Updated May 26, 2026

The Biology Department on the Thunder Bay campus continuously monitors course enrolment and graduate student numbers.  Typically, undergraduate TAs are not required for biology courses on the Orillia or Barrie campus.

As graduate students are assigned their GA positions over the spring and early summer, remaining positions (TA/UGA) will be filled by undergraduate students (pending budget approvals).

Classes start the week of September 7, 2026.  TAs should be on campus and prepared to attend any in-person meetings before labs begin.  Some biology courses have labs the first week of classes!

UNDERGRADUATE ASSISTANTS (UGAs)

These are positions are only for Lakehead undergraduates.  We cannot hire graduate students for these roles.   Returning UGA applicants are given priority as per the collective agreement. 

Scroll down for application instructions.  Incomplete applications will not be considered.  All lab sections are in-person only unless otherwise specified (e.g. FD1 or WD2, where D=distance)

Please note that all NEW BIOLOGY TAs are required to attend an in-person TA training session on Friday September 11, 2026 from 2:30-4:00 pm in CB3013.  If you are an undergraduate student with a conflicting class, please let us know ASAP and another time can be arranged. 

For graduate students on both campuses, this training is part of BIOL5010FA/FAO and a Zoom link will be provided for OR students.

Courses TYPICALLY requiring undergraduates or part-time hires are listed below.

PLEASE DO NOT APPLY UNTIL THE END OF JUNE WHEN THE GOOGLE FORM BECOMES AVAILABLE AND YOU HAVE YOUR UNDERGRADUATE CALENDAR AVAILABLE!  CHECK BACK FOR UPDATES.

Fall 2026 Thunder Bay

• BIOL1050 Intro Cell & Molecular Biology: F1/F6 (T 8:30-11:30), F2/F5 (T 11:30-2:30), F3/F7 (M 2:30-5:30), F4/F8 (M 5:30-8:30)  

• BIOL2011 Human Musculoskeletal Anatomy: F1 (T 7:00-10:00), F2 (W 7:00-10:00) 

• BIOL2171 Genetics:  F1 (F 8:30-11:30), F2 (F 11:30-2:30)  

• BIOL2210 Intro Ecology: F1 (W 8:30-11:30),  F2 (W 2:30-5:30),  F3 (Th 8:30-11:30), F4 (Th 2:30-5:30) 

Winter 2025 Thunder Bay

• BIOL1051 Ecology, Evolution, Biodiversity: W1 (T 8:30-11:30), W2/W6 (T 11:30-2:30), W3 (T 2:30-5:30), W4 (Th 8:30-11:30)

• BIOL2012 Human Internal Anatomy: W1 (T 7:00-10:00). W2 (W 7:00-10:00)

• BIOL2711 Microbiology: W1 (T 8:30-11:30), W2 (T 11:30-2:30)

• BIOL2910 Laboratory Biology: W1 (Th 2:30-5:30 AND F 11:30-2:30)

Only successful applicants will be notified.

All new hires must also complete the required LU employee orientation session through Human Resources.

APPLICATION PROCESS for THUNDER BAY CAMPUS

Applications MUST complete this a Google Form (not available; we are not currently taking applications)

You will be asked to answer the following questions:

• Your current program (undergraduate or graduate).
• Are you a returning TA?
• Your current program level (as defined by Lakehead University)
• A list of courses and/or lab sections you wish to TA.  Be specific for sections and ensure they fit into your current timetable.  Please specify your preferred lab section AND other lab sections you are interested and available for, since you may be considered for other courses if we cannot offer your ideal one.  DO NOT list any labs that you are not interested in or that do not fit your schedule.

You will be asked to attach the following information as a single PDF!  Please name your file with your last name, first name, and date submitted.

• A cover letter (1 page) that includes:

  • The course lab section you are most interested and qualified for;

  • Any additional lab sections you interested and qualified for;

  • Confirmation that those lab sections that fit your timetable (course calendar TBay);
    

  • State your teaching experiences and/or relevant work and/or volunteer experiences;

  • State any relevant course, research, lab and/or fieldwork that support your ability to TA those labs;

  • State whether you have taken the course(s) or similar a related course (e.g. another institution); and, 

  • Any other information you deem suitable and related to the course and position.

• Your current resume or CV.

• Your unofficial transcript (print from MyInfo).

• Your timetable for each semester (printed from MyInfo).   Most lab TAs are NOT required to attend the lectures for their course; exceptions may apply (e.g. markers).

We will only consider electronic submissions via the Google Form that are complete.

Fall TA may be late considerations for Winter courses, provided you are qualified and later edit your file and/or notify Michael Moore in November.  A new application would not be required.

Successful Fall applicants will be notified mid to late August.  Successful applicants will be notified through an official email with a follow-up by their immediate TA supervisor. 

The department will keep your application on file in the event we require additional TAs throughout a semester due to unforeseen circumstances.

Thank you for your interest.