Associate Lecturers in the School of Life Health and Chemical Sciences SK322

Unit: Associate Lecturers/Part time tutors

Salary: £38,249 Pro Rata

Location: Various locations

Please quote reference: STEM_SK322

London, South, Southwest, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire, Northwest, North, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Southeast.

Closing Date: 08 May, 2025 - 12:00

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

We are looking to recruit several Associate Lecturers in the area of Health and Biomedical sciences, in the School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences at the Open University.

Appointments to the position will be subject to student registrations. The role is part-time (FTE to be confirmed but minimum 0.1 FTE) and will involve teaching one or more modules in the area of biomedical/health sciences. In particular there are immediate teaching needs on SK322: Translational Medicine.

The position is home-based and has no fixed core hours. It is a fixed-term contract of two years in the first instance. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs, mainly linked to providing marking and assessment feedback. This is likely to include exam and end of module marking tasks. Other tasks will be required such as focused student support (individual and forum), peer mentoring and working with the module team on assessment activities and quality improvement. Some evening and weekend work will be required. The starting full-time salary is £38,249 paid pro rata based on your FTE. Although most of the teaching occurs between October and June, the position is paid over the full calendar year.

Contract will start from 1 September 2025.

Person specification:

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for an Associate Lecturer at The Open University. As well as meeting all the requirements set out in the generic person specification, you should have:

• A degree in health or biomedical sciences.
• Subject expertise in at least one of the following three areas: cell and molecular biology and/or pharmacology (particularly focusing on cancer biology and therapeutics), neuroscience (particularly focusing on Parkinson’s disease) or musculoskeletal science (particularly focusing on joint structure/function/repair).
• Research/work experience in an area with a translational focus (e.g. at the preclinical-to-clinical research interface).
• Evidence of recent teaching, preferably at undergraduate level, within the field of health or biomedical or translational science.
• Experience of developing students’ scientific literature handling and critical thinking skills.
• Proven ability to explain difficult concepts within health/biomedical sciences.
• Experience of developing transferable skills within the discipline.
• The ability to provide constructive feedback to students.
• Experience of teaching online or an understanding of the pedagogical issues surrounding online teaching.

It would be an advantage to have:

• A higher degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent).
• Teaching qualification in relevant subject or HEA accreditation.
• Relevant clinical/professional practice qualifications.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. To ensure they remain up to date with developments in their academic field, Associate Lecturers are allocated 6 days (pro-rata) per annum for AL-led (i.e. self-directed) Academic Currency and 1 day, plus 5 days pro rata, per annum for Agreed Academic Currency and Professional Development.

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata) with variable (pro rata) Bank holidays and an attractive pensions proposition.

Tuition Delivery

online

How to apply

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below. Any queries regarding the application process please contact AL-Recruitment on AL-Recruitment@open.ac.uk, quoting the reference number STEM_SK322.

Job related information:

AL Application Form

Generic Person Specification

Terms and Conditions

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

The University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role as per the requirement laid out in the UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK. The Open University has a policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders, a copy of which can be obtained on request by email to AL-Recruitment@open.ac.uk

To work with us you will need access to the internet.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check or equivalent for their nation of residency.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

Email : AL-Recruitment@open.ac.uk

An application form and job related information are available from the links located below. Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available by request to the email above, quoting the reference number STEM_SK322.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.