Teaching Assistants

BMSC hires Teaching Assistants for both its Summer and Fall Program courses.

We are seeking a Teaching Assistant for the Marine Invertebrate Zoology course, May 9 – June 17, 2022

Summer Semester TA applications due: April 1, 2022

Ideal TA applicants are currently registered graduate students, are familiar with the the marine invertebrate fauna of Barkley Sound and the waters around BMSC and Barkley Sound, and hold a valid SVOP and 16-hour Standard First Aid course. The ability to make significant contributions to teaching of course material is desirable. Please see detailed Marine Invertebrate Zoology course description.

Applicants from member universities will be given priority.

For field courses that require students to be transported by boats, see “Compulsory Requirements” below.

TA positions available:

There are currently no TA positions available.

Selection process:

We hire TAs to ensure the safety of our students, offer the highest possible quality of instruction to our students, and support the research mission of BMSC by supporting students that do research here.

BMSC generally offers TAships to candidates recommended by course instructors.
If an instructor does not have a TA in mind, the position is posted.
All applications received by the deadline are forwarded to the instructor for selection keeping the following criteria in mind.
In June 2009, Management Council requested preference for fall TAships be given to graduate students at the five member universities.
In June 2012, Management Council approved the hiring of TAs for summer courses who may not be graduate students. These include recent graduate students, and instructors working for BMSC Field Trips. Preference for summer TAships is given to candidates living in Bamfield who are familiar with BMSC, and the ecology, biology and species local to Barkley Sound.

Salary:

Compensation is in two parts: salary and scholarship. The scholarship portion is only available to graduate students.

Summer (per 3 weeks) $3000 Salary: $1000 Scholarship

Fall (per course) $4000 Salary: $2000 Scholarship*

*It is hoped that graduate students who TA Fall Semester courses will reside at BMSC for the full semester.

*The scholarship portion of the salary is contingent upon residency at BMSC for at least 8 weeks of the Fall Semester (this is negotiable), with the first week of the program being mandatory.

**TA salaries and scholarships subject to change

Benefits:

Free accommodation (with kitchen and bathroom).
Staff rates for meals taken in the cafeteria.
Travel expenses reimbursed to a maximum for a single round trip to Bamfield from home university.

Duties for all TA's include:

Reports directly to the University Programs Coordinator
Aiding primary instructor(s) in teaching during labs and field trips; helping in design and implementation of student projects.
Facilitation of courses by organizing equipment and scheduling.
Student transportation to field sites (boating experience is desirable).
Overseeing student safety on field trips.
Lab set-up and clean-up.
Perform other duties as specified by instructors (see below for course-specific needs).

Compulsory Requirements:

For field courses that require students to be transported by boats, Small Vessel Operator Proficiency (SVOP) certification is required.

NOTE: A valid SVOP also requires:

MED A3 (now known as Small Domestic Vessel Basic Safety), and a valid, in-person, 16-hour first aid certification, with CPR-C, equivalent to Marine Basic First Aid and recognized by a province or territory;
Marine Radio Operator’s Certificate;
complete a boat checkout and safety briefing by BMSC Foreshore staff.

Click here for more details

How to apply:

Please complete and submit the on-line application form along with CV and cover letter. Please note there are separate application forms for Summer and Fall TAships.

BMSC Bamfield Marine Sciences Centre