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Graduate Teaching Assistant (0.2FTE)

Department of Sociology, University of Leicester, UK

Package up to £13,590

(£9,641 maintenance grant plus salary of £3,949 per annum, and also Home/EU fee waiver)

Part Time Fixed Term Contract for 4 years preferably starting on the 1 October 2010, though a 1 January 2011 start date is also possible.

Ref: SSC00151

At Leicester we’re going places. Ranked in the top 12 universities in Britain our aim is to climb further. A commitment to high quality fused with an inclusive academic culture is our hallmark and led the Times Higher Education to describe us as “elite without being elitist”.

An exciting opportunity has arisen for a driven individual with the necessary initiative to develop and deliver high quality research. The successful candidate will be joining one of the most dynamic Departments of Sociology in the country. The Department is one of the UK’s leading academic centres for Sociology, with an international reputation for both research and teaching at all levels. The Graduate Teaching Assistantships offer an excellent opportunity to pursue a doctorate in one of the country’s leading sociology departments whilst achieving teaching experience.

In the first instance, prior to making an application, candidates should contact the department to discuss their planned PHD Thesis

The University

There’s never been a more exciting time to join us. At the University of Leicester we are enjoying research success on a world stage and gathering the awards and plaudits to match.

A judge in a recent awards ceremony described Leicester as “elite without being elitist”. We are proud to be elite. But we are at least as proud to be an inclusive and progressive university. This commitment to high quality, an inclusive academic culture and belief in the synergy of teaching and research are our hallmarks. We believe that teaching is inspirational when delivered by passionate scholars engaged in world-changing research that is delivered in an academic community that includes postgraduate as well as undergraduate students.

Our approach to research yields great rewards. Our research impact, measured by citations per academic, is the sixth highest in the UK. Our success in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise saw Quality Related research income rise by 18% placing us firmly amongst Britain’s top 20 research universities by this measure. The RAE also revealed that Leicester is home to Britain’s top-rated research department – Museum Studies – which has the highest concentration of world class research of any department of any discipline in the UK.

For a University that believes teaching and research are synergistic, it is pleasing that the National Student Survey reveals that 91% of full-time students are satisfied with their courses. Consistently amongst the best in the country, this 2009 result is matched only by Cambridge amongst mainstream universities in England.

Currently a University of 23,000 students, with a turnover of £230m and 3,800 colleagues, our future is bright. Our Strategic Vision describes our plans to invest a billion pounds in our estate as we transform our campus. Already ranked in the top-12 universities in Britain, by 2015 we aim to rise further to become top-10.

Leicester is the most inclusive of Britain’s top-20 universities with the greatest proportions of students from under-represented groups.

As a group of talented individuals we are more diverse than ever and stronger for it. At Leicester we are proud of our distinct approach, our achievements and our ambitious plans. If you share our approach join us.

The Department of Sociology

The Department of Sociology at the University of Leicester continues to enjoy a national and international reputation for the excellence of its contribution to the discipline and for its influence on a range of related disciplines and areas.  It has particular strengths in sociological theory, the sociology of health, wellbeing, gender, vulnerability, civil society, migration, sociology of science, communication and interaction, consumption, identity, political sociology, the sociology of sport and research methodology.  The Department is committed to maintaining its success and we are looking for candidates who will help ensure the Department’s research performance.

The new Graduate Teaching Assistant’s interest will fit in with the broad interests of the Department.  We are particularly interested in applicants who wish to work in the area of Civil Society and/or Wellbeing and Health, though those with other interests are strongly encouraged to apply.

Applicants will have a good first degree and a Masters degree (or be about to complete) in sociology.

This is a fixed term appointment for four years; this period is designed to allow sufficient time for a student to complete the research for a PhD whilst taking into account the teaching duties.  Our intention is that, in addition to pursuing original research, the successful candidate will also obtain valuable experience in teaching.  The post-holder is expected to live in or close to Leicester.

