About the Role

We are seeking to appoint a Senior Lecturer in Sport and Exercise Science to contribute to the leadership of new and existing undergraduate modules and programmes. We are particularly interested to hear from those, with expertise in sport and exercise physiology and/or biomechanics related disciplines.
The successful candidate will have a strong background of HE teaching and research or applied experience within sport and exercise science. 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 that draw on a system of blended teaching and learning. You should ideally have some knowledge of technology-enhanced learning.

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 engage with one of the School’s research clusters. 

You can live anywhere in the United Kingdom but the role will be based at the Open University’s Milton Keynes campus. Most meetings are held online but regular attendance at Milton Keynes will be required for use of campus facilities (e.g. Sports Science lab facilities), academic community and module team meetings.
 

Key Responsibilities

You will work individually and as part of a team by: 

• Playing a key role in developing 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;
• Leading on the presentation and maintenance of existing Sport and Fitness modules and courses, including, monitoring tutors and participating in assessment and cluster award boards;
• Supporting the academic integrity of student work by monitoring reports and responding to misconduct;
• Developing synergies between teaching and research by following 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:

• Knowledge and experience necessary to contribute fully to the development and production of modules in Sports and Fitness related curriculum;
• Knowledge and understanding of the role of new technologies within blended teaching and learning, and a commitment to innovation in this area; 
• A strong commitment to excellence in inclusive learning and teaching for a diverse student population;
• A higher degree in a subject area of relevance e.g., Sport and Exercise Science or related field;
• Experience of supported open and distance learning and an ability to write materials for students studying online, clearly and cogently and for diverse audiences; 
• Excellent interpersonal skills, and the ability to collaborate effectively in multidisciplinary teams, both internally and externally, including with employers and professional bodies;
• Excellent command of spoken and written English, together with the ability to offer and receive constructive criticism with a range of stakeholders;
• Ability to undertake high quality research and produce research/scholarly publications in a relevant subject (commensurate with career stage);
• Proven ability to plan and organise work to agreed deadlines, within resource constraints, and sometimes under pressure;
• Knowledge of, and commitment to, the OU mission, including equality and diversity issues;
• Ability and willingness to travel for work purposes.

Desirable:

• Evidence of research and scholarship – evidenced through publications, online outputs and/or external income funding impacting the field of Sport and Exercise Science.
• Fellow (or above) of the Higher Education Academy
• PhD or equivalent in sport and exercise physiology, biomechanics or related disciplines 
• 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: Week commencing 7th October

Job share and flexible working patterns will be considered. 

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 when necessary and in response to business needs. There may also be a requirement to occasionally attend meetings in Milton Keynes for academic community and module team meetings.

Full time starting salary is £57,696 to £59,421 per annum, with potential progression when in post to £64,914  per annum. Internal candidates already within the salary banding will remain on their current spinal point as per policy.

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. 

To apply for this role please submit the following;

CV and Supporting Statement, up to 1,000 words. You should set out in your statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the required competencies for this role as detailed in the above essential and desirable criteria.