Lab TA Microbiology: BIO379

University of Portland•Portland, OR

54d•Onsite

About The Position

A teaching assistant (TA) is an individual who assists a faculty member with instructional responsibilities. This position is to assist Dr. Mani with Microbiology Laboratory in Spring 2026, with the possibility of continuing in Fall 2026. Previous completion of BIO301/361 or BIO359/379 is required: TAs must have successfully completed the course they wish to TA. Teaching assistants will work approximately 3-6 hours per week in Swindells Hall. Hours will be decided upon between TA and the course instructor at the beginning of the semester. Availability during one of the below times is required: BIO379A Tuesday 2:30-5:30 - Mani BIO379B Wednesday 9:15-12:15 - Kenton BIO379C Wednesday 9:15-12:15 - Marino BIO379D Wednesday 1:35-4:35 - Iordanov BIO379E Wednesday 1:35-4:35 - Marino BIO379F Thursday 9:45-12:45 - Iordanov BIO379G Thursday 2:30-5:30 - Iordanov Applicants will be asked to submit a brief cover letter that describes their availability for one or more of these lab sections (specifically identified), their suitablility for the position, and whether they are eligible for Federal Work Study. Applicants will also be asked to submit a current resume that summarizes their relevant academic and professional experience.

Requirements

Applicant must be available during one or more lab sections.
Successful completion of BIO301/361 Microbiology for Biology Majors or BIO 359/379 Microbiology for Nurses is required: Applicants must have completed the course they wish to TA.
Satisfactory evaluations in any previous position as a departmental assistant in the Department of Biology
Satisfactory progress toward a degree

Nice To Haves

Preference will be given to Biology majors and minors and/or students with prior experience as a laboratory assistant
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. Ask the course instructor to answer any questions you may have regarding the procedures, set-ups, calculations, waste management, and/or safety issues before the designated laboratory time.
Assist with regular pre-lab period set-up: Gather instructional items, Set-up demonstrations, prepare solutions, gather reagents, samples, etc. for use by students in upcoming lab section. Help load vans with necessary equipment, materials, and supplies for field trips.
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 dispose of solutions that do not keep. Clean spills using proper methods. Clean/wipe-down the hoods, lab benches, the areas around balances, and the areas around instruments used during the laboratory period. Return and secure all caps and tops to reagent bottles. Refill/replace reagents and consumable supplies as needed. Return reagents, supplies, equipment to location found at beginning of the laboratory period. Take dirty glassware or bio-hazardous waste bags to the dishwashing room. Wash and put away other glassware, as needed. Unload vans after field trips, rinse/clean equipment used in field, return to appropriate storage location.
Show up at time designated by instructor. TAs must notify Instructor if they cannot prep lab, attend, or assist with clean up for a lab period for any reason
Promote Safety in the Laboratory: 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 laboratory waste. Be alert for potentially unsafe behavior, practices, set-ups, and situations, and correct them; or bring them to the attention of the instructor if you are unsure of the proper procedures to be used.
Attend all TA meetings (times to be arranged with instructor).
If part of the TA position, attend (and drive a van) for off-campus field trips and over-weekend field trips (if TA for field laboratory course). Field Lab TAs must complete driver's safety course with Public Safety.
Provide feedback to faculty on exercises.
May be asked to assist with grading (exams, quizzes, lab assignments).
May be asked to prepare review materials for lab sections, as needed.
May be asked to independently run Open Laboratory sessions.
Submit accurate, bi-monthly timesheet via on-line portal to Laboratory Manager.
Other relevant tasks, as needed, by instructor.