The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
An exciting opportunity has arisen for a University Teacher to join the School of Biosciences and contribute to a highly multidisciplinary community of academics, researchers and teachers. You will support teaching across the School, with a primary focus on Molecular and Biotechnology provision, largely at postgraduate taught (PGT) level. With support from the School mentoring scheme, you will be responsible for coordinating and delivering lectures and practical classes, supporting student projects, and contributing to small-group teaching and tutorial provision.
In this role, you will work closely with module leads and programme teams to ensure the effective delivery, assessment and evaluation of taught modules. You will contribute to curriculum delivery by preparing high-quality teaching materials, leading elements of assessment design, supervising undergraduate and Masters-level research projects, and providing high-quality academic and pastoral support to students. The post also offers the opportunity to develop teaching practice within a supportive, research-led academic environment.
Applicants must have a PhD in a relevant subject (or equivalent experience) along with demonstrable excellence in teaching Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at postgraduate level. Experience designing and delivering laboratory-based teaching in biosciences is also essential.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Design, coordinate and deliver high-quality, research-informed teaching for modules in Molecular and Biotechnology, identifying learning objectives and selecting appropriate syllabi; selecting teaching methods, techniques, resources and reading; determining, designing and producing study material; planning module delivery and planning for contingencies. Use a range of teaching methods to deliver material including lectures, workshops and small group tutorials.
- Coordinate and oversee the delivery of laboratory-based teaching, including planning practical classes, briefing and supporting demonstrators/GTAs, liaising with technical staff, and ensuring effective session delivery and contingency planning.
- Deliver modules, communicating subject matter and encouraging critical discourse to develop rational thinking; observing and reacting to student interventions; giving appropriate academic advice.
- Carry out assessment for modules, designing assessment instruments and marking criteria; marking assessments, performing moderation to ensure consistent marking of cohort assignments; providing written/oral feedback; attending exam boards; and collating and providing final assessments of students.
- Be proactive in your approach to students and the learning environment, e.g., by developing courses and materials that promote a learning environment that encourages discussion.
- Supervise Masters-level research projects and co-supervise undergraduate research projects, including providing academic guidance on project design, data analysis, interpretation, and research communication.
- Contribute to quality assurance and enhancement processes, including responding to student evaluation and External Examiner feedback, and implementing evidence-informed improvements to teaching and assessment.
- Be proactive in your approach to students and the learning environment, e.g. by developing courses and materials that promote discussion and supports inclusive and accessible learning for students with diverse needs and backgrounds.
- Contribute to the life of the School, the Faculty and the wider University community through participation in School committees; contribute to wider School policy development through contribution of own specialist expertise; continue professional development.
- Engage in core administrative activities supporting taught programmes, including academic tutoring, student mentoring and progression support, in line with School practices.
- Ensure compliance with laboratory health and safety requirements relevant to teaching, including contribution to risk assessments and COSHH documentation, delivery of student safety briefings and inductions, and appropriate reporting of incidents or near misses.
- Ensure digital accessibility of teaching materials by ensuring that content, activities and all their components are accessible to all, in order to remove barriers to learning.
- Work actively to enhance the student experience by (amongst others) delivering prompt feedback.
- Plan and prioritise own daily work; deal promptly and proactively with requests such as those relating to teaching, students and administrative tasks.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential Or Desirable
Stage(s) assessed at
Have a PhD in a relevant subject area (or equivalent experience).
Application
Demonstrable excellence in teaching Molecular Biology and Biotechnology at postgraduate level.
Application / Interview
Proven ability to teach a range of Biosciences and Molecular Biology subjects to an exceptionally high standard.
Application / Interview
Experience designing and delivering laboratory-based teaching in biosciences.
Application / Interview
Experience of providing academic and pastoral support to students.
Application / Interview
Experience of designing, coordinating and marking assessments at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level.
Application / Interview
Ability to ensure that all students of differing abilities are able to access and are actively engaged in the learning process.
Application / Interview
Ability to use technology-enhanced teaching (TEL) to deliver teaching, such as an online learning environment (e.g., Blackboard) and interactive teaching tools such as polling platforms (e.g. Kahoot).
Application / Interview
Ability to respond promptly, positively and informatively to student questions and queries and to deliver timely, constructive and personalised feedback on student assignments.
Application / Interview
Experience of designing, coordinating and marking assessments at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level.
Willingness and ability to collaborate with colleagues in teaching, assessment and administration.
Application / Interview
A recognised teaching qualification and/or Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
Application / Interview
Experience in Industrial Biotechnology.
Application / Interview
Knowledge of biological statistics and experience of teaching R.
Further Information
Grade
8
Work arrangement
Part-time (80% FTE)
Duration
Available from September 2026 for a period of 2 years
Line manager
School Director of Education / Deputy Director of Education
Direct reports
None
Our website
School of Biosciences
For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Dylan Childs, School Director of Education, at
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the weeks following the closing date. This will consist of a presentation, interview and meetings with stakeholders. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage within two weeks of the advertised closing date. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process please contact .
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendlyli>
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- support for those going through the menopause
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
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