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Assistant Professor in Psychology & Education

Employer
Durham University
Location
Durham, United Kingdom (GB)
Salary
Salary Commensurate with Experience
Date posted
Feb 7, 2023

 

Job title:                                 Assistant Professor in Psychology & Education  

Vacancy reference:                23000110

Department:                           Education

Responsible to:                     Head of Department 

Salary Range:                        Grade 7 £35,333 - £42,155 per annum  

                                                 Grade 8 £43,414 - £51,805 per annum  

 

Working arrangements:       The role is full-time, but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares 

Open date: 

Closing date:                           

Preferred start date:             Successful candidates will ideally be in post by 1st September 2023 

 

Working at Durham University  

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career while enjoying a high-quality work/life balance. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.  

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Durham? information page. 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following Total Rewards – Grade 7 and Grade 8.   

The School

The School of Education at Durham University is one of the very best in the country and beyond.

The School represents an environment that is conducive to producing research of world-leading quality and enabling outstanding impact, in terms of its vitality and sustainability. This is evidenced by the fact that, for instance, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF 2021), 86.7% of the publications produced by colleagues at the School of Education was considered world leading or internationally excellent in terms of their rigour, significance and originality. At the same time research conducted at the School of Education has a strong impact beyond academia as it changes or benefits the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life (100% of impact case studies submitted to REF 2021 were considered outstanding in terms of their reach and significance).

The School of Education is committed to research-led teaching and diversity in approaches to accommodate needs and potential of student learners. Our current portfolio of teaching ranges from undergraduate programmes (a BA in Education Studies and a BA in Primary Education), through Postgraduate Taught Masters pathways (from MAEd to MA Research Methods) to Postgraduate Research. Overall, we are ranked 2nd in the Complete University Guide, and have a top 100 ranking in both the QS and THE 2023 World University Rankings by subject.

For more information, please visit our School pages at School of Education - Durham University.

The Vacancy

The school seeks to appoint an academic at the level of Assistant Professor in the area of Psychology and Education. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in the broad field of educational psychology and /or subfield(s) of psychology as relevant to education.

We are particularly eager to hear from applicants with a research focus on individual differences in learning.  

Research topics may include but are not limited to: learning and development in childhood and beyond; personality and individual differences as antecedents, correlates and outcomes of learning; and the measurement of interindividual differences and intra-individual change of cognitive and conative attributes in the context of learning and development.

Successful applicants will be expected to actively contribute to the Thematic Research Cluster “Psychology & Education” (details can be found at www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/education/research/areas/psychology--education/.

Assistant Professors at Durham 

Assistant Professors on the Education and Research track are encouraged to focus on research and teaching but also to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, support their department and wider discipline, and contribute to the wider student experience. 

Academic colleagues are supported to publish high-quality research in their area of interest with a focus on quality in high-impact outputs including monographs, essays in edited volumes, and book chapters, rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activities, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor.  

Durham University is also committed to ensuring excellent teaching quality, stimulating learning environments, and innovative curricula for all of our students. You will be supported to develop your teaching expertise and to develop innovative teaching. 

We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best international talent to Durham. We, therefore, offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Assistant Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent 

Assistant Professor Management, Leadership and Change in Education

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of Psychology and Education, with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.  The University aims to provides a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Applicants will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process. 

Key responsibilities: 

  • To pursue research that is high quality in terms of originality, significance and rigour.  
  • To develop clear plans for the pursuit of national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement; 
  • To play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development; 
  • Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the School the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity;  
  • Demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the School;  
  • To deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, as well as engaging in related activity such as assessment; 
  • To fully engage in and embody the values of the School; 
  • To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the School’s commitment to its vibrant and inclusive postgraduate culture.  
  • Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of School. 

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion 

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work.  

As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do.  We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct.  At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI. 

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including disabled people, women, and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities.  

We are committed to equality: if for any reason you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of research outputs, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application.  We also understand that the Covid-19 pandemic will have had differential impacts on different people and welcome information on this if you wish to share it. The selection committee will recognise that this may have reduced the quantity of your research accordingly 

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role 

Person Specification  

Candidates applying for a grade 7 post will have completed or be concluding their PhD and, while they may have limited direct experience of the requirements for the post, they should outline their experience, skills and achievements to date which demonstrate that they meet or that they have the potential to achieve the essential criteria.   

Candidates applying for a grade 8 post should meet all the essential criteria.   

Research  

Candidates must have the capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high-quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world-class or that has world-class potential.   

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 7 

  1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Psychology or a related subject (which for grade 7 candidates must either have passed their PhD viva or submitted their PhD thesis for examination by the closing date for applications.
  2. Outputs - experience, skills and/or achievements which demonstrate experience of or the potential to produce high quality outputs that are recognised as world class or that have world-class potential. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). 
  3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the School’s research strategy Research and Impact - Durham University This should be a maximum of 2 pages and should outline your research objectives which supports and enhances the School’s research strategy.

