Senior Lecturer in Molecular Biology (Education and Scholarship)

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY

This part-time (0.6 FTE) permanent post is available immediately in the Department of Biosciences.

Biosciences

Biosciences at the University of Exeter is continuing its expansion as a world-class centre for research, teaching and training that provides a stimulating and inspirational environment which brings out the very best in our staff and students (https://biosciences.exeter.ac.uk). We are a strong, 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 largest campus in Exeter, Devon; one of the most beautiful areas of the UK.

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 0.6FTE Senior Lecturer in Biology (Education and Scholarship) who will, at the outset, take on a significant Education-facing leadership role in the Department – the Director of Undergraduate Studies. You will therefore be a central member of the education leadership team of the Department with responsibility for managing and monitoring our core undergraduate programmes in Biological Sciences, Biochemistry and Biological and Medicinal Chemistry, and our shared programmes in Medical Sciences and Human Biosciences. You will oversee their operational administration, curriculum development, and quality management and enhancement (including accreditation by relevant professional institutions where appropriate). You will work with the Faculty Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Education) and Departmental Directors of Education and Student Experience to ensure the efficient and effective delivery of undergraduate taught programmes in accord with the education strategy. Alongside this education leadership role, you will have responsibility for the design, development, production and delivery of teaching and learning material across a range of undergraduate modules in areas including microbiology and molecular biology. Official leadership roles in the Department last 3-5 years, in agreement with the postholder, after which time the expectation is that you will remain as Director of Undergraduate Studies or take on another significant leadership role, either in the Department or wider Faculty or University.

About you

For a Senior Lecturer post you will:

• Have an understanding of the importance of equality and diversity within an organisation and a commitment to helping create an inclusive learning community.
• Possess a depth or breadth of specialist knowledge in molecular biology and/or microbiology (demonstrated by a PhD in a relevant subject area, or equivalent) in order to teach and support learning across our core and shared degree programmes.
• Possess in-depth understanding of pedagogical practice, including the implementation of practice-based and technology-enhanced learning.
• Have experience in educational leadership, curriculum development and quality management and enhancement in an HE environment.
• Participate in and develop external networks, for example, to contribute to student recruitment, student placements and outreach work;
• Be able to identify potential sources of funding to support and develop educational practices.
• Be a strategic thinker.

• Have a consistent track record of excellent teaching across a variety of modules and levels within your discipline as might be expected of a very experienced HE Teacher.
• Contribute to the design, development and delivery a range of modules or programmes at various levels; applying innovative and appropriate teaching techniques; identifying sources of funding and securing funds for own scholarly activities and providing academic leadership to those working within programme areas.
• Be expected to work towards Principle Fellow of the HEA and to attend formal CPD relating to this.

Please ensure you read the Job Description and Person Specification for full details of this role by clicking on the attachment.

What we can offer you:

• Freedom (and the support) to pursue your intellectual interests and to work creatively across disciplines;
• Support teams that understand the University wide teaching goals and partner with our academics accordingly;
• An Innovation, Impact and Business directorate that works closely with our academics providing specialist support for external engagement and development;

• Our Exeter Academic initiative supports high performing academics to achieve their potential and develop their career;
• A multitude of 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). We combine world-class teaching with world-class research, achieving a Gold rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework Award 2017.

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. 98% of our research is of international quality (2014 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.

Further information

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Alan Brown or Dr Katie Solomon, Co-Directors of Education and Student Experience (Biosciences), telephone (01392 725526 or 01392 725328) or email [email protected] .