About the Opportunity

Teaching Assistant in Biology

Position overview

Department

Bioscience and Chemistry

Faculty

Computing, Mathematics, Engineering & Natural Sciences (CoMENS)

Location

London, Devon House / Portsoken

Term

Part-time (Up to 0.48 FTE); Fixed Term (until 31 May 2027)

Salary Range         

Teaching Assistant (G6) £38,719 to £42,290, progressing to £43,555 for 1.0 FTE once in post. Pro rata for agreed FTE (up to 0.48 FTE).

Benefits

The university supports staff maintaining a good work/life balance, offer flexible working and parental leave opportunities, an Employee Assistance Programme which provides free, confidential advice on both home and work concerns as well as optional private medical insurance, season ticket loans and being part of the cycle to work scheme.

Line Management Responsibility

N/A

Reports to

Head of Discipline

Start date (dependent on successful completion of relevant checks)

As soon as possible

The role

Northeastern University London invites applications for a Teaching Assistant in Biology. The appointees will support teaching of up to two undergraduate Level 4 biology courses:

1. Introductory General Biology 1 with lab focuses on the molecular and cellular basis of life.

2. General Biology 2 with lab discusses aspects of evolution and organism biology.

Appointments will be commensurate with experience and qualifications reflecting a record of demonstrated ability to support teaching.

Core duties include:

Teaching and demonstration

• Lead and support wet-lab and practical sessions, under the guidance or supervision of subject expert faculty, across General Biology 1 and General Biology 2. General Biology 1 covers microscopy, bacterial streaking, gram staining, enzymatic tests, and measuring photosynthesis, fermentation and respiration using direct and indirect methods. General Biology 2 covers measuring organism growth, behaviour and physiology, and dissection.
• Demonstrate laboratory techniques and safety procedures to students.
• Lead small-group discussion or recitation sections that reinforce lecture content.

Session preparation and safety

• Run a pre-session dry-run of practicals where required, checking that equipment functions correctly, reagents are viable, and results are reproducible before students arrive.
• Confirm, alongside technical staff, that health and safety and COSHH checks have been completed, including PPE availability, spill kits, eyewash stations, and clear fire exits.
• Report equipment faults, missing materials, or safety concerns to the technical team promptly, before the session starts.
• Enforce laboratory safety and biosafety protocols throughout each session.
• Support technicians with session close-down, including correct storage and disposal of specimens and reagents, cleaning and resetting workstations, and checking that equipment is switched off and stored correctly.

Student support

• Support students during laboratory and recitation sessions.
• Hold regular office hours to help students with problem sets, lab reports, and exam preparation.
• Support students with varying levels of prior science background, flagging any who may need additional academic support.
• Respond to student queries or forward them to the appropriate person.

Assessment and feedback

• Grade lab reports, quizzes, problem sets, and exams according to instructor-provided rubrics.
• Provide timely, constructive written feedback.
• Maintain grading consistency and flag academic integrity concerns to the course instructor.

Training and coordination

• Complete all required training.
• Attend coordination meetings.

We particularly encourage applications from those with an interest in innovative teaching, learning and assessment; those with experience of supporting a wide variety of students; and those belonging to groups underrepresented in UK higher education. We are open to appointing on a reduced fraction/job-share basis subject to our business needs.

Person specification criteria

To undertake this role, the following should apply – should you not have the experience below, please do highlight where transferrable skills would assist with you undertaking the role.  Unless specified, all criteria are considered essential.

Qualifications

• Master’s degree, or equivalent professional experience, in a relevant area
• PhD completed, or near completion, or equivalent professional experience, in a relevant area (desirable)
• AFHEA status, or equivalent, achieved or expected (desirable)

Key Criteria

• Core knowledge of molecular and cellular biology, biochemistry and physiology.
• Demonstrates, through evidence, ability to be adaptable, innovative, and inclusive in assisting teaching lab sessions.
• Ability to provide excellent, personalised support to students in a lab-based setting.
• Flexibility and capacity to support course leaders in providing excellent educational provision to students, including opportunities for experiential learning.
• Excellent written and verbal interpersonal and communication skills including presentation skills, both face-to-face and online
• Excellent IT skills and evidence of supporting the integration of technologies into learning and teaching.
• Excellent time-management and organisational skills

About the Faculty

The Faculty of Computing, Mathematics, Engineering, and Natural Sciences (CoMENS) is undergoing significant growth at Northeastern University London. It is home to four interdisciplinary undergraduate dual-degree (in UK and US) programmes in the areas of Data Science, Data Science and Politics, Computer Science and Business, and Computer Science and Philosophy; four postgraduate programs in the areas of AI Ethics, Data Science, Computer Science, and Technology Leadership; and five degree apprenticeship programmes in the areas of AI, Data Science, Digital and Technology Solutions, and Biosciences.

The faculty plays a major part in Northeastern University’s first-year student mobility program, offering undergraduate courses in Computer and Data Science, Mathematics, Engineering, Physics, Biology, Chemistry and Healthcare, striving to inspire and equip entering students to be outstanding scientists.

Enquiries

Informal enquiries may be made to Dr Helen Dawe, Head of Biosciences and Chemistry ([email protected]).  However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified.

Application process

Applications must include a full curriculum vitae and a cover letter that sets out concisely in ways relevant to this role how the applicant meets the person specification criteria. Applicants should indicate in their cover letter the % FTE they are interested in.

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary. 

The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications.

Please note this role may require a basic or enhanced DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.

Job sponsorship: Visa Sponsorship is not available for this position.

Position Type

Additional Information

They can be reached at the following:

However, all applications must be made in accordance with the application process specified. 

Application process 

Applications should be made by 00:00 on the job posting's end date (if applicable).

Participation in the equal opportunities section is encouraged, but voluntary. 

Applications must include a covering letter of no more than one page that addresses the criteria for the role and a full curriculum vitae. 

The panel will be shortlisting for this position on a rolling basis so please apply as soon as possible. We reserve the right to close this post before the closing date if we receive a large number of applications. 

Please note all employees of Northeastern University London are required to undergo at least a basic DBS check. Our organisation acknowledges the duty of care to safeguard, protect and promote the welfare of our students and staff, and is committed to ensuring safeguarding practice reflects statutory responsibilities, government guidance and complies with best practice and Ofsted requirements. You must adhere to the above if you are offered a role with NU London.

For staff’s own wellbeing, for part time roles, the expectation is if you have multiple roles, they should not exceed full time (37.5 hours per week), and for full time roles, the expectation is that this will be your only role (apart from intermittent roles).

Applications are welcome from all sections of the community and will be judged on merit alone. We welcome applications from all underrepresented groups, including the Global Majority. Candidates must be able to demonstrate their eligibility to work in the UK in accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006.