Teaching & research assistants
Research assistants (RAs)
Faculty members 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.
TAs are required to be available to work over the full period of a term. If there is a period in which you are unable to work, you must state this on your application.
Available positions
The 2024 deadline has passed. Information about 2025 positions will be posted at a future date.
Frequently asked questions
Under the supervision of the course instructor, you may be asked to:
- hold weekly office hours to help students with problems
- prepare exams and assignments
- grade assignments
- help supervise mid-terms and final exams
- record grades
- help the instructor with other course-related tasks, such as preparation of course materials
Tutorial leaders for SOCI 100A and 100B run tutorials for our Introduction to Sociology courses. If you apply for a tutorial leader position, you should be comfortable teaching in front of small groups of students (20-25).
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.
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 Sociology, following our appointment priority policy.
Appointment priority policy
Priority level 1: master’s year 1 and PhD year 1, PhD years 2 and 3 (where previously appointed to a bargaining unit position).
Priority level 2: where previously appointed to a bargaining unit position, master’s year 2 and PhD year 4 or 5.
Priority level 3: other graduate students (in other years, not previously appointed, or from other departments).
Priority level 4: undergraduates.
Priority level 5: others/non-students.
Find salary rates for TAs on the Human Resources website (CUPE 4163, Component 1).
TAs are normally assigned between 100 - 110 hours per term.
The actual number of hours worked per week varies by course and term.
To apply, fill out the CUPE 4163 application form and email to Sara Harding.
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.
Work study program
The UVic work study program provides part-time employment opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need. Learn about eligibility.