Mater Dei Institute of Education
A College of Dublin City University
Assistant Lecturer in History
(Fulltime, Fixed Term 3 year Contract post)
Mater Dei Institute, a College of Education, a foundation of the Catholic Archdiocese of Dublin and a
College of Dublin City University, is seeking to recruit an Assistant Lecturer in History located within
the Department of History in the School of Humanities. The School of Humanities is one of the Institute’s
three Schools and contributes to programmes and modules at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
HISTORY IN MATER DEI
The Department of History plays an important role in the academic and professional life of the Institute.
At undergraduate level it provides the History programme and related modules in the four-year level 8
concurrent initial teacher education programme leading to the award of Bachelor of Religious Education
(with History) which is a second level teaching qualification recognised by the Teaching Council.. It also
contributes to the BA in Irish Studies and Religious Studies three year Arts degree. At postgraduate
level it contributes to research degrees at MA and Ph. D. level.
History within Initial Teacher Education: student teachers of History follow courses in a wide variety of
historical themes, both at general survey and special topic levels from the medieval to modern periods
and inclusive of Irish, European and World history. Students are, throughout the degree programme,
given the opportunity to obtain the required subject competence and the related skills and discipline
specific approaches currently used in treating historical topics within the second level curriculum.
PRIMARY RESPONSIBILITIES OF THE POST
The successful applicant will:

Take a prominent and active role in the Institute’s Department of History through the
development, delivery and review of programmes, pathways and modules in the area of History
at undergraduate and postgraduate research degree levels,

Lecture and tutor at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in academic and applied areas of
History as this relates to the second level curriculum,

Facilitate the further development of academic History and Curriculum History within the
Institute,
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
Engage in strategic research in the area of History and seek funding for such research.

Publish in the area of History.

Supervise and direct student research at undergraduate taught MA, research MA and research
Ph.D. levels,

In collaboration with the Head of History develop new pathways, modules and extra-curricular
activities related to the study of History within the Institute, designed to be of service to the
needs of teachers of History and their pupils in second level schools,

Attend to developments in the area of History teaching nationally and internationally and ensure
that the Institute is positioned to respond to emerging needs and opportunities,

Promote awareness of the programme among potential applicants,

Develop the profile of History within the Institute's School of Humanities and the DCU Faculty of
Humanities and Social Science,

Deliver lectures and tutorials across a range of topics from the late medieval, early modern and
modern periods, to include for example
o A survey of England and Ireland under the Tudor dynasty
o Reformation and Counter Reformation
o The Making of Modern Europe 1789-1918
o The experience of revolution in 17th century Britain and 18th century America
o Aspects of 20th century Russian, American and European history
o Undertake such other cognate tasks as may be assigned by the Director or the Head of
the History Department.
Applicants should note that, in view of the centrality of teacher education in the Institute, all core
academic staff must participate in the supervision of student teachers across a range of school
placements and of other students enrolled in other programmes in a variety of placement contexts.
RELATED RESPONSIBILITIES
The related responsibilities of an Assistant Lecturer in the Institute include the following:

acting in a supportive role to the Head of Department as required.

membership of Boards and Committees,

academic planning at Institutional, School and Department level,

programme, pathway and module design, coordination and development,

working with other members of the School and Department in a collaborative manner,
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
promoting interdisciplinary co-operation across the Institute’s Schools,

enhancing academic cooperation with the Faculty of Humanities and Social Science of Dublin
City University,

providing student consultation and feedback,

supervising teaching practice and other placements,

setting assignments and terminal written examination papers,

correcting assignments and marking examination scripts,

moderating research papers and minor theses and supervising research theses,

contributing to the Institute’s outreach, distance learning and e-learning initiatives,

assisting Registry with relevant aspects of examination and academic administration at
programme and module level,

