Teaching & research assistants
Research assistants (RAs)
Faculty members with external research grants often hire graduate students as RAs. Details of these appointments (salary, hours, etc.) are worked out between the student and the faculty member.
Contact faculty members to find out about possible openings.
Teaching assistants (TAs)
We have TA positions each year for academic assistants and lab instructors. TAs are covered by a collective agreement between CUPE Local 4163 Component 1 and UVic.
TAs are required to be available to work over the full period of a term. If there is a period in which you are unable to work, you must state this on your application.
Sociology Teaching Assistant Positions
CUPE 4163 Comp. 1
2026-27 Winter Session Teaching Assistants
Appointment Priority Policy: In making assignments, priority will be given to students as set out in Appointment Priority Policy A of Appendix "A" of the UVic/CUPE 4163 Collective Agreement. Please note that an application does not ensure employment. However, all interested students are invited to submit applications in the event that there are more positions available than there are applications from the students in the priority categories, or where attrition results in positions becoming available. Postings are subject to funding availability and/or course cancellation.
Remuneration: $34.72 per hour plus 4% vacation pay
Duties: Teaching Assistants normally only work with 100 - to 300 level courses. The duties and responsibilities of a teaching assistant may include some or all of the following:
- running tutorials
- grading exams
- marking papers
- preparing exams/quizzes
- preparing grades
- in-class teaching
- presence during established office hours
- invigilation during formal examination
Please note that most courses will be offered in-person for Winter 2026-27. Accordingly, applicants are normally expected to be available for in-person work in Victoria.
To apply: Apply using the CUPE 4163 Application form only and submit to Sara Woodland, Department of Sociology, via email, woodlands@uvic.ca.
Deadline: Tuesday June 30th, 2026, 4:00pm
UVic is committed to upholding the values of equity, diversity, inclusion and human rights in our living, learning and work environments. In pursuit of our values, we seek members who are eager to actively participate in that shared responsibility. We actively encourage applications from members of historically and systemically marginalized groups.
Tutorial Leaders for SOCI 100A and 100B
Appointment Priority Policy: In making assignments, priority will be given to students as set out in Appointment Priority Policy A of Appendix "A" of the UVic/CUPE 4163 Collective Agreement. Please note that an application does not ensure employment. However, all interested students are invited to submit applications in the event that there are more positions available than there are applications from the students in the priority categories, or where attrition results in positions becoming available. Postings are subject to funding availability and/or course cancellation.
Remuneration: $34.72 per hour plus 4% vacation pay.
Duties: The duties and responsibilities of a teaching assistant/tutorial leader may include some or all of the following:
- Preparing weekly tutorial materials
- Leading two or three 50-min tutorials each week (normally for eight weeks each term)
- Preparing students for exams
- Managing and submitting grades into Brightspace
- Leading in‑class tutorials
- Offering regular office hours
- Answering student emails (as defined by instructor)
- Invigilating examinations
- Maintaining open communication with Course Instructor
Experience in holding tutorials is an asset but not required. Training will be provided.
Please note that all SOCI 100 courses will be offered in-person for Winter 2026-27. Accordingly, applicants must be available for in-person work in Victoria.
To apply: Apply using CUPE 4163 Application form only and submit to Sara Woodland, by email, woodlands@uvic.ca (signature not required)
Deadline: Tuesday, June 30 2026, 4.00 pm.
Frequently asked questions
Under the supervision of the course instructor, you may be asked to:
- hold weekly office hours to help students with problems
- prepare exams and assignments
- grade assignments
- help supervise mid-terms and final exams
- record grades
- help the instructor with other course-related tasks, such as preparation of course materials
Tutorial leaders for SOCI 100A and 100B run tutorials for our Introduction to Sociology courses. If you apply for a tutorial leader position, you should be comfortable teaching in front of small groups of students (20-25).
TAs at UVic are unionized, and we follow the appointment guidelines in the CUPE 4163 Agreement (Article 13.02). To be eligible, students must be registered full-time and be on campus for the term of the TA appointment.
Selection decisions include:
- qualifications and ability of the candidate(s) based on academic merit and related experience
- the career and/or pedagogical value that the position will provide the student
- the student's preferences (as listed on the application form)
- other sources of graduate student financial support being received
All TAs must have a solid background in the related subject (unless specified otherwise). A good command of spoken and written English is essential.
Priority in hiring goes first to graduate students registered in the Department of Sociology, following our appointment priority policy.
Appointment priority policy
- Priority level 1: graduate students previously appointed to bargaining unit positions as incoming students, and who will be in their 2nd year of a master's program or the 2nd - 4th year of a PhD program
- Priority level 2: master's and PhD students in their 1st year
- Priority level 3: PhD year 2, 3, 4, or 5
- Priority level 4: other graduate students (in other years, not previously appointed, or from other departments)
- Priority level 5: undergraduates
- Priority level 6: others/non-students
Find salary rates for TAs on the Human Resources website (CUPE 4163, Component 1).
TAs are normally assigned between 100 - 110 hours per term.
The actual number of hours worked per week varies by course and term.
To apply, fill out the CUPE 4163 application form and email to Sara Harding.
Sending us an application confirms that you do want a TA job. It also gives you the chance to list your course preferences so we can consider them when we make assignments.
Work study program
The UVic work study program provides part-time employment opportunities for students with demonstrated financial need. Learn about eligibility.