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Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Political Science and International Studies

Employer
University of Birmingham
Location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Salary
Competitive
Closing date
Apr 18, 2021
Position Details
  • Department of Political Science and International Studies (POLSIS)
  • School of Government
  • Full time starting salary is normally in the range £41,526 - £77,108 (Lecturer salary from £41,526 - £49,553 a year with potential progression (to £55,750 a year)). (Senior Lecturer salary from £51,034 - £59,135 a year with potential progression (to £77,108 a year)).
  • Grade 8/9
  • Full Time
  • Permanent


The ideal candidates will have a PhD in International Relations, Political Science or an allied field and be able to teach and supervise students at undergraduate and postgraduate level.

While the positions are open in terms of research area and methodology, we would be particularly pleased to consider applications from those working in the areas of Security; Representation, Accountability and Democracy; Race and Ethnicity; Gender; Data and Technology; and those with an empirical focus on South Asia or East Asia. Experience of distance-learning teaching would also be an advantage.

POLSIS is one of the largest Political Science and International Relations departments in the United Kingdom. It is home to more than 50 full-time academic staff, more than 1,200 undergraduate and taught postgraduate students, and more than 70 doctoral researchers. The department is intellectually vibrant with an excellent record in both research and teaching.

The candidate may develop their own stream of research and/or work with others in the Department and across the University, and will be expected to be produce world-leading research in terms of originality, significance and rigour.

We anticipate holding interviews in mid May and the interviews will be held virtually due to the ongoing pandemic.

For further information about POLSIS and the College, please click on this link

Job Description - Lecturer

Job Summary

You will contribute to the whole range of research, teaching and administration.

Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development (including programme/module review) and delivery of teaching and assessment; and (b) enhancement of the student experience or employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, (b) supervising and examining PhD students, and (c) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.

Research is likely to involve initiating, conducting and disseminating original research. Your research will have measurable outcomes reflect in your growing national (and possibly international) reputation.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (e.g. working groups) within the University. This may include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Learning and Teaching

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):
  • teaching and examining courses at a range of levels, on campus and via distance learning;
  • planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
  • developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
  • where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
  • developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
  • developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
  • devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work.


Research

Planning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):
  • planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;
  • project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;
  • presenting findings in high quality publications and conference proceedings;
  • supervising and examining PhD students, both within the institution and externally;
  • providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
  • applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
  • developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University.


Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration, including:
  • contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
  • leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
  • advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
  • making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
  • managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
  • developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach.


Person Specification
  • Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications
  • Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism
  • Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research
  • Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels


Teaching
  • Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes
  • Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, and advising colleagues
  • Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability


Research
  • Evidence of the potential to develop a world leading research profile, including working at a level judged to be 4* within the Research Excellence Framework
  • Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
  • Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
  • Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity


Management Administration
  • Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes
  • Ability to assess and organise resources effectively
  • Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
  • Desirable
  • Experience with Distance Learning


Job Description - Senior Lecturer

Job Summary

You will contribute at a senior level to the whole range of research, teaching and administration.

Teaching is likely to include: (a) development and leadership of major teaching programmes or equivalent; and (b) enhancement of the student experience or employability.

Research is likely to involve an established national and international reputation through significant original research work and a clear record of impact.

Management and administration is likely to include Departmental/School leadership and management activity with University wide involvement - for example through knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, and public engagement.

Main Duties

Learning and Teaching

Contributing at a senior level on a sustained basis in learning and teaching, including (as appropriate):
  • Teaching and examining at a range of levels;
  • Planning and reviewing own teaching approaches;
  • Developing programme proposals and make substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely in the Department or School, as appropriate;
  • Undertaking the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
  • Using appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, disseminating appropriate practices through suitable media;
  • Advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
  • Leading the development of new approaches to learning and teaching, underpinned by research and evaluation of teaching methods and systems;
  • Acting as adviser for teaching and learning methods through excellent practice and mentoring other colleagues;
  • Leading the design and/or co-ordination of programmes or equivalent activities across the School or Department;
  • Contributing to the development of teaching and learning policy, methods and standards, more widely than the School;
  • Contributing to debate nationally about policy, methods and practices through publications, conference activity and roles that advance quality in the discipline;
  • Leading the development and management of assessment strategies within the School/ Department;
  • Leading impact activity in knowledge transfer and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) that enhances the student experience and/or employability


