Lecturer in Sociology

Job Summary

Robert Gordon University is a professionally orientated University with an innovative, inclusive approach to the design and delivery of teaching and learning and to the provision of student support. With an established profile of student success and satisfaction, and with a strong academic and professional reputation, the Social Sciences and Criminology disciplines (within the School of Law and Social Sciences) are seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Sociology.

The School of Law and Social Sciences is both academically and professionally focused, with a strong reputation for innovative and flexible online and on-campus courses at undergraduate, postgraduate and professional levels. Many of the courses are accredited and/or recognised by relevant professional and industrial bodies, including the British Psychological Society, British Sociological Association, Scottish Social Services Council, and Law Society of Scotland. The successful candidates will contribute to the thriving Social Sciences and Criminology disciplines, primarily through lecturing/teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The School of Law and Social Sciences hosts an undergraduate honours degree in Applied Social Sciences and in Criminology, in addition to a postgraduate MSc Applied Psychology. Within this, an exciting opportunity has arisen for a Lecturer in Sociology to join our team. Educated to doctoral level in Sociology or a related discipline, you will have teaching experience within an HE environment. Having a background in Criminology will be an advantage. You will carry out designated teaching and assessment on the undergraduate BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences, BA (Hons) Criminology, and Sociology-based modules. Ideally, you will have knowledge and experience of lecturing and/or working in any of the following areas: criminology, cultural sociology, media studies, ethnography, business/ESG/CSR. However, there will be opportunities to contribute to a wide range of sociology and criminology modules.

In line with the University strategic priorities to contribute to fairer, more inclusive and socially engaged societies, the School of Law and Social Sciences is building and strengthening research and scholarly activity in areas which underpin curricula, strengthen academic profile and enhance funding possibilities. In addition to teaching, you will be expected to undertake research and consultancy activities as appropriate. It is expected that you will have an existing research profile at an appropriate level to your career stage, which may include research outputs that are internationally excellent, and evidence of submission of bids for external research funding. We are committed to increasing the quantity, quality and impact of research and scholarly activity in these areas. Our staff are expected to contribute towards the school’s scholarly achievements and to disseminate knowledge and understanding to a variety of stakeholders.

Salary Grade 7 Salary Scale: £40,704 – £46,970 / Grade 8 Salary Scale: £478,337 – £57,666
Salary on appointment will be dependent upon experience.

Candidates with limited or no prior experience as an academic will be placed on the first point of the Grade 7 scale. Consideration will be given to offering an Academic Attraction Payment (adjusted annually) for those candidates who have specific industry knowledge, skills or expertise which are required for the position.

Please see the job attachments for further information regarding the Grade 7 and Grade 8 criteria.  Further guidance on Academic Attraction Payments can be found here.

As per the UKVI immigration rules, this role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker route. Sponsorship under this route is dependent on factors specific to the applicant and if tradeable points can be used under the rules.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check. For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

For informal enquiries please contact: Sarah Henderson – Head of Discipline for Social Sciences, Criminology and ILS – Email Address – s.e.henderson@rgu.ac.uk

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE TO: Principal Lecturer/Head of Discipline

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibility

PURPOSE OF POST: Contributes to the delivery and development of the School's portfolio of courses and actively engages in research/consultancy activities.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES

• Carries out designated teaching on the undergraduate BA (Hons) Applied Social Sciences and BA (Hons) Criminology courses, along with other related undergraduate and postgraduate level teaching. This will be via lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops (which will encompass both face-to-face and online teaching methods) and assessment duties in areas of expertise, or as otherwise required by the Dean of School/Head of Discipline.

• Participates in the development and preparation of teaching materials.

• Provides academic and pastoral guidance for students.

• Supervises undergraduate and postgraduate projects.

• Develops and maintains expertise in subject areas.

• Participates in subject and course development and, in particular, contributes to the introduction of new methods of teaching and learning.

• Undertakes appropriate administrative responsibilities (e.g. year tutor, module co-ordinator, student selection, assessment, placement organisation, timetabling, maintaining attendance records etc).

• Promotes and markets the school and its courses to local, national and international clientele (including student recruitment, school/college visits and open days).

• Maintains working relationships with other Schools/Departments/Units within the University, as necessary, for the smooth operation and continued development of the School and its courses.

• Actively pursues research activities (e.g. writing for publication, developing own research, supervising research students, establishing externally funded research projects, presenting at conferences etc.)

• Engages with other staff, wherever possible, in consultancy activities relevant to the School.

• Establishes and maintains relevant professional, industrial and civic links, as necessary, for the effective operation of the school’s courses (e.g. engagement in work of external bodies, educational and professional) and its external partnership and engagement strategies.

• Actively participates in and suggests relevant staff development activities.

• Represents the School on relevant University and Institute committees both internal and external.

• Carries out such other related duties as may be required.

Candidates with limited/no lecturing experience can still be considered but will work to the Developing Academic. Full details of both roles can be found in the attached PDF.

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• A Doctoral qualification e.g. PhD in Sociology or Criminology (or near completion).

• Undergraduate Degree with Honours in Sociology or a related discipline.

Knowledge

• Knowledge and experience of lecturing and/or working in the area of Sociology

Experience

• Teaching within a Higher Education environment.

• Existing research profile, or potential to develop such a profile.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

• A Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning or Fellowship of Advance HE (FHEA).

• Membership of a professional or subject interest body, e.g. British Sociological Association (BSA).

Experience

• Experience in criminological research and teaching

• Module/Course Management Experience.

• Course/Programme Development

• Research Supervision

• Experience of developing external partnerships and/or a track record of public engagement.

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner.

Behaviour 2: Pastoral Care and Welfare - Experience of calming and reassuring those with work/study related problems who may be experiencing distress, dealing with difficult welfare situations or confidential matters and providing support for those in considerable distress or requiring long-term complex support.

Behaviour 3: Teaching and Learning Support - Experience of providing standard information or delivering teaching or training, designing content or learning materials within existing frameworks and developing innovative approaches to learning experience and the curriculum.

Behaviour 4: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers' expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards.

Behaviour 5: Analysis and Research - Experience of identifying or designing data gathering and analytical methods appropriate for each investigation and producing reports that identify key issues and findings.

Behaviour 6: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships, leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest and leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation.