Further Particulars
This document includes information about the role for which you are applying and the
information you will need to provide with the application.
1. Role details
Vacancy reference:
8275
Job title:
Lecturer in Chemistry
Reports to:
Head of Discipline, Chemistry & Analytical Sciences
Salary:
£37,012 - £44,166
Terms and conditions:
Academic
Grade:
AC3
Duration of post:
Fixed term until 31 July 2013
Working hours:
Full Time
Location:
Milton Keynes
Closing date:
3 January 2013
Type of application form accepted:
Short
Number of referees required:
Two
Unit recruitment contact:
Fiona McGavin
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2. Summary of duties
You will contribute to the design and delivery of OU modules at undergraduate and
postgraduate level in the Chemistry and Analytical Science pathway of the Natural Science
programme. Candidates should be prepared to bring an imaginative approach to the challenge
of presenting science courses and programmes for a wide range of adult students of different
backgrounds.
For the duration of this post, the role holder will be expected to:
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Be an active member of the Discipline of Chemistry and Analytical Sciences and of the
Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences in which the Discipline is embedded.
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Contribute to the production of the organic chemistry sections, including practical
elements, of the 60 point S215 Chemistry a second level general chemistry module.
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Contribute to discussions on the content and structure of the organic chemistry part of a
revised level 3 chemistry module.
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Take an active role in a team developing and delivering context and problem based
learning within the general areas of chemistry and analytical science.
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Engage with the activities of eSTEeM. You will be encouraged to contribute to projects
within this area, exploring the frontiers of STEM education.
The general duties for academic staff include, but are not limited to:
1. Teaching
a. To contribute to the development, planning, implementation and updating of a high quality
and successful curriculum
b. To prepare learning materials suitable for the teaching and learning methodologies used
by the Open University.
c. To contribute to the briefing, debriefing and training of part time teaching staff (Associate
Lecturers).
d. To contribute to the direction of teaching and assessment / examination by the University,
monitoring of samples of marking by Associate Lecturers, and to act as a member of
examination boards.
e. To contribute to the assurance and enhancement of the quality of teaching, learning and
research within the Department and in line with University standards.
2. Research
a. To undertake a self-directed programme of research and/or scholarship at a level
commensurate with the current standards of excellence in the Faculty.
b. To generate grant income as appropriate.
c. To undertake research and/or scholarship that is internationally competitive and leads to
high-impact publications
d. To supervise postgraduate research students
e. To participate in Departmental and Faculty seminars and workshops aimed at sharing
research outcomes and fostering interdisciplinary collaboration.
3. Outreach
a. To contribute to the outreach activities of the Faculty.
b. To participate in the national and international science community and learned societies.
c. To enhance the reputation of the Department, the Faculty and the University through
scientific meetings and other activities.
4. Enterprise
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a. To apply/bid for, deliver, and manage individual enterprise activities as appropriate (e.g.
academic supervision of knowledge transfer programmes, consultancy).
b. To further Faculty interests by developing and maintaining a network of contacts and
engage with businesses and government bodies as appropriate.
5. Administration & Management
a. To engage with appropriate administrative tasks (e.g. workload planning, Career
Development & Staff Appraisal)
b. To contribute effectively to relevant academic or management fora.
c. To undertake a programme of continuous professional development.
Other duties
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Comply with the University’s Health and Safety and Equal Opportunities policies in the
performance of their duties;
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Take reasonable care of the Health and Safety of themselves and that of any other person
who may be affected by their acts or omissions at work;
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Co-operate with the Open University in ensuring as far as is necessary, that Statutory
Requirements, Codes of Practice, University Policies and Departmental Health and Safety
arrangements are complied with;
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Have a strong commitment to the principles and practice of equality and diversity;
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Attend appropriate staff development events and undertake appropriate training where
necessary to improve your skills in delivering distance learning.
3. Person specification
Qualifications, experience and expertise
Essential
1. A higher degree in Chemistry or a closely related field
2. Experience of undergraduate teaching in organic chemistry or a closely related subject.
3. An ability to write fluently in order to contribute to chemistry teaching at all levels within the
OU portfolio
4. Good oral communication skills
5. Ability to work flexibly and collaboratively across intra- and inter-faculty boundaries and to
develop relationships and networks
6. The ability to use information and communication technology in teaching and supporting
students
7. An up-to-date knowledge of developments in the field of chemical education
8. Commitment to furthering the University’s policies relating to diversity and equal
opportunities
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9. The commitment and ability to work as a member of a team.
Desirable
1. Specialism in organic chemistry or modelling.
2. Experience of supporting students in a distance learning environment.
3. Experience of supporting learners from a wide range of academic backgrounds and
abilities
4. Experience in the development and delivery of context or problem based learning
5. Experience in scholarship activities
6. Interest in multimedia presentation of teaching material, particularly for distance teaching
7. Familiarity with communications tools for synchronous working
4. Role specific requirements e.g. Shift working
5. About the unit/department
Faculty of Science
The Faculty has a staff of about 300, comprising of around 115 academic staff (central
and regional/national) with the balance made up of research staff, curriculum managers,
laboratory staff, administrators and clerical staff. There are also varying numbers of
research students and visiting academic staff.
The Faculty has three departments, each with constituent discipline groups:
Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems
 Earth Sciences
 Ecosystems and Biodiversity
Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
 Brain & Behavioural Sciences
 Cell & Molecular Biology
 Chemistry & Analytical Sciences
 Human Biology
Department of Physical Sciences
 Astronomy
 Physics
 Planetary & Space Sciences
Curriculum
The Faculty has developed an extensive range of modules using the Open University's
supported open learning teaching model. These modules contribute to a number of
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qualifications such as the BSc (Hons) Natural Sciences and the more general BSc
(Open) degree. In addition, the Faculty supports a number of diplomas and certificates
including interdisciplinary offerings with other faculties. Students can choose to study
any of our modules and qualifications at their own pace and are supported by tutors,
study advisers and on-line conferences. There are optional face to face tutorials for
some modules, but many of our modules are accessible entirely online and it is possible
to complete the whole Natural Sciences BSc degree in this way. This level of
accessibility means that the Faculty supports a large proportion of all the part-time
undergraduate degree studies undertaken in the UK.
In addition to our degree level programmes, the Faculty offers an innovative range of
Science Short Courses that are designed to provide a taster of Level 1 study for those
new to undergraduate study.
The Faculty also offers a Master's postgraduate degree programme with several taught
degrees including the first UK MSc to be accredited by the Council of Graduate Schools
as a Professional Science Master's.
The launch of a new suite of modules in Practical Science (S288) in February 2012
sees an exciting opportunity for engaging in practical science through online
environments and laboratory and field-based activities. The five modules reflect each of
the five major disciplines: chemistry and analysis (SXC288); environmental science
(SXE288); earth and environment (SXG288); biology and health (SXL288) and physics
and astronomy (SXP288). Two promotional videos outlining these new modules are
available to view - S288 Practical Science.
Research & Enterprise
The Faculty of Science undertakes a range of research across many scientific topics,
bringing together traditional scientific disciplines and new interdisciplinary areas through
two major research groupings:
Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR)
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Astronomy
Environmental Change (Past, Present and Future)
Natural Hazards
Physics
Planetary Geosciences
Geochemistry and Cosmochemistry
Solar System Exploration
Biomedical Research Network
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Biomolecular Damage
Biopsychology
Cell Biology
Disease and Diagnostics
Neuroscience
Our research encompasses a wide range from 'blue skies' to applied research finding
solutions to specific scientific and technological problems.
These research activities are supported by world class laboratory facilities and
instrumentation and provide opportunities for full time PhD research studentships
supported by our own academics and post doctoral research fellows.
There are about 48,000 students studying our undergraduate and postgraduate science
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modules, mainly based in the UK, but increasing numbers are studying online globally.
There are also several hundred PhD research students studying full time in our
laboratories at our campus in Milton Keynes or part time at partner institutions or
affiliated research centres.
We have over 4500 square metres of state-of-the-art research laboratories with major
research facilities that include:
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A recently opened facility for interdisciplinary research in ecosystems and
geobiology.
One of Europe’s leading centres for isotope mass spectrometry including
extensive radiogenic, noble gas and stable isotope mass spectrometry facilities
and a new £3 million microbeam facility, including a Cameca Nanosims ion
imaging system and dual beam FIB-SEM
Ultraclean spacecraft instrument testing and assembly, and for handling
planetary materials and returned extraterrestrial samples
A state-of-the-art life sciences research facility including biological containment
laboratories, molecular genetics and DNA-sequencing laboratories
Environmental and transmission electron microscopy
Hypervelocity Impact laboratory
Well equipped laboratories for research in atomic, molecular and plasma
research
Employers, Science, Technology, Engineering, Entrepreneurship, Mathematics
(eSTEeM)
eSTEeM is an initiative to bring together academics within Science and the
Faculty of Maths, Computing and Technology to develop new approaches to
teaching and learning. This centre builds on existing collaborations developed
within the Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (CETLs) based at the
OU and with other Faculties, aiming to embed new approaches around priority
areas such as e-assessment, online experimentation, etc.
