empty lecture hall with wooden seats

Research and teaching assistantships

Most academic units offer research and teaching assistantships. Priority for the attribution of these positions is given to University of Ottawa admission scholarship holders. Some academic units may nevertheless award assistantships to other students based on the availability of funds.

Contact your academic unit to know if positions are available and learn how to apply.

  • Consult the Policy 110 (Policy on Treatment of Graduate Students on Non-academic and Non-employment Issues).

* The information on this page is subject to change without notice and does not represent a commitment from the University of Ottawa.

See Policy on Treatment of Graduate Students on Non-Academic and Non-Employment Issues (Under Revision). 

Preparation for university teaching

Many academic units offer teaching assistantships to graduate students, who gain experience under the direction of a professor.

Teaching assistants, other graduate students and/or postdoctoral fellows intending to engage in university teaching are strongly encouraged to enrol in academic activities designed to develop or enhance their teaching skills.

The Office of the Vice-Provost, Graduate and Postdoctoral Studies, in cooperation with the Teaching and Learning Support Service, provides graduate students and postdoctoral fellows with an opportunity for formal training in university teaching through a course and practicum (ESG 5300 and ESG 8300). These activities are recorded on the official transcript.

ESG 5300 THEORY AND PRACTICE OF UNDERGRADUATE TEACHING (cr.)

Research and theory on undergraduate teaching. Development of practical teaching skills required for university undergraduate teaching. Graded S/NS. Cannot be counted towards the credits required for the student's program.

ESG 6100 TECHNOLOGY AND UNIVERSITY TEACHING (3cr.)

Exploration of current practice and deployment of technology in higher education. Critical assessment from a professional development perspective of a variety of technological applications and their use in the teaching and learning environment. The credits for this course do not count towards the degree requirements unless the student's program specifies otherwise.

ESG 8300 PRACTICUM IN UNIVERSITY TEACHING (cr.)

Workshops in university teaching practice, mentored practice teaching, teaching dossier preparation (60 to 66 hours). Registration restricted to doctoral students and postdoctoral fellows. Graded S/NS. Prerequisite: ESG 5300. Cannot be counted towards the credits required for the student's program.

Further information concerning these teaching development activities is available from the Teaching and Learning Support Service (TLSS). The TLSS also provides other (non credit) instructional development workshops and seminars.

Professional skills

ESG 5310 COMMUNITY OUTREACH AND MEDIA RELATIONS IN THE SCIENCES (3cr.)

Lectures and an outreach practicum that aim to develop skills to effectively communicate complex scientific concepts to the public, to interact with news media, and to become effective mentors. Graded S/NS. Cannot be counted towards the credits required for the student's degree program.