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The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The Open University is seeking to recruit 2 Lecturers to join the Institute of Educational Technology (IET). IET is a global leader in the field of pedagogy, known for advancing open and distance learning globally. Since IET was established in 1970 we have been central to The Open University’s mission to be the world leader in researching, innovating and delivering supported, open and distance learning. Since then, we have contributed to research across many significant developments within education, driving understanding of how innovative technology can support learning, teaching and assessment.

Following a vision exercise with IET colleagues, we have prioritised further strengthening IET’s research in the following two areas:

•    Future of Work & Professional Development
•    Digital Wellbeing, Health and Learning 

While we welcome applications for other research programmes within IET  , we would particularly like to strengthen these two new research programmes.   We are seeking  to appoint one lecturer each for our two new research programmes: Future of Work, including AI and digital transformation, employability, organisations and professional learning; and Digital Wellbeing, including health, wellbeing, learning technologies, inclusion, and the social and ethical implications of digital innovation.

Key Responsibilities

Research, scholarship and knowledge exchange

• Pursue high quality research in a relevant area of IET, including supervising research students, commensurate with career stage.
• Contribute significantly to the research profile and 2029 Research Excellence Framework submissions of IET through a record of high-quality publications commensurate with experience, alongside the effective dissemination and application of research by other routes.  
• Actively engage in/lead grant bidding and other income generating activities in line with IET and WELS research strategies, alongside activity to support and encourage others to bid more effectively.
• Enhance our links with industry to enable teaching and research collaborations and knowledge exchange.
• Contribute to the vibrant scholarship environment in IET.

Teaching and Quality Enhancement

• Actively contribute to the design and delivery of IET curriculum and/or Quality Enhancement and Innovation activities.
• Be an active member of IET to help deliver academic excellence by:

developing innovative and effective teaching approaches, drawing upon educational scholarship and industry best practice as appropriate
developing novel models for assessing practical competencies as well as domain knowledge
promoting employability and career progression for our students.

General

• Act as an ambassador, both internally and externally, for the academic excellence of IET, and The Open University.
• Take responsibility for administrative and/or other academic duties as required by the Director of IET.
• Contribute to the outreach activities of IET, and the University.

About You

Essential:

• A doctorate in an area related to educational technology - we could consider applications where the thesis has been submitted and the candidate has relevant, significant prior experience
• Expertise in at least one of the areas covered by IET's research programmes.
• Ability to undertake high quality research and produce research/scholarly publications in a relevant subject.
• An understanding of the educational and study needs of students, particularly those studying part-time at a distance.
• Experience of producing distance/online teaching, learning and assessment materials.
• Evidence of, or the potential to develop and deliver, innovative pedagogical approaches.
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, both internally and externally, including with employers and professional bodies.
• Excellent written and spoken English skills, together with the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism.
• Ability to plan, organise and complete work to agreed deadlines.
• Ability to work in accordance with the University’s values and relevant policies.
• A demonstrable commitment to excellence in inclusive learning and teaching for a diverse student population. 

Desirable:

• Expertise in the research areas of Future of Work & Professional Development, or Digital Wellbeing, Health and Learning.
• Experience of supporting students in a distance/online learning setting.
• Evidence of successful research student supervision.
• Relevant professional qualifications.
• Fellowship (or higher) of the UK Higher Education Academy, or equivalent teaching experience/standing in the UK or in another country (commensurate with career stage).
• Experience of developing new collaborative partnerships within Universities  and/or with external organisations and employers (commensurate with career stage).
• Successful experience of gaining external research and/or teaching-related funding (commensurate with career stage). 

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

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 works best for you.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where you can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that you will attend the office at least once per fortnight and in response to business needs.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

If shortlisted, we anticipate interviews taking place onsite in Milton Keynes W/C 8th June 2026. In addition to the interview, there will also likely be a teaching task to complete in the same week. 

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV 
• Supporting Statement (Your Supporting Statement should be no more than 1500 words and should outline why you are interested in the role and how your current skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria listed above). 

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system.  Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.