Job Description
The Role
We are seeking a skilled, highly-motivated member of academic staff to join the Department of Life Sciences at Aberystwyth University, to complement and enhance our existing strengths in research and teaching in Zoology (see ). The successful applicant will be expected to undertake curiosity-driven research using contemporary, experimental approaches in Zoology, to teach undergraduate and postgraduate students in Zoology, Wildlife Conservation and related fields, to develop attractive new Zoology modules and to contribute to the administration of the Department.
We welcome informal Enquiries about the post. Please contact Dr Joe Ironside, Head of the Department of Life Sciences, at .
Appointments are normally made within 4 - 8 weeks of the closing date.
The Department and University
The Department of Life Sciences (DLS, ) is a research intensive academic department at Aberystwyth University, which has a long tradition of excellence in research and teaching in the life sciences. Staff in DLS conduct basic, strategic and applied research across the full span of the contemporary life sciences, from subcellular biochemistry to the impact of environmental change on organisms, populations and ecosystems.
Staff and students in the Department have access to state-of-the-art research facilities (). These include advanced bio-imaging and microscopy suites, high-throughput DNA sequencing platforms and gene expression/manipulation capabilities, proteomics, metabolomics, phenomics and spectroscopic platforms, as well as extensive modern laboratories, growth rooms and glasshouses. Animal facilities include controllable marine and freshwater aquarium systems, a small mammal research facility, an equine centre with international-sized indoor arena, and animal production facilities across multiple farms.
Aberystwyth University’s geographic location provides easy access to an outstanding diversity of natural ecosystems, including many internationally recognised habitats (e.g. the UNESCO Dyfi Biosphere, two RAMSAR wetlands, two marine special areas of conservation, two National Nature Reserves, and several Sites of Special Scientific Interest). Our close proximity to Cardigan Bay gives us ready access to intertidal and subtidal rocky and sandy shore environments and salt marsh ecosystems and we have a fully-coded 10m catamaran marine research vessel () equipped for coastal benthic and pelagic sampling. Researchers at the University also have access to a range of farm facilities as part of an agricultural research platform that spans a 600m altitudinal gradient ().
What you’ll do
This job description is subject to review and amendment in response to the changing needs of the Department and University, to provide appropriate development opportunities and/or the addition of any other reasonable duties.
Successful applicants would be expected to deliver the following principal duties:
1. Engage in internationally excellent research in accordance with the strategic research plan of the University and Department
2. Develop research funding applications to UKRI, charities or industrial sources at a level that is appropriate to career stage and subject area.
3. Contribute to the departmental research profile through the publication of research outputs in high quality, international peer-reviewed journals.
4. Contribute to future Departmental REF submissions through research outputs and Impact Case Studies.
5. Deliver engaging and impactful teaching on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within one or more of the specified subject areas.
6. Undertake marking, assessment and examination work and provide timely feedback to students.
7. Participate in, and contribute to, the planning, design, development and review of module and course content.
8. Identify areas for module and course revision, improvement or innovation in order to meet student and/or employer expectations.
9. Be responsible for the co-ordination, delivery, leadership and assessment of modules relevant to the subject area, including co-ordinating the work of colleagues where necessary.
10. Act as a personal tutor to students, providing academic support and pastoral care, ensuring that appropriate internal or external specialist support is sought where appropriate.
11. Contribute to internal and external quality management processes, including the accreditation of courses where relevant.
12. Prepare, organise and assist with field trips, including residential visits, and student placements as appropriate.
13. Provide effective guidance, mentorship and supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research students.
14. Contribute to the effective running of the Department, including attending and contributing to group meetings, collaborating with colleagues to identify and respond to students’ needs, participating in and contributing to decisions on academic matters.
15. Contribute effectively to the organisation and running of Departmental events, including (but not limited to) open days, visit days, and graduation ceremonies.
