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Teaching Assistantship Opportunities

ANNOUNCEMENT OF TEACHING ASSISTANT POSITIONS IN THE DEPARTMENT OF PHYSIOLOGY

The following jobs are posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Collective agreement. The departmental hiring policy is available in the department of Physiology Office and at the CUPE 3902 office.  It is understood that some announcements of vacancies are tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolment.

* Scroll down to bottom for full application submission details and application form *

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from visible minority group members, women, Aboriginal persons, persons with disabilities, members of sexual minority groups, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

 

General information

To the extent possible, the department shall announce positions to be filled in accordance with the following timelines:

  • On or before June 30th for the course(s) commencing in September;
  • On or before October 31st for the course(s) commencing in January; and
  • On or before March 15th for all course(s) in the Summer term.

Unexpected vacancies may arise at any time.

 

Salaries

The current rate of pay for a UG/SGSI/SGSII/PDF is $52.97 all levels respectively, per hour, in accordance with the CUPE collective agreement.

  • The estimated number of positions, approximate hours of work, and dates of employment, required qualifications, and a brief description of the duties are listed below for the following courses where positions are expected to be available.
  • Actual number of positions will depend on student enrolment. Second, and where applicable, third, fourth, fifth, and sixth appointments will be offered to eligible graduate students who held previous appointments.

 

Available Teaching Assistant Positions

**NOTE: All postings close on July 21, 2025**

PSL300H1F: Human Physiology I
This course covers neurophysiology, endocrine and reproductive systems. This course is intended for students proceeding to a specialist or major degree in physiology, or for those specializing in other disciplines requiring a thorough grounding in physiological principles. The course includes tutorials after each major topic to reinforce the lecture material.
Qualifications: The TA candidates will possess a strong physiological background, excellent oral and interpersonal skills, strong presentation skills or experience leading tutorial sessions and ability to provide constructive feedback. Teaching Assistants must be aware of course objectives and physiology to the satisfaction of the course director.
Duties: TA duties include running on-campus in-person tutorials and/or help sessions (Mon, Wed, Fri afternoons 1-5pm), marking, assisting with the development of course materials.
Relevant Criterion: Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 2
Hours of Work: approx. 70 hours per position
Tutorial/Lab Schedule: Monday, Wednesday, and Friday afternoons between 1:00-5:00pm
Estimated Course Enrolment: 1200
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

PSL304H1F: Topics in Cellular, Molecular and Organismic Physiology
Control systems, feedback, networks, cardiovascular regulation and respiratory control are the topics examined in detail using homeostasis as a unifying theme.
Qualifications: The TA candidate will possess a strong physiological background, with an awareness of course objectives to the satisfaction of the course director.
Duties: TA duties include assisting with the synchronous online delivery of the course, helping run tutorials, invigilating the final exam, and additional duties as required.
Relevant Criterion: Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 1
Hours of Work: approx. 18
Tutorial/Lab Schedule: Sept. 19, Sept. 26, Oct. 3, Oct 10, Oct. 15
Estimated Course Enrolment: 36
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

PSL372H1F: Mammalian Physiology Laboratory
This is a lab course covering selected topics in physiology. Students apply a number of physiological principles on themselves and experimental animals to understand how the body works.
Qualifications: The TA candidates will have completed at least one year of the physiological laboratory classes. Up-to-date WHMIS & Biosafety Training is required of all TAs.
Duties: TA duties include supervising lab demonstrations, on-line teaching/in-person teaching, marking lab reports, keeping office hours, managing student email.
Relevant Criterion: Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 2
Hours of Work: approx. 120 hours per position
Estimated Course Enrolment: 120
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

PSL420H1F: Reproduction - Development and Function
This course is designed to give students an in-depth review of the physiology of the reproductive system and will focus on the functions of the male and female gonads, the endocrine regulation of the reproductive system, reproductive behavior, fertilization and implantation. The course consists of 12/2 hour lectures, each dealing with a specific aspect of reproductive function.
Qualifications: The TA candidate must have taken PSL420H or LMP2100H previously and possess a sound knowledge of reproductive physiology.
Duties: TA duties include keeping office hours, managing student email correspondence, maintaining the course website, administering weekly quizzes through Quercus, marking assignments and exams and running a tutorial session.
Relevant Criterion: The need to acquire experience is the more relevant criterion than previous experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 1
Hours of Work: approx. 80 hours
Estimated Course Enrolment: 60
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

PSL425H1F/1425HF: Integrative Metabolism and its Endocrine Regulation
This course integrates the newest findings and experimental approaches from cellular and molecular biology into metabolic function at the tissue, organ, and whole-body level.
Qualifications: The TA candidates will have an appropriate background for the course and must possess a sound knowledge of physiology and metabolism.  Candidates must be 2nd year or higher (starting September 2025) in their graduate studies to apply.
Duties: TA duties include assisting in marking assessments and uploading grades and assist in maintaining the course website. Other duties may include mid-term and final exam invigilation and hosting online lectures.
Relevant Criterion: Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 2
Hours of Work: approx. 35 hours
Estimated Course Enrolment: 40
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

