How to get a Teaching Assistant or Lecturer position?

If you are an undergraduate student, a Master's holder or a PhD candidate, you can be a teaching assistant or an adjunct professor. You don't have to wait until you have a degree (I didn't for either of them!), but please be careful not to be overwhelmed by the amount of work and study. Let's take care of our mental health (I have a personal story about that)!

Before we get into the tips for applying for an academic position, it's important to remember that different programmes, universities and even professors select students and professionals for different reasons. The same is true for the process of getting into it. This can happen at different times, but usually at the end of the academic semester and year. So let's plan ahead!

KNOWING THE SYLLABUS

The first thing to do is to find out what the subject covers. Read the required readings and topics, and if you have time, try to read the suggested handbooks and papers. The discipline is probably about a topic you may want to specialise in, which will help you in future academic paths.

When I decided I wanted to be a linguist (in the first semester of my first year at university, but you may realise it later), I read all the books (that I could reach) required for each subject and in the selection for the postgraduate programme. So when it was time to choose my TA, Master's, AP and PhD subjects, I was more than ready. You can do it too!

FIGURING IT OUT

As different universities and professors have different ways of choosing students for TA/Adjunct roles, it's a good idea to ask around. Contact secretaries, professors who teach the subject, department heads, or even former professors if you know them. They can tell you how to apply for the position. You can also find information in past events, posts on bulletin boards, and the website of your university, faculty, department or postgraduate programme. If you find an old call for the position, then you can work out when and how the selection happens. But it's important that you contact your professor, because sometimes the positions are made available due to student interest. You don't want to lose an opportunity just because you didn't ask, right? Be nosy!

THE REQUIREMENTS

Be ready to show your records. For teaching assistants, the usual requirements are: attendance and approval in the target course, high grades and/or previous activity that may show your engagement. To become an Adjunct Professor, you need to meet some extra requirements such as: an undergraduate degree, a Master's degree or be a PhD candidate. A good motivation or reference letter might be also required, so be prepared for this!

I said it before and I'll say it again: this process is different for each subject, university and professor. Check how the selection works a semester or a year earlier than you plan on applying! If you don't have one of the mandatory requirements, use this time to be more prepared – reading, studying and getting in touch with professors. If a requirement is just a "plus" or not needed, it is great if you have it because it’ll be seen as excellence, but not having it won't negatively affect you!

THE SELECTION

It’s time to show off your hard working-studying! Remember always: the board wants to know how much you know, your teaching/assistance skills and your engagement with the subject. Regardless of how it’ll work, practice and simulate the process with your friends, peers, advisor and/or by yourself. If there’s an interview, be prepared to be asked: topics of the subject, your interest and engagement, your schedule and your curriculum. Every skill related to teaching, management and assisting can be useful.

If there's a writing exam, review some topics: first, the ones you may struggle with and then the ones you have mastered. Write short essays about them. It can help you express your ideas and organise your knowledge. If there's a practice/teaching evaluation, prepare it in advance: plan some lessons/activities, ask for advice, and if they give you a topic beforehand, set a plan lesson/practice for the board, so they can follow and see what you know and are capable of.

THE RESULTS

You will be told about the board selection either on the bulletin board, website or by e-mail. I want you to know that a teaching assistant and/or an adjunct professor position is just a step towards your dream career. If you got it, my most warm congratulations and apply too for the next opportunity! If the result is not what we wanted, it happens, it’s not your fault, and, please, apply for the next opportunity! Whatever the outcome, you should try the next time. It is not the final end. Make the most of every opportunity to practise. It's just the start. Let's make it happen!

EXTRA TIPS

Teaching Assistant and Professor vacancies are not publicised as extensively as we, junior scientists, would prefer. As a result, we are left with no choice but to scour a wide range of mailing lists in an attempt to receive any relevant information:

The university website and notice boards: it's the most common and easiest place to find it. Look at the websites where the universities you want to work at advertise vacancies. Check them regularly, for example: https://recruit.ucdavis.edu/apply or https://jobs.sorbonne-universite.fr/
Groups and societies in your field: most fields have a website that is full of helpful information. This website will tell you about any job opportunities. For example, https://neurojobs.sfn.org/jobs/ or https://linguistlist.org/career/search/
Look for any groups for postgraduate students in your area. Some of them are on social media platforms like Discord or Facebook, where people share their questions and experiences.
If you are in a lab or study group, look at each tab on its website or in its internal chat for opportunities. These may have been posted by the PI or other students.
Sign up to receive emails about events at the university, department or lab. I know they send lots of unrelated things, but if you look carefully, you might find some job vacancies.
Follow the social media accounts of universities, departments and sectors, as well as the professional profile of researchers. Sometimes, they find it hard to find students and share it with their peers and colleagues.

About the Author

Sara Adelino

Sara has been an Academic Advisor for our website since May 2024.

She is Adjunct Professor at UFRJ Department of Linguistics and Philology, holds an MA in Linguistics, and is applying to PhD in Linguistics and Cognitive Science for admission in 2026.