contributing to the promotion of the Institute’s programmes,

keeping abreast of developments in their areas of expertise and the publishing of material in
these areas,
APPLICANT PROFILE
(Details of the following must be clearly included in your application)
Applications are invited from candidates who meet the following minimum criteria:
1. Hold an honours primary degree in History,
2. Hold a doctorate in History or related area
3. Have three years’ relevant fulltime work experience which may include:
a. Time spent in post-graduate training or study for a higher degree (on the basis of 1
year’s credit for 1 fulltime registered year of study or part-time equivalent).
b. Teaching experience at second level (on the basis of 1 year’s credit for each 2 full
years’ experience).
c. Experience gained in the public or private sector in a post for which the entry
requirements is an honours primary degree or equivalent (on the basis of 1 year’s credit
for 1 full year’s experience).
4. Have a minimum of one years fulltime (or part-time equivalent) teaching experience in History
5. Are familiar with the Junior and Leaving Certificate History syllabi in the Republic of Ireland,
6. Can supervise history students in school teaching practice placement contexts,
7. Are knowledgeable about the pedagogical issues relating to the teaching of History at third
level,
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8. Can demonstrate high level communication, teamwork, interpersonal and administrative skills,
9. Are competent in ICT and web-based skills of relevance to teaching, learning, research and
related administration at third level.
In addition to the above minimum requirements the following will be to the advantage of an applicant in
both short-listing and if called for interview:
1. Enhancing the Institute’s current capacity in the area of History.
2. Holding a recognised teaching qualification,
3. Having a record of research in History beyond that required for the submission of a doctoral
thesis
4. Having publications in History in peer reviewed journals,
5. Exhibiting awareness of current developments in History
6. Exhibiting knowledge about the pedagogical issues relating to the teaching of History at second
level.
7. Having obtained funding for research in the area of History
Commencement Date
January 7th 2013
Salary and Conditions
This is an academic post and forms part of the Institute’s core staffing numbers for the purposes of the
Government’s Employment Control Framework. Staff are employees of the Institute.
The post is offered on the basis of a three year fixed term contract on the Institute’s Assistant Lecturer
salary scale. For a successful applicant who is not a new entrant to the public sector the salary is
€35,538 to €57,357(12 points). Please note that the salary for a successful applicant who is not already
a public sector worker will be subject to a 10% reduction in accordance with current Government
requirements. In such circumstances the salary scale is €31,984 to €51,621(12 points). In this case
appointment will be made at the first point of the reduced scale.
Qualifying staff of the Institute are included in the Dublin Diocesan Pension Scheme. This is a private
pension scheme.
Applicants should further note that:
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
The first 12 months of employment in the Institute is probationary.

All non-probationary staff of the Institute participate in the Institute’s Performance Management
and Development System (PMDS).

The Institute expects all staff to actively engage in continuing professional development and
supports such engagement through a number of initiatives including the provision of skills
workshops, staff development seminars and on-going in-service training.
APPLICATION
Closing date for Application: Wednesday December 5th (5 pm).
Application must be made by downloading and completing the Institute’s Application Form (Academic
Posts). This form and Information for Applicants (Academic Posts), which should read in full prior to
completing and submitting an application, are available on the Current Vacancies section of the
Institute’s website www.materdei.ie
Applications should be submitted in hardcopy to:
Employment Applications
Office of the Director
Mater Dei Institute of Education
Clonliffe Road
Dublin 3
Ireland
Short-listing: Applicants will be short listed for interview on the basis of the information that they have
provided in their application and its relevance to the post requirements as set out above.
Interview: Short-listed applicants will be called for interview. Interviews will only be held on December
12th 2012. Please note that the Institute does not provide financial support to enable shortlisted
applicants to attend for interview.
The interview process includes a requirement to make a short (7 minute) verbal presentation to the
Interview Board on the topic of Preparing Future Second Level Teachers to Teach History in
Contemporary Ireland. Applicants are encouraged to briefly illustrate their presentation by reference to
the teaching of one of the content areas that they would hope to teach in the Institute (as specified in
the Applicant Profile above).
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Further Information: It is recommended that, prior to application, prospective candidates should have
an informal conversation with the Head of the Department of History concerning this job description.
Contact details:
Stephen Stewart
Tel: 01 8086521
Email: stephen.stewart@materdei.dcu.ie
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