Lecturer in Computing & Communications

Unit :  Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM)
Salary :  £45,585 to £54,395
Location :  Milton Keynes
Please quote reference :  21604
Permanent, Full Time
Closing Date :  8 May, 2024 - 12:00

Interview date: Wednesday 22nd May 2024

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs. We’d expect this to be approximately once per week.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The School of Computing and Communications is the largest school within the Faculty of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics. Its mission is to lead and shape the digital revolution through delivering innovative and dynamic teaching, that is relevant to the workplace, and is founded on world-class research and scholarship in computing and communications.

We offer a range of undergraduate degrees and modules in computing and communications, including foundation degrees and degrees with another subject. We also provide a range of specialist taught masters degrees and research degrees.

We have a wide range of research interests, with a common theme of effectively integrating technology into our lives, addressing real individual and social issues to enhance human experience.

The role

The Open University is seeking candidates with a strong background in web and mobile technologies.

We aim to appoint inspiring and innovative teachers and scholars, who enjoy developing novel approaches to teaching and research, and are effective in working collaboratively with colleagues.

Since its inception, The Open University (OU) has focused on innovation in teaching and learning, with a track record of providing inspiring, world-leading programmes of higher education for students who learn at a distance. Building on award-winning initiatives such as the OpenSTEM Labs and the Institute of Coding, the University is committed to delivering the highest quality teaching, together with excellent research. We provide rewarding academic career paths that are focused on world-class teaching, research, and knowledge exchange.

We welcome applicants from a range of backgrounds, including professionals from academia and industry. Applicants will be considered based on their track record in research, teaching and academic leadership. In line with our commitment to the Athena SWAN initiative and the Race Equality Charter, we welcome and support all applicants equally.

The postholder will have the following Key Responsibilities:

Teaching

• Actively contribute to the design and teaching of a high-quality distance learning curriculum in web and mobile technologies at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Be an active member of the School of Computing & Communications to help deliver academic excellence by:
  • developing innovative and effective teaching approaches, drawing upon educational scholarship and industry best practice as appropriate
  • developing novel models for assessing practical competencies as well as domain knowledge
  • promoting employability and career progression for our students.

Research, scholarship and knowledge exchange

• Pursue high quality research in web and mobile technologies or a related area (including supervising research students)
• Enhance our links with industry to enable teaching and research collaborations and knowledge exchange
• Attract external income to the School
• Contribute to the vibrant scholarship environment in the School.

General

• Act as an ambassador, both internally and externally, for the academic excellence of the School, Faculty and University.
• Take responsibility for administrative and/or other academic duties as required by the Head of School.
• Contribute to the outreach activities of the School, Faculty and University.

Skills and experience

Essential:

• A PhD, or substantial experience, in a relevant area
• Ability to contribute to the distance teaching of web and mobile technologies.
• Expertise in web and mobile technologies with a good understanding of recent developments (commensurate with career stage).
• Ability to undertake high quality research and produce research/scholarly publications in a relevant subject (commensurate with career stage).

Desirable:

• Experience of producing distance/online learning materials and assessment materials.
• Experience of supporting students in a distance/online learning setting.
• Evidence of successful research student supervision.
• Relevant professional qualifications.

More information can be provided via a link to the Job Description .

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact Marian Cattermole at Resourcing Hub on 01908 655544 or [email protected]  quoting the reference VRF 21604

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. This includes thorough induction into the organisation and regular reviews of your training and development needs.

We also offer a great range of benefits that support our employees and their families for the long term. Staff Benefits include an attractive pension proposition and 33 days holiday per annum pro rata, plus Bank Holidays and Christmas closure days.

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the instructions on The OU Job’s page. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be received.

Access details for disabled applicants are available from the Resourcing Hub, telephone: 01908 655544, quoting the vacancy reference above.

To apply for this role please submit the following as one document;

• CV
• Personal statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the job and person specification.

Please save your document with the following file name as appropriate to the vacancy you are applying for: reference, surname, forename.

You will need to have your documents ready ahead of submitting the electronic application. Please click on the APPLY NOW button below to be redirected to our application page.

APPLY NOW

You will receive updates regarding your application from [email protected] . Please ensure this email address is added to your list of trusted senders so it does not go to your junk folder.

You can view your application communications on the Candidate portal .

Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

Email : [email protected]  

Job related information : 

Attachment	Size

Attachment	Size
Job Description Lecturer in Computing and Communications (Web Dev).docx	153.16 KB

• Academic Terms and conditions  (PDF)

• Academic Terms and conditions  (Word document)

Posting Date :  17 April, 2024 - 10:00