JOB DESCRIPTION
1. JOB TITLE:
Senior Lecturer in Physical Geography
2. HRMS REFERENCE NUMBER: HRMS/13032
3. ROLE CODE:
FINSLECTSR4
4. DEPARTMENT:
Geography & Development Studies
5. ORGANISATION CHART:
Head of Department (x1) – Professors (x2) and Deputy Head (x1) – Senior
Lecturers (x5) - Lecturers (x1.5 and tba), Administrator (x1.5), Technician (x1),
Research Assistants (x2), Research Students (x3)
6. JOB PURPOSE:





To contribute to providing a supportive and stimulating learning environment for
students;
To participate in the delivery and quality assurance of undergraduate
modules/programmes, with opportunities to contribute to M-Level teaching;
To develop and implement teaching and learning initiatives;
To undertake research and/or knowledge transfer activity leading to peerreviewed research outputs and to inform the above;
To assume administrative responsibilities commensurate with the level of
appointment.
7. BACKGROUND INFORMATION:
The Department of Geography & Development Studies (GDS) at Chester is situated
within the University’s Faculty of Social Science. It offers a Single Honours BSc
degree programme in Geography (approx 70 students per current intake), and three
Combined Honours degree programmes, in: BSc Geography (50-60), BA
International Development Studies (30) and BSc Natural Hazard Management (30).
The Department also offers flexible work-based learning programmes leading to
postgraduate and professional qualifications in Housing and Regeneration, and has
recently introduced a full-time Masters programme in Sustainability for Community
and Business taught jointly with the Faculty for Business, Enterprise and Lifelong
Learning. During the academic year 2013-14 the Department is developing a CPD
course in Flood Modelling and Community Resilience.
GDS was relocated to purpose-built teaching and office accommodation on the
main Chester Campus (10 mins walk from Chester city centre) in September 2007,
and benefits from large and small tutorial rooms, a 140-seat lecture theatre, soils
and GIS laboratories, map and photogrammetry room and large foyer/display area.
Staff within the Department form a cohesive teaching team, and engage in a variety
of collaborative research efforts, many of which span the interface between social
and environmental science. Foci of current research activity
include: sustainability, community-based carbon reduction, geography pedagogy,
natural hazards (flooding, coastal, land instability, earthquake) and environmental
change, health and the aged in a development context, migrants and refugees,
post-conflict societies and urban regeneration. One member of staff holds a Chair in
Environmental Sustainability, and another a Chair in Pedagogy in the Geographical
Sciences and a National Teaching Fellowship in Geography. The Department is one
of only a small number of geography departments in the UK to have scored 100%
for student satisfaction with teaching in two successive National Student Surveys.
We are seeking to appoint a 1.0 FTE lecturer/senior lecturer interested in helping us
to build upon this track record by making high quality contributions to the teaching
and research activity of the department. The post will involve both independent and
collaborative contributions across the range of a typical undergraduate curriculum in
physical geography. Interests in one or more of the following areas of physical
geography would augment existing staff expertise particularly well: applied
geomorphology, hydrology, biogeography, soil science, Quaternary science and
environmental change. Applicants must also be able to demonstrate potential for
synergy between their research/teaching interests and the work of colleagues on
other degree programmes offered by the Department.
8. WORK PERFORMED AND/OR KEY RESULT AREAS (HERA
Competencies)
8.1 Communicating Effectively
 Facilitate student learning through lectures, tutorials and seminars.
 Produce course materials and associated quality assurance documentation.
 Effective one-to-one (verbal and digital) communication with colleagues and
students.
 Communication with visitors on University Open and Visit Days.
 Research and scholarly activity.
8.2 Leadership and Working Collaboratively
 Team leadership roles (e.g. module leadership), commensurate with the level of
appointment.
 Capacity to work equally towards individual, team and departmental goals.
 Active engagement with departmental fieldwork activities, assuming some lead
roles.
8.3 Liaison and Networking
 Active member of relevant departmental (and some Faculty) committees.
 Some liaison activity with schools.
 Foster external links (e.g. in research).
8.4 Delivering a High Quality Standard of Service
 Maintain/enhance the quality of teaching and research activity in GDS.
 Engage with and act upon peer observation, student feedback and External
Examiner feedback.
