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Graduate Teaching Assistantship (GTA)
Graduate Teaching Assistantships (GTAs) provide valuable paid employment opportunities to graduate students while supporting undergraduate teaching at Western. GTA funding is typically included as part of a graduate student's overall funding package and may vary depending on factors such as program, level of study, type of appointment, and academic term.
A GTA appointment represents a formal employment contract between a registered full-time graduate student and the employer. Under this agreement, students assist with supervised teaching-related duties as outlined in the applicable collective agreement.
Graduate Teaching Assistants may be assigned duties such as:
Supporting instruction in lectures, tutorials, or laboratories.
Conducting field trips.
Preparing instructional materials or assisting with required class, tutorial, or laboratory set-up.
Grading assignments, laboratory reports, tutorials, and term tests.
Holding office hours or meetings to respond to student questions.
All GTA appointments must include an agreed upon Duties Specification Agreement (DSA).
A GTA role that involves work where a GTA is in a position that gives them influence, authority, or perspective by virtue of being an Indigenous person will require the GTA to affirm their Indigenous citizenship or membership.
GTA Information
Review eligibility requirements, compensation and payment information, and where to find information and support for your GTA appointment.
Eligibility
Graduate students must be registered full-time and meet the graduate program's conditions for progression toward their degree.
The appointment is not transferable to another program.
If a graduate student completes their degree while employed as a GTA, they may either complete their GTA contract within the current term or choose to end it.
Value
One-term, 10-hour-per-week GTA appointment effective September 1, 2026 to August 31, 2027.
Per hour
140 hours
4%
Inclusive of vacation pay
Taxes and Deductions
GTA appointments are subject to regular employment deductions, including tax, CPP and EI. GTA employment generates a T4 for tax purposes.
Method of Payment
GTA appointments are paid through Western Human Resources on the second-last business day of each month.
Where to Find Information About This Funding
Information about a GTA appointment is provided at several points after a graduate student accepts their offer of admission.
Initial GTA employment information is provided after accepting an offer of admission.
Once issued a GTA, students receive an email link to their employment contract.
GTAs receive their initial DSA via Western Email once the DSA is submitted by their Course Supervisor. GTAs can review previously approved DSAs through the Graduate Student Web Services Portal.
GTA appointments are outlined annually through a Mercury funding plan accessible to GTAs through the Graduate Student Web Services Portal.
Additional Resources
Employment of registered graduate students as GTAs is governed by the Collective Agreement between The University of Western Ontario and the Public Service Alliance of Canada.
GTA Resources & Opportunities
Graduate students may apply for GTA positions outside their home Faculty where opportunities are available. These positions are posted in accordance with Article 13.06 of the collective agreement and are open to eligible graduate students across the university.
- Students must be registered full-time.
- Students must not already hold a GTAship exceeding 70 hours in the same term.
- Full-time graduate students may hold a maximum of 10 hours per week in GTAships, from any source, in any given term.
- Students applying for a position outside their Faculty may also be required to obtain approval from their thesis supervisor before accepting the appointment.
There are no postings currently available.
Faculties and departments seeking to post a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) vacancy for distribution across the Western community should submit the required information through the following link:
The Resource 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) Resource 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. Resource 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.
Resource TAs will be expected to work five (5) hours per week from September 1, 2026, to April 30, 2027. 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 terms) 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
1) Interested graduate students should email their Graduate Chair with the required application materials compiled into one PDF by April 5, 2026.
2) Graduate Chairs will forward chosen applicant packages to ctl@uwo.ca by April 15, 2026.
Application Materials
The single PDF should include:
- Cover letter
- Teaching Philosophy (max 1 page, single-spaced)
- 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
- April 5, 2026: Deadline for graduate students to submit application to their Graduate Chair
- April 15, 2026: Deadline for Graduate Chairs to submit recommended Resource TA application packages to the CTL by emailing ctl@uwo.ca
- April and May 2026: Short listed candidates are interviewed
- June 1, 2026: Successful candidates and relevant Graduate Chairs are notified
Further Information
For questions about the Resource TA Program, please contact:
Jennifer Davila
Director of Administration, SGPS
jdavila3@uwo.ca