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 8 

  1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Psychology or a related subject.
  2. Outputs - evidence of high-quality outputs, some of which is recognised as world-class.  Candidates are asked to submit four research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below).
  3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the School’s research strategy Research and Impact - Durham University This should be a maximum of 2 pages and should outline your research objectives which supports and enhances the School’s research strategy.

Education 

Candidates must demonstrate the development and delivery of high-quality teaching that contributes to providing a supportive and enabling learning environment and curricula which encourage students to achieve their potential.

Essential Education Criteria – Grade 7 

  1. Quality - Experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrates the ability or the potential to deliver high quality effective and engaging teaching.
  2. Innovation – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate of the ability or the potential to contribute to new programme development and innovate in the design and delivery of high quality teaching or assessment of learning including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.   
  3. Strategic - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate of the ability or the potential to engage in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led. 

Essential Education Criteria – Grade 8 

  1. Quality - evidence of the development and delivery of effective and engaging teaching.
  2. Innovation – evidence of contribution to new programme development and innovation in the design and delivery of high quality teaching or assessment of learning including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.
  3. Strategic - evidence of strategic teaching development - engagement in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led.

Service, Citizenship and Values 

Active engagement in the administrative and citizenship requirements of the School. Positive contributions to University values and to fostering a respectful environment as well as demonstrating their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

Essential Service, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 7 

  1. Citizenship contribution – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to participate in the Citizenship /administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University.  (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, Carrying out departmental and interdepartmental activities effectively: Being involved in departmental activities, such as open days, employability events, departmental meetings and committees)
  2. Leadership - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to engage in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty, University and/or discipline including leadership or responsibilities in an academic context.  (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).  
  3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums. (Effective pastoral support of students the beginnings of an external engagement and knowledge exchange profile) 

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 8 

  1. Citizenship contribution – evidence of participation in the citizenship/administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University.  (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies). 
  2. Leadership - engagement in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty, University and/or discipline including leadership or responsibilities in an academic context.  (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).  
  3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.  

Desirable Criteria – Grade 7 

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are: 

  1. Qualification - candidates to hold or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence (or Equivalent).  
  2. Research Leadership - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to contribute to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers.  (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects). 
  3. PhD Supervision – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to provide excellent supervision for PhD students.   
  4. Research Impact - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to evidence research impact beyond their institution.    
  5. Income Generation - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to develop successful research projects and quality research grant proposals.  

Desirable Criteria – Grade 8 

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are: 

  1. Qualification - candidates to hold or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence (or Equivalent).  
  2. Research Leadership - contribution to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers.  (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects). 
  3. PhD Supervision – involvement in the provision of excellent supervision for PhD students.   
  4. Research Impact - demonstrable evidence of the impact of the Candidate’s research beyond their institution.    
  5. Income Generation - evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals.  

Contact Information 

Department contact for academic-related enquiries 

Please email ed.hr@durham.ac.uk in the first instance if you have any queries about the role.

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application 

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email.  Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk 

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time.  We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).  

 

How to Apply  

We prefer to receive applications online.    

Please note that in submitting your application, we will be processing your data.  We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.  

If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system, please get in touch with us on e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk.  

What to Submit 

All applicants are asked to submit: 

  • A CV  
  • A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above; 
  • Personal research plan. 
  • Two (for Grade 7) or Four (for Grade 8)  of your most significant pieces of written work. 
  • An EDI & values statement – (of no more than 500 words) which outlines work which you have been involved in which demonstrates your commitment to EDI and our values. I.e. Involvement in quality, diversity, and inclusion activities such as mentoring, volunteering, or attending conferences 

Where possible we request that you provide accessible web links to your publications, which the hiring Department will use to access your work.  The application form contains fields in which to enter each of the web links. Please note we are unable to access publications behind a paywall.  

In the event you are unable to provide accessible links to online hosting of your work, your work should be uploaded as PDFs as part of your application in our recruitment system. Please ensure that your PDFs are not larger than 5mb. Please note that your work may be read by colleagues from across the Department and evaluated against the current REF criteria;  

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails. 

Referees 

You should provide 3 academic referees they should not (if possible) include your PhD supervisor(s).  The majority should be from a University other than your own (save for early career applicants applying for their first post). 

References will be requested for candidates who have been shortlisted and will be made available to the panel during the interview process. 

As part of your application, you will be asked whether you give your consent to your academic references being sought should you be invited to attend an interview. We will only request references where permission has been granted.  

Next Steps 

All applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.   

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department.  The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the School followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around early May 2023. 

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date. 

Applicant Guidance  

For further guidance on your application please see HERE  

 

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