BIOM5200 Introductory Immunology

Qualifications:  Satisfactory completion of BIOM5200 Introductory Immunology or IMUN 5060 Immune Mechanisms and IMUN 5070 Immune Responses is required. Preference will be given to students who are interested in teaching, committed to supporting student learning, and eager to develop their instructional skills. Applicants must obtain permission from both their principal investigator (PI) and graduate group chair.  Therefore, interested students are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with them prior to applying.

Position Description:  TA responsibilities include:

• Supporting students in applying course material to enhance learning.
• Attending lectures.
• Leading weekly small group discussion sessions.
• Organizing and conducting a review session prior to each of three exams.
• Assisting with exam preparation and proctoring and grading of exams.

BIOM5550 Regulation of the Genome

Qualifications:  Completion of BIOM5550 in good standing is required. Preference will be given to students who are interested in teaching, committed to supporting student learning, and eager to develop their instructional skills. Applicants must obtain permission from both their principal investigator (PI) and graduate group chair.  Therefore, interested students are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with them prior to applying.

Position Description:  TA responsibilities include:

• Supporting students in applying course material to enhance learning.
• Attending lectures.
• Leading weekly small group discussion sessions.
• Organizing and conducting a review session prior to each of three exams.
• Assisting with exam preparation and proctoring and grading of exams.

Being a teaching assistant should not interfere with laboratory research or the successful pursuit of one’s degree.

8-10 hours per week average during spring semesters.

Interested students are directed to email the course director Roberto Bonasio (roberto@bonasiolab.org) during the semester preceding employment (September through December).

BIOM6000 Cell Biology and Biochemistry

Qualifications:  Completion of BIOM6000 in good standing is required. Preference will be given to students who are interested in teaching, committed to supporting student learning, and eager to develop their instructional skills. Applicants must obtain permission from both their principal investigator (PI) and graduate group chair.  Therefore, interested students are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with them prior to applying.

Position Description:  TA responsibilities include:

• Supporting students in applying course material to enhance learning.
• Attending lectures.
• Leading 10 small group discussion sessions.
• Organizing and conducting a review session prior to each of three exams.
• Assisting with exam preparation and grading of exams.
• Holding office hours by appointment.

8-10 hours per week average during Fall semesters. This course meets Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays from 10:15 - 11:45AM, running from late August through mid-December.

Interested students are directed to email the course director Kurt Engleka (kengleka@pennmedicine.upenn.edu) during the semester preceding employment (March through April).

Tutors are needed during the fall and spring semesters to support individual students who request assistance with material from BGS core courses. Tutors support students in applying course material, strengthening understanding, and building the skills needed for a research-focused curriculum. They help clarify key concepts, guide problem-solving, and encourage independent, self-directed learning.

Qualifications: Applicants must have successfully completed the core course they wish to tutor. They must also obtain approval from both their principal investigator (PI) and graduate group chair and are encouraged to discuss the opportunity with them before applying. Tutoring responsibilities should not interfere with laboratory research or progress toward the degree.

Lecture Note-Taker

BGS occasionally requires a reliable and organized lecture note-taker to support graduate-level biomedical coursework.  The ideal candidate will attend lectures, capture key concepts accurately, and create clear, structured notes that are useful for review and study. 

Qualifications:  Applicants must have strong listening and writing skills, excellent attention to detail, and the ability to organize complex scientific information clearly.  They must also obtain approval from both their principal investigator (PI) and graduate group chair and are encouraged to discuss the opportunity with them before applying. Note-taking responsibilities should not interfere with laboratory research or progress toward the degree.

Position Description: Responsibilities include

1. Taking detailed, well-organized notes during class
2. Summarizing key ideas, definitions, mechanisms, and instructor emphasis.
3. Using headings, bullet points, and concise formatting for clarity.
4. Reviewing and refining notes after class when needed
5. Supplying hand-written or typed notes to students as requested

BBCB5100  Data Analysis and Scientific Inference

Teaching Assistant for BBCB5100. This course satisfies the BGS biostatistics requirement for first year Ph.D students. Syllabus from Sp2026 can be accessed at http://crystal.med.upenn.edu/docs/BBCB5100_SciInf_new_syllabus2026.pdf

Class enrollment is typically 12-15 students.

Qualifications: Fluent in Python programming. Proficient in the basic principles of statistics. Satisfactory completion of BBCB5100 and familiarity with Bayesian methods are pluses but not required.  Applicants must obtain permission from both their principal investigator (PI) and graduate group chair. Therefore, interested students are encouraged to discuss this opportunity with them prior to applying

TA Duties

• Attend lectures.
• Assist lecturer in teaching Python/programming skills
• Grade homework assignments
• Hold office hours
• Assist lecturer with grading of final project and providing written feedback on student projects

Being a teaching assistant should not interfere with laboratory research or the successful pursuit of one’s degree.

8-10 hours per week for 12 weeks during the spring semester

Please email the course director Dr. Kim Sharp sharpk@pennmedicine.upenn.edu before the midterm break of Fall2026 semester