Sessional Instructional Assistant - PHLB55H3: Puzzles and Paradoxes (Emergency Posting)

University of Toronto; Toronto; On-site; CAD 30,000 - 60,000; Part time

Job summary

A leading Canadian university in Toronto is seeking a Sessional Instructional Assistant for the Winter 2026 session. This role involves running weekly tutorials, preparing coursework, and grading. The ideal candidate must possess a BA in Philosophy and have strong academic records with prior experience as a teaching assistant. The contract offers a pay rate of $54.27/hour. Applications can be submitted through the online system by December 19, 2025.

Qualifications

• Strong academic record in Philosophy required.
• One year prior experience as a teaching assistant in Philosophy courses at UofT.

Responsibilities

• Running one-hour long tutorials each week.
• Preparation for tutorials and grading.
• Attending training sessions with the course instructor.

Skills

Strong academic record

Experience as a teaching assistant

Specialization in Philosophy

Education

BA in Philosophy

Job description

Sessional Instructional Assistant - PHLB55H3: Puzzles and Paradoxes (Emergency Posting)

Date Posted: 12/12/2025

Req ID: 46396

Faculty/Division: UofT Scarborough

Department: UTSC:Dept-Philosophy

Campus: University of Toronto Scarborough (UTSC)

Description

Time travel, free will, infinity, consciousness: puzzling and paradoxical issues like these, brought under control with logic, are the essence of philosophy. Through new approaches to logic, we will find new prospects for understanding philosophical paradoxes.

Job Details

The following position for a Sessional Instructional Assistant is available in the Department of Philosophy for the Winter 2026 academic session. This is an emergency posting in accordance with the Collective Agreement between The Governing Council of the University of Toronto and the Canadian Union of Public Employees, Local 3902 Unit 3. Please note that the position below is tentative, pending final course determinations and enrolments. In accordance with the Collective Agreement, this posting is being sent as an email notification to all applicants in the Department’s Applicant Pool: all Sessional Lecturers who are teaching for the Department during the current academic year or who have taught for the Department within the last twenty-four months and all persons who have submitted an application within the last twenty-four months.

Application process: All pool members who wish to be considered for a particular position must submit an application and updated curriculum vitae to Professor Julia Nefsky, Chair of the Department of Philosophy, University of Toronto Scarborough using the online application system found at https://www.utsc.utoronto.ca/webapps/cupehiring/.

Salary: In accordance with the current CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement, the rate of pay for Sessional Instructional Assistant will be $54.27/hour exclusive of vacation pay. Please note that should rates stated in the collective agreement vary from the rates stated in this posting, the rates stated in the collective agreement shall prevail.

Appointment Dates: January 1, 2026 – April 30, 2026

Sessional Dates (including exam periods): January 5, 2026 – April 24, 2026.

Job Title: PHLB55H3: Puzzles and Paradoxes

Size of Appointment: Up to 100 hours

Session: Winter 2026

Minimum Qualifications

BA in Philosophy with specialization or competency in the subject matter of the course; strong academic record; one year prior experience as a teaching assistant in philosophy courses at UofT.

Duties

• Running one-hour long tutorials each week
• Preparation for tutorials and grading
• Grading
• Attending training sessions/meetings with the course instructor
• Organizing and submitting grades
• Holding office hours
• Lecture attendance as directed
• General teaching related duties

Diversity Statement

The University of Toronto embraces Diversity and is building a culture of belonging that increases our capacity to effectively address and serve the interests of our global community. We strongly encourage applications from Indigenous Peoples, Black and racialized persons, women, persons with disabilities, and people of diverse sexual and gender identities. We value applicants who have demonstrated a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion and recognize that diverse perspectives, experiences, and expertise are essential to strengthening our academic mission.

As part of your application, you will be asked to complete a brief Diversity Survey. This survey is voluntary. Any information directly related to you is confidential and cannot be accessed by search committees or human resources staff. Results will be aggregated for institutional planning purposes.

Accessibility Statement

The University strives to be an equitable and inclusive community, and proactively seeks to increase diversity among its community members. Our values regarding equity and diversity are linked with our unwavering commitment to excellence in the pursuit of our academic mission.

The University is committed to the principles of the Accessibility for Ontarians with Disabilities Act (AODA). As such, we strive to make our recruitment, assessment and selection processes as accessible as possible and provide accommodations as required for applicants with disabilities.

If you require any accommodations at any point during the application and hiring process, please contact [e-mail].

Closing Date: 12/19/2025, 11:59PM EDT

This job is posted in accordance with the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 Collective Agreement.

Preference in hiring is given to qualified individuals advanced to the rank of Sessional Lecturer II or Sessional Lecturer III in accordance with Article 14:12 of the CUPE 3902 Unit 3 collective agreement.

Please note: Undergraduate or graduate students and postdoctoral fellows of the University of Toronto are covered by the CUPE 3902 Unit 1 collective agreement rather than the Unit 3 collective agreement, and should not apply for positions posted under the Unit 3 collective agreement.