Assistant Professor Behavioural Science and Health Psychology (Research and Education) – Department

Job title:

Assistant Professor Behavioural Science and Health Psychology (Research and Education) – Department

Company

University of Birmingham

Job description

Job DescriptionPosition DetailsDepartment of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and HealthLocation: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UKFull time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098Grade: 8Full Time, PermanentClosing date: 27th March 2025Academic Development Programme – new Assistant Professor will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.BackgroundDentistry within the University of Birmingham runs the BDS and a number of post graduate courses and has a strong research background. The teaching load in Behavioural Sciences and Implementation Sciences has increased significantly due to the GDC’s new Safe Practitioner Framework (November 2023). These disciplines directly address 3 of the 4 domains outlined by the GDC (Interpersonal Skills, Professionalism, and Self-Management), critical to the development of safe dental practitioners. The proposed post holder will take ownership of teaching in these areas, innovate the curriculum, and ensure compliance with GDC expectations.The appointee will initiate, engage and support research within Dental Public Health, Behavioural Sciences, Health Psychology, and implementation sciences contributing and leading major grant opportunities (e.g., NIHR). They will also support Public and Patient Involvement (PPI) activities for research projects at the school of dentistry.Role SummaryThe Department of Dentistry, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health at the University of Birmingham invites applications from exceptional and ambitious candidates with background in behavioural sciences, health psychology and implementation sciences for the role of non-clinical Assistant Professor in Behavioural Sciences and Health Psychology in Dentistry.You will contribute to a range of research, teaching and administration. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others can carry out theirs.Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development (including programme/module review) and delivery of teaching and assessment; and (b) enhancement of the student experience or employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, (b) supervising and examining PhD students, and (c) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods. You are expected to teach undergraduate dental students as well as those enrolled in the dental hygiene and therapy programme. You will be required to work collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching and learning in other modules.Research is likely to involve initiating, conducting and disseminating original research. Your research will have measurable outcomes reflect in your growing national (and ideally international) reputation.Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (e.g. working groups) within the University. This may include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.Main DutiesUsing a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work.

ResearchPlanning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):

• planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;
• project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;
• presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;
• effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;
• providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
• participating in research-related enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;
• applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University, including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.

Management/AdministrationContributing to Departmental/School administration, including:

• contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
• leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
• managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach.
• actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

CitizenshipContributing to an inclusive working environment:

• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice;
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• A higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area
• Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research
• Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, and advising colleagues
• Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability

Research

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

The candidate is expected to hold a higher degree (i.e. PhD) in health psychology/behavioural sciences or related areas.Teaching roles includes a substantial contribution to the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment of modules related to health psychology, behavioural sciences, and communication skills. The candidate may be required to support to the teaching of subjects related to ethics as well as professionalism.In terms of research experience, the ideal candidate would have a demonstrably successful track record (in terms of publications, supervision and grant writing) in subjects related to behavioural sciences and complex interventions in health. Expertise in designing and evaluating complex interventions as well as using qualitative analyses are essential. The candidate may also have the experience of using methods commonly used in implementation science such as co-design/co-production. The candidate is expected to support Dentistry with planning and delivering Patient and Public Involvement (PPI) activities. The candidate is expected to develop their research in behavioural sciences as well as forging new collaborations in other research areas such as dental public health.Further particulars can be found hereInformal enquiries to Professor Josette Camilleri, Head of Dentistry, email: j.camilleri@bham.ac.uk and Vahid Ravaghi, Assistant Professor in Dental Public Health, email: v.ravaghi@bham.ac.ukWe believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.

Expected salary

£46485 – 55295 per year

Location

Birmingham

Job date

Sat, 08 Mar 2025 23:17:49 GMT

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