8.5 Effective Decision Making
 Make independent decisions on the content of individual learning activities and


marking for student assessment purposes, and provide advice
to colleagues on such matters.
Make collaborative decisions within programme teams on the content of taught
modules and programmes.
Provide advice on specific issues to other members of the department, including
the Head of Subject, to influence operational decisions within GDS and the
Faculty of Social Science.
8.6 Planning and Organising Self and Others:
 Contribute to programme organisation and demonstrate willingness to progress
towards leadership roles.
 Work with colleagues in the planning of departmental expenditure.
 Assume responsibilities in the planning and running of fieldwork activities.
 Honed time management skills.
8.7 Innovation and Improvement (Effective Problem Solving)
 Deal with day-to-day student problems as they arise in a variety of contexts.
 Demonstrate flexibility and adaptability in the workplace.
 Assume problem-solving tasks in a variety of academic (research and teaching)
and departmental administrative contexts.
8.8 Analysis and Research:
 In the preparation of teaching materials and new modules.
 In helping to develop new modules and/or programmes of study.
 In (collaborative and individual) research and scholarly activity.
8.9 Sensory and Physical Demands
 Ability to manage large student groups (up to 150) in the lecture theatre.
 Reasonable levels of physical fitness for fieldwork activities.
8.10 Work environment
 Ability to adapt teaching to a range of work environments and group sizes, and
willingness to work in a shared office space with one other member of academic
staff.
8.11 Pastoral Care and Welfare
 Act as a Personal Academic Tutor (PAT) for up to 12 undergraduate students
per degree level.
 Assume responsibility for the health and safety of students in classroom,
laboratory and field environments.
 Where appropriate, demonstrate willingness to support the work of colleagues
and sensitivity towards the welfare of others.
 Demonstrate patience and sensitivity in the handling of students with special
educational needs.
8.12 Team Development
 Engage with peer mentoring and review of colleagues.
 Engage fully in departmental meetings and development activities.
8.13 / Teaching and Learning Support
 Make a commensurate contribution to teaching and learning support activity in
GDS outside of timetabled sessions.
 Help maintain and enhance the Department’s excellent record for student
satisfaction.
 Where appropriate, adjust teaching style to meet specific learning needs.
8.14 KNOWLEDGE AND EXPERIENCE
Qualifications
 Hold at least an M-Level qualification, and preferably a PhD, in physical
geography, biogeography, Quaternary science or a closely allied area of
expertise.
 Hold or achieve membership of a relevant professional body (e.g. the HEA)
within a specified period from the date of appointment.
Experience
 Of undergraduate/postgraduate teaching and assessment.
 Of supporting students on fieldwork, and, where appropriate, of leading such
activities.
 Of effective small-team working.
 Track record of recent research in physical geography leading to recognised
research outputs.
 Of applying quantitative methods to research and teaching.
Skills/Attributes
 An ability to keep abreast of, and lead developments in, the teaching of physical
geography at undergraduate level.
 Interest in aspects of physical geography allied to existing departmental
strengths (see Section 7).
 An ability to support students both academically and pastorally.
 Organisational and administrative skills.
 High level IT skills.
 An ability work as part of a team.
8.15 GENERAL



To undertake any other duties commensurate with your grade, and/or hours of
work, as may reasonably be required of you.
To take responsibility for upholding and complying with the University’s Equality
and Diversity policies and for behaving in ways that are consistent with fair and
equal treatment for all.
To comply with all University Health and Safety policies.
APPOINTMENT AT SENIOR LECTURER SCALE (TSR 4)
As above, plus the appointee must be able to evidence experience and competency
in:
• Leading modules and programmes, coordinating the efforts of colleagues to
deliver programme objectives.
• Developing and leading fieldwork activities of several days duration, including
where appropriate international fieldwork activities.
• Working with others to develop ideas for generating income and promoting the
subject.
• Supporting the learning of colleagues through coaching and mentoring
• Supervising student projects, fieldwork and placements at all levels.
• Developing and designing course content and materials across a range of
modules, ensuring compliance with quality standards and regulatory
frameworks.
• Leading research initiatives.
• Identifying areas where current provision is in need of revision or improvement.
9.
