Job Description
Assistant Lecturer (with Mentorship)
Department: AcademicLocations: Sunderland/ NewcastlePosition Type: PermanentWorking Hours: 37.5 hours per weekWorking Pattern: Monday to Friday/ 9am to 5pm/ 5days in the officeSalary: £30,000 - £35,000 perannum depending on experienceReports to: Course DirectorWorks closely with: Course Director, Lecturers,Senior Lecturers, Personal Academic Tutors (PATs), Senior PATs, WellbeingOfficers, Office Heads, Heads of Academics
Job Description
Assistant Lecturers are early-career or developing academicswho contribute to teaching and student support under structured mentorship andsupervision. The role is designed to build teaching capability, confidence, andprofessional identity, supporting progression to Lecturer level.
Assistant Lecturers do not hold full accountability formodules, assessment outcomes, or quality assurance. Instead, they develop theirpractice through co-teaching or supported full teaching responsibilities,supported assessment activity, and guided engagement with UKMC academicframeworks and professional standards.
Role Delivery Focus (PFF/PFD)
The primary focus of this role is the delivery of Preparingfor Foundation (PFF) and Preparing for Degree (PFD) provision.
Assistant Lecturers will deliver most of their teachingwithin PFF and PFD timetabled sessions, supporting students in developingacademic skills, confidence, English proficiency, and readiness for highereducation study.
They will work closely with Quality and Compliancecolleagues, as well as assessment delivery officers, to ensure alignment withinstitutional frameworks, including the Inclusive Curriculum Framework (ICF),English Proficiency Framework (EPF), and SEBAC.
They will collaborate with Admissions teams to supporttransition points into programmes, ensuring coherence between pre-entry,onboarding, and early-stage academic development.
They will be coordinated under a Lead for PFF/PFD, whoprovides academic direction, consistency of delivery, and alignment acrosscampuses.
They may also provide occasional lecture or seminar coverwithin their subject specialism, where appropriate, to support programmedelivery and further develop disciplinary teaching experience.
This delivery model ensures meaningful contribution tostudent success, continuation, and belonging, while enabling development withina structured and supported environment.
Job Responsibilities
Teaching, Learning and Curriculum (Supported)
· Deliver small-group tutorials, lectures,workshops, and seminars under the guidance of a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer.
· Co-teach selected lectures with experiencedcolleagues to build teaching confidence and effectiveness.
· Support the preparation and delivery of learningactivities aligned to approved module materials and learning outcomes.
· Prepare and maintain learning materials andactivities on the Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) under supervision.
· Apply inclusive teaching practices that supportstudent engagement, belonging, and continuation.
Assessment and Academic Practice (Supervised)
· Undertake first marking, second marking, andmoderation activities under guidance, ensuring alignment with assessmentcriteria and regulations.
· Support the promotion of assessment literacy andacademic integrity.
· Develop understanding of assessment standards,feedback practices, and moderation processes.
· Escalate assessment concerns promptly to moduleteaching teams and mentors.
Student Support, Engagement and Attendance
· Monitor student engagement and attendancethrough teaching sessions and the VLE, reporting concerns promptly.
· Support academic development through tutorials,workshops, and formative feedback.
· Work collaboratively with PATs, WellbeingOfficers, and academic services to ensure integrated student support.
· Develop awareness of referral pathways andescalation processes.
Student Voice and Reflective Practice
· Engage with student feedback and adapt teachingapproaches with mentor guidance.
· Contribute to “you said, we did” feedbackprocesses at session level.
· Develop reflective teaching practice throughobservation, feedback, and mentorship dialogue.
Professional Development, Mentorship and FrameworkLearning
· Engage in a structured mentorship programme witha Lecturer or Senior Lecturer.
· Maintain reflective practice logs aligned toprofessional standards such as the PSF.
· Participate in peer observation cycles as bothobserver and observed.
· Develop understanding of UKMC frameworks,including ICF, EPF, SEBAC, and the Career-Ready Framework (CRF).
· Work towards professional recognition such asAssociate Fellowship of Advance HE or a PGCert in Higher Education.
· Contribute to curriculum enhancement oremployability initiatives where appropriate.
Professional Conduct and Collaboration
· Work collaboratively with teaching teams, PATs,Wellbeing, and academic services.
· Participate in meetings, training, anddevelopment activities.
· Promote and adhere to Equal Opportunitiespolicies and professional standards of conduct.
Essential Criteria
· A degree in a relevant discipline or equivalentprofessional or industry experience.
· Demonstrated subject knowledge and ability tosupport student learning in higher education.
· Commitment to developing teaching practicethrough mentorship and reflective practice.
· Understanding of inclusive teaching practicesand their impact on student engagement and progression.
· Strong communication and interpersonal skillsfor small-group and tutorial teaching.
· Willingness to work towards Associate Fellowshipof Advance HE or equivalent accreditation.
Desirable Criteria
· Previous teaching, tutoring, or mentoringexperience in higher or further education.
· Familiarity with Virtual Learning Environmentssuch as Moodle, Blackboard, or Canvas.
· Experience supporting diverse student cohorts,including those with additional learning or language needs.
· Experience supporting assessment literacy oracademic integrity.
· Interest in curriculum innovation, employabilityinitiatives, or pedagogic research.
· Evidence of reflective practice or engagementwith professional learning.
KPI Framework – Assistant Lecturer (with Mentorship)
· Teaching Development and Mentorship: Completionof structured mentorship plan, reflective logs, peer observations, anddevelopment activities – target 100%.
· Assessment Practice (Supervised): Completion ofmarking and moderation tasks under guidance, demonstrating developingassessment literacy and integrity – target 100%.
· Inclusive Teaching and Belonging: Studentfeedback evidencing inclusive practice, belonging, and confidence – target ≥75%belonging and ≥70% confidence.
· Engagement Monitoring and Reporting: Active useof VLE and timely escalation of student concerns – target 100% compliance.
· Collaboration and Employability Contribution:Positive mentor feedback and contribution to at least one curriculum oremployability activity annually – target ≥90% mentor feedback and at least onecontribution.
· Professional Framework Development: Engagementwith ICF, EPF, SEBAC, CRF, and PSF through reflection and development planning– target 100% participation.
Benefits
* Competitive salary and benefits package.
* Opportunities for professional development and career progression.
* Access to academic resources and support networks.
* Supportive and inclusive academic community.