Pathway 1 - Role Profile Level d

Senior Lecturer (including the title Associate Professor) (Grade L)

This role profile assumes that all the qualifications, skills and experiences required of a level C Lecturer have been achieved.  It also assumes that the responsibilities of a Level c Lecturer have been fulfilled satisfactorily.  Only the additional requirements are spelled out below.

For those applying for promotion to Associate Professor, another key requirement is that they evidence progress towards meeting the relevant professorial role profile. 

Role Summary

  1. This role will typically require extensive academic experience, which includes contributions in teaching, research and related leadership and administration.
  2. Role holders will be expected to take leading roles in developing and overseeing teaching programmes at all levels; to be leading collaborative research bids, research teams or scholastic projects (e.g. editing journals or academic books).
  3. They will have an established reputation within their academic discipline and will be producing research of national, if not international, quality.
  4. They will be making a significant leadership and/or management contribution within their school or the wider University. 

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Qualifications, Skills, Knowledge and Experience Needed at Appointment/ Promotion

  1. Broad knowledge and deep expertise in their areas of scholarship.
  2. Ability to provide leadership to teaching and research teams.
  3. Ability to successfully design and implement teaching and research programmes.
  4. Ability to contribute to broader organisational and management processes.
  5. Extensive and successful teaching experience, at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including the design of new units and course materials.
  6. Extensive success at publications, in high reputation academic journals or in books, and disseminating research findings through conference papers that have a significant impact.
  7. Experience of successfully leading groups and contributing to the development of fellow academics, whether in teaching or research or both.

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Additional Responsibilities

Additional Teaching Responsibilities of a Senior Lecturer

  1. Contribute effectively to teaching programmes run within the Faculty and to the leadership of relevant programmes and course teaching teams.
  2. Successfully plan and introduce new units and help in developing new degree programmes.
  3. Take on and deliver lead roles in relation to teaching programmes (e.g. programme leader, senior tutor, year head) and curriculum development.
  4. Lead on the effective incorporation of engagement and knowledge exchange into teaching and learning activities.
  5. Contribute effectively to the enhancement of quality in teaching within the School, but also at Faculty level.
  6. Effectively mentor new staff and advise less experienced staff on learning and teaching tasks and methods and take a leading role in peer observation.
  7. Deliver the role of external examiner to teaching programmes in other universities.
  8. Participate in, and help to organise, where appropriate, networks of academics teaching in their own (and any related) disciplines.

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Additional Research Responsibilities of a Senior Lecturer

  1. Independently identify relevant research objectives for a research team to pursue and, where appropriate, contribute effectively to faculty research programmes, ensuring that outputs meet the quality and quantity expectations for the School and/or Faculty.
  2. Develop and sustain funding support for their own areas of research.
  3. Lead research funding bids and research teams (where appropriate).
  4. Take a leading role in the successful dissemination, nationally and internationally, of research findings.
  5. Develop knowledge of, and contacts with, appropriate funding bodies external to the University.
  6. Provide expert advice on research issues to research fellows and other colleagues.
  7. Play a leading role in, and/or help to create, networks of researchers active in their area of scholarship and help create opportunities for collaborative work with other research centres.
  8. Peer review manuscripts for publication and/or research bids.
  9. Participate actively in the development of the School’s research strategy.
  10. Make a significant contribution to the School’s research reputation and income
  11. Develop effective activities to achieve engagement with research, and/or impact beyond academia.
  12. Where appropriate, develop relations with communities relevant to the research, and public and private enterprises in order to capitalise on intellectual property and collaboration.

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Other Activities Expected of a Senior Lecturer

  1. Engage effectively in the University’s Staff Review and Development process, potentially as a reviewer as well as a reviewee, and engage in ongoing continuing professional development. This may include the University’s CREATE scheme to achieve Senior Fellowship. 
  2. Effectively supervise the work and training of postgraduate research students to graduation and mentor other staff providing postgraduate supervision.
  3. Consistently act as a good citizen, actively taking on administrative duties and participating fully in the daily working life of the School, behaving as a role model for others.
  4. Support and contribute effectively to the professional development of other staff, particularly those whom you line manage.
  5. Monitor and manage substantial teaching and/or research resources effectively.
  6. Contribute effectively to School planning and development processes, including decisions on resource application.
  7. Take on and deliver specific leadership roles within the School or Faculty (e.g. chairing Examination Boards, committees).
  8. Successfully lead teaching and/or research projects, including (where appropriate) line management responsibility for the academic and support staff involved.
  9. Be knowledgeable about, and play a part in, wider university structures beyond the School (e.g. on faculty committees, membership of Senate).
  10. Represent the School in external relations as required.
  11. Participate, as appropriate, as a subject expert in consultancy and advisory arrangements, and/or legal proceedings.

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Additional Relationships and Contacts of a Senior Lecturer

  1. Will be line managed by the Head of School (or Head of Primary Unit).
  2. Likely to have direct line management responsibility for some academic staff and some other staff within their School and will often be responsible for their Staff Review and Development. May also be involved in disciplinary and grievance procedures where appropriate.
  3. Likely to have some management/leadership role in relation to a wider group of staff.
  4. Likely to deal with students, at all levels, in relation to progress, discipline and complaints.
  5. Will be expected to work in a collegial and supportive manner with academic and professional services staff at all levels in the University.

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