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Mechanical Engineering

Teaching & research assistants

We hire graduate students as paid teaching and research assistants.

Research assistants (RAs)

Faculty with external research grants often hire students as RAs. Details of these appointments (salary, hours, etc.) are worked out between the student and the faculty member. 

Professors may also hire graduate students to work part-time on research contracts with industry.

Contact faculty members to find out about possible openings.

Teaching assistants (TAs)

TA positions are divided into TA-instructor and TA positions. Both are covered by a collective agreement between CUPE Local 4163 Component 1 and UVic. See the Human Resources site for the current salary rate.

The difference between the positions is that TA-instructors engage with students face-to-face and facilitate student learning through active instruction.

TA duties & responsibilities

TAs work within the course instructional team to grade student work. Duties can include:

  • generating a grading rubric based on input from the course’s primary instructor
  • interpreting a rubric to grade student submissions and give concise written feedback
  • managing grade entry and record keeping in collaboration with other members of the course’s instructional team

TA-instructors do the same work as a TA, plus activities that facilitate student learning. Duties can include:

  • helping generate teaching materials
  • planning and delivering tutorial or lab sessions
  • facilitating student group activities
  • fielding student questions outside of course meeting times

TA qualifications

You should have an undergraduate degree in mechanical engineering or equivalent. Any special skills or other requirements will be on the job posting. In most cases, you must be competent in the course material. We hire TAs repeatedly for the same courses.

TA positions are in-person only, you must be on campus in order to apply.

International students need proper authorization from Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada (IRCC) to accept work on campus.

You must complete TA workshops before you apply or during the term you are hired.

TA-instructors must complete all 4 workshops offered by the department’s teaching assistant coordinator (TAC). TA workshops run in September and January.

TA workshops

  1. TA Roles, Rights and Responsibilities
  2. Developing Good Marking Practices
  3. Canadian Classroom Culture and TA Resources
  4. Lesson Planning and Teaching

TAs must complete workshops 1 and 2. You will be paid a maximum of 4 hours at the TA rate for attending workshops 1 and 2.

Current TA postings

How to apply:

To ensure your application is fully considered, please submit your completed application by Wed, March 18, 2026.  Be sure to use only your UVic email address.

  1. Review the available TA positions for Summer 2026
  2. Complete the online application form for CUPE 4163 positions for TA-Marker position
  3. Complete the online application form for CUPE 4163 positions for TA position
  4. Non-Canadian applicants must include a copy of their study permit or permanent resident card with their application form. If your study permit expires before the end of the appointment period, you must provide proof that you are in the process of renewing it (i.e. copy of your receipt from Canada immigration).

The University of Victoria is an equity employer and encourages applications from women, persons with disabilities, visible minorities, and Indigenous persons. The number of available positions and hours are subject to funding availability, enrollment and/or course cancellation.

Resources