Postgraduate Teaching Assistants EISPS

The Department of European and International Social and Political Studies (EISPS) wishes to make a number of appointments for Postgraduate Teaching Assistants for the 2026/27 academic year. These appointments are required to work on the BA European Social and Political Studies, BA European Social and Political Studies: Dual Degree, and the BA International Social and Political Studies. All teaching will take place on the Bloomsbury campus.

EISPS is a multidisciplinary department with world‑class teaching focusing on Europe and other regions of the world. At EISPS, students can explore one of nine disciplines within the humanities and social sciences, while gaining a strong interdisciplinary foundation in history, law, politics, and philosophy. They also become fluent in another language and spend a year abroad at a partner university (ESPS and ISPS) or spend the first half of their degree at SciencesPo in France as part of the ESPS dual degree. Our graduates go on to build successful careers both in the UK and around the world, working in fields such as journalism, government, and business.

Applications are now invited from current UCL PhD students (second year and beyond) to assist with seminar (small‑group) teaching and marking for the following Level 4, 5 and 6 modules:

• ESPS0001 Introduction to European History, Politics and Philosophy (level 4, terms 1 and 2)
• ESPS0032 Global Politics (level 4, term 1)
• ESPS0067 Nationalism: a Global Ideology (level 5, term 2)
• ESPS0062 Politics and International Law (level 5, term 2)

The purpose of this job is to support teaching and learning in our ESPS‑coded modules, working with the academic modules convenors through the delivery of small group teaching for students taking modules in the EISPS Department. Main duties of the post are tutorial or seminar class teaching, regular meetings with the course lecturer, provision of feedback to students, attendance reporting, coursework assessment and examination marking, exam preparation. PGTAs will be given training in support of their roles via UCL Arena and guidance from the module/session leader. PGTAs are expected to be able to commit to be present on the Bloomsbury campus for the full duration of the term(s) for which teaching is allocated and during the examination period as required.

Duties and Responsibilities:

• Preparation of standard material and questions for discussion about the seminar/tutorial topic.
• Instructing students in tutorials by means of presentation, discussion of questions and the solution of problems around the tutorial/seminar topic.
• Giving guidance to students on how to produce work at an appropriate academic level.
• Marking of assignments, essays and exams using solutions provided by the course lecturer.
• Giving routine feedback to students on their presentation, performance and academic work.
• Obtaining support from the module leader to ensure that revision is provided on course material.
• Referring student personal problems to the UCL Student Support / module leader / EISPS Departmental Tutors.
• Managing the late submission of assignments and referring this to the module leader if necessary.
• Carrying out administration of the tutorial/seminar process, including updating the attendance monitoring system within 48 hours of a class taking place.
• Attendance in lectures for the module/segment taught.
• Using online learning technologies.
• To actively follow and promote UCL policies, including Equal Opportunities.
• To uphold confidentiality in regards to students records and marks.
• To engage with all training required to support the role.

Please note that we can only consider applications from students still completing their PhD and registered as a student at the time a contract would begin. Applicants with a completed and awarded PhD are not eligible to apply.

What we offer:

• 41 days holiday (27 days annual leave, 8 bank holiday and 6 closure days)
• Additional 5 days’ annual leave purchase scheme
• Defined benefit career average revalued earnings pension scheme (CARE)
• Cycle to work scheme and season ticket loan
• On‑site nursery
• On‑site gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity and adoption pay
• Employee assistance programme: Staff Support Service
• Discounted medical insurance

Our commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion:

As London’s Global University, we know diversity fosters creativity and innovation, and we want our community to represent the diversity of the world’s talent. We are committed to equality of opportunity, to being fair and inclusive, and to being a place where we all belong. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be under‑represented in UCL’s workforce. These include people from Black, Asian and ethnic minority backgrounds; disabled people; LGBTQI+ people; and for our Grade 9 and 10 roles, women. The Department is committed to the values of equality, diversity and inclusion and we have an active Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, and networks for BME, LGBTQ, and disabled/neurodiverse staff and students. The Department recognises the importance of family‑friendly working and we try, as far as possible, to organise meetings and events with staff responsibilities as parents and carers in mind. In 2022, the Department was awarded an Athena SWAN Silver award. Above all the Department aims to be a supportive environment for both its staff and students.