Vacancy Summary Description
The Department of Psychology is currently looking to employ part time Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) to assist with running tutorials for an undergraduate module that will be running in Semester 2 (PSY31008).
Coding for Psychologists (PSY31008)
Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) are required to support the module lead in delivering hands-on lab classes as part of a Level 3 undergraduate module that is running in Semester 2 only. This module provides an introduction to processing and managing data sets with R, with a focus on processing data from psychological research. The module will teach fundamental coding principles, and cover how to develop routines for checking the plausibility and quality of data. Consequently, applicants should have strong coding skills in R, with experience in using RStudio and the tidyverse family of packages (ideally, relating to psychological research). All teaching will be completed under the close supervision of the module lead.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Deliver predetermined activities to support teaching staff by supporting delivery of hands-on coding lab classes to develop students’ coding skills, under supervision or in liaison with senior colleagues.
- Attend weekly meetings with senior colleagues regarding planning of teaching and monitoring student progress.
- Keep abreast with lecture content on modules being taught.
- Be aware of specific student needs and dynamically adjust the support as appropriate to meet these needs.
- Act as a technical demonstrator providing practical laboratory classes to develop student skills, if applicable (e.g carry out demonstrations, write R code, support students in interpreting R error messages, help students with code debugging, provide detailed skills and instruction).
- Carry out related marking under supervision of senior colleagues.
- Provide guidance on the preparation of assignments.
- Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post.
Person Specification
Essential Criteria:
- A degree in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience).
- Currently studying towards a PhD in a relevant subject area (or have equivalent experience).
- Effective interpersonal skills, both written and verbal, to support and liaise with staff and students.
- Ability to provide advice to students on study skills and assist with any learning problems, specifically with coding in R.
- Availability during the semester to deliver weekly teaching sessions.
- Ability and willingness to engage in relevant departmental training and introductory pastoral support training.
- Keep abreast with lecture content on modules being taught.
- Understanding of fundamental coding principles (control structures, coding conventions, writing of functions) and sound first-hand experience with coding in R, especially using RStudio and the tidyverse package family (data wrangling and preparing of data sets for analysis).
- Ability to work as part of a team.
Desirable Criteria:
- A good understanding of the HE sector.
- Ability to motivate high performance in others.
Please note that essential criteria must be met in order for applications to be considered
Pay Rate: £17.58 per hour + holiday pay entitlement
Hours: Delivering hands-on lab classes as part of a Level 3 undergraduate module that is running in Semester 2 only
Duration: 25/26 academic year (September 2025 - June 2026)
To Apply: Please submit your CV and cover letter through myJobshop to this advert