Undergraduate Instructional Assistant for ChemExcel - Spring 2026

Job Title :

Undergraduate Instructional Assistant for ChemExcel - Spring 2026

Requisition Number : DU14046

Department Name : 8E030 : Chemistry

Work Location : Lexington, KY

Salary Range : $12.00 / hour

Type of Position : Student

Position Time Status :

Part-Time

Required Education :

Qualified applicant must be a current undergraduate UK student with sophomore status or higher; have a cumulative GPA of a 3.0 or higher; have taken Chemistry 105 and 107; made a “B” or better in these courses. Applicants with equivalent credit will be considered. Preference will be given to students with an “A” in these courses.

Required Related Experience :

N / A

Required License / Registration / Certification :

N / A

Physical Requirements :

Lifting and / or carrying light-weight objects; standing for approximately 2 hours at a time.

Shift :

Monday and Wednesday afternoons. Exact schedule varies according to course, section(s), schedule, and other factors. Please refer to the course catalog for listing of potential shifts. Assignments, schedules, and shifts are finalized by the Academic Coordinator.

Job Summary :

The Department of Chemistry is seeking talented and highly motivated undergraduates to fill positions as Undergraduate Instructional Assistants Type 2 (UIA-II), commonly titled Peer Leaders (PLs) for the ChemExcel Program (CHE 197). PLs lead small groups of students in weekly workshops through problem sets developed by the Academic Coordinator to help their group learn how to solve problems in general chemistry (CHE 107). PLs function more as coaches than instructors or Teaching Assistants. PLs are to maintain the utmost standard of responsibility, integrity, and professionalism while in this position. These positions are dependent upon availability of all instructional assistants.

This position requires a full semester commitment of approximately 5 hours per week per section and includes the following duties, expectations, and requirements :

• Attendance and participation in :

One-hour, weekly PL meetings.

Counseling Center Services (and Dealing with Distressed Students)

Recording attendance.

All PLs receive specific training on course policies. The Academic Coordinator spot-checks grades, resolves any discrepancies or disputes, and determines all final grades.

Students may not exceed 20 hours per week during the academic year for all assignments across campus. First time PLs will only be assigned one section.

Does this position have supervisory responsibilities? :

No

Deadline to Apply : 01 / 31 / 2026

Our University Community :

We value the well-being of each of our employees and are dedicated to creating a healthy place for everyone to work, learn and live. In the interest of maintaining a safe and healthy environment for our students, employees, patients and visitors, the University of Kentucky is a Tobacco & Drug Free campus.

The University follows both the federal and state Constitutions as well as all applicable federal and state laws on nondiscrimination. The University provides equal opportunities for qualified persons in all aspects of institutional operations and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, ethnic origin, religion, creed, age, physical or mental disability, veteran status, uniformed service, political belief, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity, gender expression, pregnancy, marital status, genetic information or social or economic status.

Any candidate offered a position may be required to pass pre-employment screenings as mandated by University of Kentucky Human Resources. These screenings may include a national background check and / or drug screen.