Casual academic staff opportunities

Tutors and casual academic staff make an important contribution to teaching and learning at The University of Queensland. The School of Mathematics and Physics is looking for tutors who are enthusiastic about sharing their discipline knowledge, who can convey concepts to students with clarity, and who are interested in developing and applying teaching strategies to support student learning in a range of different settings. Tutors are expected to foster caring, collaborative, and inclusive classrooms and laboratory environments.

The School of Mathematics and Physics values diversity and inclusion and seeks to ensure that all members of mathematics and physics communities at UQ feel empowered to participate in all opportunities. We particularly encourage people who bring diversity to UQ – whether that be gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability, to apply for tutoring.

What our tutors say

Tutoring gives me the opportunity to directly help students with challenges in their learning. Seeing the "aha!" moment in a student's face is incredibly satisfying. You also meet so many amazing tutors and students, and talking to them can improve your work and your life! Teaching something will give you deeper insight into it. – Liam, Mathematics/SCIE tutor

I love teaching things that I am interested in. Seeing a student go from not understanding to understanding is deeply satisfying... You will be surprised how much you learn yourself when teaching others. It is one of the best ways to entrench your own knowledge. – Mitch, Mathematics tutor

[Tutoring is] good experience and fun. - Abbe, Physics tutor

Apply! You’re more qualified for the position than you realise. – Physics tutor

Application process

The majority of tutors are post graduate students and students in the later years of undergraduate degrees in mathematics and cognate disciplies, including engineering and physics. The application process requires a UQ username and password. If you don't have one, please email the relevant tutor coordinator with a CV and copy of your academic transcript.

Deadlines for applications

The deadlines for applications are displayed on the Tutoring homepage.

New applications will be considered for tutoring in semester 1.

New applications will be considered for tutoring in semester 2 only if positions are available. Typically, there are very few new positions available in semester 2.

Demand for summer tutoring is very high. Preference will be given to experienced maths and statistics tutors who are on campus during the summer semester for research or other purposes. New applications will not be accepted for summer semester tutoring.

Applications from current and past tutors in the maths discipline

Via the Tutoring homepage:

Update your tutor profile, including contact details.
Request hours for the upcoming semester, before the deadline for applications. Be sure to indicate your preferences. An email will be sent to current tutors towards the end of each semester with a reminder about this.

Prospective new tutors

New tutoring positions are available starting semester 1 each year. Generally, there are very few new positions available mid-year. Tutors are appointed for the physics, maths (and statistics) disciplines by a tutor coordinator.

The application process requires a UQ username and password. If you don't have one, please email the relevant tutor coordinator with a CV and copy of your academic transcript.
Except in rare circumstances you will not be appointed to tutor unless you have taken MATH2000 (or equivalent). Applicants who do not meet this criteria should email the tutor coordinator outlining their qualifications before creating a profile.
Additionally, you will not be appointed to tutor statistics courses unless you have taken STAT2004 or another intermediate data analysis course. Applicants who do not meet this criteria should email the tutor coordinator outlining their qualifications before creating a profile.
Create a profile on the database, including as much detail as possible. Upload a photo as well (these are used for identification purposes by the head of discipline and tutor coordinator only, so glamour photos are not required).
Request hours for the upcoming semester, before the deadline for applications. New tutors should request 3 hours of paid work a week. This is equivalent to 1 standard tutorial or 2 practicals.
International students should ensure they have a visa that permits this type of casual employment before applying for tutoring.

The application process

Once your application has been reviewed, the status of your application will be updated.
Check the tutor website regularly to see the status of your application. Email notifications of interviews will not be sent.
If you are being considered for a position, you will need to attend an interview. These are usually short (5 mins). Details of interview times will be shared when available.
Successful candidates will be notified through status updates, so it's important to regularly check on your application through these pages.
New tutors will be required to attend training sessions run by the Faculty of Science and the School of Mathematics and Physics in O-Week. Details are usually available a few weeks in advance. Previously, these sessions have been run on Wednesday or Thursday from 10am until 4:30pm.

Indicating your preferences

When applying for tutoring, you will be asked to indicated which courses you are interested in tutoring. Please be as specific as possible . The following run in both semesters

MATH1040
MATH1050
MATH1051
MATH1052
MATH1061
MATH2000
MATH2010
STAT1201*
FYLC (first year learning centre)

Tips

If you want, and are qualified, to tutor specialist second or third year subjects you should mention this in your preferences. If the coordinator has indicated that you should apply include this information as well.
If you are an experienced Matlab user, and can take MATH1051 and MATH1052 practicals, you increase your chances of an offer. This can be indicated in by entering "Matlab" as a preference.
Statistics tutors can enter "statistics" as a preference, or specify individual courses *STAT1201, STAT2201, PHRM1020, HRSS3100, BIOM3200, etc.
Experienced tutors can also apply for a super tutoring position. Enter "supertutor" (include the course code as well).

If you are able to tutor advanced courses, please indicate these in your preferences as well.

Training for new tutors

Training sessions are run by the Faculty of Science at the start of Semester 1 and 2, during O-Week, which all new tutors are required to attend. These sessions cover basic educational theory and general guidelines for conducting tutorials. A shorter induction and training session, held on the same day, is run by the School of Mathematics and Physics, with information specific to these disciplines. New tutors will be paid for attendance.

Training will be provided as part of your onboarding and include face-to-face training in O-Week. In addition, all staff are required to complete several online mandatory training courses. Details are available here. These training sessions will be paid.

During your first semester of tutoring

Throughout the semester, you're encouraged to keep in contact with the course coordinator or super tutor (in the case of large courses). They will be able to offer suggestions and feedback.

Assistance with marking your first pieces of assessment is available from the course coordinator/super tutor, or tutor coordinator.

Your colleagues may also be a useful resource. Talk to other tutors about their experiences throughout the semester.

Professional development opportunities are available to tutors. If you'd like someone to sit in on one of your tutorials to provide feedback and mentoring, contact the tutor coordinator. Evidence gathered through classroom observations can also be useful in applying for tutoring awards or a HEA Fellowship.