Associate Lecturer

Job Summary

To deliver teaching to Birkbeck students, in order to enable them to complete their studies successfully and to undertake scholarship to maintain knowledge of the appropriate subject area(s) within the oversight of Research & Teaching Colleagues. To undertake all related course administrative duties as required.

Main Duties

Teaching and learning support

• Teach as a member of a teaching team, within a predefined programme of study, in a variety of settings from small group tutorials to large lectures;
• Supervise the work of students including projects, field trips and where appropriate, dissertations and/or placements; Communicate knowledge, foster understanding and transfer expertise in the form of practical skills, methods and techniques, provide advice on study skills, and help with learning problems;
• Encourage critical thinking, foster debate, and develop the ability of students to engage in critical discourse and rational thinking;
• Develop teaching materials, methods and approaches that ensure that content, methods of delivery and learning materials meet defined learning objectives;
• Use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students;
• Ensure that the teaching content and methods of delivery are in accordance with equal opportunities, and respond to issues relating to student needs;
• Identify students’ learning needs and define appropriate learning objectives;
• Work to ensure and facilitate student participation in assessment and completion of modules;
• Set, mark, and assess work and examinations, as required, and provide feedback to students;
• Undertake relevant administrative duties and paperwork to ensure key records are maintained including the submission of the appropriate student assessment records and other related documentation;
• Contribute to the content of handbooks, websites, brochures and other marketing/publicity material and activities;
• Identify areas where current provision may be in need of revision or improvement and make proposals for updates to content and materials.
• Contribute to the development, planning and design of new programmes of study, as appropriate.

Scholarship

• Reflect on practice and the development of own teaching and learning skills;
• Seek ways of improving personal performance by reflection on teaching design and delivery, and by obtaining and analysing feedback from students, peers and senior colleagues;
• Develop the skills of applying appropriate approaches to teaching;
• Engage in the scholarship and or professional development necessary to ensure up-to-date knowledge of the subject area(s);
• Develop learning materials to disseminate the results of scholarly activity/ professional development.
• Participate in appropriate staff development activities, such as induction and other training programmes and meetings as required.

Communication

• Deal with routine communications using a range of media;
• Communicate complex information, and material of a specialist or highly technical nature, orally, in writing and electronically e.g. a virtual learning environment.
• 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;
• Liaison with appropriate Research & Teaching colleagues on all matters regarding curriculum, teaching and learning. Where appropriate Research & Teaching staff will, in consultation with Professional & Support colleagues, provide the necessary guidance, direction and leadership on those aspects of the work;
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify and respond to students’ needs;
• Collaborate with Research & Teaching colleagues on course development, curriculum changes and the development of scholarly activities;
• Build internal contacts and participate in internal networks for the exchange of information and to form relationships for future collaboration;
• Oversee certificate, undergraduate and postgraduate students;
• Attend and contribute to subject group meetings;
• Join or participate in professional bodies as appropriate.
• Student support & pastoral care
• Respond sensitively and respectfully to issues concerning students and provide support and appropriate referral;
• Act as a mentor for students in the capacity of personal tutor, giving first line support;

Dimensions

Problem solving and impact

• Use initiative, creativity and judgement in applying appropriate approaches to teaching and learning- support and scholarly activities;
• Respond to pedagogical and practical challenges;
• Contribute to the decision making process in how to deliver modules and student assessment;
• Contribute to collaborative decision making with colleagues on academic content and on the assessment of students’ work.

Resource management

• Co-operate with others (both Professional & Support and Research & Teaching colleagues) to ensure student needs and expectations are met;
• Use teaching resources, laboratories and workshops as appropriate;
• Plan and manage own teaching and tutorials as agreed with Research & Teaching line manager.

Working environment

• Manage the competing priorities of teaching, scholarship, knowledge transfer, administration and other deadlines, with help from line manager(s) and peers;
• Understand and manage the risks in the work environment and their potential impact on own work and that of others;

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 andsafety 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 Payment is based on an hourly rate depending on length of continuous service with the College for contact hours worked. This hourly rate is based on the starting point of Grade 7 and is inclusive of a ‘Duties Related to Teaching Multiplier’ at 2 which covers preparation, teaching, administration and other examining.

How to Apply

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.