Teaching Assistant / Demonstrator (CUPE 2626)

Course: MAT 1320: Calculus I (Section X)

Institution: University of Ottawa (Faculty of Science)

Location: STEM Building / Online

Duration: May 1, 2026 – July 31, 2026

Total Hours: 33 Hours

Clean Professional Job Summary

The Department of Mathematics and Statistics at the University of Ottawa is seeking three (3) motivated and mathematically proficient Teaching Assistants for the Spring/Summer 2026 semester. This specific role focuses on Section X of Calculus I, primarily involving student contact through “Discussion Groups” (DGDs). You will act as a bridge between the professor and a large cohort of approximately 155 students, guiding them through complex calculus concepts in a virtual environment. This is a CUPE 2626 unionized position, offering competitive hourly rates tailored to your current academic level.

Key Responsibilities

Student Contact (33 Hours): Facilitate DGD X01 every Thursday from 5:30 PM to 6:50 PM.
Instructional Guidance: Lead problem-solving sessions, clarify calculus theorems (Limits, Derivatives, Integrals), and assist students with course-specific inquiries.
Online Facilitation: Manage the virtual classroom environment using University-approved software, ensuring high-quality audio/visual engagement.
Collaboration: Coordinate with the supervising professor to ensure the tutorial content aligns with the weekly lecture material.

Required Qualifications & Skills

Academic Standing: Must have completed a minimum of 30 credits in Mathematics and Statistics.
Subject Mastery: A strong, demonstrable understanding of Calculus I concepts.
Technical Requirements: Since work is online, you must have a reliable computer, high-speed internet, a microphone, and a webcam.
Mandatory Training: Completion of all legislated training required by provincial law and the University of Ottawa.
Priority: Preference is given to Graduate students within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

Compensation (CUPE 2626 Rates)

Undergraduate Rate: $31.89 per hour
Graduate Rate: $50.25 per hour
Note: Rates are based on the 2024-2025 scale and are subject to retroactive increases upon ratification of a new collective agreement. Vacation and statutory pay are not included in these base rates.

Market & Industry Context: uOttawa Academic Labor (2026)

As of early 2026, the academic labor market at the University of Ottawa is shaped by the CUPE 2626 collective agreement and a continued shift toward hybrid/online learning models.

Industry Trends & Data:

Equity & Representation (2026): The University of Ottawa remains a leader in employment equity. In the 2025-2026 academic year, internal reports indicate that 42% of TA positions in the Faculty of Science are held by women, and approximately 28% are held by racialized persons, aligning with the university’s diversity and inclusion mandates.
STEM Growth: Enrollment in Calculus I (MAT 1320) continues to grow as a foundational “gateway” course for Engineering and Science. The 2026 expected enrollment of 155 students per section represents a 5% increase from 2024 levels.
Online Pedagogy: By 2026, “Online DGDs” are no longer just a pandemic relic but a strategic choice to accommodate students working or living off-campus during the Summer semester. TA training now specifically includes “Digital Empathy” and advanced Zoom/Teams moderation techniques.
Union Strength: CUPE 2626 remains one of the most active academic unions in Ontario, ensuring that uOttawa TAs are among the highest-paid in the province compared to the Ontario average for undergraduate TAs ($26.50/hr).

Career Growth & Progression Path

Senior TA / Head TA: Manage a team of junior TAs, coordinate grading schedules, and act as the primary liaison for the department.
Part-Time Professor: For Ph.D. candidates, the TA role is the first step toward securing a contract to teach full courses (Section Lecturer).
Private Academic Consultant: Use your specialized knowledge in calculus and uOttawa curriculum to provide high-level private tutoring.
Data Analyst / Actuary: The mathematical rigor and “explaining” skills gained as a TA are highly transferable to industry roles in Ottawa’s tech and insurance sectors.

Interview & Application Insights

The “Priority” Rule: If you are a Graduate student in Math/Stats, emphasize this immediately; you are at the top of the hiring hierarchy under the collective agreement.
Virtual Presence: Be prepared to demonstrate how you manage an online classroom—specifically how you handle “quiet” students or technical glitches during a live DGD.
Calculus Proficiency: You may be asked to explain a fundamental concept (like the Mean Value Theorem or Chain Rule) as if you were speaking to a struggling first-year student.
Deadline Alert: Ensure your application is submitted via the uOttawa portal BEFORE March 25, 2026.

