Job Descrption
Job Summary
To deliver a programme of teaching to Birkbeck students, in order to enable them to complete their studies successfully, and to contribute to research to extend knowledge of the appropriate subject area.
Main Duties
Teaching and learning
• To teach as a member of a teaching team in a developing capacity within an established programme of study, with the assistance of a mentor if required.
• To teach in a developing capacity in a variety of settings from small group tutorials to large lectures.
• To transfer knowledge including practical skills, methods and techniques.
• To use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students.
• To identify learning needs of students and define appropriate learning objectives.
• To ensure that content, methods of delivery and learning materials will meet the defined learning objectives.
• To develop own teaching materials, methods and approaches with guidance
• To develop the skills of applying appropriate approaches to... teaching.
• To challenge thinking, foster debate and develop the ability of students to engage in critical discourse and rational thinking.
• To supervise the work of students, including field trips where appropriate, provide advice on study skills, and help them with learning problems.
• To recognise areas where current provision may be in need of revision or improvement.
• To set, mark, and assess work and examinations and provide constructive feedback to students.
• To seek ways of improving performance by reflecting on teaching design and delivery, and obtaining and analysing feedback from students, the line manager, and peers.
• To ensure that the teaching content and methods of delivery are in accordance with equal opportunities, and respond to issues relating to student needs.
Research
• To develop research objectives and proposals for individual or joint research, with the assistance of a mentor if required.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects.
• To write up research work for publication.
• To seek practical application of research findings.
• To make presentations at conferences and/or exhibit work in other appropriate events.
• To identify sources of funding and contribute to the process of securing funds.
• To update knowledge and understanding in field or specialism.
• To translate knowledge of advances in the subject area into the course of study.
Communication
• To deal with routine communications using a range of media.
• To communicate complex information, and material of a specialist or highly technical nature, orally, in writing and electronically.
• To prepare and submit proposals and applications to external bodies, e.g. for funding and accreditation purposes.
• The above list of duties is not exhaustive and is subject to change. The post holder may be required to undertake other duties within the scope and grading of this post
Working Relationships & Contacts
People management and team working
• Regular contact and liaison with students to teach and provide support.
• To collaborate with colleagues to identify and respond to students’ needs.
• To collaborate with academic colleagues on course development, curriculum changes and the development of research activity.
• To build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration.
• To join external networks to share information and ideas.
• To oversee postgraduate students where required.
• To attend and contribute to subject group meetings.
• To manage own teaching, research and administrative activities, with guidance if required.
Student counselling
• To use listening, interpersonal and pastoral care skills to deal with sensitive issues concerning students and provide support.
• To act as a mentor for students in the capacity of personal tutor, giving first line support.
• To refer students to alternative sources and services for providing further help as appropriate.
Dimensions
Problem solving and impact
• To develop initiative, creativity and judgement in applying appropriate approaches to teaching and learning support and research activities.
• To respond to pedagogical and practical challenges
• To share responsibility in deciding how to deliver modules and assess students.
• To contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues on academic content, and on the assessment of students’ work.
Resource management
• To co-operate with others (such as support staff or academic colleagues) to ensure student needs and expectations are met.
• To use teaching and research resources, laboratories and workshops as appropriate.
• To plan and manage own teaching and tutorials as agreed with mentor.
Working environment
• To balance the competing pressures of teaching, scholarship, research, knowledge transfer, administrative demands and deadlines, with help from the line manager and peers.
• To be aware of the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on their own work and that of others.
• To develop familiarity with a variety of strategies to promote and assess learning.
• To understand and apply the principles of equality of opportunity in an academic context.
• To engage in continuous professional development.
General Responsibilities
(These are universal to all Birkbeck roles)
• To adhere to the College’s Equal Opportunities policy in all activities, and to actively promote equality of opportunity wherever possible.
• To be responsible for your own health and safety and that of your colleagues, in accordance with the Health and Safety at Work Act (1974) and relevant EC directives.
• To work in accordance with Birkbeck’s data protection policies, and relevant current data protection legislation.
• To undertake such other duties as may be reasonably expected.
Salary:
The salary quoted is on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated Weighting / Allowance which applies only to staff whose normal contractual place of work is in the Greater London area
Benefits
Birkbeck has a number of benefits which includes, but is not limited to:
• 25 days annual leave per annum, plus an additional six days when the College is closed during the spring and winter breaks.
• This is in addition to the eight bank holidays.
• Defined benefit pension scheme
• Flexible working
• Season ticket loan
• Study assistance scheme
• The above list is not exhaustive, please visit the benefit section here for more information and a list of other benefits.
How to Apply
To apply for this position please go to our online recruitment portal and search for reference 519. Please ensure your application includes full details of your employment history, education and qualifications, and recent development. For some roles, this will be collected in the application form, for others you will be asked to include this in a professional CV which can be uploaded. All applicants are asked to provide a statement on their suitability for the role. This is a key piece of information which will help us determine your suitability for the role, so please:
• Align your skills and experience with both the job description and person specification.
• Be specific about projects you’ve worked on or managed. What was the outcome? How did you measure success?
• If you've had a leadership role, tell us about it. How big was the team? What was the scope of your work?
• If you're a recent graduate or have limited work experience, reference projects or coursework that demonstrate relevant skills and knowledge.
• Keep it short; the application form or the CV should contain all the additional information that we need during the selection process. In addition to your application statement you may be asked to answer specific questions in areas that we consider essential to the role
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