Principal Lecturer/Lecturer in Journalism

Job Summary

RGU is an innovative, inclusive, and thoroughly professional university, focused on the impact of its demand-led teaching and research. Not only are we the Scottish University of the Year in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Awards for 2021 and ranked Top modern university in the Complete University Guide, but we also have an impressive array of other awards, including (amongst many others) a Gold Rating in the Teaching Excellence Framework, placing us in the top 20% of the best universities in the UK for the quality of our undergraduate teaching and learning.

The School of Creative and Cultural Business seeks to appoint a full-time Principle Lecturer in Journalism to join its dynamic team.  This important role is required to contribute to the high-quality delivery within the rapidly evolving field of journalism at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

Your significant knowledge and subject expertise will be evidenced by related teachingand research and/or relevant work experience and you'll be capable of fostering and developing collaborative links with academic, business, charitable and public-sector partners. Applications are particularly welcome from candidates with experience and knowledge of contemporary journalism in one or more of the following areas: political communication, digital journalism, investigative journalism.  Alternatively, you may have experience in a closely related media or communications field.

This is an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development and enhancement of this subject area. The School has developed significant expertise in the creative industries and has ambitious research plans going forward. You will be expected to play a strategic role in extending this body of knowledge.

The advertised salary spans 3 grades and we would prefer to appoint a Principal Lecturer at Grade 9 - salary scale: £53,353 - £61,823 (full details and criteria below).  However if you do not meet the criteria, we would still be interested in your experience and could appoint at Grade 7 or 8. Grade 7 Salary scale: £36,386 - £42,155 / Grade 8 Salary scale: £43,414 - £51,805.  You will find full details for the Lecturer role in the attached PDF along with further information regarding the Grade 7 and Grade 8criteria.  Further guidance on Academic Attraction Payments can be found here.

Informal enquiries regarding this opportunity are welcome and should be addressed to Izzy Crawford, Academic Strategic Lead, i.c.crawford@rgu.ac.uk

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

Job Description

PRINCIPLE LECTURER (Grade 9)

RESPONSIBLE TO : Academic Strategic Lead (ASL)

RESPONSIBLE FOR: Supervisory responsibility, includingfor lecturing staff (Grade 8 and below), as identified, and delegated by the ASL.

PURPOSE OF POST: To oversee the operation, monitoring and on-going development of Journalism provision within the School of Creative and Cultural Business.

PRINCIPLE DUTIES:

Supervisory responsibility.

This post recognises the importance of the need to maintain the highest quality of delivery and student performance in line with University Academic Quality Standards.

• You will engage in recruitment and promotional activity for the Journalism degree courses and will be responsible for the overall student learning experience. The Principal Lecturer works with the ASL and Dean of School in ensuring target numbers for admission to the course are achieved, working in collaboration with Marketing and Admissions.
• An overview of the established activities relating to this role is provided below:
• Course management and acts as “Team Leader” for Journalism provision ensuring there is on-going liaison with all those involved in delivery, including staff in other Departments.
• Undertakes line management duties as appropriate, delegated by the ASL.
  Communication and liaison with Module Co-ordinators responsible for Journalism teaching and other relevant courses is of prime importance.
• Inputs, as appropriate, to recruitment, marketing and admissions.
• Ensures, in liaison with ASL, that appropriate arrangements/resources are in place for the delivery of the Journalism courses (Moodle, timetabling, teaching, library and other support functions) with the aim of providing a positive learning environment for students.
• Ensures we comply with industry standards and requirements.
• Ensures that approved Course documentation is up to date.
• Oversees the effective implementation of the University’s quality assurance, and annual monitoring processes including: Annual appraisal; Analysis of student questionnaires and student feedback; Student liaison; Circulation of and response to External Examiners’ Annual Reports; Participation, as required, in quality assurance events e.g. Institution-Led Review, Professional, Statutory and Regulatory Body.
• Ensures that sufficient and appropriate External Examiners are appointed and remains the central point for communication/liaison with them.
• Undertakes various committee responsibilities e.g. is a member of the School Academic Board, will normally act as Co-Convener of the Programme. Management Team, is a core member of all relevant Assessment Boards and inputs, as appropriate, to Staff/Student Liaison and Employer/Industrial Liaison.
• Deals, as appropriate, with cases of suspected misconduct and student appeals.
• Oversees the processing of agreed Course changes and developments, ensuring appropriate consultation with colleagues, External Examiners, students, and professionals.
• Ensures there is appropriate on-going employer/industrial/ professional liaison, often acting as the main point of contact with external stakeholders.
• Undertakes duties where approved academic collaboration exists including ensuring that there are contracts and agreements in place.
• Undertakes the quality assurance procedures required in respect of collaboration agreements and partnerships.
• Ensures there is health, safety, and risk assessment monitoring where appropriate g. for placements, practical activities, fieldwork etc.

• Involvement in University committees and enhancement activities as delegated by the Dean of School.
• Carries out designated teaching (e.g., via lectures, seminars, tutorials, workshops, laboratory work, field trips, studio work, practical’s etc) and assessment duties in areas of expertise, or as otherwise required by the Dean of School.
• Provides personal guidance for students and mentoring support for staff.
• Supervises undergraduate and postgraduate projects and placements.
• Develops and maintains expertise in subject areas.
• Actively pursues and/or encourages research activities (e.g., writing for publication, developing own research, supervising research students, establishing externally funded research projects, presenting at conferences etc).
• Actively participates in and suggests relevant staff development activities.
• Engages with other staff, and wherever possible, in consultancy activities relevant to the School.
• Carries out such other related duties as may be required.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS (Grade 9)

Qualifications
MSc (or equivalent) in Journalism or related area.

Teaching Qualification (e.g., Fellowship of Advance HE). 

Knowledge

Significant knowledge and understanding of Journalism.

Familiarity with Academic Regulations and quality assurance and enhanced procedures.

Experience

Significant experience of Journalism either practice-based and/or academic teaching/research.

Experience as a Course Leader or significant course management experience.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS (Grade 9)

Qualifications

Doctorate or actively working towards one.

Knowledge

Specific knowledge of political communication, digital journalism, investigative journalism. 

Experience

Specific experience of political communication, digital journalism, investigative journalism. Line management experience.

Track record of successful student supervisions.

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; 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; 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 - Experiences 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; leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation.