Intro Bio Prep TA; BIO

Position: Intro Bio Prep TA (BIO277)
Job Title Intro Bio Prep TA (BIO
277) Department Biology Terms and Hours Approx. 3.5 hours per week, Fall Semester Job Category Student Employment Hourly Wage Portland Metro Minimum Wage ($16.80)

Job Summary

Prep TAs assist the instructor in preparing the lab space for each week's lab sections. This position is for the laboratory course BIO
277:
Introductory Biology, which is coordinated by Prof. Adrienne Greaves for Fall 2026. Prep TAs come in for 1-3 variable hours on Monday afternoons to assist the instructor in cleaning up labs from the previous week and setting up for the coming week. Successful candidates will have good lab skills (pipetting, labeling, basic solution-making), organizational skills, and the ability to work independently.

Once trained, prep TAs may be invited to continue working for multiple semesters. Working as a Prep TA requires successful completion of the BIO
277 course with a final grade of at least A-, or permission of the instructor.

Application Requirements

Applicants must be available for a 2-4 hour block of time on Monday afternoons.

In a brief cover letter, please include the following:

* 1. Describe your suitability for the position: what skills you bring to this position, why it is an attractive position for you, and what you hope to gain from it.

* 2. Include the semester you took BIO
207 and BIO
277 (e.g. Fall 2024) and who your instructors were for each of the courses. Your instructors should be willing to serve as references. (You should contact your instructors, let them know you are applying to be a TA, and ask if they would be willing to speak with the hiring faculty member about your qualifications for the role.)

* 3. Include whether you are eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS) as part of your Financial Aid package.

You will also be asked to submit a current resume as part of your application.

Core Duties

* Review lab protocols each week to be able to visualize the flow of the week's lab activities

* Handle chemicals safely, and complete yearly Chemical Safety training

* Perform basic lab skills: accurate micropipetting, solution-making, labeling

* Set out, clean, and put away lab equipment for the week

* Wash glassware and deliver materials and waste to the autoclave room

* Ensure the smooth running of the lab by restocking supplies, cleaning lab benches and equipment, and proactively addressing lab concerns.

* Follow detailed instructions given verbally and in writing.

* Follow all University of Portland requirements for student employment, including prompt and accurate online submission of timesheets.

* Assist the instructor with other duties, as required.

Minimum Qualifications

* Must have taken BIO 207/BIO 277, and received a grade of A- or better in BIO 277.

* Must have a thorough understanding of the labs and their conceptual background

* Cover letter must list the semester and faculty member(s) from whom the student took BIO 207 and BIO 277, and have their endorsement as references.

* Must be respectful, punctual and dependable.

Preferred Qualifications

* Students with Federal Work Study in Financial Aid Package preferred.

* Students with Green Dot Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

* N/A

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number SE

Number of Vacancies 1 Estimated Start Date 08/21/2026 Open Date 07/20/2026 Close Date 08/20/2026