As a graduate student, you have the opportunity to become a teaching assistant and/or a research assistant. At McGill, teaching and research assistants play a vital role in the educational process. Graduate assistantships are part of McGill funding and may be a part of your personalized funding package. Be aware that the elements of your funding package may change from year to year. One year, you may have a teaching assistantship and another, a research assistantship.
Application
Teaching and research assistantships are handled by the academic unit (department, school or institute) and may be part of your McGill funding package. Guidelines, criteria, qualification expectations and duties vary from department to department. Please contact the academic unit for more information on assistantships.
Teaching assistantships
Teaching assistants provide support to McGill professors and lecturers in a variety of ways.
As a teaching assistant you may:
- lead undergraduate discussion seminars, conferences or labs
- participate in teaching an undergraduate level course
- assist in the evaluation of students
- motivate students and enhance their learning experience
- conduct study and review sessions
- gain valuable experience
- work under the supervision of the course supervisor
Since there is a large undergraduate population at McGill, there is ample opportunity to hold teaching assistantships during your program.
Being a teaching assistant is a rewarding experience. As a teaching assistant, you have the opportunity to share your knowledge in your area of expertise. You will also gain valuable experience in teaching, facilitation, supervision and evaluation. Teaching assistantships are an excellent opportunity for professional development, especially if you are considering an academic career in teaching.
Please mind that a Teaching Assistantship is an employment category and provides a student with payment for work performed. As these payments are employment income, all payments will be subject to statutory deductions at source.
SKILLSETS: professional development workshops
Teaching and Learning Services - SKILLSETS provides a variety of professional development sessions, “Learning to Teach” conferences and workshops to graduate student instructors and researchers throughout the year. Visit their website to learn more about these exciting sessions.
Association of graduate students employed at McGill
All Teaching Assistants at McGill are covered under the collective bargaining agreement between the University and the Association of Graduate Students Employed at McGill (AGSEM).
Research assistantships
Many faculty members have research grants or contracts and employ qualified graduate students as research assistants. As a research assistant, you will aid your supervisor or other senior researcher, in conducting groundbreaking research at McGill. Research assistantships are paid positions, and may be part of your McGill funding package.
As a research assistant you will:
- perform research-related tasks assigned by the professor
- perform research in your field of study
- perform work that can be used for preparing a thesis
Please mind that a Research Assistantship is an employment category and provides a student with payment for work performed. As these payments are employment income, all payments will be subject to statutory deductions at source.