Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)

Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) make an important contribution to the quality of undergraduate education at Western University. GTAs inspire, encourage, and guide students who embark on a learning journey in hundreds of programs in our 11 Faculties across campus. 

A GTA may:

  • conduct field trips
  • work with students in lectures and tutorials
  • prepare materials or set-up required displays or apparatus for classes, tutorials and laboratories
  • grade essays, assignments, laboratory reports, tutorials and term tests
  • answer students' questions through meetings or office hours

A GTA acts as a resource and a mentor to students as they grapple with theories in all disciplines. A GTA works directly with students as they try to decide how they will use their new knowledge after they graduate.

One term - 10 hour/week GTAship
(Jan. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2024)		 One term - 10 hour/week GTAship
(Sept. 1, 2024 – Aug. 31, 2025)		 One term - 10 hour/week GTAship
(Sept. 1, 2025 – Aug. 31, 2026)		 One term - 10 hour/week GTAship
(Sept. 1, 2026 – Aug. 31, 2027)
Base Compensation 140 hours @ $48.64/hr = $6,809.60 140 hours @ $50.10/hr = $7,014.00 140 hours @ $51.35/hr = $7,189.00 140 hours @ $52.38/hr = $7,333.20
Vacation Pay Term rate x 4% = $272.38 Term rate x 4% = $280.56 Term rate x 4% = $287.56 Term rate x 4% = $293.33
Term Rate inclusive of vacation pay $7,081.98 $7,294.56 $7,476.56 $7,626.53
Monthly Rate inclusive of vacation pay $1,770.50 $1,823.64 $1,869.14 $1,906.63

Employment of registered graduate students as graduate teaching assistants is governed by the provisions of The Collective Agreement between The University of Western Ontario and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.

Current GTA Opportunities

  • These postings are in compliance with Article 13.06 of the collective agreement.
  • To be eligible for this opportunity, applicants must not be in receipt of a GTAship exceeding 70 hours for the same term.
  • Only full-time registered graduate students are eligible to hold a GTA appointment at Western University.
  • For a student who is external to the hiring Faculty they may require their thesis supervisor's approval before accepting the GTA position.
  • Full-time graduate students may hold only 10 hours per week in GTAships, from any source, in any term.

TA postings will be listed here

No postings currently available.

GTA Training Programs

Lead TA 2025

The Lead TA Program supports the professional development of teaching assistants at Western University by offering graduate students the opportunity to extend their teaching and leadership skills beyond traditional TA responsibilities.

Each year, three (3) Lead TAs are selected to enhance TA development across campus. Their responsibilities include providing wayfinding to connect TAs to relevant resources on campus, developing TA resources, and providing direct peer support. Lead TAs will serve as mentors, coaches, and liaisons for fellow teaching assistants, fostering a community of practice that enhances the teaching and learning environment at Western.

Lead TAs will be expected to work five (5) hours per week from November 3, 2025, to June 30, 2026. Successful applicants who already hold a departmental TA appointment during this period may hold both roles, provided total hours do not exceed the maximum allowable. If combined appointments exceed the limit, SGPS will coordinate with departments to adjust the original TA assignment.

Program Benefits

  • Joint supervision and mentorship from the Centre for Teaching and Learning and Student Experience
  • Ongoing professional development support from both CTL and Student Experience
  • Valuable leadership experience in teaching development and educational mentorship

Eligibility Requirements

  • Currently enrolled as a graduate student at Western during the employment period (including graduate students beyond their funding eligibility period e.g. year X)
  • Minimum of two (2) years (four semesters) of TA or equivalent teaching experience (preferably at Western)
  • Previous direct student-facing TA experience (e.g., facilitating labs or tutorials)

Recommended Qualifications

  • Active engagement in professional development in teaching (e.g., CTL programs like TATP, TCC, ATP, GS 9500, or equivalent from another institution)
  • Related educational background (e.g., discipline-specific teaching/conference experience, or a B.Ed.)
  • Experience facilitating teaching development or training
  • Strong presentation, facilitation, and communication skills
  • Familiarity with Western’s student services and learning resources
  • Experience in peer mentorship and interdisciplinary collaboration
  • Understanding of TA development needs
  • Willingness to engage in self-reflection and set professional goals
  • Demonstrated commitment to student learning and collaborative work
  • Proficiency with PowerPoint and Brightspace
  • Effective time management and ability to engage diverse audiences

How to Apply

Email your Graduate Chair with the following application materials compiled into one PDF by September 5, 2025.

Application Materials

Your PDF should include:

  1. Cover letter
  2. Teaching Philosophy (max 1 page, single-spaced)
  3. Curriculum Vitae (CV), including:
    • Expected graduation date
    • List of all teaching workshops attended
    • List of all TA assignments undertaken at Western
    • All relevant teaching experience

Timeline

  • Interviews will take place in late September to early October
  • Successful candidates will be notified by October 15, 2025

Further Information

For questions about the Lead TA Program, please contact:

Jennifer Davila
Director of Administration, SGPS
jdavila3@uwo.ca

TATP - Teaching Assistant Training Program

The Teaching Assistant Training Program is a hands-on, two-and-a-half- day session taught by current Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and designed for new GTAs embarking on their teaching careers. Learn about fair grading practices, diversity in the classroom, lecturing, and giving students feedback on written work. Choose from concurrent sessions designed to meet your specific discipline-related teaching needs. Get real-time, hands-on teaching experience in our unique micro-teaching sessions, where you can try out your teaching skills and techniques with a small group of your peers and receive helpful, constructive feedback. At the end of the session, you’ll receive a certificate as evidence of your commitment to the development of your knowledge and skill as a teacher.

For more information: http://www.uwo.ca/tsc/graduate_student_programs/tatp.html

Additional Details

Definition The employment contract between a registered full-time graduate student and the Employer for assisting in supervised teaching-related duties listed as per the collective agreement
Compensation Rate Defined by collective agreement
Employment Deductions and Benefit Changes Regular deductions - Tax, CPP, EI etc., 14%
CRA Tax Treatment Regular income, 100% taxable, reported on T4 tax receipt
Posting Required? No Posting Required
System Paid Through HR Payroll system, Online Appointment Process
Job Code; When Paid X0200; Monthly or weekly
Employment Contract Requirements for International Students www.servicecanada.gc.ca/eng/sin/employers/contract.shtml

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