Graduate Teaching Assistant - Psychological Sciences

We are thrilled to announce a full-time PhD Studentship and Graduate Teaching Assistant opportunity, supervised jointly between the School of Natural Sciences and School of Psychological Sciences, at Birkbeck, University of London.

We are offering:

• A funded PhD position
• The opportunity to pursue a PhD while gaining teaching experience
• The opportunity to be part of one of the world's leading psychology research departments

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant and PhD Student, your responsibilities will include:

• Pursuing studies leading towards a PhD in Psychology
• Auditing modules from Birkbeck’s Postgraduate Certificate in Neurodiversity Coaching
• Providing part-time teaching assistance (8.75 hours per week) for Earth and Planetary Science students, with a specific remit, namely to coach and mentor neurodivergent students to prepare, partake in and evaluate field-classes
• Undertaking administration related to the above.

The ideal Graduate Teaching Assistant and PhD Student will:

• Have in-depth knowledge of psychology interdisciplinary research with focus on neurodiversity and neurodivergence
• Have experience in undertaking qualitative research and navigation of co-produced research
• Come with prior experience in neurodiversity coaching, disability support, educational support or analogous fields
• Be available and willing to join residential field-classes in the UK and abroad
• Have the ability to lecture effectively and to conduct seminars at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.

This is a specific project funded by a generous donation to better support neurodivergent students and facilitate systemic inclusion in the Earth and Planetary Sciences (EPS).

More specifically, the remit is to research how neurodivergent EPS students can be coached and facilitated to prepare for field-classes, how students can glean transferrable skills for example to better manage sensory sensitivities and cognitive preferences as well as relationships across different life domains including future work.

It is envisaged to approach this research through an autoethnographic approach.

Applicants for the GTA role must outline in their research statement what existing knowledge and skills they bring, their commitment to neuro-inclusion and how this aligns with the current project, and how they would engage in co-production while maintaining appropriate boundaries.

Application

Please note that two separate applications will be required:

1. A PhD application with research proposal; to include a proposal of 1,000 words max which details your understanding of the research topic and focus, the research question, proposed approach to autoethnography and how you would navigate ethical boundaries.
2. A job application form, submitted via the Apply button on www.bbk.ac.uk/jobs

Remuneration

Total salary £19,490 rising to £20,500 per year, inclusive of:

• Teaching, part-time post (8.75 hours per week) £9,745.25 to £10,250 per annum, pro rata (25% of £38,981 to £40,998 per annum FTE).
• Annual PhD research bursary of £9,745.25 rising to £10,250 per annum.

The salary quoted is Grade 6 on the College's London Pay Scale which includes London Weighting Allowance.

Terms and Conditions 

To commence November 2025, 3-year fixed-term contract. Variable hours for student support role at 0.25 FTE; full-time PhD research.

The Graduate Teaching Assistant (Student Support) role is a developmental opportunity in parallel with PhD study and requires ongoing PhD registration as a condition of employment for the duration of the contract.

Closing date: Friday 6 October 2025. Interview date: Thursday 16 October 2025. 

Enquiries

For further information contact Dr Phil Hopley at p.hopley@bbk.ac.uk or Professor Almuth McDowall at a.mcdowall@bbk.ac.uk.

Further guidance is available for prospective PhD students.

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