Teaching opportunities
The University will employ Tutors within Schools and the Sussex Centre for Language Studies (SCLS) to teach and/or demonstrate. Tutors will be employed at Grade 6 of the University’s grading structure, in accordance with the requirements of the role.
Tutors and demonstrators may contribute to a range of teaching duties opportunities which will vary each year and across terms and Schools depending on requirements. The specific duties for a Tutor will be set out in each offer of work.
Tutors will comprise the following specific groups:
a. Doctoral Tutors who will be the University’s registered postgraduate researchers who are also employed to teach and/or demonstrate in laboratories; and
b. School Tutors who are employed to teach and/or demonstrate in laboratories and are not registered postgraduate researchers; and
c. Language Tutors who will be individuals who are employed to teach in the Sussex Centre for Language Studies (SCLS); Language Tutors will not normally be a registered student of the University.
The University of Sussex recognises the significant and valuable contribution that tutors make to teaching and learning at the University. We are committed to treating those undertaking teaching fairly in relation to opportunities, workload and support. Doctoral tutor teaching is mutually beneficial as it provides an opportunity for paid teaching experience and development of employability skills, along with high quality teaching delivery for the University.
All postgraduate researchers that are interested in undertaking some teaching should discuss this with their supervisor and then contact the relevant school office to express an interest. Tutors may be asked to complete an online form to join a doctoral tutor pool or be asked to state what subjects they are able to teach and the date/times of availability. Please note, completing this does not guarantee tutoring hours. PGRs interested in teaching are encouraged to complete the University’s ‘Fundamentals of Teaching and Learning’ training course before they begin teaching.
At key points in the academic year when there is a teaching need, applicants are matched by an academic lead, and potential tutors will be contacted about the possibility of work. There is no obligation for the University to make an Offer of Work or for a Tutor to accept it. Tutors will retain continuity of service between and during Teaching Periods where Offers of Work have not been made and/or accepted, provided that the contract of employment has not ended for any other reason. If a tutor has expressed an interest in teaching in more than one school or department, they may receive more than one offer of work. It is the tutor’s responsibility to only accept workload that is manageable and is compliant with any employment restrictions or conditions.
Teaching opportunities may include
- Direct teaching of seminars and workshops;
- Formative or summative marking and assessment of work
- Supervision in Laboratory and other practical classes;
- Supporting Field trips;
- Managing student queries (office hours);
- Giving and receiving feedback;
- Teaching administration, including mandatory course and team meetings;
- Preparation for tutoring/demonstrating.
Useful links
Doctoral Tutor Tariff document
Doctoral Tutor terms and conditions