Post-Secondary Teaching and Research Assistants
(NOC 4012)
in All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community ServicesPost-secondary teaching and research assistants help university professors, community college teachers, and other faculty members in teaching and research activities at universities and colleges. Post-secondary teaching and research assistants specialize in a subject matter based on their field of study.
Job Outlook
Average
Read more
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Universities and colleges laid off some teaching and research assistants as the number of students and activities on physical campuses were reduced in March. Universities anticipated a reduction in enrolment, leading to budgetary challenges. This prompted some schools to lay off part-time and casual teaching staff, consolidating the reduced number of class offerings among full-time professors. Looking forward, a rebound in the number of teaching assistants will be strongly influenced by enrolment figures and the resumption of on-campus teaching.
Employment in this occupation has been relatively stable prior to the pandemic, generally following the enrolment and course offerings of a university. The availability of research funding is also a factor of the demand for this occupation. This position is typically held by graduate students, with a large percentage working part-time and/or part of the year.
The median employment income for the 21% of Post-secondary Teaching and Research Assistants who worked full-time, year-round in 2015 was $39,957. Across all occupations in Nova Scotia, the 59% of those who worked full-time, year-round had a median employment income of $43,600. (Source: 2016 Census)
Hourly Pay
$13.00
Minimum$22.68
Median$39.64
MaximumAnnual Pay
$1,276
Minimum$7,875
Median$45,874
MaximumCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Hourly Pay
$14.74
Minimum$33.28
Median$46.76
MaximumAnnual Pay
$5,616
Minimum$44,335
Median$92,599
MaximumAbout the job
Nature of work
Post-secondary teaching and research assistants help university professors, community college teachers, and other faculty members in teaching and research activities at universities and colleges. Post-secondary teaching and research assistants specialize in a subject matter based on their field of study.
Job duties
Post-secondary teaching assistants:
- Organize reference materials, visual aids, and other materials as needed by university professors or college teachers for lectures.
- Conduct seminars, discussion groups, and laboratory sessions to supplement lectures.
- Help prepare and administer examinations.
- Grade examinations, term papers, and laboratory reports.
Research assistants:
- Conduct literature reviews, surveys, laboratory experiments, and other research for use in scholarly publications.
- Compile research results and help professors analyse results and prepare journal articles or papers.
Sample job titles
- college laboratory assistant
- college teaching assistant
- graduate assistant - university
- laboratory demonstrator - post-secondary teaching assistance
- laboratory supervisor - post-secondary teaching assistant
- post-secondary research assistant
- post-secondary teaching assistant
- university laboratory assistant
- university research assistant
Skills
You should enjoy methodical work to compile, prepare, and organize materials for lectures or to set up and conduct research activities. You should like to explore things in depth and arrive at solutions through experimentation. You should enjoy instructing and teaching and collaborating with others on research.
Job requirements
- Enrolment in a university or college program is required.
Other considerations
Most university teaching and research assistants are employed on a part-time basis. Post-secondary teaching and research assistants specialize in a subject matter based on their field of study.
By the numbers
Quick look
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
employed in 2016
employed full-time
self employed
median age
Where will I likely work?
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Compared to: All NS Occupations
Halifax
North Shore
Annapolis Valley
Cape Breton
Southern
Top Industries of Employment
Educational services
Professional, scientific and technical services
Administrative and support, waste management and remediation services
Health care and social assistance
Other services (except public administration)
What is the age of Employment?
15-24
25-34
35-44
45-54
55-64
65+
Compared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
35-44
45-54
25-34
55-64
15-24
Top levels of education
Bachelor
$6,579 median annual incomeMaster
$9,543 median annual incomeHigh school
$6,358 median annual incomeDoctorate
$20,072 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$33,586 median annual incomeCompared to: All Education, Law, Government, Social and Community Services
Bachelor
$45,929 median annual incomeCollege Diploma
$35,398 median annual incomeMaster
$71,043 median annual incomeHigh school
$29,055 median annual incomeDoctorate
$100,443 median annual incomeEducation & training
Biomedical Sciences
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on the integrative scientific study of biological issues related to health and medicine, or a program in one or more of the biomedical sciences that is undifferentiated as to title. They include courses in any of the basic medical sciences at the research level, biological science research in biomedical faculties, and general studies encompassing a variety of the biomedical disciplines.
Institutions providing this program
Computer Science
College or University ProgramThese programs focus on computers, computing problems and solutions, and the design of computer systems and user interfaces from a scientific perspective. They include courses in the principles of computational science, and computing theory, computer hardware design, computer development and programming, and applications to a variety of end-use situations.
Institutions providing this program
Wolfville, NS
Employment requirements & contacts
No regulating bodies were found under this occupation profile
Contacts
Additional resources
There are no additional resources for this occupation.