Today@Dal

TEACHING ASSISTANT POSTING

First Year Interest Groups in Science (FIGS)

POSTING DATE: March 13, 2023             APPLICATION DEADLINE: April 20 or until position is filled This is a 5-day posting, renewable every 5 days from the initial posting to April 20.

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) and deliver interactive sessions with upper year leadership students. Content and activity development will start in 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 FIGS sessions once a week. The TAs will be responsible for co-leading weekly synchronous in person sessions, including coordinating any guest speakers, facilitating active learning activities and workshops, and any required virtual sessions. 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 where appropriate. Each TA will be assigned to one of the FIGS sessions listed below, please indicate your interest and availability in your application.

This position involves being present in in person synchronous sessions during the weekly 1 hr (50 minute) sessions to deliver the session, and providing support and verbal feedback to assist with evaluation of the Leadership course students. In addition, there will be: (1) a short weekly meeting with peer leaders to debrief and discuss the most recent sessions, plan upcoming sessions, and provide mentoring/training of the peer leaders to collaborate in developing the up-coming sessions; 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 in creative active learning opportunities on subjects they are passionate about.

FIGS Sessions:         

FIGS 0001 Psychology: Behaviour and Mental Health    Friday      12:35–13:25

FIGS 0002 Neuroscience of the brain                              Friday       11:35-12:25

FIGS 0003 Health and medicine                                       Friday       14:35-15:25

FIGS 0004 Oceans                                                            Friday       13:35-14:25

FIGS 0005 Earth and Environment                                   Friday       15:35-16:25

FIGS 0008 Logic and Problem Solving                          Thursday   11:35-12:25 *Math

REQUIREMENTS OF POSITION: Preference will be given to graduate students or post-doctoral fellows, those with experience leading FIGS groups, and to suitable candidates studying or researching in a field pertinent to the content of the FIGS. Candidates must demonstrate a strong teaching, 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 Coordinator)

Email: kpryan@dal.ca

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.