University of Stirling

Full time, Open ended

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 29 August 2021

Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 06 September 2021

For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2311

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

The Post

Communications, Media & Culture (CMC) wishes to appoint a suitably qualified and experienced candidate at Lecturer Grade 8 with specialist interests in Digital Media to expand the Division’s teaching, research and knowledge exchange activities.

The successful candidate will be an excellent communicator who is able to effectively teach, motivate and mentor undergraduates and postgraduates. They will make a contribution to the strategic direction of CMC through research, teaching and impact activities, including short-course opportunities. The successful candidate will contribute to the delivery of modules on the MSc in Digital Media and Communications and BA Hons in Digital Media. Applicants with specialist knowledge, skills or interests in one or more of the following areas are invited to apply:

• Digital design
• Creative digital practice
• Animation and visualisation
• Interactive media
• Digital user experience and user design
• Digital brand communications

The postholder will be researcher who has expertise in design and visual communications for digital media, user and audience experiences or creative digital practice, evidenced by published research and recognition among research users and / or industry. They will have a growing research profile in digital media and will engage effectively with external stakeholders to pursue opportunities for collaboration, income generation and enhancing CMC’s regional, national, and international profile.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr William Dinan, Head of the Division of Communications, Media & Culture: william.dinan1@stir.ac.uk

Description of Duties

• Engage in individual and collaborative research, which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, establish a distinctive programme of research and disseminate results through regular publication in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings and undertake knowledge exchange activities
• Identify appropriate sources of funding for research, consultancy, and impact generating activity; prepare research proposals for funding bodies; project manage research activities, and manage grants awarded
• Supervise and mentor research students and staff as required, providing direction, support and guidance
• Design, deliver, assess and evaluate a range of teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including online/digital programmes, where required
• Contribute to curriculum review and enhancement, in a manner that supports a research-led approach to student learning and enhances student experience and employability
• Participate in the Faculty’s local, national and international impact and engagement activities as required e.g. delivering teaching & CPD, contributing to joint programmes and recruitment of students. This is likely to require occasional short periods of international travel
• Participate in, and develop, networks and collaborations both internally and externally to the Division/Faculty/University
• Participate in the administrative processes of the Division/Faculty/University including committee membership, quality assurance procedures and recruitment and admission of students
• Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

• PhD in relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Established track record of high quality published research in Digital Media and Communications Studies
• A record of involvement in applications for external funding for research and/or knowledge transfer/exchange projects
• Experience of supervising dissertation projects across the range of undergraduate/ postgraduate and of supervising doctoral students
• Experience of providing high quality teaching, including teaching innovation, across a range of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level preferably including online/digital/international programmes
• Experience of designing and delivering course modules, developing effective learning environments, and approaches to enhance the student experience
• Evidence of successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of others
• Evidence of engaging in and developing external networks

Desirable Criteria

Qualification

• Higher Education teaching qualification or equivalent e.g. PGCert and/or holding an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and be working towards Fellowship

Knowledge, Skills & Experience

• Evidence of collaborative research and interdisciplinary work with non-academic partners across the creative and digital industries
• Demonstrates a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning
• Evidence of programme innovation and development
• Evidence or knowledge to support international and impact generating activities

• Evidence or knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework
• Experience of designing and delivering CPD and training across creative and digital industries
• Evidence of successful incorporation of subject research within design and delivery of learning activities and programme development as part of an integrated approach to academic practice
• Able to demonstrate a commitment to advancing equality, diversity and inclusion. This might include - but is not limited to - evidence of work to advance gender equality, positive mental health, disability equality, anti-racism or tackling gender-based violence

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

1. Managing self and personal skills - Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly
2. Delivering excellent service - Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.
3. Finding solutions - Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.
4. Embracing change - Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.
5. Using resources effectively - Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.
6. Engaging with the wider context - Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.
7. Developing self and others - Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.
8. Working together - Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.
9. Achieving Results - Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

The Division of Communications, Media and Culture (CMC) at Stirling is an internationally renowned centre for research and teaching. Ranked top in Scotland for Journalism (NSS 2020), the Division consistently draws high ratings for its teaching across digital media, production and journalism at all levels. Our students frequently win awards at major national competitions and many go on to become successful practitioners, entrepreneurs and executives in the media, creative and communications industries globally.

CMC research expertise spans the humanities, social sciences and management. We have long been recognised for our research in screen studies, media and cultural policy and in recent years our research has increasingly focused on digital communications and technologies. Our expansion strategy has seen the arrival of a group of talented new colleagues with diverse interests including data journalism and analytics, the creative economy, design, animation, interactive media, sound and digital publishing. The Division now offers a wide choice of options in taught postgraduate and undergraduate programmes, and in doctoral research, spanning digital media, creative industries and cultural policy, political and promotional communications.

CMC is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to being an inclusive workplace. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from different backgrounds. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.

The University

The University of Stirling is a leading UK teaching and research-intensive university, created by Royal Charter in 1967. Since its foundation, the University has embraced its role as an innovative, intellectual and cultural institution with a pioneering spirit and a passion for excellence in all that it does.

In 2016, the University launched its current Strategic Plan https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/our-vision/our-strategy/ (2016-2021), with targets to: be one of the top 25 universities in the UK; increase income by £50 million; enhance its research profile by 100 per cent; and ensure internationalisation is at the heart of everything it does.

With three-quarters of its research ranked world-leading and internationally-excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2014), the University’s groundbreaking, interdisciplinary research makes a difference to society and has a positive impact on communities worldwide. Stirling’s research is making a positive impact on people’s health, education and wellbeing, with key strengths across our research themes of: Cultures, Communities and Society; Global Security and Resilience; and Living Well. The University collaborates with international governments and policymakers, businesses, industry, and charitable organisations, to tackle and provide solutions to some of the toughest global societal challenges.

For more information on working at Stirling, please visit https://www.stir.ac.uk/about/work-at-stirling/.

The University offers great benefits such as generous annual leave and membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme. Additionally staff can benefit from a reduced membership rate at the University's excellent Sport Centre facilities.

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