Chemistry Department Teaching Assistant - Summer 2022

Posting Details

Posting Details

Qualified applicants must be a current UK graduate student in good standing with the Graduate School; have a 3.0 GPA ; have taken General Chemistry with Lab and Organic Chemistry with Lab ( CHE 105, 107, 111, and 113 or equivalents); and made a "B" or better in these courses. Preference is given to students with an "A" in these courses.

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Lifting and/or carrying light-weight objects; standing for approximately 3 hours at a time.

Monday through Friday. Exact schedule varies according to course, section(s), schedule, and other factors. Please refer to the course catalog for listing of potential shifts. Assignments, schedules, and shifts are finalized by the Academic (Lab) Coordinator.

The Department of Chemistry is seeking talented and highly motivated graduate students to fill positions as Out-of-Department Teaching Assistants (OODs). OODs guide students in chemistry courses to a deeper comprehension of material which the OODs themselves are expected to understand. They are to maintain the utmost standard of responsibility, integrity, and professionalism while in this position. OODs in the Chemistry Department are assigned to teach multiple course sections of a lower-level lab, typically the General Chemistry laboratory (3 sections of CHE 111 or 2 sections of 113), as determined by the Academic Coordinator (laboratory supervisor). Assistantships are dependent upon availability of all teaching and instructional assistants.

This position requires a full semester commitment of approximately 20 hours per week and includes the following duties, expectations, and requirements:

* Completion of

** The Graduate School's university-wide TA Orientation including micro-teaching, ITA Language screening (where applicable), etc.

** The department's orientation activities.

** The following UK Environmental Health & Safety Training courses with record of completion provided to the Academic Coordinator before the first day of classes. Training must have been completed within the past nine months and be valid through the end of the semester.

* Chemical Hygiene Plan / Laboratory Safety or the Annual Refresher

* Hazardous Waste, specific

* Chemical Fume Hood

* Fire Extinguisher Training

* Emergency Eyewash and Safety Shower Station Use & Inspection

* Attendance and participation in weekly TA/ ULA meetings.

* Laboratory preparation, clean-up, and safety management before, during, and after class.

* Instruction and monitoring of a maximum of 24 students per section, under the supervision of the Academic Coordinator(s), in the following capacities:

** Pre-lab directions.

** Assistance with experiments.

** Answering questions, providing feedback, and other correspondence in-person and online via email, the course discussion site, Piazza, or other methods.

** Three office hours per week in the General Chemistry Learning Center.

** Proctoring.

* Grade and evaluate student work according to rubrics.

** Specific training on the use of the grading rubrics are provided during orientation and during the weekly meetings to ensure all sections are evaluated consistently. Academic Coordinator(s) spot-check grades, resolve any discrepancies or disputes, and determine all final grades.

* Records maintenance and retention of student coursework via the course Learning Management site as well as hard copies.

* Participation in professional development included in but not limited to orientation, weekly meetings, formal in-lab observations and end-of-semester evaluations conducted by the Academic Coordinator (or delegate), and with any activities throughout the assignment in which there are discussions of appropriate behaviors befitting a professional in an academic setting.

* Other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Students may not exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year for all assignments across campus.

Retention of this assistantship will require professional performance of your assigned duties, as well as satisfactory progress toward the completion of your degree. See Section 3.2 and Appendix D of the UK Chemistry Department's Graduate Student Handbook ( https://chem.as.uky.edu/handbook-pdf ) for TA expectations, duties, and policies.

Given the COVID -19 pandemic, and the need to protect our university community including our students, staff, faculty and visitors, the University of Kentucky is requiring COVID -19 vaccination for all new hires prior to starting employment. Therefore, as of October 18, 2021 , all new hires prior to their first day of employment must submit appropriate documentation showing, i) completion of the first vaccination against COVID -19, or ii) completion of the full vaccination series against COVID -19, or iii) approved exemption (medical contraindications or a sincerely held religious belief) through the formal exemption process from the COVID -19 vaccination requirement. For those employees who have completed the first vaccination against COVID -19 prior to their first day of employment, the second vaccination (if applicable) must be completed following the vaccination recommended schedule to be considered fully vaccinated.

The University of Kentucky is committed to a diverse and inclusive workforce by ensuring all our students, faculty, and staff work in an environment of openness and acceptance. We strive to foster a community where people of all backgrounds, identities, and perspectives can feel secure and welcome. We also value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

As an Equal Opportunity Employer, we strongly encourage veterans, individuals with disabilities, women, and all minorities to consider our employment opportunities.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and/or drug screen.