Applications are invited for teaching assistant (TA) positions in the Department of Urban Planning and Design (UPD) at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University (XJTLU). The TA positions are open for all qualified interested graduate students (Masters and PhD students) on campus of XJTLU or other graduates in Suzhou. All applications will be considered by the recruiting panel which consists of two or more academic staff in the Department.

TA duties include:

XJTLU Master’s students, XJTLU PhD students, and postgraduate (Master’s and PhD) students from other universities

  • Laboratory demonstration and support for practical work in the classroom
  • Attendance on and support with field courses
  • Group tutoring
  • Scheduled office hours for one-to-one tutoring
  • Invigilation of formal examinations and/or class tests
  • Marking of formative assignments with appropriate training
  • Other appropriate activities as determined by academic units

At the discretion of relevant academic units, XJTLU PhD students may be permitted to undertake the following additional responsibilities with appropriate training and guidance

  • Delivery of occasional formal lectures and/or seminars within their area of expertise after having received appropriate training and initial supervision from their supervisor or the respective Module Leader. Such training might be provided by individual academic units, or the Education Development Unit (EDU). Relevant health and safety issues should be covered in this training.
  • Assistance in marking of summative assessments with appropriate training and under the supervision of the module leader, subject to prior approval from the Head of the academic unit delivering the module. However, they must never act as the sole examiner on any summative assessment. All assessment tasks marked by XJTLU PhD students must be moderated, and they are not permitted to act as moderators.

Modules include

  • UPD004 Introduction to Urban Planning and Design
  • UPD102 Contemporary Planning Practice in Western Europe and the North Amercia
  • UPD106 Issues and Practice of Planning in China II
  • UPD110 Neighbourhood Planning
  • UPD202 Rural Planning
  • UPD209 Planning and Research Methodology
  • UPD206 Projecting and Managing Urban Futures
  • UPD210 Urban Design and Theory II (Studio)
  • UPD302 Planning Theory
  • UPD304 Environment and Planning Project (Studio)
  • UPD310 International Planning Studies
  • UPD402 Sustainable Urban Planning Strategies
  • UPD404 Heritage, Historic Districts and Conservation
  • UPD408 Spatial Analysis and Visualisation
  • BNV402 Urban Design Inquiry (Studio)

Skills and Knowledge

  • Proficient spoken and written English
  • Excellent communication and interpersonal skills
  • Excellent presentations skills, and skillful in Microsoft Office Software (Word, Excel, PowerPoint, etc.)
  • Excellent graphic design skills for studio-based modules
  • Excellent organizational skills and attention to detail
  • Be adaptable and open to change
  • Previous TA working experience preferred

The pay rate for Academic Year 2022-23

  • XJTLU PhD students: RMB 60/hour (before tax)
  • XJTLU Master’s students: RMB 50/hour (before tax)
  • PhD and Master’s students from other universities: RMB 50/hour (before tax)

How to apply

Applicants should submit their application to UPD@xjtlu.edu.cn by 31 January 2023. Applicants are required to provide their CVs and academic transcripts of previous studies. The interview is expected to be arranged around 1 February 2023 with decisions made within 2 weeks after the interview.

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