Research

To pursue sustained research activity through original research and scholarship, including other research-related contributions through conference papers and presentations and/or consultancy projects and advice, including (as appropriate):
  • Contributing to the management of research activities and/or supervising other research staff;
  • Leading successful funding bids;
  • Publishing world-leading research that results in a sustained, highly respected reputation of international quality;
  • Supervising and examining PhD students, both within the institution and externally;
  • Providing expert advice internally and externally;
  • Peer reviewing articles for peer reviewed academic journals and grant applications by research councils and/or other major funding bodies;
  • Leading sustained impact activity including public engagement and makes a significant contribution to policy development at a national and international level.


Management/Administration

To chair and/or lead activities in the Department/ School and representation on University committees or working groups. This is likely to include some of the following:
  • Contributing to the administration/ management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
  • Leading or project managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
  • Advising on personal development of staff and students;
  • Making a sustained contribution to widening participation, schools outreach and/or public understanding of the discipline;
  • Contributing to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
  • Developing and managing staff and resources in support of major research and/ or teaching activities;
  • Contributing to the development of the Department/School/PAU's research strategy and/or learning and teaching strategy;
  • Contributing significantly to the development and delivery of knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement and public engagement activities.


Management/Administration

To chair and/or lead activities in the Department/ School and representation on University committees or working groups. This is likely to include some of the following:
  • Contributing to the administration/ management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
  • Leading or project managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
  • Advising on personal development of staff and students;
  • Making a sustained contribution to widening participation, schools outreach and/or public understanding of the discipline;
  • Contributing to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
  • Developing and managing staff and resources in support of major research and/ or teaching activities;
  • Contributing to the development of the Department/School/PAU's research strategy and/or learning and teaching strategy;
  • Contributing significantly to the development and delivery of knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement and public engagement activities.


Person Specification
  • Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications
  • Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism
  • Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research
  • Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels


Teaching

An excellent teaching profile and performance, informed by an appropriate level of scholarship, including:
  • A high national reputation for the development of teaching and learning excellence within the discipline;
  • Successful and sustained use of a range of appropriate teaching methods, and assessment strategies that promote high quality learning, including learning that is flexible, distinctive and current and stimulates learners' natural curiosity;
  • Significant and sustained contribution to one or more of the following: strategic development of new programmes; approaches to learning; the development of learning resources;
  • High quality and sustained contributions to fostering excellence in teaching activities more widely, i.e. in the Department/School or College and/or externally;
  • Track record of substantial and sustained high value impact on the enhancement of the student experience, and/or employability;
  • Mentoring and expert advice which develops the skills of colleagues in teaching and in fostering learning.


Research

An excellent national reputation and a developing international profile through significant original research work and .a clear record of impact, including (as appropriate):
  • High level peer esteem as evidenced by excellent reputation in the UK and often internationally, reflected in sustained high quality output, level of innovation, impact on subject and recognition
  • An excellent and sustained record of peer reviewed research publications;
  • Successful and sustained supervision of doctoral students to completion;
  • Substantial and sustained research income generation, e.g. through research grants etc;
  • Sustained high value impact knowledge transfer and enterprise.


Management and Administration

Demonstrated significant achievement in management, including:

Successful and sustained performance in significant administrative/managerial role(s) e.g. exams officer)

Significant and sustained high-quality innovative contributions to the management/ administration of the Department/School/ College or University;

Successful and sustained contribution to the corporate life of the School/College/ University, displaying willingness to contribute actively to committees, collaborative teaching and administrative tasks.

Desirable

Experience with Distance Learning

Informal enquiries are welcome - please contact Professor René Lindstädt, Head of the School of Government ( R.Lindstaedt@bham.ac.uk ), Dr Richard North, Head of POLSIS ( r.north.2@bham.ac.uk ) or Dr Julie Gilson ( j.a.gilson@bham.ac.uk ), Deputy Head of POLSIS.

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community'

Valuing excellence; sustaining investment

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