Job Number
BU03858
School/Department
School of Environmental & Natural Sciences
Grade
7
Contract Duration
24 months
Responsible to
Head of School
Overview
The School of Environmental and Natural Sciences is one of the leading centres in the UK for teaching and research in environmental sciences, conservation, soil science, molecular ecology, zoology, and forestry. We offer a suite of Biology, Environmental Science and Zoology degrees at undergraduate level which include microbiology teaching across a range of modules and years. The School is part of the College of Science and Engineering along with the Schools of Ocean Sciences, Computer Science & Engineering, and the BioComposites Centre.
The School has high quality facilities for research in microbiology from genomic research in micro-organisms, which has established state-of-the-art bioanalytical laboratories for molecular microbiology and enzyme discovery to the waste-water group for public health and environmental surveillance of human pathogens. Other core facilities include a radioisotope laboratory and Category 2 laboratories. The School is co-located with the UK Centre for Ecology and Hydrology (NERC) in the Environment Centre Wales building, where our extensive soils/biogeochemistry and molecular ecology analytical laboratories are located.
Bangor University is perfectly located for teaching environmental and natural sciences. We have easy access to Snowdonia National Park and the stunning coastline of the Menai Straits and Ynys Mon and make the most of our incredible surroundings in our teaching. The University’s botanic garden at Treborth and our research farm at Henfaes also provide facilities for field and lab teaching. The garden was founded more than 50 years ago and is home to a pigeon loft to enable studies on flight energetics and navigation. The University’s research farm at Henfaes is unique in that the land goes from the sea to amongst the highest mountains in Wales, giving great diversity of habitats, land uses, climates, and geology. We make the most of our natural environment and offer a range of local field trip opportunities, as well as offer overseas field course options to Florida, India, and Spain.
Purpose of the Job
Main Duties and Responsibilities
Teaching
1. Deliver lectures and a laboratory based practical for Practical skills for Biologists. This is a first year 20-credit module running in Semester 1.
2. Deliver lectures on Virology for Principles of Life. This is a first year 20-credit module running in Semester 1.
3. Support introductory lectures and carry out individual interviews for students for the module Environmental Issues. This is a third year 10 or 20-credit module running in Semester 1.
4. Deliver lectures on viruses, bacteria, fungi and protozoa and a laboratory based practical (repeated total of 2 x) for Parasites and pathogens. This is a third year 20-credit module running in Semester 1.
5. Deliver lectures on virology for Microbiology. This is a second year 20-credit module running in Semester 2.
6. Act as pastoral and academic tutor to undergraduate students.
7. Supervise final year dissertation projects on topics related to microbiology and bacteriophages.
8. Contribute to the development, delivery, and quality assurance of the undergraduate curricula.
9. Maintain an excellent standard of teaching as indicated by peer observation, quality assessment, student feedback etc.
10. Undertake assessment and provide feedback to students as required.
11. Work collaboratively, sharing good practice with colleagues within the School and the College more widely, as appropriate.
Management and Administration
12. Develop and co-ordinate modules and programmes as required.
13. Maintain an up-to-date record of job performance and activities and to participate in the performance review process.
14. Attend all relevant board and examination meetings.
15. Carry out other teaching, management/administrative duties as specified by the Head of School.
Other Duties and Responsibilities
16. The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities.
17. The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
18. Ensure continued development of personal knowledge and skills to ensure that teaching reflects current best practice.
19. The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for themselves and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by their actions or inactions. The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
20. The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their post.
Person Specification
Qualifications/Training
Essential
21. PhD (or equivalent) in a microbiology related area, or be near to completion.
Desirable
22. Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCertHE) or be close to the completion OR Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow / Recognised by Advance HE as a Fellow against Descriptor 2 of the UKPSF.
Experience/Knowledge
Essential
23. A record of teaching experience.
24. Initiative, motivation and enthusiasm for facilitating learning in undergraduate students in a College committed to excellence in teaching.
25. Experience of developing and supervising dissertation topics for undergraduate students.
Skills/Abilities
Essential
26. A willingness to contribute effectively to administrative activities.
27. A high level of interpersonal and communication skills, so as to be able to engage effectively with academic, research, technical and administrative staff.
28. An ability and flexibility to work in teams across a range of disciplines.
29. Ability to carry out pastoral care and appreciate the issues faced by a diverse body of students.
30. An appreciation of the bilingual and bicultural character of modern Wales.
Desirable
31. Experience of university quality assurance issues.
32. A record of innovative and excellent teaching in HE.
33. Experience with curriculum development.
34. Familiarity with issues relating to quality assurance, student recruitment and satisfaction, pastoral care and student engagement, and the Welsh and UK Higher Education landscape.
35. The ability to communicate through the medium of Welsh is desirable for this role.
General
We are a member of Advance HE's Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University's policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.