Assistant Professor at University of Birmingham, UAE
Job Description
Position Details
College of Life and Environmental Sciences
Discipline: Biosciences
University of Birmingham, Dubai campus
Salary: Competitive
Grade 8
Full time
Location: Dubai, UAE
Closing date: 12th April 2023
Academic Development Programme – new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.
Role Summary
The post-holder joins the School of Biosciences in Dubai on an appointment that offers an exciting opportunity to inspire and support research-based, future-focused teaching in an ambitious, cross-disciplinary way. The post-holder will be part of the team establishing a new educational offering in this rapidly developing international education hub in Dubai.
The School of Biosciences is part of the College of Life and Environmental Sciences alongside the Schools of Psychology, Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences, and Sport, Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. Following the success of our Masters programme in Microbiology and Infection at Edgbaston, we are now launching a MSc Microbiology and Infection programme at the Dubai campus starting September 2023. The MSc Microbiology and Infection course (first intake in 2023-24) will be the first to enable students to develop a sound theoretical background and hands-on laboratory experience in leading-edge microbiology, specialist knowledge and insight in key aspects of infectious disease. This newly appointed member to our faculty will lead on the delivery and ongoing development of this programme and will enhance our research-led education agenda, as well as engage with both internal and external stakeholders to facilitate a fresh, relevant and exciting educational offering.
The Assistant Professor (Education) in Microbial Sciences is a leadership role, and one supporting the Programme Director for MSC Microbiology and Infection, within a team of other key players , who deliver a range of UG and PGT programmes and pathways within the School of Biosciences. The appointee will be expected to have expertise to deliver diverse microbiology topics in the context of infection, including diseases caused by bacteria, protozoa, fungi and viruses, and bring their understanding and awareness of the latest research in this field to the position. They are also expected to work closely with the teams working on other cross-college and cross-university integrated programmes.
The appointee will develop a sense of community for these students, including the development and management of the tutorial system and research projects. Education-focussed role-holders should advance the practice of teaching within their area, take a role in leading curriculum development across the institution, and play an important role in student academic support. They should also deliver excellent teaching that both inspires students and other academics and is informed by disciplinary-based research.
Specifically, the appointee will:
- Manage and develop (Including programme/module review) the MSc microbiology and Infection programme, including open days.
- Contribute to the delivery of teaching and assessment across all levels on the MSc Microbiology and Infection programme and be able to teach in an area of microbial sciences and infection relevant to the course.
- Contribute to academic citizenship.
- Enhance student experience and employability.
- Demonstrate a significant contribution to the advancement of teaching pedagogy and practice in relevant fields.
The post-holder will contribute to a range of education-related activities. In addition you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship , developing and maintaining mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.
Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to:
- the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment at all levels; and
- enhancement of the student experience and employability.
The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including:
- providing expert advice to staff and students, and
- developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.
You will be expected to advance teaching and learning practice in your modules within the school, take a role in leading curriculum development, and play an important role in student academic and pastoral support. You will deliver excellent teaching that inspires students, and is informed by discipline-based research.
Management and administration is likely to 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.
Please note that this post is based at our University of Birmingham Dubai campus and will require teaching in the evenings and weekends to suit the part time needs of the students.
Main Duties
Education
You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities:
- undertaking own teaching in a field allied to microbiology and infection which will include teaching and examining courses at a range of levels, planning and reviewing own teaching approaches, developing module and programme proposals, supervision, marking and examining. You will ensure that your teaching practice is informed by discipline-based research, through participating in the research culture of the School
- contribute to leading curriculum development and/or renewal;
- make a significant contribution to the pedagogical knowledge base of the subject that advances the development and management of approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution;
- advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment;
- advance the practice of teaching in their modules and within the school, and play an important role in student academic support;
- inform your teaching practice by discipline based research;
- frequently update your subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes;
- you may play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students; and co-supervise doctoral students to completion.
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;
- planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
- designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
- working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
- using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
- 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.
Management/Administrations
To contribute to Departmental /School administration. This may include:
- contributing to the administration/management of teaching across the Department/School;
- where appropriate, 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 contribution to 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;
- promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.
- supporting the development of the Dubai campus including ensuring quality assurance processes supporting the Dubai Head of Quality Assurance
Citizenship
Contributing to an inclusive working environment:
- pursuing your activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently;
- demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
- demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice;
- willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
- positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
- proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.
Person Specification
- A PhD degree relevant to the discipline area.
- Extensive teaching experience and scholarship in a subject allied to the biological side of Microbiology and Infection at a range of levels that complements the teaching currently undertaken in the School of Biosciences.
- Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
- Skills in managing, motivating & mentoring others.
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 achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.
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.
- Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
- Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied.
Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.
Please note that this post is based at our University of Birmingham Dubai campus and will require teaching in the evenings and weekends to suit the part time needs of the students.
Further details relating to this position as well as our developing Dubai Campus can be found at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/dubai/work-with-us/index.aspx
For informal enquiries, please contact Dr Apoorva Bhatt (a.bhatt@bham.ac.uk), Edgbaston Campus and/or Dr Rogelio Levardo (r.m.levardojr@bham.ac.uk), Dubai campus.
Valuing excellence, sustaining investment
We value diversity and inclusion at the University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community and are open to discussions around all forms of flexible working .
See also: Best International Teaching Recruitment Agencies in Dubai
