Purpose of Role
Under the leadership of the Head of Department, the role-holder will provide teaching support in German, including large and small group teaching, tutorials and assessment activities, alongside a PhD in the following project:
AI and the translation profession in Germany. This project explores the organising landscape of translators in Germany. An increasing number of manifestos have been issued by translators’ associations and other groups that bring together members of the profession, expressing caution and scepticism around AI use in translation. Expertise and knowledge about translation technologies and artificial intelligence vary widely among translators and scepticism about these technologies is widespread in the profession. At the same time, the use of technologies in translation is on the rise. This project assesses how translators view recent developments in translation technologies, their application to translation, and influence on the profession. It investigates how translators in Germany voice their views and whether and to what extent they are organized, including their role in producing such manifestos and position statements. Quantitative methods (surveys and questionnaires) will be combined with qualitative data gathering via interviews to address these questions. Large-scale surveys of translators will provide a solid set of data to assess their views, needs and expectations around AI-integrating technologies and current/emerging trends in translation practice. Interviews with representatives of advocacy groups and trade unions will shed light on how the profession’s organisation is evolving and explore its aims and future plans. The relationship between these groups of translators will be explored as well as how they inform each other.
Applicants for this project must have German as their first language. Teaching will be agreed with the German section based on the successful applicant’s prior experience and interests, and will include linguistic and socio-cultural awareness of contemporary German-speaking societies. Over the period of the award, there may be opportunities to take on teaching in interpreting, translation, and intercultural studies, where appropriate, in discussion with the German section and Head of Department.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Department, the post-holder will:
1. · Undertake a PhD on the topic specified above, maintaining an appropriate rate of progress and engaging in relevant training and other events as required.
2. · Develop and deliver teaching in the areas specified above, including delivery to a range of group sizes in both in-person and online environments.
3. · Provide flexible, appropriate, and timely support to students using a variety of media.
4. · Prepare and mark assessments and provide student feedback as required, and in line with School policies and standards.
5. · Contribute to the administrative work of the Department as required.
6. · Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Department.
Relevant training will be provided alongside the role. In particular, during the first two years of the contract, the post-holder will be expected to undertake training in teaching and learning as required by the University, as well as the School’s PGCert in Research Methods (unless equivalent qualifications are already held).
Essential & Desirable Criteria
Essential
7. 1. An undergraduate degree with a minimum 2:1 classification (or equivalent).
8. 2. A postgraduate Master’s degree (or equivalent) in a relevant field.
9. 3. Excellent communication skills. Candidates for whom English is a second language should meet the University’s minimum English-language requirements for entry onto the PhD programme. If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English, the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening.
10. 4. A viable research proposal for PhD study on the topic listed above.
11. 5. Good general IT skills.
12. 6. Ability to manage own time in order to balance the requirements of teaching and PhD study.
13. 7. Ability to work as part of a teaching team to deliver a high-quality student experience.
Desirable
14. 1. Relevant teaching, research and/or professional experience.