Teaching Assistant and Residential Mentor
Department: Astrophysics, Biochemistry, Bacterial Genomics, or Cell Biology
Reporting to: Site Director & Academic Director
Schedule: Temporary Full-time (6 weeks in June/July/early August, exact dates vary based on faculty and host campus availability)
Location: TBD, with housing included
Travel Required (provided by SSPI):
Live on one of SSPI’s host university campuses for 6 weeks during Summer 2027 (June/July/August)
SSPI covers domestic travel to/from campus, housing, and meals while on campus in accordance with policy.
Salary range: Starting salaries for 2026 were $8,500 for Teaching Assistant Residential Mentors and may be subject to budgetary increases for 2027
Summary
SSP International, Inc. (SSPI) is an independent non-profit that offers teens an exhilarating and inspiring immersion into hands-on experimental science during its Summer Science Program. 8 faculty and 36 participants form a supportive “living and learning community” over ~6 weeks (~5 for participants). Each participant team completes an authentic research project, taking and analyzing original data. Afterward, they join a worldwide network of 5,000+ alumni of all ages. More information can be found at www.ssp.org .
The Teaching Assistant and Residential Mentor serves a dual role, assisting with both academic instruction, mentorship, and community building in an immersive learning environment with high school seniors. They work closely with the academic directors to support participant learning by assisting participants with problem sets and in using equipment or software. They also work under the direction of the Site Director as residential advisors and personal mentors, supervising participants and organizing recreational and social activities. They are also responsible for monitoring and supporting the social, emotional, and physical well-being of the program participants. The TARM plays a key role in monitoring well-being of the program participants. In cases of unsafe acts, behaviors, or conditions – all faculty have a responsibility to report to the SD and SSPI staff as soon as possible.
The ideal candidates for this position are rising college seniors, graduating seniors, or early graduate students in STEM fields who are passionate about mentoring bright and motivated students.
Essential Duties and Responsibilities:
Live on campus for 6 weeks alongside program participants (1 week of startup without participants + 5 program weeks with participants)
Assist participants in the classroom and in research spaces with academic content and research topics, equipment, and procedures
Provide guidance to participants on problem sets (homework), providing feedback on submissions
Serve as a personal mentor, offering guidance and support to participants
Supervise participants and organize recreational and social activities to foster community, inclusion, and a sense of belonging in the cohort
Monitor the emotional, mental, social, and physical health and wellbeing of participants, reporting and responding to concerns in collaboration with other Program faculty and SSPI staff.
Report any unsafe acts, behaviors, or conditions, as well as any instances that might risk serious injury or harm to participants or faculty, to SSPI administrative staff as soon as possible.
Communicate effectively with participants and faculty team to solve problems and create a safe, respectful, functional, and inclusive learning and working environment
Collaborate with other faculty members to ensure a cohesive program experience
Participate in pre-program training and regular staff meetings
Flexibly completing other residential, logistical, operational, and/or academic duties as assigned by the Site Director and/or Academic Director
Uphold and adhere to the standards, expectations, values, and traditions of the Summer Science Program community, including respect for others, communication, collaborative teamwork, timeliness, honesty,…