About
The
Job.
School of English
Faculty of Arts and Humanities
Senior Lecturer
in Nineteenth-Century Literature
About
The
Job.
Pursue the extraordinary
Overview
About the Department
The Faculty of Arts and Humanities at the University of Sheffield is one of the leading
centres for research in the arts and humanities in the UK. The University of Sheffield is a
member of the Russell Group of research-intensive universities and is currently ranked 8th in
the UK in the Shanghai Jiao Tong Academic Ranking of World Universities.
The 2008
Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) ranked the University 5th in the UK in terms of the
number of subject areas with 50% or more of their research judged to be ‘world-leading’
(4*) or ‘internationally excellent’ (3*). The performance by the Arts and Humanities in
RAE 2008 was particularly impressive with 9 out of our 10 subject areas having 50%+ of
their research in the 4* and 3* categories.
We have an international reputation for its high-quality and innovative learning and
teaching, delivered by staff who are both committed to providing an outstanding student
experience and who are at the cutting edge of research in their own disciplines.
The University of Sheffield has been awarded the Times Higher Education University of the
Year for 2011, and Arts and Humanities is a major contributor to this success.
The Faculty comprises the following departments:
 Archaeology
 Biblical Studies
 History
 School of English Literature, Language and Linguistics
 School of
Modern Languages and Linguistics
 Music
 Philosophy
Six of the seven units are located in the Jessop quarter of the university campus, adjacent
to the award-winning Humanities Research Institute. The Faculty has its own
governance structures and is one of the five faculties of the university.
Colleagues in the School of English are known for their international-quality research in
English Literature, Theatre and Performance, Creative Writing, Applied Linguistics,
Literary Linguistics, Cultures of the British Isles and English Language. And much of this
activity is passed onto students through our research-led approach to learning and
teaching. With over 50 members of academic staff, the School of English is able to offer
outstanding teaching across a wide range of subject areas. In recent years five members
of staff have received Senate Awards for Teaching Excellence, and one of our staff has
been awarded a National Teaching Fellowship. The School is housed in a new Faculty of
Arts building which features modern flexible learning, teaching and research facilities and a cafe. The School of English plays an active role in the local community, and our
students are encouraged to venture outside the University to see how some of the ideas
they are learning about can apply in the wider world. We have excellent links with local
schools, libraries and museums, and we regularly undertake a range of different projects
and activities in partnership with these organisations.
Job Role
As a Senior Lecturer in Nineteenth-Century Literature provide research leadership within
both your area of specialism and the School of English as a whole. The post-holder will
develop approved module options in the period and will contribute to the Master of Arts
(MA) in Nineteenth Century Studies and the MA in English Literature. This post offers the
opportunity to join a top-ranking School of English and to direct the internationally
renowned Centre for Nineteenth-Century Studies which brings together scholars from a
wide range of disciplines across the University of Sheffield and aims to promote genuinely
interdisciplinary and collaborative research. You will also be involved in the recruitment and
supervision of doctoral students. The post-holder will contribute to teaching at Masters
level, and be expected to undertake a suitable administrative role in addition to
demonstrating outreach and public engagement activities.
Job Description
Main Duties and Responsibilities

Complement and enhance the English Literature Programme’s existing research
strengths by developing a strong international research profile (RAE 2008 2*-4*), with
research-led publications.

Enhance and maintain a high national and international reputation both individually, and
for the English Literature Programme, University and discipline.

Provide research leadership within the School.

Teach and examine in his/her specialist area and related areas within the English
Literature Programme and School, and to develop new undergraduate modules and
programmes where required.

Contribute to the operation of the English Literature Programme and School through
appropriate administrative responsibilities and committee memberships, and where
necessary to represent the English Literature Programme, School and discipline within
the University.

Represent his/her specialist area, and the interests of the English Literature Programme,
School and University at a national and international level.

Contribute fully as teacher, researcher and leader, in fulfilment of the ideals of the
‘Sheffield Academic’ (document attached in E-recruitment).

Design and deliver teaching and undertake assessments of modules. This will include
preparing teaching material, communicating material and encouraging critical
engagement with it; observing and reacting to student interventions; responding to
questions outside class times and introducing innovative teaching methods as
appropriate.

Supervise students’ projects and dissertations.

Co-ordinate team teaching. This will include liaising with other academic staff and/or
part-time teachers to ensure the course delivers its objectives and complements other
areas of study.

Undertake student assessment. This will include designing methods of assessment and
developing criteria, marking and moderating assessments and providing written and
verbal feedback, as well as collating and providing final student assessments.

Undertake course evaluation, including facilitating student feedback, reflecting on own
teaching design and delivery; and implementing ideas for improving own performance.

Undertake curriculum development work, planning, development and evaluation of
courses and course materials, and supervise course provision.

