PGTA - Risk and Disaster Reduction

Job description

The purpose of this job is to support teaching and learning in our modules, working with the academic modules tutor(s) to support the delivery of teaching for students taking modules in the RDR.

As a PGTA, you will be required to complete all UCL Staff mandatory training. All PGTAs should also complete the Arena One PGTA Gateway Training and may wish to undertake further UCL Arena PGTA training: The Teaching Associate Programme (TAP) and HEA Fellowship, both of which are optional.

Please refer to detailed job description for training requirements and opportunities.

PGTAs will be expected to commit to being present on the Bloomsbury campus during the terms for which teaching is allocated and during the examination period as required for the majority of roles (please check individual module duties and responsibilities regarding this).

Key responsibilities

• Teaching assistance through the facilitation of seminars and/or workshops;
• Class preparation and meeting with lecturers/module organisers;
• After-class contact time with students, including time-tabled office hours;
• Laboratory demonstration;
• Marking students' work;
• Giving feedback to students

Requirements for role

As a PGTA, you will be required to complete all UCL mandatory training courses [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/doctoral-school/doctoral-journey/first-steps] as per the policy [https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/mandatory-training-policy]. The Department will not pay you to undertake this training as completing this training is mandatory for all postgradauate researchers (including those who are not PGTAs) at UCL .  

Existing PGTAs must also periodically review and ensure that the mandatory training is up to date.

All PGTAs must have undertaken the Arena Gateway Training before starting their PGTA role (this only is required once; it does not need repeating if taking on multiple roles or for different academic years).

Exemptions from this must be approved by Arena and the PGTA should send the exemption to rdr-pgr@ucl.ac.uk.

It is recommended to sign up for training early: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/teaching-learning/professional-development/ucl-arena-pgtas. The training includes self-directed study, and an on-campus workshop (there are various dates available through the year, please visit https://www.ucl.ac.uk/teaching-learning/professional-development/arena-one/gateway-workshops to register and complete the training before teaching begins).

If you have not previously attended this training and you have received a confirmed place as a PGTA in the Department of Risk and Disaster Reduction, the Department will pay you for 2.5hrs at standard PGTA rate in order to complete the training in addition to the tasks undertaken specifically for the role undertaken.

This training is not included in role-specific description or hours, but will be paid in addition to the roles where required. Module-specific training is included within the hours and described within specific role descriptions.

Person Specifications

• Educated to Degree level (or having equivalent experience), in a field related to the subject matter being taught/ assessed
• Working towards a relevant postgraduate degree (PhD)
• If relevant, effective working knowledge of any software specified in the task descriptions
• Specialist skills and knowledge appropriate to the course taught
• Ability to communicate clearly, both orally and in writing, with students, academic and support staff at all levels
• Excellent organisational and time management skills
• Ability to work independently for short periods and as part of a team, recognising when advice / input needs to be sought
• A high level of accuracy and a keen attention to detail
• Excellent people skills and the ability to build good relationships with colleagues and external partners

How to apply

To apply please fill in the Application Form: https://forms.office.com/e/3dS9FMu1t8