Summer School Assistant for Doshisha University Summer School Course
St Catharine's College is looking to recruit four Summer School Assistants to support with the annual Doshisha Summer School for students from Doshisha University in Kyoto, Japan. The course caters for Japanese students aged between 18 and 20 who come to our College to improve their English and enjoy the inspiring experience of living and studying here. As a Summer School Assistant, you will be welcoming visiting students on their arrival to the UK, helping them settle into their new surroundings, supporting them with their work, organising their social events and leading field trips. Our Summer School Assistants are vital to the success of the programme.
We are looking to recruit individuals who are organised, patient, imaginative, flexible and able to work effectively as part of a team. One of the main aims of the course is to improve participants’ spoken English, so interaction with the Summer School Assistants is particularly valued and vital in helping the students get the most out of their time with us. You will be required to live in College accommodation throughout the period of the three-week course.
Duties and responsibilities:
- To be the first point of contact for the students and will provide a friendly and accessible basic level of pastoral care throughout the course, escalating matters to the Lead Assistant or Conference Manager when appropriate.
- Ensure students attend daily classes and lectures as per the timetable.
- Organise and lead a daily schedule of varied activities in the afternoons, outside teaching periods and for the overnight trips to London and York.
- Be present and interact with the students as much as possible during mealtimes and Formal Halls.
- Accompany students on organised activities and for the weekend trips to London and York.
- Assist language teachers, if requested, with equipment testing and other appropriate tasks.
- The Lead Summer School Assistant will be responsible for coordinating the assistants, arranging specific activities, managing changes to rotas and acting as the main point of contact for the Head Teacher and Conference Manager.
We welcome applications from individuals who are current undergraduate students at the University of Cambridge.
Working arrangements and salary:
- The course will run from Sunday 9th August to Saturday 29th August 2026and involves two overnight trips to London and York.
- Normal weekly hours are expected to be:
- Monday - Thursday 8am- 1pm or 1pm-9pm (when the students are not in classes)
- Friday and Saturday you will be expected to work up to 10 hours each day to supervise overnight trips.
- Sunday 1pm -9pm (when the students have their own free time to explore Cambridge).
- The Summer School Assistant rate of pay is £12.71 per hour plus holiday pay.
- You will receive one free meal a day from the College canteen.
- College accommodation will be provided.
In addition, we are hoping to employ a Lead Summer School Assistant to help co-ordinate and supervise their peers. The rate of pay for this role will be £14.15 per hour, plus holiday pay.
Application process:
To apply, please submit a completed application form and send it along with a copy of your CV and a covering letter, outlining why you are interested in the position and what particular qualifications or attributes you would bring to the role.
If you are applying for the Lead Summer School Assistant post, please indicate this in your letter.
Please also complete and submit an Equality and Diversity monitoring form.
The closing date for applications is 9:00am Monday 20 April 2026
Informal interviews will be held w/c: 27th April
Please send applications to: Zoe Fardell, Conference Manager: conference.manager@caths.cam.ac.uk