Casual Academic - School of Mathematics and Physics (Physics)

About This Opportunity

The School of Mathematics and Physics is looking for casual academics who are enthusiastic about sharing their discipline knowledge, who can convey concepts to students with clarity, who are able to provide feedback in a timely fashion, and who are interested in developing and applying teaching strategies to support student learning in a range of different settings. Casual Academics are expected to foster caring, collaborative, and inclusive classrooms and laboratory environments. 

The School of Mathematics and Physics values diversity and inclusion and seeks to ensure that all members of mathematics and physics communities at UQ feel empowered to apply to participate in such opportunities. We particularly encourage people who bring diversity to UQ – for example, gender identity, LGBTQIA+, cultural and/or linguistic, Aboriginal and/or Torres Strait Islander peoples, or people with a disability - to apply for casual academic work. 

Responsibilities

Casual Academic responsibilities may include (but are not limited to):   

• Delivering practical and applied teaching sessions 

• Marking  

• Teaching Support 

Background  

• Applicants should possess a strong academic background in Physics, normally have achieved a GPA of at least 5.5 and have completed at least 1 year of undergraduate study. Prospective Casual Academics must have completed PHYS1001/1171 and PHYS1002 (or equivalent).  

• Honours, Masters by Research and PhD candidates are encouraged to apply.  Postgraduate coursework students with completion of at least one semester’s full-time study are also eligible to apply. 

What We Can Offer   

Limited positions for new Physics Casual Academics. 

These positions are casual academic appointments. As such, there is no firm advance commitment to ongoing or indefinite work. The casual rate will vary depending on the type of work completed. Please view our various casual academic pay scales.  

Further details are available at the UQ Casual Academic website and the SMP Casual Academic Staff Opportunities website.  

For further information about UQ’s benefits, please visit Why Work at UQ and review The University of Queensland Enterprise Agreement 2021-2026 (Enterprise Agreement). 

Questions?   

To discuss this role please contact Dr Sarah Sweet (s.sweet@uq.edu.au). 

For application queries, please contact casualrecruit@uq.edu.au stating the job reference number in the subject line. 

 Want to Apply?   

Expressions of Interest can be submitted via the Apply Now link. Please provide your details and complete the questionnaire in full where applicable. 

If you are a current employee of the University (including casual staff), or hold a HDR Scholarship with the University, please login to your staff Workday account and visit the internal careers board to apply for this opportunity. Please do NOT apply via the external job board. 

 
The submission of your EOI is due no later than 11.59 pm on Sunday 15th November 2026.  

Tips  

• If you have not previously applied for casual academic work in Physics, you will be required to upload a short video (2 min max) of you explaining your choice of topic from PHYS1171/1001/1002 (to YouTube or some other site) and paste the link in the application form. You might like to imagine that a student has asked you to clarify a question they are struggling with, or perhaps explain a new concept to them. 

• New Casual Academics should request 3-5 hours of paid work per week. This includes the 1-3 hours contact and preparation/marking/meeting time for one applied or practical laboratory respectively. 

• International students should ensure they have a visa that permits this type of casual employment before applying for casual academic work. 

• If you are able and willing to be a casual academic in specialist second or third year, please indicate these in your preferences as well. 

• Experienced casual academics can also apply for a lead casual academic position.  

If you are shortlisted and have not previously applied to be a casual academic in Physics, you will be contacted and need to attend a 5-minute online interview in the week of 23rd November 2026.