Teaching Fellow Physical Geography

We are seeking to appoint a ten-month fixed term Teaching Fellow in the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences (GEES) at the University of Birmingham, to support delivery of programmes at Undergraduate (BSc, BA, MSci) and PGT levels with a specific focus on Physical Geography.

It is expected that the successful candidate's background in physical geography will assist in the delivery of excellent teaching and learning, including project supervision, lectures, workshops, field visits, and tutorials, within the BSc/MSci Geography; BSc/MSci Geology and Physical Geography and MSc ‘Rivers and their Management' programmes, alongside contribution to the management, leadership and enterprise activities of the School.

Across these flexible BSc/MSci programmes, supported by extensive fieldwork provision, modules cover key themes in Hydrology, Ecology, Meteorology, Geomorphology and Palaeoenvironments.E xample modules include: catchment water management; ecological systems; climate and water; environmental pollution; geomorphology and palaeoenvironments; river processes, deposits and environments; wetland environments; restoration of freshwater ecosystems; landscape and urban ecology. Students also undertake an independent research project/dissertation based on field and/or laboratory work. The MSc examines the interactions between climate, hydrology, geomorphology, ecology, biogeochemical cycling, water and habitat quality and biodiversity.

Summary of Role

• Teach in Physical Geography within established teaching programmes (under the supervision of academic members of staff), including lectures, tutorials, project supervision, field teaching, assessment, marking/moderation and feedback
• Contribute to enhancement of the student experience and employability
• As appropriate, contribution to administrative activities within the School.
• Main Duties / Responsibilities
• To use a variety of methods for teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates and
• postgraduates including the following:
• To teach and examine courses at a range of levels within the University.
• To plan and review own teaching approaches.
• To support the development of teaching programme proposals and make contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely in the School, as appropriate.
• To undertake and develop the full range of responsibilities in relation to student supervision, marking and examining, moderation and feedback.
• To use appropriate approaches to learning and teaching in Physical Geography.
• To disseminate appropriate practices through suitable media.
• To supervise projects, student dissertations and practical work, including participation in residential field courses.
• To act as personal tutor for academic and pastoral issues.
• To support the development of web-based and virtual learning platform teaching and other learning applications such as Canvas.
• Specific responsibility in leading, supporting and teaching postgraduate and undergraduate course modules as directed.
• To update own subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in
• teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes.
• Management and Administration
• To contribute to School administration:
• To undertake School administrative tasks, as required.
• To organise and participate in field courses and to undertake the necessary risk assessments.
• To support course admissions for the BSc and MSc courses, as required, and support School marketing strategy and webpage content.
• Research/Scholarship
• To devote up to 10% of time to personal research/scholarship, to complement the School's existing research areas and strengths.

Person Specification

• A higher degree relevant to the teaching/research area (MSc/PhD or equivalent qualification)
• A positive, engaging and dynamic approach to University education
• Academic or professional experience in Physical Geography or a related area
• As appropriate to career stage, experience of or potential for high quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level
• Skills in communicating, motivating and mentoring students successfully at all levels, in support of the student experience.
• Breadth of knowledge and ability to assimilate information from diverse subject areas would be advantageous.
• Knowledge of research methods sufficient to guide students in the formulation and delivery of research projects.

Closing Date 4 Feb 2019