Lecturer in Dental Biosciences

Job description

The Centre for Oral, Clinical and Translational Sciences (COCTS) has an international reputation in mineralised tissue research, biomaterials, tissue engineering, and clinical dental research. We have a strong mix of clinically focused researchers and foundational scientists working within a translational theme. Strong educational support is given to both undergraduate and postgraduate students and we seek to appoint an academic that will strengthen and diversify the capacity of the centre’s research and education in areas complementary to the Centre’s submitted REF 2021 Impact cases related to dental mineralised tissue formation, disease and repair. 

You will play a key role in developing and executing internationally leading research as an independent investigator and by working collaboratively with clinician scientists. You will have a strong research track record relevant to the Centres core activities and have experience of leading interdisciplinary activities. You will support undergraduate and postgraduate students undertaking research as part of their course. You will work towards establishing a research program that attracts external funding to support your research in line with the expectations of a probationary Lecturer. To complement this, you will also develop collaborations with other research groups within the faculty, building the multi-disciplinary research that is a core component of our mission.  You will contribute to the educational programme, including both undergraduate and postgraduate taught courses. We particularly encourage applicants who have experience of excellence in science communication who can support the Centre’s translational agenda and Impact activities.  

This post will be offered on an indefinite Contract 

This is a full-time / (part-time working will be considered)

Key responsibilities

• Undertake nationally and internationally leading research & maintain a consistently high-level output of publications and presentations. 
•  Undertake and encourage national and international research that complements the current work of COCTs
• Work towards developing an independent, peer reviewed research programme.
• Attract external funding to support both individual and collaborative-led research consistent with strategies set out in faculties’ expectations of lecturer’s – to gain external funding sufficient to support a postdoc.
• Supervise postdoctoral research staff and PhD students to ensure their effective development
• Build and maintain international and world-leading collaborations as relevant to the research field.
• Engage in multidisciplinary research in collaboration with other research groups in the faculty.
• Contribute to teaching of undergraduate and postgraduate students in the faculty and more widely at KCL including designing teaching material, using appropriate teaching, learning support and assessment methods. In particular be able to contribute to the delivery of the undergraduate dental curricula in areas including dental anatomy, histology and pathology.
• Supervise student projects (including those of clinical trainees) and, where appropriate, placements.
• Act as personal tutor to undergraduate and/or postgraduate students.
• Identify areas where current provision needs revision or improvement.
• Contribute to teaching-related activities such as setting and marking examinations.
• Train postgraduate students and postdoctoral research staff.
• Undertake or update professional skills as appropriate and relevant in support of teaching excellence.
• Play a full role in centre administration by contributing at meetings and volunteering to help with committees and projects.
• Sit on appropriate centre and faculty committees and contribute to the welfare of the college and the academic community.  
• Provide leadership in science communication and public engagement within COCTS and the wider Faculty 
• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the Supervisor and Head of Centre.

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

• Experience of grant application for research projects in a dental field; early evidence of securing external or internal grant income.
• A record of publication of high-quality research outputs in leading specialist and high-impact non-specialist peer reviewed academic journals.
• Be able to conduct interdisciplinary research activities and support clinically trained researchers.
• Experience of stakeholder engagement activities and innovation in science communication.
• Use of computers/Software including database and research literature searching.
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a multidisciplinary team (clinical and non-clinical scientists)
• Motivated and self-disciplined
• Ability to show Common Sense and good judgement
• Ability to communicate complex ideas with others
• Ability to pay attention to detail.