Writers Workshop - Science Writing Consultant

Description, Responsibilities, and Qualifications

The Writers Workshop is hiring graduate student writing consultants for the 2026-2027 academic year. We have several 25% teaching assistantship positions available and are specifically seeking consultants from STEM disciplines. Our Science Writing Consultants work 5 hours each week in the Main Library and 5 each week in the MCB Learning Center (Burrill Hall). Particularly at the MCB Learning Center location, these consultants are likely to work with lab reports, poster presentations, grant and fellowship proposals, and manuscripts for publication.

The Writers Workshop provides writing support to all University of Illinois students, faculty, and staff, from any discipline, and at any stage of the writing process. Consultants' primary responsibility is to help writers develop effective writing knowledge and skills through one-to-one tutoring sessions. Other responsibilities include developing and facilitating in-class presentations and special topic workshops, creating handouts and other materials, and representing the Workshop at events like resource fairs. For further information about the Writers Workshop, please visit our website: https://writersworkshop.illinois.edu/.  

The duties for the position are: 

• Providing writing support in individual and small-group tutorials at all stages of the writing and research process in in-person and video call sessions; 
• Facilitating writing-related presentations; 
• Attending pre-semester orientation and at least 5 (paid) professional development meetings per semester; 
• Interacting professionally with students and staff; 
• Arriving on time in the Main Library, MCB Learning Center, or designated satellite location for all tutorial shifts; 
• Notifying office staff well in advance of absences; 
• Completing the University’s mandatory ethics training and any other required training, 
  typically once a year; 
• Following expectations as set forth in the Writers Workshop’s Staff Handbook. 

Preferred qualifications for this position include: 

•  At least one year of prior teaching or tutoring experience at the college level. 
• Excellent communication skills. 
• Demonstrated ability to interact with students from a diverse array of academic, cultural, and linguistic backgrounds. 
• Knowledge of college writers, including common challenges with genres like research-based writing, persuasive writing, and job application materials. 

Candidates must be in good academic standing.