PSL452H1F/1452HF: Membrane Physiology
This course is designed for students who are interested in understanding the essential elements and fundamental mechanisms underlying membrane excitability of cells such as neurons, myocytes, and endocrine cells.
Qualifications: The TA candidate will have a strong physiological background, have previously taken the course, and must be a PhD candidate.
Duties: TA duties include assisting in marking assessments and uploading grades and assist in maintaining the course website. Other duties may include mid-term and final exam invigilation and hosting online lectures.
Relevant Criterion: The need to acquire experience is the more relevant criterion than previous experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 1
Hours of Work: approx. 44 hours
Estimated Course Enrolment: 45
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

PSL4010Y: Physiology Literature Review
Full‑year graduate (MHSc) project course in which each student, under faculty supervision, produces a critical literature review suitable for submission to a peer‑reviewed journal.  Milestones include a topic proposal, annotated bibliography, outline, oral presentation, and final manuscript.
Qualifications: The TA candidate will have graduate‑level training (MSc/PhD) in Physiology or a closely related biomedical field, proven organisational and administrative skills (e.g., tracking deadlines, managing shared documents, maintaining an LMS gradebook), experience giving constructive written feedback on scientific writing, clear and professional communication skills for liaising with students and faculty mentors. Ability to facilitate small‑group discussions on research methods and scientific writing is an asset.
Duties: TA duties include maintaining and updating the Quercus site (post rubrics, manage submission folders, and record grades), tracking student milestones and send reminder emails about upcoming deadlines, coordinating the schedule for mid‑year progress meetings and final presentations, coordinating presentations and final paper submission reviewing, providing concise written feedback on select written milestones (maximum 3 per student) using provided rubrics. Optional: host up to two one‑hour virtual drop‑in sessions per term to answer procedural questions and, if needed, offer brief guidance on literature‑search strategies.
Relevant Criterion: Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 1
Hours of Work: approx. 60 hours
Estimated Course Enrolment: 25
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - Fall: $52.97, Winter: $53.92 (+ vacation pay)

 

**Non PSL On-Line Courses**

PAP113: Physiology for the Physician Assistant Program
This is a required introductory physiology course for students in the functioning of the human body that is intended for Physician Assistant Program students as part of their required curriculum. The course is comprised of weekly on-line lectures and an active learning component consisting of live online office hours.
Qualifications: The TA candidate will possess a strong physiological background, with an awareness of course objectives and basic physiology to the satisfaction of the course director.
Duties: TA duties include keeping virtual office hours and monitoring postings on the course discussion board.
Relevant Criterion: Previous experience is the more relevant criterion than the need to acquire experience in respect of this posted position.
Positions: 1
Hours of Work: approx. 130 hours
Estimated Course Enrolment: 60
Rate of Pay: UG/SGS/I/II - $52.97 (+ vacation pay)

 

**NOTE: All postings close on July 21, 2025**

 

Application Process

Applicants must submit a cover letter, C.V. and completed TA Application Form found at https://physiology.utoronto.ca/teaching-assistantships-opportunities (bottom of page) and must be submitted as a single PDF (max 4 pages) to:
physiology.teachingsupport@utoronto.ca

Duties of this position shall be performed at the campus on which the position is located. Where the duties are intended to be performed at another location, such other location will be specified in the posting.

The University of Toronto is strongly committed to diversity within its community and especially welcomes applications from racialized persons / persons of colour, women, Indigenous / Aboriginal People of North America, persons with disabilities, 2SLGBTQ+ persons, and others who may contribute to the further diversification of ideas.

Candidates who are members of Indigenous, Black, racialized and 2SLGBTQ+ communities, persons with disabilities, and other equity seeking groups are encouraged to apply, and their lived experience shall be taken into consideration as applicable to the position.

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission. The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities. If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact uoft.careers@utoronto.ca. During employment, to request accommodation from the University, contact the supervisor or department chair and/or Health & Well-being Programs & Services at hwb@utoronto.ca. For more information about accommodations at U of T, please visit the Accommodation webpage.

The hiring Criteria for Teaching Assistant positions are academic qualifications, the need to acquire experience, previous experience and previous satisfactory employment under the provisions of this Collective Agreement.

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 Collective Agreement.

The position(s) posted above is (are) tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolments.

Positions posted here are open to Graduate Students in the School of Graduate Studies, Postdoctoral Fellows and Undergraduate Students in the University of Toronto.

Preference in hiring shall be given to Graduate Students enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto or those who have made application to be enrolled in the School of Graduate Studies of the University of Toronto.

 

Teaching Assistant Application Form (fillable pdf)

published: 2024-08-08