Professional Development

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Benefit from a range of opportunities that enable you to develop your professional profile while earning your PhD.

Research assistants support professors through a wide range of tasks, from primary and secondary research to the preparation of manuscripts and grant applications or the organization of events. 

Concordia University

Many faculty members employ research assistants through their grants.  Interested students should enquire directly with their supervisors or other faculty members. Resarch Assistantships are unionized through TRAC.

Université de Montréal


All positions are posted by the department, and interested students are required to complete an application form. Research Assistants are members of the Syndicat des étudiant.e.s salarié.e.s de l’UdeM (SESUM). 

Université Québec à Montréal


Many professors hire students through grants or research centres. Interested students should inquire with their supervisors and other faculty members directly.  Research assistants are members of the Syndicat des étudiant.e.s employé.e.s de l’UQÀM. (SETUE).

Teaching assistants provide support to course instructors.  Tasks range from marking and answering student questions to attending lectures and leading tutorials.

Concordia University

Incoming doctoral students are automatically considered for teaching assistantships at the time of admission.  Doctoral TAships may be also available to returning students; postings are circulated by email. TAships are unionized through TRAC.

Université de Montréal


All positions are posted by the department, and interested students are required to complete an application form. Teaching Assistants are members of the Syndicat des étudiant(e)s salarié(e)s de l’UdeM (SESUM).  

Université Québec à Montréal


Doctoral students may apply for positions as teaching assistants, responsible for guiding students grading work in selected courses at the undergraduate and MA levels.  All positions are posted by the Art History Department. Research assistants are members of the Syndicat des étudiants et étudiantes employé-e-s de l’UQAM. (SETUE)

Each year the program offers workshops geared to helping students develop their professional skills.

Interdisciplinary workshops at each university also provide optional training on communications skills, effective teaching, technology, and personal development.

GradProSkills – Concordia University

Concordia’s Graduate & Professional Skills program offers free professional development workshops and resources specificallly designed for graduate students in a range of areas.

Les SAISONS des ESP – U de M

At the Université de Montréal, les SAISONS des ESP offers a professional development program focussing on skills that can be transferred across of variety of careers, in universities as well as in the private, public, and non-profit sectors.

Services de la vie étudiante – UQÀM

At the Université du Québec à Montréal, additional training is offered through the office of Services for Student Life.

Advanced doctoral students may be hired to design and deliver undergraduate art history courses. Students gain experience of all aspects of the teaching experience: developing pedagogical strategies, preparing lectures and course materials, devising and marking assessments, and guiding students.

Concordia University

Doctoral students may be considered for teaching positions after their thesis proposals and comprehensive examinations are finished.  The recommendation of your supervisor and the Graduate Seminar in University Teaching are prerequisites.  Please discuss teaching possibilities with your supervisor by early November, for the following year. Students are allowed to teach a maximum of eight 3-credit courses over a period of four consecutive years, beginning from the first term of teaching. You must present your syllabus to your supervisor for feedback and approval well before the beginning of term.

Université de Montréal


All positions are posted by the department and interested students are required to complete an application form. Part-time teachers (chargé.e.s de cours) are members of the Syndicat des étudiant.e.s salarié.e.s de l’Université de Montréal (SESUM). 

Université Québec à Montréal

Doctoral candidates who have completed their comprehensive examinations may be assigned undergraduate teaching.