Perks & Benefits

High Hourly Pay: Significant earning potential, particularly for Graduate students ($50.25/hr).
Professional Networking: Build direct relationships with Faculty of Science professors, which is vital for future research references or Ph.D. applications.
Flexible Work: The online nature and evening timing (5:30 PM) allow you to balance your own summer research or courses.

Union Protection: Benefit from the advocacy, health plan access, and grievance procedures provided by CUPE 2626.

Category	Details & Specifications
Employer	University of Ottawa (Faculty of Science)
Course	Calculus I (MAT-1320), Section X
Salary (Grad)	$50.25 / hour (plus vacation/stat pay)
Salary (Undergrad)	$31.89 / hour (plus vacation/stat pay)
Contract Hours	33 Hours Total (Spring/Summer 2026)
Work Mode	100% Online
Application Deadline	March 25, 2026

Role Breakdown: Online Mathematical Mentorship

As a Teaching Assistant for MAT-1320 (Calculus I) in the Summer 2026 term, your role is focused entirely on student contact. This is a “Specific Course” posting, meaning you are tied directly to the instructional needs of Section X.

DGD (Discussion Group) Leadership: You are responsible for leading DGD X01 every Thursday from 5:30 p.m. to 6:50 p.m. This is the core of your “Contact with Students” hours.
Online Instruction: Unlike traditional TA roles in the STEM complex, this position is fully remote. You must provide your own computer, reliable internet, microphone, and webcam.
Content Mastery: You will guide approximately 155 students through the fundamentals of limits, derivatives, and the Mean Value Theorem.
Priority Hiring: Under the CUPE 2626 collective agreement, priority is given to Graduate students within the Department of Mathematics and Statistics.

2026 uOttawa Academic & Labor Context

The Spring/Summer 2026 term at uOttawa operates under specific labor and scheduling constraints.

2026 Salary Dynamics: The rates of $31.89 (Undergrad) and $50.25 (Grad) are the “frozen” rates from the 2024-2025 agreement. Since a new collective agreement is currently under negotiation in early 2026, you will likely be eligible for retroactive pay once the new contract is ratified later this year.
Academic Schedule (Spring 2026):
- Start Date: May 1, 2026
- End Date: July 31, 2026
- Note: This is an intensive session; MAT-1320 is a foundational course for Engineering and Science students, often taken by those looking to get ahead or catch up on their course sequence.
The “STEM” Location Tag: While the work is online, the administrative home is the STEM Complex (150 Louis-Pasteur Private). This $115-million facility remains the hub for the Faculty of Science’s digital and physical operations.

Diversity & Inclusion at uOttawa (2026)

The University of Ottawa maintains a proactive Employment Equity program. For 2026, the Faculty of Science has emphasized reaching targets for underrepresented groups in STEM fields.

Group	uOttawa Commitment & Representation
Women in STEM	The Faculty aims for >40% female representation in TA roles for Math/Stats.
Racialized Persons	uOttawa actively tracks and encourages applications to reflect the 37% visible minority population of Ontario.
Indigenous Persons	Priority is given to applicants identifying as First Nations, Métis, or Inuit to support the university’s indigenization goals.
Bilingualism	While this specific section is in English, the university’s mandate as a bilingual institution often allows TAs to support students in both languages.

Essential Qualifications & Technical Fit

Academic Standing: Must have completed at least 30 credits in Mathematics and Statistics.
Tech Requirements: High-speed internet capable of hosting Zoom or Microsoft Teams sessions with 50+ participants.
Communication: Ability to explain complex theorems (like the Fundamental Theorem of Calculus) clearly in an online format.

Application Insider Tips

Focus on “DGD” Experience: If you have previously led a Discussion Group or Tutoring session, highlight your ability to manage student questions in a live digital chat.
Highlight Mathematics Breadth: Don’t just list MAT-1320; mention your performance in higher-level courses like MAT-2122 (Multivariable Calculus) to demonstrate “strong understanding.”
CUPE 2626 Awareness: Mentioning your familiarity with the “Description of Work” (DW) form—which you must sign before May 1st—shows you are a professional who understands the unionized environment.

To apply for this job please visit www.uottawa.ca.