The Department of Anthropology is pleased to announce that departmental PhD Studentships will be available for 1-2 students intending to commence PhD or PhD-track studies in October 2016.
Full time research degree students commencing a programme of study in October 2016, and who have a relevant first class or 2.1 honours in their primary degree, or have a relevant Masters degree, are eligible to apply for studentship support in the department.
The studentship will entail:
1. Full annual tuition fees support (approximately €5500 per annum);
2. A fixed maintenance award of €9002 per annum;
3. Participation in departmental activities as a Graduate Teaching Assistant with a requirement to undertake teaching support duties for up to 25% of the notional study year. This will entail up to 468 hours of teaching support duties in the course of a year, with not more than 20 hours in any one week. These duties will be carried out under the direction of the Head of Department, or a member of staff nominated by the Head.
The studentship will be awarded for the duration of the studies, subject to satisfactory annual review of progress in research, and performance in teaching support. Masters degree students may benefit for not more than two years and PhD students for not more than 5 years, and this benefit is cumulative and transferable i.e. a maximum of 5 years is available where a student on a PhD-track progresses from Masters to PhD.
The studentship will be awarded by the department on the basis of (i) research potential in an area aligned with the department’s research priorities and (ii) potential and aptitude to provide high quality teaching support.
The teaching support role
A Graduate Teaching Assistant is a registered postgraduate student of the University who, within the duration of his/her studies is also employed by the University to play an important role in the delivery of the academic programmes of the University by providing teaching support (e.g., as a course assistant, tutor or demonstrator) under the direction and guidance of a supervising member of staff.
Main duties and responsibilities
The Graduate Teaching Assistant will be required to undertake such duties as may be specified by the Head of Department or his/her nominee within the stipulated maximum of 468 hours per annum. These duties may include, but are not limited to, the following:
- To assist the delivery of a range of teaching and assessment activities, including tutorials and laboratory demonstrations, in support of the required teaching commitments of undergraduate students;
- To contribute, under supervision, to the development of appropriate teaching materials to ensure that content and methods of delivery meet learning objectives;
- To contribute, where appropriate and under supervision, to the assessment process, using a variety of methods and techniques and to provide effective, timely and appropriate feedback to students to support their learning;
- To be available for consultation by undergraduate students;
- To lead classes with groups of students and/or participate in the supervision of practical work, advising on skills, experimental methods and techniques to assist the transfer of knowledge.
- To undertake limited administrative duties as requested by the Head of Department;
- To attend meetings associated with the course they support as requested/ appropriate.
Knowledge, skills and experience
- It is essential that studentship holders have the following:
- First class or 2.1 honours primary degree in the subject area, or a relevant masters accepted by the department.
- Excellent communication and language skills both orally and written
- Excellent interpersonal skills and presentation skills
- Time management skills
- Ability to work independently and as part of a team
- Ability to work under supervision
- Self-motivation
- Ability to accept collegiate responsibilities and act accordingly.
Selection and Appointment
Appointments will be made by the Head of Department based on a transparent internal recruitment process that meets the needs of the Department.
Terms and Conditions
The studentship may be held by full-time registered students only, with a limited (maximum of 20 hours per week) teaching assistant commitment, which is offered on a fixed-term basis during the successful graduate’s course of study. The teaching support commitment is consistent with and governed by the University’s HR policy on Graduate Teaching Assistants which may be varied from time to time.
Maintenance Award
A fixed maintenance award of €9002 per annum will be offered. This will be paid in twelve equal installments from October to September. The studentship will be awarded for the expected duration of the studies, subject to satisfactory annual review of progress in research under the university’s normal processes, and performance in teaching support. Masters degree students may benefit for not more than two years and PhD students for not more than 5 years, and this benefit is cumulative i.e. a maximum of 5 years is available where a student on a PhD-track progresses from Masters to PhD.
The award will include 8% holiday pay. The award and the fees payment will be subject to such personal taxation and social insurance contributions as will be determined by the Revenue Commissioners; these will be the responsibility of the student. There will be no pension entitlements arising from the studentship. Studentship beneficiaries may not undertake any other substantive paid work within the university.
Application Procedure
Please ensure that you USE THE FOLLOWING REFERENCE ‘GTA-ANTH’ in the subject line of your application email. This will clarify which role you are applying for.
Please note applications should be made by sending the following information as ONE single attachment (either in PDF or word format) incorporating all of the below required information:
- A Curriculum Vitae, including all qualifications and experience, and a covering letter addressing your interest and suitability for the role;
- The names, email addresses, correspondence addresses and telephone numbers of three referees whom the University may contact.
Once attachment is compiled please send your single document application to anthropology.office@mu.ie
The completed application documents should be forwarded by email to arrive no later than midnight, 31 August 2016. Late applications will not be accepted.
Maynooth University is an equal opportunities employer
Termination
A Graduate Teaching Assistant’s engagement with the University is contingent on them being a registered graduate student, and their employment as a Graduate Teaching Assistant will terminate automatically when they cease to be a registered graduate student. The grounds for termination are that a Graduate Teaching Assistantship is primarily a training role offered to postgraduate students to gain experience of teaching: it is a legitimate objective of the university to provide education and training for successive cohorts of postgraduate students, that providing an opportunity to students to develop skills in teaching by serving as a teaching assistant, tutor or demonstrator is an important part of postgraduate training, so where work as a teaching assistant, tutor or demonstrator is available, the University makes such work available to postgraduate students as a priority.
In addition, the GTA appointment may be terminated for misconduct, or poor performance, or for other valid reasons under the general HR policies of the university.