Undergraduate Teaching
Teach. Mentor. Lead. Learn.
Teaching Fellows and Course Assistants are at the heart of many of our chemistry courses. They teach and mentor students, and are often the first people students turn to for help. Serving as a TF or CA gives undergraduates a chance to strengthen their teaching, leadership, and communication skills while working closely with faculty and a tight-knit teaching community.
The Department of Chemistry and Chemical Biology is currently accepting applications for undergraduate TFs and CAs in the following Spring 2027 courses:
- Physical Sciences 11: Foundations and Frontiers of Modern Chemistry, taught by Frank Keutsch and Gregg Tucci (MWF 10:30 AM – 11:45 AM)
- Chemistry 20: Organic Chemistry, taught by Eric Jacobsen (MWF 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM)
- Chemistry 27: Organic Chemistry of Life, taught by Emily Balskus, Sirinya Matchacheep, and Matt Lueckheide (MWF 12:00 PM – 1:15 PM)
- Chemistry 40: Inorganic Chemistry, taught by Jarad Mason (MW 10:30 AM - 11:45 AM)
Position Descriptions
Course Assistants (CAs)
While previous tutoring or teaching experience is helpful, it is not a requirement to become a CA. Course Assistants are paid $21/hour and work 10-14 hours per week (averaging 12 hours per week throughout the term). Generally, CAs are responsible for:
- Attending lectures, to answer student questions and facilitate active learning
- Hosting office hours (often called help rooms)
- Attending weekly teaching team meetings
In addition to the responsibilities described above, CAs in PS11 and Chem 27 coach students individually and in small groups, helping them strengthen their academic skills and content knowledge.
Lab Teaching Fellows (TFs)
In general, we prefer undergraduate Lab TFs to have previously taught at the college level (e.g., TF, CA, ARC Tutor). Lab TFs must also have strong lab skills, often developed by taking advanced lab courses or conducting research.
Undergraduate Lab TFs are paid $23/hour and work 10-14 hours per week (averaging 12 hours per week throughout the term). Generally, Lab TFs are responsible for:
- Teaching lab
- Grading lab assignments
- Hosting office hours (often called help rooms)
- Attending weekly teaching team meetings
- Attending or watching recordings of select lectures that are relevant to the lab
Section Teaching Fellows (TFs)
In general, we prefer undergraduate Section TFs to have previously taught at the college level (e.g., TF, CA, ARC Tutor). Undergraduate Section TFs are paid $23/hour and work 10-14 hours per week (averaging 12 hours per week throughout the term).
Generally, Section TFs are responsible for:
- Attending lectures, to answer student questions and facilitate active learning
- Teaching section
- Grading assignments
- Hosting office hours (often called help rooms)
- Attending weekly teaching team meetings
Frequently Asked Questions
Applicants must be current Harvard College students who are in good standing. In general, the selection committees prefer applicants to have earned a grade of at least A- in the course(s) they are applying for.
No. Completing the application is the only requirement to apply. As part of the application, you will be asked to submit a short teaching demonstration video.
We expect to begin making offers in late October. All applicants will hear back about the status of their application by the end of November. Please note that all offers are conditional, pending Resident Dean approval, course enrollment, and schedule availability.
No. Applicants will only be selected for one position with one chemistry course, based on the applicant’s ranked preferences and staffing needs.
Per Harvard College policy, undergraduates may be employed for up to 20 hours per week during the academic school year. CAs in CCB are expected to work between 10 and 14 hours per week (averaging 12 hours/week throughout the term). Any additional on-campus employment must comply with the 20 hours/week cap.
If you are offered a position, you will be asked to complete onboarding paperwork in November. In January, you will also be asked to complete onboarding work and training, which can be completed remotely. You will be paid for the time you spend completing this work.
Only undergraduates may serve as CAs. However, graduate students and others may serve as TFs. If you are not an undergraduate student, contact Joe Lavin (lavin@chemistry.harvard.edu) to apply for TF opportunities.
Harvard is an equal opportunity employer and all qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, sex, national origin, disability status, protected veteran status, gender identity, sexual orientation, pregnancy and pregnancy-related conditions, or any other characteristic protected by law.