Teaching & research assistants
We hire graduate students as paid teaching and research assistants.
Our graduate students gain teaching experience by working as TAs, guest lecturers and primary instructors of undergraduate classes.
Research assistants (RAs)
Faculty with external research grants often hire graduate students as RAs. Details of these appointments (salary, hours, etc.) are worked out between the student and the faculty member.
Contact faculty members to find out about possible openings.
Teaching assistants (TAs)
We have TA positions each year for academic assistants and lab instructors. TAs are covered by a collective agreement between CUPE Local 4163 Component 1 and UVic.
A call for TA applications goes out on the Psychat email list late June/early July for fall and spring courses. There are a few summer course TA positions, which are advertised near the end of March.
Most fall term positions will be confirmed before classes start in September. Some assignments may be made as late as the second week of classes. Spring term positions are finalized in early January.
All graduate students are eligible to serve as TAs and must apply for these paid positions when advertised.
Teaching assistant consultant
We hire a graduate student as the department’s teaching assistant consultant (TAC). This student offers support, consultation, educational materials and workshops designed to help TAs in the department.
The call for applications usually goes out from Learning and Teaching Support and Innovation (LTSI) in March. A student is hired around May for the following September through April terms. Contact LTSI (ltsioffice@uvic.ca) if interested in becoming the next TAC.
Teaching assistant positions
There are currently no positions available.
Frequently asked questions
The primary duties for most TA positions involve grading exams and papers. Let the course instructor know if you want to gain experience in teaching while acting as a TA. There may be chances for you to give a guest lecture on topics related to your research or interests.
TAs at UVic are unionized, and we follow the appointment guidelines in the CUPE 4163 Agreement (Article 13.02). To be eligible, students must be registered full-time and be on campus for the term of the TA appointment (unless the class itself is online).
Selection decisions include:
- qualifications and ability of the candidate (s) based on academic merit and related experience
- the career and/or pedagogical value that the position will provide the student
- the student's preferences (as listed on the application form)
- other sources of graduate student financial support being received
All TAs must have a solid background in the related subject (unless specified otherwise). A good command of spoken and written English is essential.
Priority in hiring goes first to graduate students registered in the Department of Psychology, following our appointment priority policy.
Find salary rates for TAs on the Human Resources website (CUPE 4163, Component 1).
120 hours per term is normally the maximum number of hours that will be assigned to each TA. The actual number of hours worked per week varies by course and term.
A call for applications goes out on the Psychat email list in late June/early July for TA positions for fall and spring courses. There are a few summer course TA positions, which are advertised near the end of March.
Sending us an application confirms that you do want a TA job. It also gives you the chance to list your course preferences so we can consider them when we make assignments.
Graduate student instructors
Graduate students must pass their 2 candidacy exams (PSYC 693) to teach undergraduate courses.
Consult with your supervisor about the timing. Teaching activities should not interfere with the completion of your dissertation and program.