SELECTION PROCEDURE
Shortlisting will be completed on the basis of application forms and covering letters
(1 side A4). Shortlisted candidates will be invited to interview at the University in late
November. Each candidate will also be required to give a 10-minute presentation to
the Panel drawing on their research interests and entitled ‘Why Study Physical
Geography at University?’ Imagine that the talk is to be given at a University Open
Day to prospective students.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
Job Title & Department: Senior Lecturer in Physical
Geography (TSR4)
Department: Geography &
Developmental Studies
Criteria
Essential/
Desirable
Method of identification
Masters Level qualification in an internationally
recognised area of physical geography
Essential
Application Form
PhD in physical geography/geoscience (or a willingness
to work towards within a set timescale)
Essential
Application Form
Teaching qualification
Desirable
Application Form
Proven Experience:
Undergraduate teaching and assessment in physical
geography
Essential
Application
Form/Interview
Scholarly activity with links to effective teaching
Essential
Application
Form/Interview/
Presentation
Leadership of residential fieldwork activities
Essential
Application
Form/Interview
Quality assurance/enhancement admin experience in
HE
Essential
Application
Form/Interview
Leadership of module and programme development
Essential
Application
Form/Interview
Application of quantitative methods to teaching in
physical geography
Essential
Application
Form/Interview
Essential
Application
Form/Interview/
Presentation
Essential
Application Form/
Interview
Essential
Application Form/
Interview
Qualifications:
Delivering academic and service excellence:
Strong interpersonal skills, including communication
abilities (verbal, written, digital)
An ability to support students academically and
pastorally, including on residential fieldwork in UK and
abroad
Managing self and inspiring others:
An ability to work as part of a team, and to lead small
teams on collaborative teaching and research initiatives
Working together:
Strong organisational, administrative and time
management abilities
Organisational and stakeholder awareness:
Interests encompassing one or more of the following
areas of teaching and research: applied
geomorphology, hydrology, biogeography, soil science,
Quaternary science/environmental change
Interests that link to other areas of teaching in the
Department (e.g. BSc in Natural Hazard Management
and/or BA in International Development)
Essential
Application
Form/Interview/
Presentation
Essential
Application
Form/Interview/
Presentation
Desirable
Application
Form/Interview
Essential Requirements are those, without which, a candidate would not be able to do the job.
Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential
requirements will normally be rejected at the shortlisting stage.
Desirable Requirements are those that would be useful for the post holder to possess and will be
considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements
UNIVERSITY OF CHESTER
DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY & DEVELOPMENT STUDIES
SENIOR LECTURER IN PHYSICAL GEOGRAPHY
SALARY SCALE
TSR 4, points 35 – 39, £35,244 - £39,649 per annum.
CONDITIONS OF APPOINTMENT
Permanent contracts will be offered to those candidates who possess both a higher degree and a
postgraduate teaching qualification/Higher Education Academy membership. A successful candidate
who lacks either will be offered a fixed term contract, pending fulfilment of these conditions.
RESIDENCE REQUIREMENT
It is a requirement of this post that within 12 months of appointment, the post-holder should live
within a 30 mile radius or within a one hour travelling time by public transport from the University.
HOLIDAY ENTITLEMENT
35 days per annum (pro-rata during the commencement and cessation years). Two extra statutory
days during the Christmas period.
MEDICAL EXAMINATION
The successful candidate will be required to complete an Occupational Health Questionnaire and
will also be required to undergo a medical examination.
ESSENTIAL CERTIFICATES
Short-listed candidates will be asked to bring to interview, proof of qualification as outlined on the
Job Description and Person Specification provided. Upon appointment, copies of essential
certificates will be required by HRM Services.
DISCLOSURE & BARRING SERVICE CHECKS
The successful applicant will have to undergo a DBS check before an appointment can be made.
PENSION SCHEME
All academic staff will be enrolled in the Teachers’ Pension Scheme from their first day of
employment, in accordance with the scheme rules. If staff do not wish to remain a member of the
scheme, they will be entitled to opt out after enrolment.
EQUAL OPPORTUNITIES
The University has a policy of equal opportunity aimed at treating all applicants for employment
fairly.
SMOKING POLICY
The University operates a No-Smoking policy.
PROBATIONARY PERIOD
A nine months' probationary period applies to all Academic posts.
CLOSING DATE
Completed application forms should be returned to HRM Services, University of Chester, Parkgate
Road, Chester, CH1 4BJ, no later than 12 noon on Friday 8th November 2013, quoting reference
number HRMS/13032.
.