CASUAL ACADEMIC - Demonstrator

Durham university Physics department are currently recruiting for a number of Marking, Demonstrating and Teaching Support roles for the 2026 – 2027 academic year.

Please note these roles are only open to current Physics PhD students only.

Postgraduate Teaching & Demonstrating 2025/26

Postgraduate researchers are invited to provide demonstrator assistance in the undergraduate laboratories, in tutorials and workshops, and with the marking of the undergraduates' set weekly problems. Demonstrators are paid an hourly rate, set by the University, (starting from £15.81 (Grade 5 point 19), progressing through the spine points every year of demonstrating undertaken. The role typically occupies, on average, between four to six hours per week, during the Michaelmas and Epiphany Terms. *Dependent upon the particular class involved, postgraduate demonstrators are usually required to work for a total of about 18 weeks during the year but some appointments for part of the year may be made.

All teaching in 2026/27 iS to be face-to-face.

Please read this whole document before submitting your preference’s Further role details, payments and training dates will be circulated after allocation of duties. Any queries, please contact physics.postgraduate@durham.ac.uk

The University 

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, and a unique and historical setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a vast variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, that is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University.

Further information about the University can be found here.

The below role descriptor seeks to capture the main requirements of the role consistently, providing a summary of the key duties of the flexible role to help in setting expectations for applicants, flexible workers and line managers. They are not intended to cover all duties which may be required.

Role

Responsibilities

Demonstrator Casual Grade 5

Under instruction and following appropriate training: Guide students in the experimental laboratory, computing class, workshop or similar Assist the class leader as required, such as developing enhanced experiments Responsible for assisting in the delivery of classes. Attend annual briefing for demonstrators Attend training sessions for each activity Assist the class supervisor in her/his duties in running the session To be present throughout each taught session, with reasonable breaks To ensure safe working practices and good order Provide support for students in practical classes Help ensure appropriate student conduct May mark log books and field trip reports May mark problems and lab scripts