Chemistry Department Teaching Assistant – Fall

Job Title

Chemistry Department Teaching Assistant – Fall 2026

DU14551

Lexington, KY

Student, Part‑Time

Determined by the college/university

Monday through Friday. The exact schedule varies according to course, section(s), schedule, and other factors. Refer to the course catalog for listing of potential shifts. Assignments, schedules, and shifts are finalized by the Academic (Lab) Coordinator.

The Department of Chemistry is seeking talented and highly motivated graduate students to fill positions as Out‑of‑Department Teaching Assistants (OODs). OODs guide students in chemistry courses to a deeper comprehension of material that the OODs themselves must understand. They must maintain the utmost standard of responsibility, integrity, and professionalism. OODs in the Chemistry Department are assigned to teach multiple course sections of a lower‑level lab, typically the General Chemistry laboratory (3 sections of CHE 111 or 2 sections of 113), as determined by the Academic Coordinator (laboratory supervisor).

Assistantships are dependent upon availability of all teaching and instructional assistants.

• Complete the Graduate School’s university‑wide TA Orientation including micro‑teaching, ITA Language screening (where applicable), etc.
• Complete the department’s orientation activities.
• Complete the UK Environmental Health & Safety Training courses (Chemical Hygiene Plan / Laboratory Safety or the Annual Refresher, Hazardous Waste, Chemical Fume Hood, Fire Extinguisher Training, Emergency Eyewash and Safety Shower Station Use & Inspection) and provide the record of completion to the Academic Coordinator before the first day of classes. Training must have been completed within the past nine months and be valid through the end of the semester.
• Attend and participate in weekly TA/ULA meetings.
• Prepare the laboratory, maintain cleanliness, and manage safety before, during, and after class.
• Instruction and monitor up to 24 students per section under the supervision of the Academic Coordinator(s), including pre‑lab directions, assistance with experiments, answering questions, providing feedback, and responding to correspondence in‑person and online via email, the course discussion site, Piazza, or other methods.
• Offer three office hours per week in the General Chemistry Learning Center.
• Proctor exams.
• Grade and evaluate student work according to rubrics, with training provided, and cooperate with the Academic Coordinator(s) to ensure consistent evaluation.
• Maintain records of student coursework via the course Learning Management site and hard copies.
• Participate in professional development activities, including orientation, weekly meetings, formal in‑lab observations, end‑of‑semester evaluations, and any other activities related to professional conduct.
• Complete other duties as assigned within the scope of the position.

Qualified applicants must be a current UK graduate student in good standing with the Graduate School; have a 3.0 GPA; have taken General Chemistry with Lab and Organic Chemistry with Lab (CHE 105, 107, 111, and 113 or equivalents), and have earned a “B” or better in these courses. Preference is given to students with an “A” in these courses.

Lifting and/or carrying light‑weight objects; standing for approximately 3 hours at a time.

OODs receive a stipend, a tuition scholarship provided by the UK Graduate School/College of Arts & Sciences, and Student Health Plan Coverage provided by the Graduate School/College of Arts & Sciences.

Students may not exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year for all assignments across campus.

09/30/2026

No

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre‑employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources.