About the Role

We are seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Sports Biomechanics to contribute to the work of undergraduate sport modules and programmes with a particular focus on sports biomechanics.

The successful candidate will have a background in sports biomechanics, and experience of education in the HE sector. In particular, you need to be familiar with the use of biomechanics laboratory and field-based tools for the analysis of sport and exercise performance. 

Teaching in Sport and Fitness at the Open University involves being a member of one or more module teams responsible for the production and maintenance of open and distance learning materials to deliver online teaching and learning. You should ideally have some knowledge of distance education and managing assessments. Working alongside colleagues, your practical experience will be required to make use of new campus-based sports science laboratory facilities in the production of immersive curriculum content (e.g. through live webcasts, 360-degree environments, 3D-biomechanical models, virtual and augmented reality etc.).

As well as contributing to the production, presentation and updating of modules within Sport and Fitness, your research (existing or developing) needs to appropriately underpin Sport and Fitness teaching materials and help to maintain the leading-edge reputation of teaching within the School of Education, Childhood, Youth & Sport (ECYS). To this end, you will be expected to take part in one of the School’s research groups.

This role will be based at the OU’s MK campus and will require a mix of working on campus and working from home. Work on campus will include regular attendance at the new sport and exercise science laboratory facilities with the ambition of integrating their use into our undergraduate programmes and research projects.

Key Responsibilities

While our Sport and Fitness qualifications do not involve face-to-face teaching, you will work individually and as part of a team by:

• Working alongside colleagues to use the new sport and exercise laboratory technologies to produce module content and create immersive biomechanics learning experiences for distance learning students;

• Developing distance learning materials, including the updating, writing and redrafting of materials, critical reading, editing associated material, and the production of accessible and inclusive online resources for Sport and Fitness modules;

• Actively contributing to monitoring inclusion and accessibility within the production and presentation of modules at undergraduate levels;

• Contributing to the delivery and maintenance of existing Sport and Fitness modules and courses, including, monitoring tutors and participating in assessment and cluster award boards;

• Support the academic integrity of student work by monitoring reports and responding to misconduct;

• Exploring synergies between teaching and research by developing a personal research plan that aligns with one or more of the School’s research themes;

• Embedding equal opportunities across all aspects of School activities including teaching and research.

Skills and Experience

Essential

• A higher degree in a subject area of relevance e.g., Biomechanics, Sport and Exercise Science or related field;
• Knowledge and experience of using biomechanics equipment to enable learning to be situated in authentic contexts. This experience should include:
  • Motion capture – Ability to calibrate, capture and process 3D motion analysis data. 
  • Use of Matlab and Visual 3D to process, analyse, and create suitable visualisations of motion capture data for teaching and research.
  • Force platforms-Ability to calibrate, capture and process force data in a variety of sport / exercise contexts.
  • EMG – Ability to capture, analyse and present data in appropriate formats for teaching and research.  
• A strong commitment to excellence in inclusive learning and teaching for a diverse student population;
• Sustained teaching and assessment experience in HE;
• An understanding of supported open and distance learning and an ability to write materials for students studying online, clearly and cogently and for diverse audiences;
• Ability to work effectively, flexibly and collaboratively with others; being reflective and self-critical of personal contributions;
• Excellent command of spoken and written English, with the capacity to communicate clearly and influentially with a range of stakeholders;
• An understanding of the role of new technologies (e.g. learning management systems, online collaboration tools, video conferencing), within blended teaching and learning, and a commitment to innovation in this area
• A strong commitment to excellence in teaching for a diverse student population;

Desirable

• A PhD in Sports Biomechanics or a related subject
• BASES accreditation
• Evidence of research and scholarship – evidenced through publications and/or external income funding
• Fellow (or above) of the Higher Education Academy
• A post graduate teaching qualification

Essential Requirements

As part of the application process, you will be expected to submit your CV and a Supporting Statement (max 1000 words) that demonstrates how you meet the essential/desirable criteria listed above.

Key Information

Interview Date: 9th April 2025

This is a 3-year fixed term contract with an earliest start date of May 2025.

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required on a regular basis and in response to business needs (such as undertaking tasks in the laboratory). There will also be a requirement to attend meetings in Milton Keynes for academic community and module team meetings.

We are open to discussions about flexible working, whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement.Please reach out to us to discuss what may work for you and the role.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

Full time starting salary is £46,735.00 per annum with potential progression when in post to £55,755 per annum. Internal candidates already within the salary banding will remain on their current spinal point as per policy.