TA and Reader Opportunities

Teaching Assistant/Reader Positions

Each quarter, the BME department employs graduate students to serve as either a TA or a Reader to assist our faculty with the instruction of select undergraduate courses.  

Non-BMEGG Students: You are welcome to fill out the application, but understand that BME department affiliated and BMEGG students are prioritized in the selection process. To join the system that allows you to access the application, please email the BME TA Coordinator at [email protected]. This only needs to be completed once. 

Eligibility Criteria

1. View minimum qualifications.
2. In addition to meeting the campus eligibility requirements as outlined on the Graduate Studies Student Employment website, departments may have additional general eligibility requirements including but not limited to:
   • An appointee must be willing and able to work 20 hours a week (50%) or 10 hours a week (25%) during the following time periods: 7 a.m. – 11 p.m. Monday through Friday and Saturdays 8 a.m. - 4 p.m.
   • An appointee must be available and willing to work for the full service period of the appointment (start of the quarter through when final grades are due).
   • All students must complete the TA Orientation to be hired as a TA. Please check here for updates on registration for the in-person and online components.
   • An appointee must demonstrate adequate ability to comprehend, write, and speak the English language.
   • Students employed as TA and AI’s must meet the Language Proficiency Requirement as outlined in the Graduate Studies Policy on Language Proficiency Requirements for Appointment of Students to Teaching Assistant and Associate In_ Titles (GS2011-01 rev02)

TA Responsibilities

Duties may vary by course and are based on the description of duties signed by both the Instructor of Record and the Reader for the course. 

Common duties include:  

• Conducting a discussion section or laboratory experiments
• Proctoring quizzes or exams
• Holding office hours
• Grading

Reader Responsibilities

Duties may vary by course and are based on the description of duties signed by both the Instructor of Record and the Reader for the course. 

Common duties include:  

• Grading

Application Process

The applicant is responsible for reading, understanding and following the requirements. Incomplete TA/Reader applications will not be considered.

Notice of Application

• All BMEGG students will be sent a general message to their UC Davis email when the application for placements opens. The BME department uses the Instructional Planning & Administration (IPA) tool to record placement preferences.
• Any Non-BMEGG student who has expressed interest in applying will be sent an invitation to apply from IPA after BMEGG students.
• Please make sure to note all deadlines, instructions and requirements to be eligible for consideration. Missing the placement application deadline will result in the denial of your application.

Application

• Complete the Employment Disclosure Process Authorization
• Upload Prior Teaching Evaluations, if available
• Complete the IPA Application, including ranking courses/positions of interest
• If contacted to complete an Employment Disclosure Survey, complete it within two business days. Failure to complete this survey will result in the denial of your application.
• If contacted with an offer letter, review and return it within one week. Failure to do so will be considered a rejection of the offer.

Priorities for Placement

• First Priority: BME PhD Students
• Second Priority: BME MS Students
• Third Priority: Graduate students in other departments (it is rare that additional positions are available for graduate students outside of the department).

Notification of Appointment

• Students who are appointed to a position will receive an email to their UC Davis email address from the BME TA Coordinator. They will have one week to return a signed offer letter to accept the position.
• Students who are not offered a position will receive an email no later than the start of the quarter to inform them that all positions have been filled.

Helpful Links

• TA Orientation (Mandatory)
• Language Proficiency Requirement (Schedule TOEP exams prior to the application timeframe to be eligible)
• Additional Resources from the Center for Educational Effectiveness
• BME Undergraduate Course Schedule
• Graduate Studies Student Academic Employment
• Academic Unit Shared Service Center: Pay Frequency and Timesheet Requirements