Student employee at the Centre for Mathematical Sciences

Lund University, Centre for Mathematical Sciences, Division of Mathematics, Faculty of Science

We are looking for mentors and exercise class leaders/teaching assistants for our introductory courses in mathematics and computational programming.

Description of the workplace
The Centre for Mathematical Sciences has approximately 150 employees, of which approximately 40 are in the Division of Mathematics, Faculty of Science (NF) where the position is located. Other departments are Mathematics LTH with numerical analysis and Mathematical statistics. The Department of Mathematics NF has the overall responsibility for natural science bachelor's and master's programs in mathematics and provides courses in mathematics and numerical analysis that are also optional within other program orientations at the Faculty of Science and that can be read as independent courses.

We offer
Lund University is a state authority that offers good employment conditions. Read more on the university's website about Working with us. As student employee, you as a student can combine studies with work and supplement your theoretical knowledge with practical work experience.

Job assignments
As a student employee, you will work as a mentor/coordinating mentor and/or as an exercise leader/teaching assistant for small student groups on our introductory courses MATA31 Analysis in One Variable, MATA32 Algebra and Vector Geometry and NUMA01 Computational Programming with Python. In all roles, you will be supported by the teacher responsible for the course who can answer your questions regarding the course's content and pedagogical structure. There is also a coordinator at the institution who ensures that you get the information and practical help you need. More specific information about the different roles can be found below.

As a mentor, you must:

• participate in a start-up seminar about the role of mentor, as well as in meetings during the semester
• be responsible for mentor meetings that are held for 1-2 groups of approx. 8-12 students where relevant content from the basic courses is discussed
• receive information from the teachers responsible for the course and the coordinating mentor about the themes for the mentor meetings, and use this information during the planning of the mentoring meetings
• provide feedback to the coordinating mentor on how the students in your mentoring group are doing so that improvements can be implemented.

 As a coordinating mentor, you must:

• be a mentor for a group of students according to the information above
• act as a link between the teachers in charge of the course and other mentors
• identify mentors who need support and together with the teachers in charge of the course propose and implement appropriate measures
• keep an overview of how much other mentors work
• together with the teachers in charge of the course plan themes for mentor meetings, carry out start-up and coordination meetings for other mentors.

As exercise class leader on the courses Analysis in One Variable and Algebra and Vector Geometry, you must:

• lead exercise classes for a student group of approx. 30 students during the scheduled time. The exercise classes are intended for self-study and your task is to help the students with any questions regarding problem solving and mathematical reasoning
• prepare for the exercise classes by staying informed about the students' current homework and tasks.

As teaching assistant on the course NUMA01 Computational programming with Python, you must:

• lead computer exercises for a student group of approx. max. 30 students during the scheduled time
• prepare for the computer exercises according to instructions from the teacher responsible for the course
• give feedback on reports/presentations of homework assignments

Eligibility
Eligible to be employed as a student employee is someone who is pursuing full-time university-level studies in mathematics at the Faculty of Science at Lund University, has completed studies corresponding to at least 60 university credits and has not started postgraduate studies.

A requirement for all roles included in the employment is very good knowledge of spoken and written English.

Requirements for employment as exercise leader for the courses MATA31 Analysis in One Variable and MATA32 Algebra and Vector Geometry are:

• at least 60 credits in natural science, including the courses MATA21, MATA22, and NUMA01, of which 45 credits correspond to the first year courses in mathematics within the bachelor's program in mathematics and physics
• the course MATA23 Fundations of Algebra or the equivalent is required for employment as a exercise class leader in MATA32
• good communication skills.

Requirements for employment as teaching assistant for the course NUMA01 Computational programming with Python are:

• at least 60 credits in natural science, including the course NUMA01, of which 45 credits correspond to the first-year courses in mathematics within the bachelor's program in mathematics and physics
• good communication skills.

Requirements for employment as a mentor are:

• at least 60 credits in natural science subjects, of which 45 credits corresponding to the first year's courses in the bachelor's program in mathematics and physics, including computational programming with Python
• good communication skills.

Requirements for employment as coordinating mentor are:

• at least one semester's experience as a mentor in basic mathematics courses.
• Qualifications for employment as a mentor or coordinating mentor are:
• obtained the grade Pass with distinction or equivalent in the introductory courses in mathematics
• previous experience in teaching or leadership
• having completed the basic courses in mathematics at the Faculty of Science at Lund University, or in some other way acquired a thorough understanding of the structure of the courses
• good knowledge of spoken and written English
• good leadership skills.

 Qualifications for the position as exercise leader/teaching assistant:

• more completed courses in mathematics, programming and numerical analysis, preferably with high grades in the bachelor's or master's program in mathematics at the Faculty of Science
• previous teaching or leadership experience
• previous teaching experience as amanuensis or teaching assistant at Mathematics NF or LTH is particularly meritorious.

Terms of employment
The scope of employment is time-limited as below:

Mentor: 5-10% during the period 24-09-02 – 24-12-20

Coordinating mentor: 12% during the period 24-09-02 – 24-12-20

Exercise class leader MATA31, MATA32: 15% during the period 24-09-02 – 24-12-20

Teaching assistant NUMA01: 15% during the period 24-09-02 – 24-12-20

Provisions regarding employment as a student employee can be found in the "Agreement on temporary employment as a student employee".

This is how you apply
When you apply, you are asked to answer the questions below.

• Attach a short personal letter (max. 1 A4 page). CV does not need to be attached.
• State which role you are interested in within the scope of this position (mentor, coordinating mentor, exercise class leader MATA31/MATA32, teaching assistant NUMA01)
• State if you are interested in more than one role and to what extent you would be available if so (max 20 %)
• State which education programme you are enrolled on and what year you started it. Attach a LADOK transcript or equivalent transcript of records.
• Any description of previous involvement in teaching. Specify course, course supervisor, year, study period and work assignment.
• Please indicate a reference person who can testify your knowledge of mathematics and/or your teaching ability. It could be, for example, a teacher you had in one or more of your mathematics courses.