Unit Description:
In the Faculty of Humanities, our students gain the knowledge, skills and world-class connections they need to succeed in a wide range of careers or further studies. We take pride in cultivating the next generation of thoughtful, empathetic and effective citizens and leaders who will make the world a better – and brighter – place.
The Skills for Life certificate focuses on foundational skills that are critical to student success – both academically and in their career. These are skills that employers regularly include among the skills they most value, like written and oral communication, digital literacy, collaboration, and problem solving.
Under the direction of the lead course instructor, this role will provide pedagogical and technical support and deliver instruction for the course Humanities 1HL3 - Humanities for Life: The Value of a Humanities Degree and 1DL3 - Digital Literacy For The Humanities.
JD #
JD00004
Pay Grade:
9
Title:
Instructional Assistant (III)
Job Summary:
Responsible for providing pedagogical and technical support to instructors, teaching assistants and students. Designs and modifies 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 up to nine (9) Teaching Assistants.
Purpose and Key Functions:
- Design, adapt, and modify 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 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 computer-based instruction, and tutorial classes accordingly.
- Introduce and demonstrate tutorial sessions to students.
- Tutor students in program.
- Train others on propet techniques, operating 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 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 information amongst colleagues.
- Operate, adjust, and maintain a variety of course materials.
- Troubleshoot equipment and perform minor repairs. Ensure major repair request's are esclalated 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 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 prepration and standardization of solutions.
- Ensure that all laboratory waste is disposed of according to established policies and procedures.
Supervision:
Ongoing responsibility for supervising up to 9 casual employees and or teaching assistants at any one time.
Requirements:
Master's degree in a relevant field of study.
Requires 3 years of relevant experience.
Assets:
- Masters or Doctorate degree in a Humanities discipline
- Proven teaching experience in Humanities
- Experience developing Humanities career skills-based curriculum
Additional Information:
- Anticipated start date: August 18th, 2025
- Location: Chester New Hall 112
Application Procedure:
Please submit the following in one PDF file by DATE: July 28th, 2025 via MOSAIC. For inquiries contact Antoinette Somo at humappt@mcmaster.ca
- A cover letter stating your intent to apply for the position (including your address, phone number, and email address) and emphasizing your experience with the material to be taught. Please only submit requested documents.
- A curriculum vitae listing your academic qualifications and relevant employment experience.
- Name and contact information of two referees. Applicants are not required to submit reference letters.
If you require this information in an alternate/accessible format, please contact,Employee/Labour Relations Administrator at extension 23850.
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+.
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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.
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