JOB DESCRIPTION
Assistant Professor in Social, Personal, Health Education (SPHE)
School of Human Development
The Institute of Education
3 year Fixed Term Contract

Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) 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’, DCU is a values-based institution, committed to the delivery of impact for the public good. DCU was named Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.

DCU is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. More than 18,000 students are 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 delivering a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. The university continues to develop innovative programmes in collaboration with industry, such as the DCU Futures suite of degrees, which are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required in a rapidly evolving economy.

DCU’s pursuit of excellence has led to its current ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It is also one of the world’s Top Young Universities (QS Top 100 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100). In the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021, DCU ranked 23rd in the world for its approach to widening participation in higher education and its ongoing commitment to eradicating poverty, while it ranks 38th globally for its work in reducing inequality and 89th globally for gender equality.

The university is ranked 23rd in the world and first in Ireland for its graduate employment rate, according to the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings. Over the past decade, DCU has been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

Overview of the department

The School of Human Development is one of the six schools within the DCU Institute of Education. The School is made up of a dynamic and unique group of scholars, researchers and teachers working in partnership, and whose academic interests span teacher education, the humanities, the social sciences, and the broad field of Human Development including SPHE. The School’s SPHE lecturers play leading roles in the development of national policy in SPHE and RSE in both primary and post-primary education, are active members of international networks, and constitute a cluster of expertise and scholarship in a field of increasing public interest.

Role Profile

We are now seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor with expertise in the field of SPHE. The successful individual will join an established team supporting initial and continuing teacher education, professional learning and research in the fields of SPHE and RSE, and teacher education more broadly. The successful individual will be based on the St. Patrick’s campus and report to the Head of School of Human Development.

Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching and Learning

The successful candidate will be required to contribute significantly to the development, teaching, assessment and administration of existing undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in the area of SPHE.

This teaching will include module design, delivery, and assessment.

The successful candidate will work with students undertaking their professional placement experience including the attendant duties of supporting and evaluating students on placement visits and writing reports.

In addition, the applicant  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 Human Development and the wider faculty.

The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the scholarship and research profiles of the School of Human Development through high-quality research and publication in their area of expertise. This will be undertaken in association with colleagues in DCU and broader research networks.

Service and Contribution to University and Society

The candidate will undertake administrative functions related to the activities of the School of Human Development. These activities, defined by the Head of School, may include participation in School meetings, engagement in meetings related to programmes, representing the School in marketing and recruitment of students, developing relationships with stakeholders, participating in Open Days, organisation of conferences, seminars, etc.

Qualifications and Experience

• A postgraduate qualification, preferably at doctoral level, in SPHE or closely related fields
• Experience of working in and with primary schools, and of initial teacher education for the primary sector is highly desirable.
• An emerging research/publication profile in SPHE or closely related fields
• Familiarity with the Irish education system and current developments in primary education and in teacher education policy will be particularly important
• Familiarity with developments in SPHE in Ireland will be expected Experience in teacher education is highly desirable
• Familiarity with online course delivery systems is highly desirable
• The successful individual should be capable of working in a team and contributing to developing the teaching and research agenda within the School

Dublin City University is an equal opportunities employer.

In line with the Employment Equality Acts 1998 – 2015, the University is committed to equality of treatment for all those who engage with its recruitment, selection and appointment processes.

The University’s Athena SWAN Bronze Award signifies the University’s commitment to promoting gender equality and addressing any gender pay gaps. Information on a range of university policies aimed at creating a supportive and flexible work environment are available in the DCU Policy Starter Packs