Temporary Lecturer in Phonetics and Bilingualism

The School of Arts, Culture and Language is seeking to appoint a temporary Lecturer in Phonetics, Sociolinguistics and Bilingualism to cover a period of maternity leave. The successful candidate will be expected to teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with particular emphasis on modules in Phonetics, Sociolinguistics, Second Language Acquisition and Bilingualism. They will also be expected to contribute to the administration of the School.

Candidates should have, or be working towards, a PhD in one of the teaching areas listed above, together with experience of planning and delivering teaching and assessment activities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Candidates will be expected to teach existing general modules as well as specialised modules. The successful candidate will join a dynamic, supportive, and friendly School with a strategy of building on its strength in teaching, research and scholarship.
Informal enquiries may be addressed via email to Dr Christopher Shank ([email protected]) or Professor Ruth Mcelroy ([email protected])
The ability to communicate in Welsh is desirable for this post. 

This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.

Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis.
The successful candidates will be expected to commence as soon as possible. The post is available until 31st December 2024.
Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.

Closing date for applications: 27 November 2023

Committed To Equal Opportunities

Overview

The Department of Linguistics, English Language and Bilingualism is part of the School of Arts, Culture and Language, which offers a broad range of degrees and pathways from undergraduate to doctoral level, and is located in picturesque north Wales in close proximity to the Snowdonia National Park and the island of Anglesey.

We have a long tradition of academic excellence in Linguistics and English Language – in fact, Linguistics has been on the curriculum of the University since the 1960s. From these well-established roots, we have grown and thrived. The world-class quality of our research was recognised in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF 2014), which placed us in the UK top 13 for research quality.

At undergraduate and postgraduate level, we offer a broad and flexible range of module choices in Linguistics, English Language and Bilingualism. Our students benefit from small seminar groups, one-to-one tutorials and lectures. With award-winning pastoral care, one-to-one support and individualised feedback, we get to know our students as individuals and enable them to pursue their own interests.

Purpose of the Job

• To teach a range of modules, with particular emphasis on phonetics, general linguistics, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition and bilingualism, at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including supervision of projects and students. 
• To develop teaching materials or methodologies, for example course design or assessment, and be module coordinator or contribute to module co-ordination. 
• To provide pastoral and academic support to undergraduate and postgraduate students. 
• To undertake administrative duties as designated by the Head of School.
• To support the supervision of postgraduate research students in suitable areas of expertise.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching duties will include

• Plan, prepare and deliver lectures and tutorials, responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds, learning styles and class sizes. 
• Motivate students to proactive engagement in learning and provide meaningful and constructive feedback on the quality of their work. 
• Keep abreast of new professional, educational and related social, economic and technological developments. 
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate projects.
• Act as personal tutor to a number of undergraduate and postgraduate students providing advice, guidance and support. 
• Participate and plan the development of new teaching and learning materials. 
• Contribute to the development of new programmes and undertake the role of module coordinator. 
• Maintain and develop scholarly activities in line with University and College strategies.

Specific duties can include:

• Maximising use of Blackboard Ultra (with some materials delivered on-line).
• Designing the structure of blended learning e.g. how to deliver workshops or seminars (i.e. live) events.

Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:

• Participate in the student recruitment and induction procedures of the School (e.g. School and University Open Days). 
• Contribute to the promotion and external profile of the School. 
• Contribute to the School’s management, and participate in the administration of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes (e.g. organisation of exams, contribute to accreditation/QA procedures).
• Contribute to the marketing of programmes by participating in School and College link activities and other marketing initiatives.
• Undertake other administrative duties and responsibilities as directed by the Head of School (e.g. membership of School boards and task groups, addressing/supporting undergraduate and postgraduate student experience, peer review of student research proposals, contributing to community engagement).

Other Duties and Responsibilities

• The post holder will be expected to participate in performance review and developmental activities. 
• 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. 
• 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. 
• 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 posts.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training

Essential

• Postgraduate degree in a relevant subject area. 
• PhD, or near to completion of PhD. 

Desirable

• Higher education teaching qualification completed or near to completion.

Experience/Knowledge

TECHING

Essential

• Previous teaching experience at university level. 
• Effective teaching capability and ability to engage students. 
• Willingness to teach a range of modules with emphasis on phonetics, sociolinguistics, second language acquisition and bilingualism. 
• Experience of providing excellent support to students to develop their capacity at appropriate levels.

Desirable

• Experience of supervising undergraduate and postgraduate projects. 
• Experience of teaching acoustic phonetics. 
• Evidence of using innovative methods and/or technologies in teaching. 
• Experience of module development and delivery in higher education.

RESEARCH

Essential

• Evidence of keeping abreast of research and developments in the relevant subject area(s).

Skills/Abilities

Essential 

• Innovative and exciting approaches to teaching and research. 
• Demonstrate the ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines. 
• Ability to work effectively as part of a team and on own initiative. 
• Commitment to pastoral care and the student experience. 
• Administrative / managerial competence. 
• Excellent verbal and written skills. 
• Demonstrable computer skills, including on-line teaching systems.

Desirable

• • Experience of university administration.

Other

• The ability to speak Welsh is desirable.

General

The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds.  We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally. 

We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Bronze 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.  

We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us.  When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful.   If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa.   The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas .   If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.     

Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.