Further information on the Faculty can be found on our website at
http://www8.open.ac.uk/science/main/.
Department of Life, Health & Chemical Sciences
Head of Department: Dr Hilary MacQueen
The Department is made up of 44 academics who undertake teaching, research and
scholarship across a wide range of scientific and pedagogic areas. In addition, there are
currently 5 post-doctoral researchers and 19 full-time research students. The
Department comprises four constituent discipline groups: Brain & Behavioural Sciences,
Cell & Molecular Biology, Chemistry & Analytical Sciences and Human Biology.
Our Teaching
The Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences presents a large number of
modules that contribute to the BSc Natural Sciences, the BSc Health Sciences, and
various Certificates and Diplomas. We also offer all four of the Faculty of Science’s
Foundation degrees, and we are at the forefront of employer engagement within the
university. We present all the 15-credit Long-Term Conditions modules, and many
of the Science Short Modules (10 credits each). We also contribute to several
modules at Masters level, in the MSc qualifications in Science, Science and
Society, Professional Science, Medicinal Chemistry, Medical Physics and
Psychology.
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At postgraduate level, the Department runs a full PhD research degree programme
with students supported by the BBSRC, MRC, charities (such as Research into
Ageing and The Migraine Trust) and The Open University.
Members of the Department have made many pedagogic innovations, particularly
relating to the on-line delivery of practical science and work-based learning, and its
assessment.
Our Research
Members of the Department conduct research within all three of the Faculty’s major
research centres, CEPSAR, BRN and eSTEeM. Our research teams comprise
biologists, chemists, physicists and psychologists who contribute to a vibrant and
interdisciplinary research community. The available laboratory facilities include
molecular genetics laboratories, cell and tissue culture suites with time-lapse
imaging capabilities, electron, confocal and atomic force microscopes, histology and
morphometric laboratories and a radiation suite which houses a cell harvester, beta
scintillation and gamma counters. We have an impressive range of GC/LC-MS and
liquid chromatography instruments, a range of spectroscopy instruments, and an Xray diffraction facility. We also have a whole-organism facility.
Department members offer a range of specialist skills and expertise across the life,
health and chemical sciences. We are keen to involve external partners in our
research through their involvement in collaborative research projects, sponsored
PhD studentships and contract research projects. Much of our research is based on
very successful collaborations with other universities and institutes and with
industry, both nationally and internationally. Recent research funding in the
Department has come from, amongst others, the BBSRC, EU Framework 6&7,
World Cancer Research Fund, Wellcome Trust, Leverhulme Trust, Multiple
Sclerosis Society, MRC, the Royal Society, NAAR/Autism Speaks, Research into
Ageing and NIMH. Our industrial research partners include Regen, Cyclacel Ltd,
Human Factors International, Eusa Pharma (Europe) Ltd, Hill Group Aggregate,
Entec UK Ltd, Charles Church, Black & Veatch, TAP, Dow-Corning, BP and
Hichrom.
Our Outreach
Members of the Department of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences were in the
vanguard of developing health education in sub-Saharan Africa through the HEAT
project:
http://www8.open.ac.uk/africa/heat/
The Department has strong links in this part of the world and elsewhere, and we are
developing a number of opportunities for collaborative teaching and research
projects. Closer to home we have many links with schools and communities across
the UK. We have also benefited enormously from our long-standing relationship
with the BBC, which enables us to disseminate our teaching and research.
6. How to obtain more information about the role or application process
If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please
contact Dr Elaine Moore on +44(0)1908 655028 or email e.a.moore@open.ac.uk.
If you have any questions regarding the application process please contact Fiona McGavin on
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+44 (0)1908 858110 or email science-recruitment@open.ac.uk.
7. The application process and where to send completed applications
Your application should include:
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Short application form
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Cover letter detailing how you meet the person specification

CV
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by: Thursday 3 January
2013
E-mail science-recruitment@open.ac.uk
Or post it to:
Name/Job title:
Fiona McGavin
Department/Unit: Faculty of Science
Address:
The Open University
Walton Hall
Milton Keynes
Post Code:
MK7 6AA
8. Selection process and date of interview
The interview panel will be chaired by Professor Hazel Rymer, Dean & Director of Studies.
The other members of the interview panel will include Dr Elaine Moore, Head of Discipline,
Chemistry & Analytical Sciences. The interview date will be advised.
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to prepare a piece of teaching text on a specified subject
for discussion at interview.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. Further details on the selection process will also be sent to
shortlisted candidates.
Applications received after the closing date will not be accepted.
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