Lecturer in Medical Mycology MRC-CMM (Education and Scholarship)

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

This new full-time post is immediately available on a permanent basis.

About the MRC CMM Centre

The Medical Research Council Centre for Medical Mycology (MRC CMM) is one of the most ambitious strategic investments in UK medical mycology.  The MRC CMM is a world-leading research centre that is helping to tackle the major global threats to human health caused by fungal diseases.  In fact, fungal infections now kill more people worldwide than malaria and similar numbers to tuberculosis. The MRC CMM integrates researchers from multiple fields of expertise to increase our understanding of fungal pathogens and cognate immune defences, and to identify new ways to diagnose, prevent and treat fungal diseases. A major activity of the MRC CMM is to increase UK capacity in fundamental and clinical research in medical mycology through research and training programmes for medical and biosciences students and early career researchers.  The Centre has established strategic interactions with other national and international groups and is promoting public engagement and understanding of our science.

The MRC CMM is located within biosciences at the University of Exeter. Biosciences is continuing its expansion as a world-class centre for research, teaching and training that provides a stimulating and inspirational environment that brings out the very best in our staff and students (biosciences.exeter.ac.uk). We are a strong and strategically smart academic community, combining ground-breaking studies and the pursuit of knowledge with high-quality teaching, reinforced by state-of-the-art facilities, and excellent academic support. We are located on the University’s campuses in Exeter, Devon in one of the most beautiful areas of the UK. This current position will be recruited into our Exeter Faculty located on our Streatham campus.

Our 70+ Faculty cover all aspects of biological and chemical sciences, and are situated over four closely and, in most cases, physically-linked buildings; the Geoffrey Pope Building, the Hatherly Building, the Living Systems Institute and the BioEconomy Centre. We provide an inspirational, demanding and rewarding learning experience, teaching undergraduates in a broad, yet deep, Biological Sciences degree programme, in addition to our more focused Biochemistry and Biological and Medicinal Chemistry degree programmes (exeter.ac.uk/undergraduate/degrees/biosciences). We also contribute to programmes jointly run with other Departments and Colleges, such as the Medical Sciences, Human Biosciences and Natural Sciences degree programmes. We have a vibrant postgraduate research community comprised of over 150 research students who, together with ~100 early career researchers, and our professional and technical service colleagues, makes our community a diverse and considerate environment in which individuals can realise their full potential.

The role

We are seeking to appoint a full-time permanent Lecturer in Medical Mycology (Education and Scholarship) with a focus on the co-ordination and delivery of modules in medical mycology and when required areas relating to core skills training, cell biology, microbiology, and immunology. The post will include the preparation and delivery of lectures and tutorials to students on a range of topics related to medical mycology and the microbiology of infectious disease. The candidate will also assist with the management of a fully online MSc programme in Medical Mycology – with support from the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology. The post holder will be responsible for organising, supervising and assessing a range of undergraduate practical classes linked to core skills training (particularly in aspects of molecular biology, cellular biology and microbiology), and other duties as required by the Head of Training for the MRC-CMM, MRC CMM directorate and the Director of Education in Biosciences.

The successful applicant will possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist and core knowledge in the discipline (demonstrated by a PhD or equivalent in a relevant subject area) to develop and lead teaching programmes, and teach and support learning in these academic areas. They will use a range of delivery techniques to enthuse and engage students, and will work as a member of the biosciences education team and the MRC Centre for Medical Mycology as required to develop and implement student-focused initiatives to support student experience and success.

About you

For a Lecturer post you will:

• Possess sufficient breadth or depth of specialist and core knowledge in the discipline, demonstrated by a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant subject area eg Mycology, Medical Mycology, Microbiology, Cell Biology;
• Have evidence of excellent teaching, and experience of a range of delivery techniques to enthuse and engage students;
• Plan, develop and produce teaching and learning material within the subject area;
• Set, mark and assess work and examinations, and provide constructive feedback to students;
• Participate in and develop external networks, for example, to contribute to student recruitment, student placements and outreach work;
• Be expected to work towards Fellow of the HEA status and to attend formal CPD relating to this.

Please ensure you read our Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role.

What we can offer you:

• A friendly and caring work environment, with the vision, leadership and support to maximise your career potential;
• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
• Our Exeter Academic initiative, supporting academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• 41 days leave per year;
• Options for flexible working;
• Onsite gyms and sports facilities, and a cycle-to-work scheme;
• A multitude of other staff benefits including sector-leading benefits around maternity, adoption and shared parental leave (up to 26 weeks full pay), Paternity leave (up to 6 weeks full pay), and a new Fertility Treatment Policy;
• A beautiful campus set in the heart of stunning Devon.

The University of Exeter

We are a member of the prestigious Russell Group of research-intensive universities and in the top 150 universities in the world (Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2022 and QS World University Ranking 2022).  

Our research income in recent years means we’re the fastest growing UK Research University with some of the world’s most influential scientists, and we seek to answer some of the most fundamental issues facing humankind today through this. More than 99% of our research is of international quality and our world-leading research impact is growing faster than any other Russell Group university (2021 Research Excellence Framework). We encourage proactive engagement with industry, business and community partners to enhance the impact of research and education and improve the employability of our students. Read about our world leading research – Green Futures and how we are transforming education for a changing world. We are located in a beautiful part of the country and Exeter (a fast growing tech hub) is one of only a few UK cities to have been designated as a UNESCO Creative City .

Our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Commitment

With over 27,000 students and 6,400 staff from 180 different countries we offer a diverse and engaging environment where our diversity is celebrated and valued as a major strength. We are committed to creating an inclusive culture where all members of our community are supported to thrive; where diverse voices are heard through our engagement with evidence-based charter frameworks for gender (Athena SWAN), race equality (Race Equality Charter Mark), LGBTQ+ inclusion (Stonewall Diversity Champion) and as a Disability Confident employer. Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented within our working community. Reasonable adjustments are available for interviews and workplaces.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Prof. Mark Ramsdale, Head of Training in the MRC CMM (email [email protected] ).

The closing date for applications is 3 May 2023. Interviews are expected to take place by the end of May 2023