Teaching Assistant, Foundations of Cancer (Casual)

• Lecturer, Level A.6
• Casual position, on an as required basis
• Casual rate of $68.57, with Super Guarantee Charge (SGC)
• Fixed term for teaching period in Term 1 and Term 3, 2025
• Benefits of working with the University of Melbourne

About the Opportunity

The Master of Cancer Sciences is a fully online two-year part time course offered jointly by the VCCC Alliance and the University of Melbourne. The philosophy behind the Master of Cancer Sciences is to provide a contemporary, evidence-based program to health professionals to improve the outcomes and quality of life for patients with cancer and ultimately to improve cancer treatment outcomes.

We require a Teaching Assistant in the Foundations of Cancer subject to support a tutorial group of up to 25 online graduate students. This will involve familiarisation around content, announcements, online invigilation of the student discussion fora, consultation and monitoring of student engagement, preparation, set up and delivery of webinars, assessment grading and evaluation and quality improvement activities.

This will be a casual position, on an as required basis, during the Term 1 and Term 3 teaching period (27 January – 23 March 2025 and 21 July – 14 September 2025, respectively), with an estimated workload of 5-7 hours per week for:

• 2 weeks prior to teaching period
• 8 weeks of teaching
• 3 weeks post teaching period  

The individual will need to be available for tutorials, online facilitation and marking of assessment tasks. The subject will be delivered twice annually in Term 1 and Term 3, so there is an opportunity for the individual to teach into the forthcoming years. 

Key Responsibilities

TEACHING AND LEARNING

• Contribute to the delivery of the Foundations of Cancer subject in the Master of Cancer Sciences
• Create a positive and inclusive learning environment through engagement activities such as announcements, online invigilation and student support
• Encourage critical thinking and ensure that the students’ knowledge is challenged and probed
• Familiarise yourself with the goals, content and assessment requirements of the subject
• Assist in the preparation, set up and delivery of webinars delivered as part of the subject
• Assist students with the development of study skills necessary for academic success
• Refer students to appropriate sources of support as needed
• Follow appropriate assessment policies such as utilising plagiarism software and rubrics to mark student assessment tasks and log all data into the online platform
• Demonstrate a proactive reflexive teaching practice through seeking guidance from senior teaching staff and student feedback
• Apply contemporary pedagogical insights to teaching practice, recognising the evolving process of group development and the different roles that a facilitator plays at different stages
• Contribute to quality improvement processes based on student feedback and faculty experience surveys
• Other contributions as required

SERVICE AND LEADERSHIP 

• Participate in community and professional activities related to the relevant disciplinary area
• Effective demonstration and promotion of University values including diversity and inclusion and high standards of ethics and integrity
• Occupational Health and Safety (OH&S) and Environmental Health and Safety (EH&S) responsibilities 

Key Selection Criteria

ESSENTIAL

• PhD, substantial progress towards PhD or a Master’s degree in cancer biology
• Demonstrated skills and experience in supporting online learning communities
• Demonstrated excellent verbal and written communication skills for effective teaching collaboration and engagement
• Proven rapport with university students and a commitment to pastoral matters
• Proven capacity to work in a team environment
• Working with Children Check

DESIRABLE

• Demonstrated potential to supervise or co-supervise and mentor undergraduate, honours and postgraduate students where appropriate.
• Demonstrated experience administering student cohorts on learning management systems.

Equity and Inclusion

The University is an equal opportunity employer and is committed to providing a workplace free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, bullying, vilification, and victimisation. The University makes decisions on employment, promotion, and reward on the basis of merit.

The University is committed to all aspects of equal opportunity, diversity, and inclusion in the workplace and to providing all staff, students, contractors, honorary appointees, volunteers and visitors with a safe, respectful and rewarding environment free from all forms of unlawful discrimination, harassment, vilification and victimisation. This commitment is set out in the University’s People Strategy 2015-2020 and policies that address diversity and inclusion, equal employment opportunity, discrimination, sexual harassment, bullying and appropriate workplace behaviour. All staff are required to comply with all University policies.

The University values diversity because we recognise that the differences in our people’s age, race, ethnicity, culture, gender, nationality, sexual orientation, physical ability, and background bring richness to our work environment. Consequently, the People Strategy sets out the strategic aim to drive diversity and inclusion across the University to create an environment where the compounding benefits of a diverse workforce are recognised as vital in our continuous desire to strive for excellence and reach the targets of Growing Esteem.

Contact for Enquiries

For further information, please download Position Description.
For enquiries only, email A/Prof David Kok, Course Convenor at [email protected]

To Apply

Please send your application to Grace Chan at [email protected] by 12.00pm, Monday 25 November 2024, addressing all essential selection criteria, appending your CV and cover letter.