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:
11995
Job title:
Research Associate
Reports to:
Head of Department of Languages
Faculty of Education and Language Studies (FELS)
Salary:
£31,656 - £33,574
Grade:
AC2
Terms and Conditions:
Academic
Duration of post:
3 years
Working hours:
Full-time
Location:
Walton Hall, Milton Keynes
Closing date:
5.00pm on Wednesday 17 February 2016
Type of application accepted:
Covering letter, application form, CV
Number of referees required:
Three
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2. Summary of duties
Overall job purpose


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to develop research and publications in an area related to the research of the
Department of Languages;
to attract external research funding
to support research activities and research active staff in the Department
Main duties
Appointees will be expected to do the following:
1. carry out research and publication in one or more of the Department's
core research areas listed above
2. attract research funding independently and with colleagues
3. contribute to teaching and materials development in one of the
Department's core languages (or exceptionally, in Arabic)
4. contribute to managing and promoting Department research activities
including seminars, conferences, and specific funded research projects
5. offer particular expertise in quantitative data collection and analysis,
including expertise in SPSS and other relevant software tools, in the
context of a relevant area of language research
6. supervise at doctoral level (if qualified)
The post will at times involve travel in the UK, to support pedagogy or project
work.
Person specification
Qualifications, experience and expertise
Essential
1. A completed doctorate by the time the post begins in any of the following
areas: technology enhanced language learning, intercultural
communication, open educational resources, academic literacies,
translation, or foreign language acquisition.
2. Native or near native proficiency in English and the capacity to
communicate clearly and influentially, and to write and present research
findings to a scholarly audience
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3.
Experience of quantitative data collection and analysis, including expertise
in SPSS and other relevant software tools, in the context of a relevant area
of language research
4. Experience of teaching one of the languages offered in the Department
(French, Spanish, English (EAP), German, Italian or Chinese)
5. Ability to work in an interdisciplinary research environment
6. Ability to work effectively and flexibly in a team and collaboratively with
others.
7. Ability to work to deadlines and to take responsibility for all aspects of the
research
8. Commitment to equal opportunities policies and practices.
9. Ability and willingness to travel for work purposes, and to live within
reasonable commuting distance of The Open University in Milton Keynes.
Desirable
10. Record of publication in scholarly outlets, such as refereed journals, edited
books or monographs
11. Native or near-native level of competence in French, Spanish, German,
Italian or Chinese (or, exceptionally, in Arabic)
4. About the unit/department
4.1 Faculty of Education and Language Studies
The Faculty of Education and Language Studies has approximately 1,140 members of
staff (including 870 Associate Lecturers), based in Milton Keynes and in regional and
national offices, who support approximately 26,000 students. The majority of these are
in the UK, but the Faculty also has students in the Republic of Ireland, Continental
Western Europe and elsewhere in the world. The Faculty’s curriculum comprises
programmes at undergraduate, Masters and doctoral levels. It offers undergraduate
study in Early Years, Working with Young People, Childhood and Youth Studies, Child
Development, Sport and Fitness, and Language Studies (Chinese, French, German,
Italian, Spanish, Welsh and English Language).
Academic staff belong to one of the four sub-units which are involved in producing and
presenting modules, and conducting research:

Department of Languages;

Department of Applied Linguistics and English Language;
Department of Childhood, Youth and Sport;
Department of Education.
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Further information about the Faculty can be found at
http://www.open.ac.uk/education-and-languages/
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The Faculty research activities are directed from the Centre for Research in Education
and Educational Technology (CREET).
4.2 Department of Languages
The Department of Languages is a major provider of open and distance teaching of
modern languages to adults in the UK, Ireland and Continental Western Europe. Over
8,000 students are registered on the modern languages course this year.
The Department is made up of specialists in Chinese, English Language Teaching,
French, German, Italian and Spanish. There are about 80 members of staff in the
Department; academic staff work either in Walton Hall (the Open University’s
headquarters in Milton Keynes) or in one of the twelve regional and national offices of
the University. The regional academics work with over 300 part-time Associate
Lecturers. Course managers and many other support staff work with the academic
staff in the production and delivery of courses.
Our Modern Language modules contribute to the BA(Hons) in Modern Language Studies,
for which students can combine two languages (French, German or Spanish) to level C1 of
the CEFR, or combine one of those languages with English language studies.
In terms of scholarship and research, most members of the Department belong to the Open
Languages Research Group, and work in the areas of technology enhanced language
learning, intercultural communication, open educational resources or language teaching and
learning. Examples of recent publications by members of the Department of Languages are
available here: http://oro.open.ac.uk/view/faculty_dept/fels-lang.html
Having just developed a new key introductory module (L161 Exploring Languages and
Cultures), we are now redesigning the rest of our curriculum at levels B1, B2 and C1 of the
CEFR to better integrate intercultural communication, academic and digital literacies and
employability skills in our modules. At the same time, we are preparing an MA in
Translation, and want to develop that as a research and scholarship area too. We are also
committed to supporting informal learning, be it through the development of MOOCs, Open
Educational Resources, or non-accredited courses.
5. 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, Professor Stephen Bax on 01908 654 732 (email stephen.bax@open.ac.uk) or Tita
Beaven on 01908 858 550 (email tita.beaven@open.ac.uk)
If you have any questions regarding the application process, please contact the Staffing
Assistant on 01908 332 247 or email FELS-Recruitment@open.ac.uk.
Please refer to section 2 in the ‘Information for applicants’ document for further
information.
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6. Where to send completed applications
Provide five copies of your application form, covering letter and, if applicable, CV – that is,
top copy plus four copies.
Please ensure that your application reaches the University by 5.00pm on Wednesday 17
February 2016:
Post it to:
Job title:
Research Associate
Unit:
Faculty of Education and Language Studies
Address:
Stuart Hall Building (ground floor)
The Open University
Milton Keynes
MK7 6AA
Or e-mail your application to:
FELS-Recruitment@open.ac.uk
7. Selection process and date of interview
Information about the interview panel and the selection process will be provided if you are
invited to interview.
We will let you know as soon as possible after the closing date whether you have been
shortlisted for interview. If you have not heard by Friday 4 March 2016 you should assume
that you have not been shortlisted for interview.
Applications received after 5.00pm on the closing date will not be accepted.
It is anticipated interviews will take place on 14 March.
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