Student Hourly - Gen Chem Undergraduate Laboratory TA
Position Overview
Lab TAs are responsible for the instruction, supervision, and evaluation of students enrolled in a general chemistry laboratory course or laboratory section. These students, which are primarily freshmen and transfer students beginning their degree programs at KU, have typically had little to no exposure to college Chemistry. Thus, priority tasks include teaching basic laboratory techniques, promoting the safe handling and use of chemicals, enforcing safety protocols, and demonstrating the proper recording, organization, and interpretation of measured data and calculated results. TAs should be prepared to help students with all course-related content and materials. Emphasis should be placed on undergraduate mentoring to ensure students gain the knowledge and skills needed for subsequent Chemistry courses.
Position Competencies:
All duties will be performed in accordance with instruction from supervisor(s), Departments, and/or Schools and in adherence to University and Board of Regents policies.
Position Competencies:
- Teaching and Presentation Ability – is an effective leader; maintains authority in the classroom; establishes a respectful learning environment; develops and organizes relevant teaching materials; uses the whiteboard and/or other visual aids as effective teaching tools; teaches course content with enthusiasm; highlights key procedures, relevant safety considerations, and chemical concepts for each experiment; provides clear instructions to students; asks questions and leads discussions that promote problem solving, critical reasoning, and independent thinking; provides opportunities for student engagement; interacts actively with students and circulates around the classroom; is approachable and willing to help students with course-related questions and issues.
- Oral and Written Communication – communicates with students, TAs, colleagues, staff members, and supervisor(s) in a professional and prompt manner; provides accurate and level-appropriate information; demonstrates active listening skills; demonstrates clarity in both oral and written skills with the ability to talk/write at the appropriate level; grades and provides detailed, evaluative feedback; monitors and evaluates student progress and informs students of their standing.
- Accountability and Self-Management – possesses organizational and time management skills; deals effectively with stress; multitasks, prioritizes, and responds promptly to requests of students and supervisors; holds office hours at the specified time(s) and location(s); takes responsibility for all aspects of their work; is willing to ask for help and help others; is reliable, punctual, and present for all position-relevant obligations; grades and returns assignments in a timely manner; attends class lectures or finds an alternate way to keep up with class material if attendance is not possible.
- Learning Ability – demonstrates the ability to learn new content efficiently and effectively; effectively utilizes course technologies (e.g., Canvas, PowerPoint, Excel, laboratory hardware and software, etc.); responds to constructive feedback.
- Lab Management and Safety – adheres to and reinforces laboratory dress code and eye safety; teaches students safe laboratory practices; ensures that all students understand the instructions and are aware of possible hazards before each experiment; maintains constant supervision of student activity; provides hands-on help, assists and troubleshoots during the experiment; deals with injuries and chemical spills promptly and effectively; files a report on accidents requiring medical attention; notifies the instructor of any accidents, utilities, or instrumentation problems in a timely fashion; ensures that the laboratory is clean and that all equipment and materials are returned to their proper storage locations at the end of each lab period.
All duties will be performed in accordance with instruction from supervisor(s), Departments, and/or Schools and in adherence to University and Board of Regents policies.
Job Description
The Department of Chemistry maintains a pool of undergraduate teaching assistants (UTA) who may be called upon to assist faculty with undergraduate chemistry instruction. Duties include:
- 65% Administer Lab – review lab course content, set assignment due dates, make course announcements, attend TA meetings; supervise laboratory activities; present pre-lab lectures, actively assist students with experiments, enforce lab safety and cleanliness protocols, help students with questions; grade laboratory assignments in a timely manner utilizing provided rubrics; consult with the General Chemistry Lab Director to ensure course policies are being upheld; promptly respond to student e-mails.
- 25% Support Lecture – support lecture administration by reviewing course content prior to lecture, attend assigned course lectures, distribute course materials, assist students with in-class activities, enforce lecture-related policies; grade lecture materials as assigned by the lecture instructor; proctor quizzes and exams during lecture and/or at times determined by the course instructor.
- 10% Office Hours – Maintain office hours and assist individual students as needed.
Required Qualifications
- During the term of the appointment the individual 1) is admitted and enrolled in coursework as a KU undergraduate, 2) is enrolled in no less than six credit hours, 3) is in good academic standing and making satisfactory progress towards the completion of their degree, 4) has satisfied all English proficiency criteria established by the Regents and/or the University, 5) meets the conditions of employment as specified in the University/KAPE Memorandum of Agreement, 6) meets Department-specific requirements and qualifications.
Preferred Qualifications
- Undergraduate student in Chemistry or a related field who has completed CHEM 130/135 (or equivalent courses)
Additional Candidate Instructions
Complete an online application and attach resume.
THIS IS A POOL POSTING. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE ONGOING AND HIRES WILL BE MADE AS NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE POSTING PERIOD. APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS 12/6/2024.
THIS IS A POOL POSTING. REVIEW OF APPLICATIONS WILL BE ONGOING AND HIRES WILL BE MADE AS NEEDED THROUGHOUT THE POSTING PERIOD. APPLICATION REVIEW BEGINS 12/6/2024.
Contact Information to Applicants
Jason Applegate
j627a928@ku.edu
j627a928@ku.edu
Advertised Salary Range
$15.00/hour
Work Schedule
Undergraduate lab TAs are expected to work an average of 10 hours per week. This includes 5 – 10 hours per week administering lab, 1 – 6 hours per week supporting the lecture, and 1 hour per week conducting office hours. Specific duties related to lab and lecture will be established by the General Chemistry Lab Director and the course instructor(s), respectively.
Anticipated Start Date
Thursday January 16, 2025