Further information about the Department, including staff details, research activities and interests can be found on the web pages at http://www.le.ac.uk/sociology.

Job Purpose

The Graduate Teaching Assistant is responsible to the Head of Department and is expected to undertake teaching-related duties within the Department, not normally exceeding seven contact hours per week during term, while undertaking research leading to a PhD.

Principal Accountabilities

The postholder will undertake research, teaching and other activities supporting the work of the Department, and in so doing will aid in developing and enhancing both its internal and external reputation.

Research-related duties include:

·        To pursue research of high quality in any area of Sociology, as part of a PhD degree registered in the Department (initially successful applicants will normally register as ‘Advanced Postgraduate Students’),

·        To disseminate the results of research and scholarship through presentations at the PhD seminar series in the Department,

·        To ensure that all research activities undertaken are in compliance with the ‘Research Code of Conduct’ operated by the University,

·        Consistent with the resources available and departmental and other obligations, to attend and present research findings and papers at academic and professional conferences, and to contribute to the external visibility of the department, 

·        To contribute fully to the thriving research culture of the department, through attendance and participation in department seminars, internal seminars and workshops, the postgraduate forum and other means, as appropriate, 

·        To undertake, subject to agreement of the Head of Department and the University as appropriate, external commitments which reflect well upon and enhance the reputation of the University

Teaching-related duties include:

·        To give seminars, tutorials and computing classes, as appropriate, in support of the required teaching obligations and to be available for consultation by undergraduate students, during appropriately specified office hours,

·        To ensure that student feedback on teaching is sought, through questionnaires and other means, and to respond constructively to such feedback and to advice from peers,

·        To maintain a broad knowledge of up-to-date research and scholarship in relevant fields to ensure that teaching meets the standards expected within a research-led University,

·        To undertake academic duties (e.g. providing feedback to undergraduate students on formatively assessed coursework, to participate in the assessment of oral presentations by undergraduate students, to provide pastoral support of students and undertake invigilation duties where appropriate) required to sustain the delivery of high quality teaching.

·        To support and comply with the University and departmental teaching quality assurance standards and procedures, including the provision of such information as may be required by the Department or the University,

·        To engage in continuous professional development, for example through participation in relevant staff development programmes,

·        To ensure compliance with health and safety requirements in all aspects of work

Qualifications, Knowledge and Experience Required    

Essential

·        The candidate will show outstanding promise of research achievement in any area of Sociology.

·        Masters degree in any area of Sociology (completed or nearing completion)*

Skills, Abilities and Competencies

Essential

·        Ability to initiate, develop and deliver high quality research, likely to lead to the award of a PhD under supervision by academic staff, evidenced by acceptance to the Department’s PhD programme or an equivalent programme at another university*,

·        Ability to teach undergraduate students in tutorials, seminars and other classes,

·        High standard of written communication skills,*

·        Good effective oral communication oral skills, presentation and training skills,

·        Good interpersonal skills,

·        Ability to work independently as well as part of a team on research and teaching related activities,

·        Competency in IT and familiarity with a computerised environment*.

Desirable

·        Prior Teaching Experience

 (* Criteria to be used in shortlisting candidates for interview)

Informal Enquiries

Informal enquiries are welcome and should be made to Dr E. Annandale, email: eca7@le.ac.uk or Prof Carlo Ruzza, email: cr145@le.ac.uk

Applications

For further information and to apply on-line, please visit our website: www.le.ac.uk/joinus

The closing date for this post is midnight on 24^th September 2010

Candidates short-listed for interview will be contacted by the University.  If you do not receive a communication from the University within 4 weeks of the closing date, please assume that your application has been unsuccessful.

In the first instance, prior to making an application, candidates should contact the school to discuss their planned PhD Thesis

Potential applicants should contact the Department’s Director of Postgraduate Studies; Dr E. Annandale, email: eca7@le.ac.uk.

Two applications must be completed, one for the PhD proposal, one for recruitment to the teaching element of the GTA posts. Both applications must be submitted no later 24th September 2010