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SGIA Postgraduate Teaching Assistant - Grade 6

2/19/2026

The primary duties involve planning, preparing, and teaching courses or leading tutorials as specified, which includes leading seminars, marking formative work, and providing feedback to students. Responsibilities also extend to assisting with curriculum development, maintaining accurate records, and ensuring appropriate student conduct.

Working Hours

40 hours/week

Company Size

51-200 employees

Language

English

Visa Sponsorship

About The Company

As a UK Top 10 Department, we are committed to high quality teaching and research. We are located in the beautiful city of Durham in a brand new purpose built building along shared with Maths. We are proud of the emphasis we place on equality, diversity and inclusion. See our website to find out more about our programmes and our recent research and impact achievements

About the Role

If you are a PhD student who is interested in undertaking teaching work in the School of Government and International Affairs in the forthcoming academic year (2026-27), we have a number of opportunities to teach available.

Please note we will only consider applications from existing Durham University PGR students

Teaching will involve leading seminars. Modules which have teaching available next year are as follows:

First year

SGIA1XXX	International Security
SGIA1241	Perspectives of Political Economy
SGIA1191	Democratic Political Systems
SGIA1201	Researching Politics and International Relations
SGIA1211	Introduction to Comparative Politics
SGIA1221	Introduction to International Relations
SGIA1231	Political Theory

Second year

SGIA2131	International Theory
SGIA2381	Debates in Political Theory
SGIA2261	International Organisations
SGIA2281	Sovereignty, State and Empire
SGIA2391	Middle East in the International System
SGIA2351	Class, Nation and Party British Politics
SGIA2361	Analytical Politics
SGIA2381	Democracy, Conflict and American Society
SGIA2401	Capitalism: History and Theory
SGIA2411	Gender and Politics

PG – supporting role


SGIA49915	Quantitative Methods and Analysis

Seminars in most modules take place fortnightly and we would be interested in hearing from individuals who would be prepared to undertake at least three seminar groups, however if you are unable to undertake this many please do still apply as there may be opportunities available. Individuals leading on seminars would also be expected to mark formative work and would be paid for a number of office hours as standard.

To apply you must submit a CV and a completed SGIA PGR teaching essential table. We will only consider applicants who upload both documents.

SGIA PGR Teaching essential table - PLEASE MAKE SURE YOU COMPLETE

Student ID
Programme of Study
First Supervisor
Date PhD commenced
Thesis submission deadline
Research area of expertise
Which modules (if any) within the School of Government and International Affairs at Durham University have you previously taught on?
Which modules (if any) elsewhere within the University or at other institutions have you previously contributed to?
Have you completed the Faculty Teaching Induction? If so, when?
Are you enrolled on DULTA? (https://www.dur.ac.uk/graduate.school/staff/dulta/) If so, please provide details of progress.
First preference module*
Second preference module*
Third preference module*
Please indicate briefly why you are interested in this teaching and any relevant prior experience
How many hours per week in total would you ideally like to be considered for?
Please indicate any preferred days for teaching (please note we will do our best to accommodate where possible in the timetable but it is not guaranteed)
Are you planning to apply to teach elsewhere within the university, if so which department?

*Selecting level two modules only will not exempt you from being asked to undertake teaching at level 1. The recruitment panel will reach a final decision regarding module allocation based on expertise and experience not on just module choice alone.

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historical setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a vast variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, that is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here.

The below role descriptor seeks to capture the main requirements of the role consistently, providing a summary of the key duties of the flexible role to help in setting expectations for applicants, flexible workers and line managers. They are not intended to cover all duties which may be required.

Role	Responsibilities
Combined Role (predominantly teaching) Casual Grade 6	Teaching and marking Plan, prepare, and teach courses/deliver tutorials as specified by the relevant department. Provide and update syllabus materials. Assist with curriculum development and the production of Learning & Teaching materials. Set and/or mark assessments according to relevant published criteria. Keep accurate records of marks awarded, liaising with the departmental assessment team as necessary. Provide oral and/or written feedback to students in line with departmental policy, procedures and timescales. Demonstrating Guide and support students in the laboratory. Assist in the delivery of laboratory classes. Assist the laboratory leader as required, such as developing enhanced experiments. Ensure safe working practices and good order in the laboratories. Student supervision Assist and direct student projects as required. Ensure that students follow ethical guidelines in conducting their projects. General Help ensure appropriate student conduct, implement the University’s code of conduct and report any concerns to the academic mentor. Monitor the welfare of the student(s) and report any concerns immediately. Maintain registers and monitor attendance. Requirements Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the subject area. Attend relevant briefings and training sessions.

Role

Responsibilities

Combined Role (predominantly teaching)

Casual Grade 6

Teaching and marking

Plan, prepare, and teach courses/deliver tutorials as specified by the relevant department.
Provide and update syllabus materials.
Assist with curriculum development and the production of Learning & Teaching materials.
Set and/or mark assessments according to relevant published criteria.
Keep accurate records of marks awarded, liaising with the departmental assessment team as necessary.
Provide oral and/or written feedback to students in line with departmental policy, procedures and timescales.

Demonstrating

Guide and support students in the laboratory.
Assist in the delivery of laboratory classes.
Assist the laboratory leader as required, such as developing enhanced experiments.
Ensure safe working practices and good order in the laboratories.

Student supervision

Assist and direct student projects as required.
Ensure that students follow ethical guidelines in conducting their projects.

General

Help ensure appropriate student conduct, implement the University’s code of conduct and report any concerns to the academic mentor.
Monitor the welfare of the student(s) and report any concerns immediately.
Maintain registers and monitor attendance.

Requirements

Maintain up-to-date knowledge of the subject area.
Attend relevant briefings and training sessions.

To apply you must submit a CV and a completed SGIA PGR teaching essential table (above). We will only consider applicants who upload both documents.

If you have any questions please contact sgia.operations@durham.ac.uk

Key Skills

TeachingLeading SeminarsMarking Formative WorkCurriculum DevelopmentAssessmentStudent GuidanceStudent SupervisionRecord KeepingSubject Matter ExpertiseTraining AttendanceResearch