EDUCATION LEVEL

Master’s degree in a relevant field of study.

JOB DESCRIPTION #

JD00682

UNIT/PROJECT DESCRIPTION:

Undergraduate Support Staff in Biology work as a team, with an Instructional Assistant and a Laboratory Technician assigned to a suite of courses. Both will work as a team to deliver laboratory experiences for undergraduate students and support the delivery of large enrolment courses, particularly those with tutorials or labs. As a result, Biology expects its staff to have strong expertise in multiple disciplines in Biology that are reflected in the active learning experiences our undergraduates complete in levels 1, 2 and 3. This includes subsets of physiology, ecology, genetics, plant biology, microbiology and molecular genetics. Equally importantly, staff must demonstrate a willingness and aptitude for learning applications in the disciplines in which they are working (e.g., aseptic technique, PCR, and gel electrophoresis for molecular positions, plant propagation and/or animal handling if leading plant or animal courses, use of imaging and data acquisition systems). The Instructional Assistant will provide organizational and technical support for undergraduate courses in conjunction with a designated lab technician. In addition, they must demonstrate that they have relevant and recent working knowledge of each discipline to train or participate in the delivery and evaluation of course material provided in labs and tutorials. The Instructional Assistant must demonstrate a willingness and the aptitude to learn, and apply new pedagogical approaches. This is essential to fulfill Instructional Assistant job duties.
This position is a part time eight month position supporting the Level 3 Biology 3U03 – Animal Physiology-Homeostasis, Mol Bio 3O03 - Microbial Genetics, Bio 2A03 - Integrative Physiology of Animals, and Mol Bio 3M03 - Fundamental Concepts of Development courses. Expertise in these areas is required.

Key components of the Job Description include:

• corresponding and meeting with students to address concerns related to courses including, but not limited to, the resolution of contested grades.
• acting as a mediator between faculty and students when dealing with various issues such as special accommodations, scheduling conflicts, and grades.
• calculating student marks and submitting final grades to appropriate areas.

JOB SUMMARY:

Responsible for providing pedagogical and technical support to instructors, teaching assistants and students. Designs and modifies laboratory experiments, tutorial sessions, and lesson plans in accordance with the curriculum priorities of the instructor within an academic unit, department, or faculty. Forecasts operating budgets for lab and tutorial courses. Ongoing responsibility for supervising ten (10) or more Teaching Assistants.

REQUIREMENTS:

• Master’s degree in a relevant field of study.
• Requires 3 years of relevant experience.

EMPLOYMENT EQUITY STATEMENT

McMaster University is located on the traditional territories of the Haudenosaunee and Mississauga Nations and within the lands protected by the “Dish With One Spoon” wampum agreement.
The diversity of our workforce is at the core of our innovation and creativity and strengthens our research and teaching excellence. In keeping with its Statement on Building an Inclusive Community with a Shared Purpose, McMaster University strives to embody the values of respect, collaboration and diversity, and has a strong commitment to employment equity.
The University seeks qualified candidates who share our commitment to equity and inclusion, who will contribute to the diversification of ideas and perspectives, and especially welcomes applications from indigenous (First Nations, Métis or Inuit) peoples, members of racialized communities, persons with disabilities, women, and persons who identify as 2SLGBTQ+.
As part of McMaster’s commitment, all applicants are invited to complete a confidential Applicant Diversity Survey through the online application submission process. The Survey questionnaire requests voluntary self-identification in relation to equity-seeking groups that have historically faced and continue to face barriers in employment. Please refer to the Applicant Diversity Survey - Statement of Collection for additional information.

Job applicants requiring accommodation to participate in the hiring process should contact:

• Human Resources Service Centre at 905-525-9140 ext. 222-HR (22247), or
• Faculty of Health Sciences HR Office at ext. 22207, or
• School of Graduate Studies at ext. 23679

to communicate accommodation needs.

INTERVIEW EXPERIENCE

At McMaster University, we believe in a comprehensive and inclusive interview process. Our interview methods encompass a variety of approaches that allow our hiring teams to provide a flexible and accessible experience for engaging with our candidates. Throughout your recruitment process at McMaster, you may be requested to participate in a variety of formats, that may include in-person, virtual or recorded interviews. If you have any questions as you move through the hiring process, please reach out to talent@mcmaster.ca or the HR contact associated with your position of interest.

• Design, adapt, and modify laboratory experiments and tutorial sessions.
• Modify and adapt test procedures and equipment to meet specialized requirements.
• Forecast budgets and proposed expenditures for new program proposals, and for operating lab and tutorial courses.
• Write and design lesson plans in accordance to the curriculum priorities of the instructor.
• Provide formal supervision to teaching assistants and other part-time staff.
• Communicate curriculum to teaching assistants that is to be covered in tutorial sessions.
• Review current educational research literature to ensure curriculum follows best practices in teaching, education and learning.
• Organize and coordinate teaching laboratories, computer-based instruction, and tutorial classes accordingly.
• Introduce and demonstrate labs or tutorial sessions to students.
• Tutor students in programs and assist students with lab work.
• Train others on proper lab techniques, operating laboratory equipment, and on running efficient and effective tutorial sessions.
• Compose test questions and assignments, and prepare solution sheets for review by others.
• Assist staff with the preparation and set up of equipment and supplies for laboratories and tutorial sessions.
• Organize and monitor the on-line learning environment for courses in an academic unit, department, or faculty by ensuring that the appropriate course content information is made available to students.
• Write a variety of documents such as procedure manuals, correspondence, and reports.
• Prepare a variety of lecture materials including presentation slides and handouts.
• Provide guidance, advice, and solutions to teaching assistants when resolving student inquiries.
• Provide teaching assistants with appropriate teaching material as specified by the instructor.
• Ensure accurate grading of assignments is completed by teaching assistants and report discrepancies to the instructor.
• Correspond and meet with students to address concerns related to the course including, but not limited to, the resolution of contested grades.
• Liaise with instructors, teaching assistants, and students to ensure information within the academic unit is understood by all parties.
• Exchange technical and scientific information amongst colleagues.
• Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of equipment and instruments.
• Troubleshoot equipment and perform minor repairs. Ensure major repair requests are escalated to the appropriate area.
• Assign tutorials to teaching assistants and arrange teaching assistant office hours.
• Section classes at the beginning of the year, dealing with all scheduling changes, room reservations, and scheduling conflicts.
• Assess the need for laboratory equipment and provide recommendations for the acquisition of materials and equipment.
• Calibrate laboratory equipment according to established calibration standards.
• Collect, track, and safeguard student marks and tests.
• Calculate student marks and submit final grades to appropriate areas.
• Input, maintain, and verify information in a variety of databases and spreadsheets.
• Pipette a variety of reagents and media.
• Prepare chemical reagents and biomedical media according to formulae and assume responsibility for accuracy in the preparation and standardization of solutions.
• Ensure that all laboratory waste is disposed of according to established policies and procedures.