AP1 & AP2 Lab Teaching Assistant

University of Portland•Portland, OR

42d

About The Position

Laboratory Teaching Assistants help a faculty member with technical and instructional responsibilities which may include: lab prep, organization, clean-up, and working with enrolled students during the lab session in Swindells Hall and/or via remote telework arrangements. This position is for the laboratory courses BIO365 and BIO366: Human Anatomy and Physiology 1 & 2, which are coordinated John White (AP 1 Lab) and Dr. Christie Engesser Cesar (AP 2 Lab). Teaching Assistants typically work approx. 2-3 hours per lab section each week of the term. Please check the schedule of classes for Spring 2026 lab days and times for AP1 and AP2 lab. BIO365 M 0915:1215 - White M 1230:1530 - Mitra M 1610:1910 - Hallyburton T 0945:1245 - Mitra T 1255:1555 - Ruppell T 1610:1910 - W 0915:1215 - White W 1230-1530 - W 1610:1910 - Moss R 0945:1245 - Mitra R 1255:1555 - Ruppell R 1610:1910 - Moss BIO366 M 0915:1215 - Flann M 1230:1530 - Flann T 0945:1245 - Beadles-Bohling T 1255:1555 - Beadles-Bohling W 0915:1215 - Flann W 1230:1530 - Okonkwo W 1610:1910 - Okonkwo In your application, please include a current resume and a cover letter answering the following questions: Explain why you are interested in this opportunity. How do you envisions this role will help you in reaching your personal goals? What do you think your greatest strength and greatest weakness will be in your role as a laboratory teaching assistant? For which section(s) (days and times) are you applying to be a teaching assistant? You may still apply if you do not know your schedule; however, please identify any known restrictions about your schedule (e.g. only possibilities are on Tues/Thurs).

Requirements

Successful completion of the BIO 305/365 and BIO 306/366 with an overall grade of B+ or better.
Satisfactory evaluations in any previous position as a departmental assistant in the Department of Biology.
Satisfactory progress toward a degree.

Nice To Haves

Students with Federal Work Study in Financial Aid Package preferred.
Students with Green Dot Certification preferred.

Responsibilities

Prepare for lab each week: read the experimental procedures, TA instructions, and any other special information that is provided by the course instructor or laboratory manager.
Assist with regular pre-lab period set-up: gather instructional items, set up demonstrations, prepare the cadavers for viewing when applicable.
When requested, provide brief introductory presentations at the beginning of the lab period.
Assist students during the lab by answering questions or providing experimental advice.
Clean up after each lab: properly store or dispose of solutions; clean spills using proper methods; clean/wipe-down the hoods, lab benches, and the areas around instruments used during the lab; return and secure all caps and tops to chemical bottles; refill/replace consumable supplies as needed; take dirty glassware or tools to washing area and/or bio-hazardous waste bags to the dishwashing room; wash and put away other glassware or other items, as needed.
Show up at time designated by Instructor. TA's must notify Instructor if they cannot prep the lab, attend, or assist with clean up for a lab period for any reason.
Promote Safety in the lab at all times: enforce proper use of protective equipment, proper handling of chemical spills, proper handling of broken glassware, proper collection of chemical waste for disposal, and proper disposal of non-hazardous lab waste. Be alert for potentially unsafe behavior, practices, set-ups, and situations, and correct them or bring to the attention of the Instructor if you are unsure of the proper procedures to be used.
Attend all TA meetings - time to be arranged by supervisor.
Provide feedback to faculty on exercises.
May be asked to assist with grading (exams, quizzes, lab assignments).
May be asked to independently run Open Lab sessions.
Submit accurate, bi-monthly time sheet via an online portal to supervisor.
Other relevant duties as assigned