Assistant Professor Teacher Education: Science Chemistry

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.

The Assistant Professor – Teacher Education: Science Chemistry will work within the Department of Teacher Education in the School of Education to contribute to curriculum design, teaching and assessment of the PGCE (QTS) Science: Chemistry subject specialism within the Secondary PGCE (QTS) programme. The tutor will draw upon their excellent practitioner knowledge of physical sciences, and chemistry in particular, to provide a variety of subject specific pedagogical input to science specialist components of the programme.

Proven expertise in chemistry specialist teacher education and secondary (11‑18) chemistry teaching in schools is important. The post holder will also contribute to programme development beyond the chemistry specialist components by supporting students and mentors on placements and teaching and assessing on PGCE secondary modules. We expect that the role holder would work with specialist academic departments on recruitment pipeline activities.

This role may include undertaking duties such as:

• Preparing and delivering taught university seminars, workshops or lectures on aspects of science and in particular chemistry teacher education;
• Marking and assessing student assignments;
• Visiting students on school placements to assess and support;
• Coaching of students' teaching;
• Quality assurance of mentoring in schools;
• Interviewing potential applicants;
• Contributing to marketing and recruitment activity;
• Involvement in programme activities including meetings and cross‑cohort provision for ITE.

The post‑holder will manage relationships with external stakeholders from partnership schools to ensure the successful delivery of the PGCE (QTS) programmes alongside other members of the PGCE QTS programme team and the programme director. They will work collaboratively with other members of the teaching team and the programme director to ensure that all assessment, QA and administrative components of the programme are completed for students.

Main Duties:

• 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;
• Pursue activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently;
• Demonstrate a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting university life (e.g., participation in graduation, departmental/school committees);
• Demonstrate support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice.

Person Specification:

• Typically, a higher degree relevant to the teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualification, or near completion;
• Holds Qualified Teacher Status (QTS);
• Significant, recent teaching experience in a secondary school or on a programme of Initial Teacher Education;
• Demonstrable experience in coaching of Initial Teacher Education and/or developing the practice of early career teachers;
• Research or teaching experience and scholarship within the subject specialism;
• 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;
• 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.