Graduate Teaching Assistant GTA - Informatics 2024-25

Job Description

Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA), Department of Informatics

We are now recruiting Teaching Assistants (TAs) for the academic year 2024/25 for both first and second-year modules (Levels 4 and 5), as well as some third-year and Master?s level modules (Levels 6 and 7). Please be aware, that all activities will be in person and on campus in the 24/25 academic year.  

Teaching Assistants are an integral part of a departmental teaching team; they are highly valued by the student community and academic staff they work with. Being a Teaching Assistant can involve a wide variety of different roles, including: 

 Demonstrating in labs and practical sessions 

 Leading seminars/small group teaching 

 Taking tutorials/surgery sessions 

 Delivery feedback 

 Marking student?s work  

Becoming a TA offer vital teaching experience as well as other transferable skills, essential for careers in both academia and industry. These are paid positions, in line with the College?s GTA Framework (as detailed below). 

Successful candidates will deliver an agreed delivery package of teaching activities to a high standard, under the direct supervision of a member of academic staff. These activities may include seminars, classes, tutorials, lab sessions, other small group work, and marking.  

 The allocation of duties will be specifically determined after the recruitment process however working hours will not exceed 6 hours per week (on average). 

Your Module Convenor will be your Line Manager, if you have any queries or questions, please make your enquiry with them first. If you have any other query regarding your employment, please email Informatics-ta@kcl.ac.uk.  

Please be aware, all activities will be in person and on campus in the 24/25 academic year. 

Responsibilities 

- Delivery of agreed package of teaching activities to a high standard, under the direct supervision of a member of academic staff. These activities may include seminars, classes, tutorials, lab sessions, other small group work to develop student skills, demonstration for experiments/techniques in lab-based science and computing, and/or mentoring support for UG or PGT project work. Students will not normally be involved in lecturing, but in some cases may be asked to lead lectures if the topic falls within their specialist field. 

- Participation in appropriate training including mandatory courses/sessions (e.g., courses, induction sessions.) 

- Careful and proportionate preparation for teaching activities. In some instances, materials will be provided by departments/ faculties. 

- Marking and assessment (formative and summative) under supervision of module leaders or other appropriate academic staff. 

- Provision of timely and useful formative and summative feedback to students, holding weekly office hours or similar to provide students with opportunities for face-to-face meetings, and providing feedback and guidance via e-mail where needed. 

- Maintenance of information and resources on KEATS and interaction with students via the VLE. 

- Attendance at lectures where needed/requested to ensure consistency of module delivery. 

- Routine administration and correspondence associated with teaching delivery. 

- Liaison with senior colleagues regarding contributions to module development (e.g. course material, content development), planning of teaching and monitoring student progress.  

Variation will exist across academic departments and disciplines in relation to specific requirements of GTAs. Roles and responsibilities may also be subject to change. If you are required to complete additional marking, these hours will be added to your assignment and your hours and contract length will be changed accordingly with your agreement after you have started. 

GTA framework tariff of activities: https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/hr/gtas/principles-gta-framework  

GTAs will not be expected to: 

- Lead lectures, unless they have accepted to do so on a very occasional basis, in their specialist field 

- Provide pastoral support to students or act as a personal tutor 

- Be involved in Open Days or admissions activities - Provide students with references 

- Set assessments 

- Be available to students at all times 

- Carry out unremunerated additional work on an ad hoc basis  

Mandatory training 

All mandatory training (specific to the delivery of teaching, rather than generic training which all PhD students should already be undertaking as part of their studies) will be remunerated. Under the new model, all GTAs will receive 6 hours of remunerated training for every academic year in which they teach at King's, regardless of whether they have taught before or not. It is envisaged that this would constitute 6 hours of jointly delivered training with King's Academy and academic departments. Some faculties may decide that they wish to include more mandatory training and to pay their GTAs for this. It is also up to departments and faculties to work with King's Academy to decide what constitutes mandatory training, which element of this can be delivered online, and what constitutes professional development training for all PGRs. You will be informed by your GTA Lead about mandatory training. You can also visit the King's Academy GTA Development page for more information, resources and additional workshops that are available to you as a GTA. 

GTA One Stop Shop Training: https://keats.kcl.ac.uk/mod/book/view.php?id=2554510&chapterid=186267  

King?s Academy GTA Development Page: https://internal.kcl.ac.uk/kingsacademy/professional-development-and-recognition/gta-development-programme  

Essential qualifications: 

1. Currently studying towards a first degree in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience) 

or 

2. Currently studying towards a PhD in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience)  

Experience / Skills Required: 

1. Experience of adapting own skills to new circumstances - essential 

2. A good understanding of the HE sector ? desirable 

3. Ability to provide advice to students on study skills and assist with any learning problems ? desirable   

Personal characteristics / other requirements: 

1. Ability to self-reflect on teaching design and delivery and act on feedback for future improvements ? essential 

2. Effective interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, to support and liaise with staff and students at all levels - essential 

3. Ability to work as part of a team - essential 

4. Ability to motivate high performance in others ? desirable 

Role specific requirements: 

1. Ability and willingness to engage in relevant departmental training and introductory pastoral support training - essential 

2. Keep abreast of current literature in subject areas being taught - essential