered for and working towards the achievement of a PhD qualification in a relevant subject, or completed a PhD in the past 3 years.
From the job description: Dimensions of the Role, and Relationships
Dimensions
Operational
- To help undergraduate and postgraduate taught students across the University of Glasgow as they seek to gain and apply skills in numeracy, mathematics and/or statistics.
To promote the Service at student induction events and similar.
Support for students
- To provide advice in relation to numeracy, mathematics and/or statistics skills through confidential one-to-one appointments, group drop-in sessions, themed sessions on individual topics, or occasionally in-course lectures and tutorials.
- To develop resources for all undergraduate and postgraduate taught students to improve their numeracy, mathematics and/or statistics skills, liaising with the Deputy Head of Student Learning Development (Sciences, Maths & Stats Team), Maths Adviser, and Stats Adviser to plan and design teaching modes and materials, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the teaching.
Administrative
- To complete required records of contact with students.
Planning and Organising
- Effective organisation skills to effectively manage time and prioritise as appropriate for support and administrative duties.
- Reactive – respond to queries from departmental staff/students.
- Weekly/monthly – student contact planning, organisation and materials generation.
- Planning and organisation of work with the Deputy Head of Student Learning Development (Sciences, Maths & Stats Team).
- Plan and organise administrative duties on an ongoing basis.
Decision Making
- Take decisions as appropriate with guidance from the Deputy Head of Student Learning Development (Sciences, Maths & Stats Team).
- Prioritise own work within parameters agreed with the Deputy Head of Student Learning Development (Sciences, Maths & Stats Team).
Problem Solving
- Act as a point of contact for problems/enquiries from students relating to the Service’s remit.
Internal/External Relationships
Internal
- Students who fall within the remit of the Service.
- Student support services where appropriate.
External
- N/A (such liaison would typically be via the permanent advisers).