16. Work effectively with colleagues within and beyond the Department, including attending team meetings as required, and work cooperatively with Professional Services and technical team colleagues. `
17. Undertake health and safety duties and responsibilities appropriate to the post.
18. Be committed to the University’s Equal Opportunities and Diversity Policy, demonstrating an understanding of how it operates within the responsibilities of the post.
19. Be committed to your own development through engagement with the University’s Effective Contribution Scheme (ECS) and Continuous Personal Development (CPD) opportunities.
20. Undertake any other reasonable duties requested commensurate with the grade of this role.
Who you are – Qualifications, Experience, Knowledge and Skills required
Essential
21. A PhD in a biological discipline that is relevant to Zoology.
22. Evidence of research activity and productivity that is commensurate with career stage and subject area, in a field that is relevant to Zoology.
23. Proven ability to publish in leading scientific journals.
24. Understanding of contemporary approaches to student learning.
25. Teaching and research expertise that complements and enhances that of the current members of the Department.
26. Demonstration of engagement with relevant CPD and a willingness to work towards a formal teaching qualification if not already held (e.g. PGCTHE).
27. An ability to understand the bilingual nature of the University and an awareness of the procedures in place to support working bilingually.
Desirable
28. Recent experience of delivering high quality teaching in a subject relevant to the Zoology degree scheme at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level
29. Evidence of success in winning competitively awarded external grant funding.
30. Fellowship or Senior Fellowship of the HEA (FHEA or SFHEA) and / or a formal teaching (e.g. PGCE) or higher education qualification (e.g. PGCTHE).
31. Full valid UK driving licence, or equivalent right to drive in the UK
32. Oral (spoken) and Written Welsh Level C2, or evidence to demonstrate an on-going commitment to learning Welsh to this level.
*More information on Welsh Language Levels can be found at:
How to apply
To promote a flexible workforce, the University will consider applications from individuals seeking full time, part time, job share, or term time only working arrangements.
Applications for this role must be made through jobs.aber.ac.uk. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Benefits
33. Flexible working policy
34. 36.5 – hour week for full-time roles
35. Generous leave entitlements – 27 days annual leave plus bank holidays and university closed days
36. Commitment to Professional Development
37. Enhanced contribution to our workplace pension schemes
38. Staff recognition and reward schemes
39. Opportunity to learn the Welsh language for free
40. Staff relocation bursary
41. Maternity, Paternity, Parental and Adoption Leave
42. Staff discount for gym facilities, hospitality, and retail on campus.
Please keep reading
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and communities and, those that are currently underrepresented in our workforce. This includes but is not limited to Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic candidates, candidates with disabilities, and female candidates.
We are a Bilingual Institution which complies with the Welsh Language Standards and is committed to Equal Opportunities. You are welcome to apply for any vacancy in Welsh or English and any application submitted will be treated equally.
Employment Visa
We welcome international applicants who are eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker Route.
Under the points-based system, this role meets the criteria to be sponsored by AU for an SWR application. Please be advised that AU will only support the Certificate of Sponsorship for any employment visas and will not support the payment of the employment visa for the offered candidate and/or dependants.
Any prospective candidates coming to work for AU under the SWR will require a minimum of 70 points, made up of the following:
Skilled Worker Route Points-Based System
Points
Meets (Yes / No)
Mandatory / Non-tradeable Criteria (50 points)
A job offer from a UK licensed sponsor
20 points
Yes
Job is above the minimum sponsorable skill level
20 points
Yes
Appointed candidate to have appropriate knowledge of the English language*
10 points
Yes
Total = 50 points
Tradeable Criteria (dependent on candidate appointed)
Salary meets minimum threshold
20 points
The candidate holds a PhD in a subject relevant to the job
10 points
The candidate holds a PhD in a STEM subject relevant to the job
20 points
The advertised role is on the UK Shortage Occupation List (SOL)
20 points
*Appropriate knowledge is classed as the following:
43. A national of a majority English speaking country
44. Having an academic degree taught in English (if an overseas degree, must be verified by NARIC)
45. Completing and passing an English language test at Level B1 or above.
For more information, please visit: