Upper-Division Bio Lab TA

University of Portland•Portland, OR

38d•$16•Onsite

About The Position

Teaching Assistants help a faculty member with instructional responsibilities which may include: lab prep, organization, clean-up, and working with enrolled students during the lab session in Swindells Hall. This position is for upper-division (300 & 400-level) Biology laboratory courses in the Spring of 2026 with the possibility of continued employment for similar courses in later semesters. Teaching Assistants work with Charles Bedell (Biology Lab Manager), Dr. David Wynne, Dr Susan Murray or other upper-division course faculty. Working as a teaching assistant for these courses requires successful completion of the course with a final grade of at least a B+, or other prior knowledge of the techniques used in the lab with permission of the instructor. Teaching Assistants typically work ~3-4 hours per lab section each week of the term. Applicants must be available for the following section, or during lab prep times to be determined together with the faculty member: BIO 333 Genetics T 12:55:15:55 - Wynne BIO 470 Immunology T 12:55:15:55 - Murray In a brief cover letter, please describe: Your suitability for the position Specific availability for one or more lab sections, or to work as a prep TA. You will also be asked to submit a brief resume that summarizes their academic and professional qualifications. Evaluation procedures and schedules: After your initial appointment and a training seminar for new TAs, instructors and supervisor will provide feedback throughout the semester. For TAs assisting a course for the first time, a mid-semester evaluation form will be completed by the course instructor. The TA and instructor will meet to discuss the evaluation, and the evaluation will then be submitted to the supervisor. All TAs will receive an evaluation at the end of the semester and have the opportunity to discuss with the course instructor

Requirements

Successful completion of the course(s) that are appropriate to your assignment as a TA or relevant experience
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
Assist with regular pre-lab period set-up
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
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
Attend all TA meetings - times to be arranged with instructor.
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 tasks, as needed by instructor.