**INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY**
The Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies is seeking to appoint Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to offer student enrichment and enhancement events and activities for our BA Childhood Studies, BA Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies and BA Psychodynamic Practice degrees at the Colchester Campus, and our BA Therapeutic Care final-year students at the Southend Campus. Initially the work will be online but face-to-face working maybe required once the University’s COVID-19 protection level allows.
It is expected that there will be 3 separate roles available with 100 hours of work each between the 1 March 2021 and 31 July 2021.
Suggested activities to be offered include:
• Essay Writing forum / workshops • Supporting our PA123 club• Additional 1 – 1 Academic Tutorials• Arranging Book Clubs/Netflix Watch Parties in areas related to our academic provision• Re-Assessment workshops • Reading skills workshop• Bibliography compiling workshop • Producing materials for ‘How to use Pep web’• Time management / academic organisation workshop • Publicity & promotion of events• Supporting marking within the department at level 4 and 5
Applicants for posts as GTAs must be in their second or third year of study in 2020-2021, but first year students with relevant teaching experience will be considered, and be registered for a postgraduate research degree at the University of Essex during all or part of the academic year 2020-2021. Preference will be given to those students registered in the Department of Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies who have previously worked as a GTA in the department.
Appointment to these posts will be for a specified period of weeks during the academic year. Payment will vary according to the number and mix of classes taught, but will be based on multiples of the University base rate for Graduate Teaching Assistants (Grade 7, Spinal Point 27).
GTAs having completed CADENZA before the start of the academic year will be paid on Grade 7 SP 28. GTAs who have previously taught within the Department, should hold CADENZA accreditation in order to be considered.
Shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the Head of Department or their nominee and other members of teaching staff. Candidates invited to interview will be provided with feedback on their interview performance and suitability for the role of Graduate Teaching Assistant on request.
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.
Main Responsibilities
• Preparing and teaching workshops to undergraduate students;• Holding academic tutorials;• Maintaining regular contact with the UG course leads in PPS;• Marking coursework assignments and prepare feedback to students, including use of FASER;• Marking exam papers;• Undertaking related administrative duties.
Skills and Qualifications required
Applicants should have a good knowledge of the requirements of the subject area. You should also have a degree or other appropriate qualification in a relevant subject area. Successful completion and achievement of descriptor 1 of the UK Professional Standards Framework by the end of the second term of teaching (CADENZA) is also required. Please visit https://www.essex.ac.uk/staff/professional-development-and-training/cadenza for further information.
Support, Mentoring and Monitoring
All Graduate Teaching Assistants are required to follow a training programme offered by the University and Department.
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.
Application process
To apply, please send an up-to-date curriculum vitae and a covering letter explaining your interest in and suitability for the post to ppsdm@essex.ac.uk.
Applications should be addressed to: Debbie Stewart, Department Manager, Psychosocial and Psychoanalytic Studies, University of Essex, Wivenhoe Park, Colchester CO4 3SQ.
Closing date for receipt of applications: Thursday 25 March 2021, 12 noon.
Interviews are likely to be held on: Week commencing 29 March 2021.