Job Details

Position Details

Position Information

Job Title
Intro Bio Lab TA (BIO 277)

Department
Biology

Terms and Hours
2-4 hrs/week, Spring Semester

Job Category
Student Employment

Hourly Wage
Portland Metro Minimum Wage ($16.30)

Job Summary

Teaching Assistants help a faculty member with instructional responsibilities which may include: lab prep, working with enrolled students during the lab session, organization, and clean-up of the laboratory. This position is for sections of the laboratory course BIO277: Introductory Cell and Molecular Biology for the Spring of 2026, with the possibility of continued employment for these courses in Fall 2026 and beyond. Working as a teaching assistant requires successful completion of BIO 207 and 277 with a final grade of at least A-, or permission of the instructor.

Applicants must be available for the following section:

T 0945:1245 - Greaves

In a brief cover letter, please include the following:

1. Describe your suitability for the position: what skills you bring to this position, why it is an attractive position for you, and what you hope to gain from it.
2. Include the semester you took BIO207 and BIO277 (e.g. Fall 2024) and who your instructors were for each of the courses. Your instructors should be willing to serve as references. (You should contact your instructors, let them know you are applying to be a TA, and ask if they would be willing to be speak with the hiring faculty member about your qualifications for the role.)
3. Specify if you are available for the BIO 277 lab section listed above as this is the only section available.
4. Include whether you are eligible for Federal Work Study (FWS) as part of your Financial Aid package.

You will also be asked to submit a current resume as part of your application.

Core Duties

• Thoroughly review lab protocols before each lab in order to be prepared to assist students. •
• Assist students during lab: Provide support to students while they are running their experiments, answer student questions, assist with protocols, help students troubleshoot procedures.
• Maintain lab safety, ensuring that students are following all instructions with regard to lab materials, chemicals, and equipment.
• Perform various lab duties to ensure the smooth running of the lab, such as restocking supplies, obtaining student materials, cleaning lab benches and equipment, and assisting with lab set up and clean up
• Assist the instructor with other duties, as required
• Follow all University of Portland requirements for student employment, including prompt and accurate online submission of timesheets

Minimum Qualifications

• Must have taken BIO207 and BIO277, and received a grade of A- or better in each course, or received permission and support from their instructor(s) to apply
• Cover letter must list the semester and faculty member(s) from whom the student took BIO207 and BIO277, and have their endorsement as references (see cover letter instructions above)
• Must have a strong desire to work with students and assist in their learning
• Must have a thorough understanding of the labs and their conceptual background
• Must be approachable and friendly with peers, and committed to diversity and the inclusion of every student in the lab.
• Must be respectful, punctual and dependable

Preferred Qualifications

• Students with Federal Work Study in Financial Aid Package preferred.
• Students with Green Dot Certification preferred.

Physical Requirements

• N/A

Posting Detail Information

Posting Number
SE857-2023

Number of Vacancies
1

Estimated Start Date
01/12/2026

Open Date
11/10/2025

Close Date
12/31/2025