The UVA School of Data Science employs undergraduate and graduate students in instructional support positions to support the delivery of courses. The positions vary according to the type of student, as described below.
For Undergraduate and Graduate students (not Ph.D. students):
- Instructional Assistants (IAs) for undergraduate and graduate students
- Hold weekly office hours to discuss content and questions on graded assignments
- Grade assignments and provide feedback in a timely manner
- Lead discussion sections/labs as needed
- May be required to attend each course section
- Possess a strong understanding of the course material
- Wages: $25/hour for graduate students, $20/hour for undergraduate students, 10-20 hours/week depending upon the position
- Graders for undergraduate and graduate students
- Grade assignments and provide feedback in a timely manner
- May hold weekly office hours to discuss questions on graded assignments (but not course content)
- Are not required to attend each course section
- Possess a strong understanding of the course material
- Wages: $20/hour for graduate students, $18/hour for undergraduate students, 10-20 hours/week depending upon the position
For Ph.D. students only:
- Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) – Ph.D. Students Only
- Holds weekly office hours to discuss content and questions on graded assignments
- Grades assignments and provide feedback in a timely manner
- Leads discussion sections as needed
- Depending upon the skill set of the student, potentially covers lectures
- May be required to attend each course section
- Possesses a strong understanding of the course material
- Wages: The School of Data Science provides tuition, health insurance, and annual wages (as described in their funding package) to any Ph.D. student who serves as a GTA for the school.
- Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs) – Ph.D. Students Only
- GRAs conduct and engage in academically significant research as part of their academic degree program. Research Assistantships foster students’ development as future researchers under the guidance and supervision of a faculty member or Professional Research Staff member.
- Wages: The School of Data Science provides tuition, health insurance, and annual wages (as described in their funding package) to any Ph.D. student who serves as a GRA for the school.
Required Training for Instructional Assistants and Graduate Teaching Assistants
A key part of your professional development and training is the completion of the Center for Teaching Excellence’s Teaching as a Graduate Student Workshop. This is required for all undergraduate, graduate and Ph.D. students. The workshop is offered in two parts: an online, asynchronous, on-demand, self-paced set of preparatory modules, and an in-person or synchronous meeting (dates on a per-semester basis).
Instructional Assistants and Graders: Undergraduate or Graduate Students
To Apply
Eligibility for Instructional Assistants and Graders
To be eligible for an IA or Grader position (including federal work-study), you must be enrolled as a University of Virginia undergraduate or graduate student (not a Ph.D. student) and meet the qualifications detailed in the Provost’s Wage Authorization for the Academic Areas.
Unique knowledge and skills required to support a specific course are detailed in the position description.
Wages for Instructional Assistants and Graders
IAs and Graders submit hours in Workday, which are approved by their manager (the faculty member teaching the course to which they are assigned). Pay is disbursed biweekly according to UVA Finance’s payroll calendar and depends upon position type and the student’s program:
Position Type | Graduate Student (not Ph.D.) | Undergraduate Student |
|---|---|---|
Instructional Assistant | $25/hour | $20/hour |
Grader | $20/hour | $18/hour |
Expectations for Instructional Assistants and Graders
IAs and Graders are expected to contribute to the School of Data Science collective teaching mission and work with the faculty member to provide a contributory service toward the education of students. In addition to the overall guidance above, IAs and Graders are expected to:
- (IAs only) Complete the Center for Teaching Excellence’s Teaching as a Graduate Student Workshop (TAGS).
- Based on the communicated expectations of the faculty member, IAs and Graders must set, communicate, and maintain a regular working schedule and the time commitment for the position. IAs and Graders are expected to communicate individual instances of schedule adjustments to their faculty member with advanced notice, except for emergencies.
- Based on the communicated expectations of the faculty member, IAs and Graders must maintain consistency and quality in their approach to course content delivery and duties as assigned.
- Submit accurate timecards in Workday regularly and timely (UVA Finance sets the payroll calendar and time entry deadlines)
- Maintain regular and open communication with the faculty member and share concerns about workload, scheduling, inability to carry out responsibilities, etc. to assist in resolving work-related issues.*
*For work-related issues that are not resolvable through open communication with the faculty member, or in circumstances where direct communication is not viable or effective, IAs and Graders should communicate concerns directly with the School of Data Science Program Manager Kylen Baskerville.
