A reader/grader is a paid student employee who assists faculty with their teaching responsibilities. The Reader/Grader Pool is a list of students interested in working as reader/graders whose applications are provided to faculty searching for reader/graders.
The Astronomy Grader Program is designed to offer flexible hourly work supporting our teaching mission. Most grading duties can be done on your own schedule, with the expectation that grading tasks tend to be assigned and completed on a weekly basis. In order to allow graders to prioritize their schoolwork, it is the Astronomy Department’s policy that grading duties shall not exceed ten hours a week. Our goal is for classes to be a supportive and welcoming environment for both our students and our teaching staff.
If you are interested in being a reader/grader, please read through the following FAQs and submit your application to the Reader/Grader Pool.
The Astronomy Reader/Grader Pool Application is now open for AY 2025-26.
With the new format this year, the Reader/Grader Pool has expanded to collect applications for reader/graders and create a pool of eligible candidates each academic year.
WHAT ARE A READER/GRADER’S RESPONSIBILITIES?
This position is classified as a Reader/Grader position and is governed by the UAW ASE contract. You are expected to be available for the duration of the academic quarter of your assignment as described in Article 35, section 7. Please consult the UW Academic Calendar for dates of instruction, including the final exam period for the quarter of your appointment. If you need to be absent for any portion of the instructional or final exam period (including grading), you must request this time off from your faculty supervisor. If you are unable to perform the following duties, you must alert your faculty supervisor.
Specific responsibilities will vary from instructor to instructor and from quarter to quarter, but Astronomy reader/grader tasks can include any of the following:
- Know and follow course policies in the course syllabus and as described by the instructor.
- Attend instructor/grader meetings, which are typically held once a week.
- Grade and record the scores for work as assigned by the instructor, typically within one week of receipt (this time may be compressed at the end of the quarter, depending on the final exam schedule).
- Maintain the confidentiality of student academic records outside of your teaching team.
- In some classes, hold “help desk” office hours in an online forum dedicated to course topics and assignments.
WHAT ARE THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BEING A READER/GRADER?
We welcome applications from all levels (freshman, sophomore, junior, senior, graduate) and from non-Astronomy students. All readers/graders must be an enrolled student in the quarter in which they are working. While some faculty prefer readers/graders who have taken (and excelled in) the course, many faculty do not have a preference.
If you hold another appointment on campus, you will need to consult with those units about your eligibility to serve as a reader/grader (e.g., international students will need to contact the ISS office, PhD students will need to contact their program directors).
International students with a TA/RA/SA/Instructor or any other 50% or 20 hour per week appointment cannot, at the same time, have an appointment as a reader/grader without additional authorization from the International Students and Scholars office, for additional information please consult the ISS office. Phone: 206-221-7857 Web: http://iss.washington.edu/about/contact.html
WHEN DOES A READER/GRADER WORK?
Readers/Graders work on a quarterly basis (Autumn, Winter, Spring, and Summer). They may be asked to start working a few days before the quarter begins or finish a few days after the quarter ends.
Some instructors might ask the reader/grader to attend one or more class sessions, requiring the reader/grader to be available at specific times. Most other responsibilities allow for a more flexible schedule. On average, faculty employ readers/graders 7-9 hours per week. The total number of hours available depends on the number of students enrolled on the course.
WHAT IS THE PAY?
Hourly rate for Readers/Graders in the Department of Astronomy: $21.57 per hour
Reader/graders in the Department of Astronomy will be paid $21.57 per hour. As per Article 32 of the collective bargaining agreement, reader/graders will not be required to work more hours than specified in their appointment letters, or work any hours for which they are not paid. The Astronomy Grader position is designed to offer flexible hourly work for current UW students. In order to allow graders to prioritize their schoolwork, it is the Astronomy Department’s policy that grading duties shall take no more than ten hours a week.
Am I guaranteed a position each quarter?
Unfortunately, being in the pool does not guarantee that you will be a reader/grader in any given quarter. Demand for readers/graders varies depending on the time schedule and faculty needs.
How do I get involved?
The reader/grader application will ask you questions about your qualifications, schedule, class history, and academic interests.
If your application is accepted, you will be entered in our reader/grader pool.
When faculty members request readers/graders, applications that match their criteria will be sent to them. If your application is selected, you will be contacted via email to begin the hiring process.
At the end of each quarter, you will have the option of continuing in the pool or opting out temporarily or permanently.
WHAT IF I HAVE QUESTIONS?
Please direct questions about the Reader/Grader pool application process to astrohr@uw.edu. Your questions will be forwarded to the current Faculty Reader/Grader Coordinator.