School of Policy and Practice
DCU Institute of Education

• Three Year Fixed Term Contract

Dublin City University www.dcu.ie is a young, ambitious and vibrant University, with a mission ‘to transform lives and societies through education, research, innovation and engagement’. Known as Ireland’s ‘University of Enterprise and Transformation’, it is committed to the development of talent, and the discovery and translation of knowledge that advances society and the economy. DCU is the Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.

The University is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. It currently has more than 18,000 students enrolled across five faculties – Science and Health, DCU Business School, Computing and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and DCU Institute of Education. DCU is committed to excellence across all its activities. This is demonstrated by its world-class research initiatives, its cutting-edge approach to teaching and learning, its focus on creating a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. This exceptional commitment on the part of its staff and students has led to DCU’s ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It also consistently features in the world’s Top 100 Young Universities (currently in QS Top 70 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100).

DCU is placed 84th in the world, in the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings – measuring higher education institutions’ contributions towards the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Over the past decade, DCU has also been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

DCU Institute of Education

The DCU Institute of Education is the newest faculty of Dublin City University. It is based in a €70 million purpose built facility on the DCU St Patrick’s Campus in Drumcondra in Dublin. Established in 2016 as Ireland’s first University faculty of Education, it has a staff of more than 130 full-time academics and a student body in excess of 4,000.

The Institute brings together students of education across all sectors from early childhood, to primary and post-primary and further and higher education. As well as providing a range of undergraduate programmes in education, the Institute offers a rich menu of taught and research-based post-graduate programmes, at doctoral, masters, diploma and certificate levels.

As a centre of expertise and excellence in teacher education and education more generally, the Institute hosts a range of research centres in key areas of priority and has an ambitious and growing programme of research. With internationally-recognised experts in education policy, inclusive and special education, curriculum and pedagogy, assessment, literacy, evaluation, digital learning and teacher education, the Institute provides a dynamic learning and working environment. Staff can expect to encounter opportunities for multi-disciplinary work, not just in the Institute, but across the University. As one of the world’s leading young Universities, DCU has established its fifth and newest faculty out of a conviction that studies and research in education and the preparation and support of teachers are central to the transformation of lives and communities.

Committed to academic excellence and innovation, the DCU Institute of Education is confident its students and staff, and its graduates can flourish and lead in the challenging and complex contexts of education in the 21st century.

School of Policy and Practice

The School of Policy and Practice is one of the six schools within the DCU Institute of Education. The School represents a unique and innovative departure within the Irish educational landscape. Bringing together academics whose expertise range through primary, post-primary, further education and training and the higher education sector, the School’s range of experience and engagement spans all levels of educational provision creating an innovative and research-driven community.

The School is now seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor in Education for a fixed term three-year contract. A core element of the role will involve the coordination and future development of school placement across primary teacher education programmes in the Institute of Education as part of the school placement and professional studies team.

Duties and Responsibilities

The post will have a range of responsibilities including but not limited to the following:

Teaching and Learning

The successful individual will be required to contribute significantly to the development, teaching, assessment and administration of existing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, particularly in the area of professional identity, professional studies and school placement. This teaching will include module design and delivery and placement practice including its attendant duties of supporting and evaluating students on placement visits and writing reports. In addition, the individual is expected to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate theses, contribute to tutorials and to the wider teaching of the Institute as required by the Head of School.

-Research and Scholarship

The DCU Institute of Education is a centre of excellence in educational research and as such the candidate will be expected to be research active in their field and to contribute to, develop and support research initiatives within the School of Policy and Practice and the wider faculty. They will contribute to the scholarship and intellectual life of the University, contributing to the development of the DCU Institute of Education research agenda.

-Service and Contribution to University and Society

The responsibilities of this position will require significant engagement with primary schools, with the Teaching Council, and other education stakeholders. The candidate will undertake administrative functions related to the activities of the School of Policy and Practice as required. These activities defined by the Head of School will include participating in School and programme meetings, representing the School in marketing and recruitment of students, developing relationships with stakeholders, participating in open days, organisation of conferences and seminars.

Candidate Requirements

• Postgraduate qualification, preferably at Doctoral level, in teacher education or associated field
• Strong background in primary education and solid foundations in mentoring student teachers
• Significant experience of assessment in the area of school placement and professional studies
• An established or emerging reputation for research and scholarship in the areas of professional studies and school placement
• A minimum of three years’ experience teaching at graduate and undergraduate levels
• Familiarity with the Irish education system, particularly current developments in primary education and in teacher education policy and experience of working with education partners will be particularly important
• Capacity to collaborate and work closely with others
• Familiarity with online course delivery systems and course coordination also preferred.

The position is subject to the candidate being Garda Vetted.

Mandatory Training

The post holder will be required to undertake the following mandatory compliance training: Orientation, Health & Safety, and Data Protection (GDPR). Other training may need to be undertaken when required.