Hiring Timeline for Instructional Assistants and Graders
The School of Data Science hires Instructional Assistants and Graders with a focus on consistency and equity based upon the timeline below:
Hiring Action | Fall Hiring Timeline | Spring Hiring Timeline |
|---|---|---|
Opportunities Announced on School Website | Late June | Mid-October |
Application Deadline | Mid-July | Late October |
Decisions Announced | Early August | Mid-November |
Deadline to Complete All HR Forms | August 20 | December 5 |
Deadline to Complete CTE Teaching as a Graduate Student Workshop | September 1 | January 30 |
To Apply
All applications follow a standardized process for submission and review. View available positions in the PDF attached below and apply here.
For More Information
Contact School of Data Science Program Manager Kylen Baskerville (rke5bu@virginia.edu) with questions.
Graduate Teaching Assistants and Graduate Research Assistants: Ph.D. Students Only
Eligibility for Graduate Teaching Assistants (GTAs) and Graduate Research Assistants (GRAs)
Provost Policy PROV-001: Graduate Assistantships outlines all policies and procedures related to serving as a GTA or GRA, including enrollment status requirements, teaching qualifications, and assistantship restrictions. Students pursuing a graduate degree that is not a Ph.D. are not eligible to serve as a Graduate Teaching Assistant or Graduate Research Assistant and should consult the Instructional Assistants & Graders – Undergraduate or Graduate Students for opportunities to provide instructional support within the School of Data Science.
Language Proficiency Exam Requirements for International Students
All incoming (new) graduate students whose first language is one other than English and who were required to submit English Language Test scores (TOEFL or IELTS) are required to take the University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam (UVELPE) administered by the Center for American English Language & Culture (CAELC). All incoming (new) graduate students whose first language is one other than English but who received an English Language Test waiver are only required to take the UVELPE Oral test. There are no exemptions from the UVELPE Oral Test. Depending upon the test score, the School of Data Science may require a prospective GTA to undergo additional language training from the CAELC before they are given a teaching assignment.
Wages for Graduate Teaching Assistants
Graduate students who serve as a GTA or GRA are paid in accordance with the wage authorization established each year by the Office of the Executive Vice President and Provost. The School of Data Science provides tuition, enrollment fees, health insurance, and annual living support in the form of wages to any Ph.D. student who serves as a GTA or GRA for the school. Ph.D. students from departments outside of the School of Data Science will be paid according to their department's current pay rate. GTAs do not submit biweekly hours in Workday to receive wages.
Expectations for Graduate Teaching Assistants
GTAs are expected to contribute to the School of Data Science collective teaching mission and work with the faculty member to provide a contributory service toward the education of students. In addition to the overall guidance above, GTAs are expected to:
- Complete the Center for Teaching Excellence’s Teaching as a Graduate Student Workshop (TAGS) and the University of Virginia English Language Proficiency Exam (UVELPE) if required.
- Based on the communicated expectations of the faculty member, GTAs must set, communicate, and maintain a regular working schedule and the time commitment for the position. GTAs are expected to communicate individual instances of schedule adjustments to their faculty member with advanced notice, except for emergencies.
- Based on the communicated expectations of the faculty member, GTAs must maintain consistency and quality in their approach to course content delivery and duties as assigned.
- Maintain regular and open communication with the faculty member and share concerns about workload, scheduling, inability to carry out responsibilities, etc. to assist in resolving work-related issues.*
*For work-related issues that are not resolvable through open communication with the faculty member, or in circumstances where direct communication is not viable or effective, GTAs should communicate concerns directly with the School of Data Science Ph.D. Program Director Thomas Stewart or Program Manager Kylen Baskerville.
Assignment Timeline for Graduate Teaching Assistants
GTAs are assigned to courses based upon their previous academic experiences and the needs of the faculty teaching School of Data Science courses. The School of Data Science Ph.D. Program Director determines course assignments based upon the timeline below:
Assignment Action | Fall Hiring Timeline | Spring Hiring Timeline |
|---|---|---|
Review of Courses Requiring GTA Support | Mid-July | Late October |
Decisions Announced | Early August | Mid-November |
Deadline to Complete CTE Teaching as a Graduate Student Workshop | September 1 | January 30 |
Each graduate student appointed to an Assistantship receives a letter of appointment at least once each year (or once each term, if the terms of the appointment change from term to term) specifying the term of the appointment, weekly hours, assigned responsibilities and expectations, compensation, and whether the Assistantship will qualify for Tuition Remission, the health insurance subsidy, and Tuition Adjustment. The appointment letter serves as the contract.
For More Information
Contact School of Data Science Program Manager Kylen Baskerville (rke5bu@virginia.edu) with questions.