**INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY**
The Department of Sociology will be appointing a number of Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) for the academic year 2020-21 for spring term to assist with the teaching of our courses and modules for undergraduate students. This is an opportunity for a current University of Essex PhD student to involve themselves in the teaching of undergraduate students, including the assessment of the coursework assignments.
Modules that GTAs will be invited to assist with include:
SC106 Media, Culture and SocietySC164 Introduction to United States SociologySC201 Continuity and Controversy in Sociology: Sociological Analysis IISC203 Researching Social Life IISC204 Sociology of Crime and ControlSC205 Policing, Punishment and SocietySC213 Social Psychology (Sociology): Self and InteractionSC224 Digital SocietySC301 Current Disputes in Sociology: Sociological Analysis IIISC382 Crime, Policy and Social Justice
Please note that during this round of recruitment the number of GTAs cannot be accurately predicted due to a number of unknown factors at the time of posting the advertisement. Please also note that class teaching may not be available for all modules but marking assistance and support classes may be required instead.
Information regarding the content of each of these modules is available from the online Module Directory: www.essex.ac.uk/modules
Purpose of the role:
The Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTAs) post will contribute to the Department’s teaching programme by providing teaching and tuition to help students meet their learning outcomes.
GTAs support academic staff at the University by performing teaching or teaching related duties in line with business need and affordability. This post also provides a development opportunity for postgraduate students to develop their teaching skills in preparation for more senior teaching posts in future and to achieve professional recognition.
Graduate Teaching Assistants will receive close supervision and direction from the Module Supervisor, including regular feedback, pastoral support and guidance. The Module Supervisor will give full background on the module and clear direction on the content to be taught and the preparation necessary, and will undertake assessment of teaching. If marking is to be undertaken, it should be in line with the University’s Marking Policy and under the guidance of the Module Supervisor.
Essential Requirements:
Applicants for posts as Graduate Teaching Assistant must be registered for a postgraduate degree at the University of Essex during all or part of the academic year 2020-21.
Teaching Assistants will normally be current PhD students in Sociology, but applications are invited from students from other departments as well. We will not normally consider candidates for teaching who are in the first year of a PhD at Essex, unless the student concerned is going on to a PhD after completing an MA at Essex (for example, ESRC 1+3 students), and thus already has some familiarity with the Department and its procedures. We will also consider carefully whether students who are having difficulties with progress on the PhD should be offered teaching.
GTAs who have previously taught within the Department, should hold CADENZA accreditation in order to be considered.
Contractual Arrangements:
The total number of hours per week is determined by the number of classes undertaken by each Graduate Teaching Assistant.
Appointments will be issued for a 10 week period (16-19, 21-25, 32) – which will include a week in the Summer term (week 32) for revision. The appointment will also include one office hour and one hour for administrative duties for every two classes taught. A note on rates of pay, together with a copy of the University Employment Guidance for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and a job description, also produced by the University are attached. It is an expectation that teachers are available for all contracted classes and lectures through the duration of the contract.
Support, Mentoring and Monitoring:
Throughout the year, all GTAs will have a mentor (normally the Module Convenor) with whom they should discuss difficulties as and when they arise. During the first term of your contract your teaching will be observed by the Module Convenor or the GTA Co-ordinator, and you will have an opportunity to discuss the observation afterwards. A copy of this will be kept on the GTAs file, along with any comments from the observer.
New GTAs are also required to seek CADENZA accreditation. Please visit https://www.essex.ac.uk/staff/professional-development-and-training/cadenza for further information.
How to Apply:
Applications must be submitted via email to the Operations Coordinator, Sheila Marrinan, at smarrin@essex.ac.uk. The deadline for applications is 4pm on Sunday 29 November 2020.
Applications should include:
Selection Procedure:
Selection of GTAs and decisions about teaching allocations will be made by the Head of Department, in consultation with the GTA Co-ordinator, Department Manager and relevant Module Convenors.
All new applicants who are short-listed will be called for a brief interview and will be required to supply the name of a referee. The interview will be conducted by two people – usually the Head of Department and the GTA Co-ordinator.
Interviews will not normally be necessary for those short-listed candidates who have already taught in the Department and whose teaching has been monitored.
Interviews are expected to be held in the week commencing 7th December 2020 via Zoom.
* Employment Guidance