Demonstrating to Undergraduate Students
Demonstrating is seen as a core part of postgraduate education in the Chemistry department and can help to build your CV.
What is Demonstrating?
As a Demonstrator, you will lead practical sessions for undergraduates. Your role is to guide students, ensuring they understand the techniques used as well as follow protocol and safety guidelines.
How do I arrange my Demonstrating?
Incoming Postgraduate Students starting in October 2025 - please complete the form below by Wednesday 17th September, to help us schedule this year's Demonstrating. Demonstrating for Incoming students 25/26 (Incoming 1st years)
Current students - Please complete the form below by Wednesday 17th September, to help us schedule this year's Demonstrating. Demonstrating for Academic Year 25/26 (Current students and Postdocs)
Who does it involve?
Demonstrating is a compulsory part of 1st and 2nd year PhD in the Chemistry Department. We would also encourage MPhils to get involved, but as your time is shorter, this needs to first be discussed with your supervisor. Demonstrating is also open to 3rd/4th year postgraduate students and postdoctoral researchers.
SynTech CDT students: Please note that demonstrating is optional for SynTech CDT students. Given the significant time commitment required for first year training, it’s entirely your responsibility to manage your time appropriately if you wish to demonstrate. Please bear in mind that CDT training takes priority over demonstrating and you are required to ensure that no clashes occur if you want to do it in your first year.
Additionally, Department values the contribution involved in Demonstrating and demonstrators will therefore receive payments for their time.
What if I am not an experimentalist?
We would expect theory students to do the computational practicals (Part 1B/Part II), but anyone who has a Chemistry undergraduate degree and feels confident in the lab can opt to do Part IA instead.
What if I don’t know what to do and what training will I receive?
Demonstrators will be fully supported by staff members and are given clear instructions as well as guidelines for your practical. If there is anything at all you are concerned about, please let us know and further support will be provided.
See below what specific support and training is available for each area.
