If you have passion for teaching and possess vast knowledge of computer science, particularly in areas such as Software Architectures, Operating Systems, Parallel and Distributed Systems, Databases, or Programming Languages, the University of Derby would like to hear from you.
The University of Derby is a modern, innovative education provider that achieved its University status in 1992. We have since become a university of first choice for students who want a caring aspirational environment where they can equip themselves for the career they choose.
Over the past 10 years we have made a significant investment in world-class facilities, designed to give our students the very best learning environment. We have more investment planned and continue to develop teaching to be innovative, stimulating and engaging. Our investments include: £12 million STEM Centre – including facilities for mechanical testing, a smart factory, and a hemi-anechoic chamber, State-of-the-art £10.8 million sports centre, Forensic Training, Facility with a dedicated crime scene house and Industry-standard Bloomberg Financial Markets Lab.
Financially strong, our future aspirations are built around the skills, energy and enthusiasm of our academic and professional teams. They work closely together to find creative ways to position Derby as a university of first choice.
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equality, diversity, and inclusion. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.
Position: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Computer Science
Salary: £37,099 – £54,395
Job Type: Full Time
Location: Markeaton Street, Derby Campus, UK.
About the Role
This is an exciting time in Computing at the University of Derby. Building on recent REF success, we are investing in, and growing a number of key areas. This includes the £13m Institute of Technology that opened in 2023, expanding our Data Sciences Research Centre, and further growing our areas of expertise in Internet of Things, Information Technology, Software Engineering, Data Sciences, Cyber Security, Computer Games & Immersive Technologies.
To support this expansion we are investing in an appointment at Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level in Computer Science. The successful candidate will have interests in areas such as Software Architectures, Operating Systems, Parallel and Distributed Systems, Databases, or Programming Languages.
As a Lecturer, you will have potential to deliver a high quality student focussed student experience, a growing reputation and record of excellence which demonstrates an emerging contribution to the furtherance of knowledge in your discipline, potential to grow this reputation with the production of high quality publications, and potential to attract external research funding. As a Senior Lecturer, you will be able to evidence the progression, development, and impact of this contribution both in teaching, and in research.
The Discipline of Computing and Mathematics sits at the leading edge of research and innovation, with a strong academic reputation in undergraduate and postgraduate education, research, and knowledge transfer. The Discipline delivers a range of programmes including undergraduate degrees in Computer Science, Cyber Security, Computer Games, Information Technology, and Data Science. Postgraduate degrees include Data Science, Cyber Security, and Information Technology. We offer traditional campus-based programmes at our modern campus in the heart of Derby – one of the historic industrial heartlands in the Midlands. In addition to this we also offer on-line programmes. Many of our colleagues are active in research and have international profiles, maintaining close links with industry regionally, national, and internationally.
The role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
Main Duties
Learning / Teaching
- Lead on, or contribute to the leadership within, the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes.
- Teach and facilitate learning on core and optional modules relating to the academic discipline.
- Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
- Contribute to the development of learning and teaching strategies and ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
- Undertake relevant module leadership responsibilities and take on other programme-related work that may include marketing, recruitment, and learning and teaching development.
- Supervise student projects at undergraduate / postgraduate levels.
- Develop innovative approaches to learning and teaching, such as blended or online, to encourage student centred learning.
- Ensure effective monitoring of student progress and provide advice and guidance to staff and students as appropriate.
Research / Scholarship
- Take the lead on, plan, develop and conduct research objectives, projects and proposals within the broader programme. Deliver research outcomes that will contribute to the REF.
- Acquire, analyse, interpret and evaluate research findings / data using approaches, techniques, models and methods selected or developed for the purpose.
- Manage the application of a range of methodologies, approaches and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued. Where appropriate investigate and devise research methods and approaches.
- Generate income by developing and winning support for innovative research proposals and funding bids, working where appropriate within Research Centres and Colleges.
- Disseminate and explain research findings through leading peer-reviewed national publications (and international where appropriate), conferences and other appropriate media.
- Ensure adherence to ethical standards in the projects for which the role holder are responsible.
- Monitor research resources such as budget, materials and equipment.
- Provide mentoring and guidance to colleagues and co-ordinate the work of research and support staff.
- Take a leading role in the development and delivery of business engagement activities, developing entrepreneurial links with external organisations.
- Identify own professional needs and undertake appropriate training and staff development.
Other
- Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate
- Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
- Liaise with international partners as required on existing and future collaborations.
- Contribute to new initiatives at appropriate levels.
- Build on existing research networks, furthering contacts with external organisations such as funding bodies.
- Actively seek out and develop opportunities for interdisciplinary research both across the University and externally.
- Observe and implement University policies and procedures.
Qualifications
- Good Honours Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent
- Senior Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards (within 24 months)
- PhD or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement
- Subject specific qualifications / knowledge
- Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education or equivalent qualification
Experience: Learning / Teaching
- Demonstrable experience of delivering effective learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education (HE) to undergraduate and postgraduate students
- Demonstrable experience of successful curriculum development
- Demonstrable experience of effectively designing and implementing a range of formative and summative assessments for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
- Demonstrable experience of excellent teaching identified by peer review
- Experience of quality assurance and validation of HE modules/ programmes
- Demonstrable experience of module and programme leadership
- Experience of supervising undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students, providing training and some teaching as appropriate
Research / Scholarship
- Experience and achievement in the academic discipline, reflected in growing and consistent national reputation
- Evidence of publishing in high quality (“REF able”) journals or other outputs in research or practice
- Experience and demonstrable knowledge / expertise in research methodologies appropriate to the academic discipline
Skills, knowledge & abilities
- An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which enhance student learning
- Ability to communicate with clarity on complex and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding as well as to peers, using high level skills and a range of media
- Excellent ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, internally and externally
- A high level ability to think critically and promote innovation and creativity
- Ability to devise, advise on and manage research programmes
- Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values
- Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE
- Committed to continual enhancement and a high quality student experience
- Promotes a high performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality
- A sound knowledge of the QAA Quality Code and HEFCE’s Operating Model for Quality Assurance
- A sound knowledge of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience
- A sound knowledge of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
- A sound knowledge of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum
Business requirements
- Able to take a flexible approach to work
- Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
- Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
- Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
- A commitment to own professional development
Benefits
- As well as competitive salaries, we appreciate the importance of a healthy work/life balance and are therefore able to offer a benefits package that includes generous holiday entitlements and fantastic retirement provisions.
- Those in academic roles receive 35 days annual leave per year, middle and senior management receive 30 days and all other roles including technical, administrative and supervisory receive 26 days. On top of this, all staff also receive bank holidays and 4 University days around Christmas and Easter.
- All eligible staff can join a defined benefit pension (Teacher’s Pension Scheme for academics and Local Government Pension Scheme for all other eligible staff), this provides you with a retirement income based on your salary and the number of years you’ve worked for the university. This pension scheme pays you a secure income for life, which increases each year and provides life cover.
- Visa Sponsorship is available
Application Process
Interested and qualified candidates should kindly CLICK HERE to learn more and commence their application.
Application Deadline
April 21, 2024