Head of Discipline – Professional Psychological Practice
Hybrid
This 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.
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
The College of Health, Psychology and Social Care upholds the overall mission of the University by providing high quality, accessible learning opportunities. We are committed to the Widening Participation agenda and have a good record of meeting the needs of local stakeholders.
The post is based within the School of Psychology, one of three Schools within the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care. However, the post holder will also be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues across different disciplines within the College.
The School of Psychology was established in 2020 and is home to our two Discipline areas of Professional Psychological Practice (PPP) and Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS). As a School we seek to deliver excellence in all areas of academic activity, including our teaching and research. We foster a culture of continual growth and improvement and seek to hold equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing as a central pillar to all activity. As a TEF Gold institution we put student experience at the heart of all of our activity.
We are excited to offer this post to support the delivery of our growing British Psychological Society accredited provision in Forensic Psychology and Psychology. As a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, you will contribute to the delivery of modules that form part of the undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio across the School of Psychology, including core areas recognised by the British Psychological Society and appropriate specialist areas. The roles will include supporting our marketing events (e.g., open days) and outreach (e.g., school visits) which occasionally take place into evenings and at weekends.
The School of Psychology has an active research agenda, and you will have the opportunity to engage with and support financially sustainable research and/or other appropriate academic activity, contributing to the research profile of the School of Psychology. Whilst we are back to full campus delivery and activity, there will be opportunity for working from home as agreed with the Head of Discipline. We do support hybrid working as business needs permit.
We are advertising this role as a Full time position, however we would also consider applications for Part time and Job share scenarios; so please express your preference in your application.
You will contribute to teaching across our excellent provision to enhance its quality and ensure an outstanding student experience. There is an expectation of working collaboratively across the School of Psychology and more widely across the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care in curriculum contribution, and to progress the research and scholarship agenda. You will benefit from support to pursue research in keeping with the University of Derby academic themes, and contribute to our high-quality research profile.
We would especially welcome applications from candidates with expertise in forensic psychology, biological psychology and qualitative, quantitative and/or mixed methods research methods, although we will be pleased to receive applications from candidates with expertise in any of the core areas of psychology and applications of psychology to forensic contexts. We welcome applications from candidates who are in the final stages of completing their PhD (to be submitted by the end of August).
* Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes.
* 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.
* Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
* Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
* Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the ‘Derby Graduate’.
* Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.
Research / Scholarship
* Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.
* Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.
* Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
* Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.
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.
* Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
* Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
* Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
* Contribute to effective cross College / University working.
* Observe and implement University policies and procedures.
* Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
* PhD (to be submitted by August 2025 or submitted & awaiting examination) in psychology, Professional Doctorate in a professional area of Psychology, or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement; or willingness to work towards
Experience
Learning / Teaching
* Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes
* Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
Research / Scholarship
* Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
* Experience of research / enterprise activity
* Evidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy
Skills, knowledge & abilities
* An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning
* Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
* Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology-enhanced learning / teaching and research activities
* Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally
* Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working
* Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
* 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
* A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience
* A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
* A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum
* Flexible to the needs of others
* Innovative and creative
* Committed to continual enhancement and a high quality student experience
* Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality
Business requirements
* Able to take a flexible approach to work
o Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
o Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
o Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
o A commitment to own professional development
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
* Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
* Discounted onsite gym
* Cycle to Work scheme
* A flexible working environment
* A commitment to personal and professional development
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Amy Baraniak, Head of Discipline - Professional Psychological Practice via a.baraniak@derby.ac.uk
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk .
This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).
If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:
Your job is on the Immigration Salary List
You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
The role you are applying for is a postdoctoral position
Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.
The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.
We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.
Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.
When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns.This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates.Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.
The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.
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.
For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website .
At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.
You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.
The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.
If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk .
Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
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