Attend to the pastoral needs of students. This will include acting as a Personal Tutor or
a Course Director, to counsel students.

Conduct personal research, of substantial external reputation in line with the research
strategy of the Department.
This includes identifying literature and updating own
knowledge; assessing the validity of the relevant literature and its contribution to the
development of own field.

Disseminate research findings through a high output of internationally recognised peer
reviewed publications outputs and conferences.

Identify and capture appropriate research funding.

Identify and develop collaborative links with appropriate nations and international
contacts.

Carry out a significant administrative role to a high standard, showing evidence of
creativity and innovation, to meet the required objectives.

Participate in other administrative processes of the Department as requested including
committee membership, quality assurance procedures and recruitment and admission
of students.

Contribute, as appropriate to the Faculty’s knowledge transfer and civic engagement
agenda.

Maintain substantial external recognition though an extensive range of professional
external activities such as refereeing papers, editing journals, refereeing research grants,
external examining, organising conferences, committee membership and involvement
with professional bodies on accreditation.

Working collaboratively with colleagues, actively participate in
Departmental/Faculty/University committees in order to contribute to the development
of teaching/learning and research policy.

Respond appropriately, promptly and proactively to requests and issues relating to
teaching, supervising research staff and students and administration.

Teaching-related and administrative work is allocated by the Head of Department and
various committees. Self-generate work through research and scholarly pursuits and
through innovation in teaching and administration

Plan and prioritise own daily work, and forward plan up to five years for some tasks. For
teaching, plan up to one year ahead unless there are significant teaching programme
changes or new courses, then plan for up to two years ahead of their introduction.

Deal with reactive requests daily such as those relating to teaching, supervising research
staff and students and administrative tasks.

Delegate to and monitor the work of research students/research associates as
appropriate.

Any other duties commensurate with the grade of the post.
Person Specification
Applicants should provide evidence in their applications that they meet the following
criteria. We will use a range of selection methods to measure candidates’ abilities in these
areas including reviewing your on-line application, seeking references, inviting shortlisted
candidates to interview and other forms of assessment action relevant to the post.
Criteria
Essential Desirable
Qualifications and experience
1.
Have a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject area
X
e.g. nineteenth-century prose, the Victorian novel or literature
and culture from the fin de siècle to modernism.
2.
Significant track record of high quality research.
X
3.
An established record of quality peer reviewed research
X
publications and research grant capture.
4.
Previous higher education teaching experience at
X
undergraduate and postgraduate level, ideally with a teaching
qualification.
5.
Demonstrate the potential to enhance the students’ learning
X
experience.
6.
Experience of supervising and monitor the work of research
X
students at postgraduate level.
Communication skills
7.
Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, report
X
writing skills and experience of delivering presentations.
8.
Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively
X
with colleagues, students and others in the University and
beyond.
9.
Possess the ability to communicate complex theories and
X
problems effectively to undergraduate and postgraduate
students.
Team working
10.
Experience of working effectively on a collaborative basis.
X
11.
Experience of creating and maintaining a network of contacts
X
throughout own work area.
12.
Experience of building and developing research teams.
X
13.
Ability to motivate high performance in others.
X
Problem solving and decision making
14.
Ability to think strategically and innovatively.
X
15.
Ability to analyse and solve problems with an appreciation of
X
longer-term implications.
Project management
16.
Experience of managing projects, people and resources.
X
17.
Experience of managing grants.
X
Personal effectiveness
18.
Proven ability to work to and meet deadlines.
19.
Experience of developing and maintaining a network of contacts
X
X
in own area.
Further Information
This post is open ended.
This post is full-time:
This role has been identified as a full-time post, but we are committed to exploring flexible
working opportunities with our staff which benefit both the individual and the University.
Therefore, we would consider flexible delivery of the role subject to meeting the business
needs of the post. See www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/wellbeing/info/wlb.html for more
information.
Benefits
Terms and conditions of employment: Will be those for Grade 9 staff.
Salary for this grade: £47,787 - £53,765 per annum pro-rata. Potential to progress to
£62,306 per annum through sustained exceptional contribution.
More details on salaries, terms and conditions and our wide range of benefits for staff are
available at www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/reward/structures
Informal enquiries:
For all on-line application system queries and support, contact:
e-Recruitment@sheffield.ac.uk .
For informal enquiries about this job and department, contact:
Selection-Next Step
Following the closing date, you will be informed by email whether or not you have been
shortlisted to be invited to participate in the next stage of the selection process. Please note
that due to the large number of applications that we receive, it may take up to two working
weeks following the closing date before the recruiting department will be able to contact
you.
The University of Sheffield is committed to achieving excellence through inclusion.
The University of Sheffield is proud to be a Two Ticks employer
www.sheffield.ac.uk/hr/equality/support/twoticks/
Pursue the extraordinary