Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA)
Position Title
Graduate Teaching Assistant – Geology
Position Summary
The Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) in Geology supports faculty in delivering undergraduate and graduate courses and laboratory sessions in areas such as physical geology, historical geology, mineralogy, petrology, sedimentology, and field methods. The GTA contributes to instruction, student assessment, and academic support while developing advanced teaching and research skills in the geological sciences.
Key Responsibilities
- Assist faculty in preparing and organizing course materials for classes such as The Planet Earth, Physical Geology, Earth Materials, Field Geology, Petrology, Earth System Sciences, and Geochemistry.
- Lead or co-lead laboratory and discussion sections, demonstrating geological concepts, techniques, and data analysis.
- Supervise and instruct students in the proper use of laboratory and field equipment (e.g., petrographic microscopes, GPS units, rock and mineral samples).
- Grade laboratory exercises, homework assignments, exams, and field reports promptly and accurately.
- Hold office hours to assist students with course material and provide academic support.
- Help organize and assist with field trips, ensuring safety procedures are followed.
- Maintain laboratory safety standards, inventory, and cleanliness.
- Support OSU-approved learning management platforms
- Participate in GTA orientation or professional development sessions.
- Perform other duties as assigned by the supervising faculty or department.
Qualifications
- Enrollment in a graduate program at Oregon State University.
- Strong academic background in core geological disciplines.
- Field and/or laboratory experience in geological methods and instrumentation.
- Excellent written and oral communication skills.
- Ability to work independently and collaboratively in a teaching environment.
- Prior teaching, tutoring, or field mentoring experience is an asset.
Relevant Health and Safety Information
- You share responsibility for maintaining a safe learning, teaching, and research environment. You are expected to understand and comply with all relevant university health and safety policies, as well as any course-specific procedures related to laboratory work, field activities, and classroom instruction.
- Emergency Procedures: Know the locations of emergency exits, fire alarms,
eyewash stations, first aid kits, and safety equipment in your teaching areas. - Incident Reporting: Report all accidents, injuries, near misses, and unsafe
conditions immediately to your supervising instructor and departmental safety
officer. - Personal Protective Equipment (PPE): Ensure that you and your students use
appropriate PPE (e.g., safety goggles, gloves, lab coats, hard hats, or field boots) for
laboratory or field activities. - Equipment and Materials: Properly handle and store laboratory chemicals,
samples, and field instruments according to established safety protocols. - Fieldwork Safety: Follow departmental field safety guidelines, including weather
monitoring, vehicle use, communication plans, and emergency preparedness. - Student Safety Awareness: Communicate health and safety expectations clearly to
students at the start of labs, field trips, or other hands-on activities. - Public Safety: Dial 9-1-1 or call 541-737-7000
- 24/7 Dispatch/Non-Emergency: 541-737-3010
- University Environmental Health and Safety: 541-737-2273
- Non-Emergency Hotline : 541-713-7233
- Online Training Portal
Learning Outcomes
- Gain practical teaching and communication experience.
- Develop pedagogical and leadership skills.
- Contribute to the academic success of undergraduate and graduate students.
- Receive professional mentorship from faculty and exposure to academic
instruction. - Enhance professional preparation for academic, research, or industry careers in the
geosciences.
Questions or Concerns
If you have any questions about your GTA assignment or have concerns regarding your
current position, please contact Robert Allan.