Job Description

Position Details

School of Metallurgy and Materials, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 46,735 to 55,755 with potential progression once in post to 62,728


Grade: 8


Full Time, Permanent


Closing date: 19th June 2025

'Open House' Drop In Session:

We will be holding an 'open house' drop in session at the University's Exchange building, in Centenary Square, Birmingham, between 10am and 5pm on Friday 6th June 2025. If you're interested in working at the University of Birmingham and perhaps have a few questions, this is an opportunity to meet colleagues in the Recruitment team. It will be a relaxed and informal event - you can drop in at any time.

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 School of Metallurgy and Materials seeks to recruit an Assistant Professor in Science and Engineering Education to make significant contributions to the design and delivery of the Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) Foundation Year. This is a teaching-focused role on the education pathway under the Birmingham Academic Career Framework.


Based in the School of Metallurgy and Materials, the EPS Foundation Year recruits students from a diverse range of home and international backgrounds. Subject to meeting specific progression requirements, students automatically progress into first year undergraduate courses in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences. The Foundation Year is designed to prepare students from a range of prior study and achievement to enter first year at a similar standard to their peers entering directly.


You will contribute to a range of education and administrative 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: (a) the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment at all levels; and (b) enhancement of the student experience and employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, and (b) 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.


The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed.


Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role, including working with students under the age of 18, all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.


Candidates for this post should include the following documents in their application:


A CV, A covering letter, no longer than 2 pages of A4, outlining your reasons for applying for the post, suitability to the role, and relevant professional experience.

Main Duties

Education

Take on the role of Module leader for some of the modules that make up the September and January Start Pathways of the Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) Foundation Year, in partnership with Birmingham International Academy.


Teaching duties are allocated based on colleagues' subject backgrounds and expertise, broadly around the subjects of: Chemistry, Computer Science, Mathematics, and Physics at level 3.


The modules for the 2025/2026 academic year are as follows:


Mathematics I (10 credits) Materials (10 credits) Mechanics (10 credits) Science and Engineering Laboratories (10 credits) Science and Engineering Skills (10 credits) Mathematics II and Calculus (20 credits) Introductory Organic Chemistry (10 credits) Introductory Inorganic Chemistry (10 credits) Elementary Computer Programming (10 credits) Waves (10 credits) Foundation Electronic and Electrical Engineering (10 credits) Group Project (10 credits) Individual Project (10 credits) There are planned changes in curriculum content for 2026/2027 onwards.
Take a responsibility for monitoring and supporting student progress and wellbeing:


Act as Personal Tutor to students on the EPS pathway during their foundation year; Support in the administration of Personal Academic Tutorials across the EPS Foundation Year.
You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities:


contribute to leading curriculum development and/or renewal; develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution; advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment; deliver (where appropriate to the discipline) specific professional programmes; 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/Administration

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.

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

Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications. Extensive teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism. 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.

DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.



Informal enquiries to Alessandro Mottura, email: a.mottura@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

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