Resources

Description of Position:

All Positions:

The student hourly classroom support positions provide instruction in general chemistry courses. All applicants are included in a pool from which laboratory and discussion positions are selected. Interested undergraduate students who will be Juniors or above (with a limited number of sophomores, see Sophomore Eligibility for Lab positions below) and who will have successfully completed Chemistry 232 and 233 (or equivalent) by the end of Spring 2025 are encouraged to apply.

Classroom Discussion Positions:

Non-merit program Classroom Assistants may be assigned to discussion sections for CHEM 101-204.

Merit Positions:

Merit program assistants may be assigned to general and organic chemistry discussion courses for CHEM 101-436.

Laboratory Positions:

Laboratory Assistants may be assigned to chemistry lab courses in CHEM 103-205, and organic chemistry, CHEM 233 lab.

Sophomore Eligibility for Laboratory Positions:

There are a small number of positions for students with sophomore standing who have completed CHEM 102/103/104/105 or CHEM 202/203/204/205 by the end of the Spring 2026 semester. These individuals are only eligible for positions with CHEM 103. 

Applying:

Preparations:

  1. A list of chemistry courses completed including semester and final grade, GPA
  2. Information regarding your prior work history
  3. A saved .pdf of your academic history retrieved from University of Illinois Self Service.
  4. A saved and completed Chemistry Teaching Schedule Card. To facilitate faculty decisions, all schedules must be submitted using the above schedule form.   Do not use any other schedule format.  No other format is accepted.
  5. The names and email addresses of two references who will be asked to submit short reference forms on your behalf. One reference should preferably be from a faculty member who can comment on your academic ability and teaching potential. The second reference could be from an employer (current or past), volunteer supervisor, high school teacher, or another campus-based instructor. References should not be from family members or friends who did not supervise you in a professional or acaemic setting. All letters of reference forms for fall are due July 20, spring are due November 30.
  6. Your answers to the questions below (250 word maximum per question):
         a. Why you are interested in this position and why would you make a good choice as a teaching assistant?
         b. (Answer only if applying to teach a discussion section.) What do you feel is the role of a discussion section?
         c. (Answer only if applying to teach a lab class.) What do you feel is the role of a lab?

Address of Application:

To apply for a teaching position, please click here: Chemistry Student Hourly Application

Saving Your Application:

**DO NOT hit "save" unless you consider your application to be complete.**  

"Save" will submit your application.  We cannot release it back to you, nor can we make edits on your behalf.

Be prepared to complete your application. Hitting "save" at the end will submit your application.

Letters of Reference:

The application form should automatically send a letter of reference (LoR) request to those referrers you list. However, you are responsible for making sure your referrers submit their letters of reference. We only need two. More LoR will not be included in your file. If, for some reason, a LoR request is not received, please direct a referrer to: Chem Student Hourly LoR Form. LoR may also be sent directly to the genchem-office@illinois.edu address. The form is not required, but it is helpful to have consistent LoR.  

Schedule Form:

We assume the schedule provided will be correct and up to date.

  • If you change your course schedule, you must submit a new schedule card form to genchem-office@illinois.edu.
  • Incorrect or missing information may preclude hiring.     

Deadline:

        June 1: For Fall Semester Positions
        November 10: For Spring Semester Positions (Spring opportunities are limited)

Applications may be accepted late but will reduce the likelihood of being selected. It is still better to apply late than not at all.

The General Chemistry teaching staff evaluate all applications. Offers will be sent to the email address that you provide on the application form. All chemistry graduate students must be placed in teaching positions before we can make other offers. Please be patient and check the target dates below for offers.  

After You Submit Your Application:

Classroom Positions, Fall:

  • Students selected to teach discussion sections for the Merit program will be notified in late June.
  • Hiring for non-Merit teaching positions includes a half hour interview, either in-person or via Zoom.
  • Students selected to teach all other discussion and lab sections will be notified in late July.
  • All students selected should expect to attend on-campus training on August 20-22 from 1 pm - 4 pm.

Classroom Positions, Spring:

  • It is unlikely that we will hire new TAs in the spring.  We have far fewer sections to fill, and most current TAs would like to continue.
  • Veteran TAs are not required to re-submit an application.  Information will be sent via e-mail about re-hiring options.
  • Lab positions – Preference for positions is given to veteran assistants. However, there are often a small number of new hires for the Spring semester.

Lab Positions:

  • Interviews begin in July.
  • Priority consideration is given to completed applications submitted by 6/15; however, applications will be accepted until 7/10. 
  • Notification of assignment is provided by the end of the first week of August.
  • Mandatory pre-semester meeting before the semester begins. Information provided during interview process and at time of notification of assignment. 

Breakdown of Duties:

Regular and Merit Program:

Student hourly average of 10 hrs per week

  • Teaching hours (2-3 sections): 3 or 4 hours
  • Chemistry Learning Center shift/office hours: 2 hours
  • TA meeting: 1 hour
  • Prep, attending lecture, grading, proctoring: 3-4 hours

Laboratory Program:

CHEM 103 and 105:

Lab Student Hourly: averages 12-14.5 hours per week (there are slight fluctuations in the hours week-to-week depending on time required for training assignments and preparation to teach)

  • Teaching hours (3 sections): 6 hours
  • Office hours: 2 hours (evening hours are possible)
  • TA meeting: 1 hour (evening meetings are possible)
  • Lab training: 1.5-2 hours (usually occur after 4pm on Friday)
  • Training assignments: 1-2 hours
  • Emails to students: 1 hour
  • Preparation to teach

CHEM 203 and 205:

Lab Student Hourly: averages 12.5-14.5 hours per week (there are slight fluctuations in the hours week-to-week depending on grading and preparation to teach; fewer training hours for experienced student hourlies)

  • Teaching Hours (1 section): 4 hours
  • Office Hours: 2 hours
  • Grading: 3-4 hours
  • Weekly Meeting: 30 min – 1 hour
  • Training: 3-4 hours

Chem 233:

Lab Student Hourly: averages 11.5-14.5 hours per week (fewer training hours for experienced student hourlies)

  • Teaching Hours (1 section): 4 hours
  • Office Hours: 1-2 hours
  • Grading: 3-4 hours
  • Weekly Meeting: 30 min
  • Training: 3-4 hours

These estimates are for undergraduate Classroom Assistants. Graduate Teaching Assistants have a different number of hours.

Questions/Contact Info:

Classroom Assistants:

If you have questions about general procedures or TA pool hiring, contact Tina Huang at thhuang@illinois.edu, 3030 Chemistry Annex.

Laboratory Assistants:

If you have questions about lab teaching positions specifically, contact Serenity Desmond at sdesmond@illinois.edu, 3015 Chemistry Annex.

Merit Program Assistants:

If you have questions about Merit program hiring, contact Elise McCarren at emccarr2@illinois.edu, (217) 300-5899, 2026 Chemistry Annex.