Today@Dal

TEACHING ASSISTANT POSTING

First Year Interest Groups in Science (FIGS)

POSTING DATE: Aug 11, 2020             

APPLICATION DEADLINE: until position is filled

POSITION: TA 45                               

PAY RATE: According to the CUPE Agreement

DEPARTMENT/LOCATION: Faculty of Science / LSC

WORK ASSIGNMENT: In collaboration with the course instructor, the TA will help develop the content and activities of 10 one-hour sessions for one science first-year interest group (FIGS). Content and activity development will start in late August. During the Fall, the TA will prepare sessions, and act as a mentor for the SCIE / BIOL 4444 (Leadership in Science) peer leaders who will co-deliver sessions once a week for each of the FIGS. The TAs will be responsible for co-leading weekly synchronous online sessions, coordinating any guest speakers, active learning, workshops, and all virtual sessions for the first year students.  The TA will also collaborate with the FIGS coordinator in training, coordinating, supporting and contributing to the developmental feedback and assessment of the peer leaders.  Each TA will be assigned to one of the FIGS sessions listed below, please indicate your interest and availability in your application.

This will involve being present in online synchronous suessions with the peer leaders during the weekly 1 hr sessions sometimes to co-deliver the session, and sometimes to assist with troubleshooting, providing support, and providing verbal feedback to assist with evaluation of the Leadership course students. In addition, there will be: (1) a short weekly meeting to debrief and discuss the most recent sessions and train the peer leaders with the up-coming content; and (2) a separate weekly meeting with the course coordinator and other FIGS TAs.  There is no marking required of this position and it provides an opportunity to engage with students on subjects they are passionate about without the burden of evaluation.

FIGS Sessions:         

FIGS 0001 Mental Health and Behaviour - Friday 12:05 – 12:55

FIGS 0002 Neuroscience of the brain - Friday 14:05-14:55

FIGS 0003 Health and medicine - Friday 13:05-13:55

FIGS 0004 Oceans - Friday 14:35-15:25

FIGS 0005 Logic and Problem Solving - Friday 14:35-15:25

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION: Preference will be given to those with experience leading FIGS groups, graduate students or post-doctoral fellows and to suitable candidates in a field pertinent to the content of the FIGS. Candidates must demonstrate a strong communication and leadership skills. The successful candidate must be enthusiastic and outgoing; he or she must demonstrate the ability to communicate effectively with both first year and senior undergraduate students, and be able to work collaboratively as well as independently. Candidates must be available to attend the weekly sessions as listed above.

TO APPLY FOR THIS POSITION, PLEASE SUBMIT YOUR COVER LETTER AND CV VIA EMAIL TO:            

Dr. Kerrianne Ryan (FIGS Co-ordinator)

Email: kpryan@dal.ca; phone: 902-448-3658

All offers of employment and the associated number of hours are conditional upon sufficient student enrolment in the course, incoming graduate students and approval by the university.

Dalhousie University is committed to fostering a collegial culture grounded in diversity and inclusiveness. The university encourages applications from qualified Aboriginal people, persons with a disability, racially visible persons, women, persons of minority sexual orientations and gender identifies, and all qualified candidates who would contribute to the diversity of our community.