The University
At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.
Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here
The Role and Department
The Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD) seeks to appoint a talented individual to the role of Digital Learning Developer. We welcome applications from those with experience of developing online inclusive content to support student learning.
Digital Learning Developers make a significant contribution to the development of Durham's Online Learning Development. The successful candidate will be responsible for developing, testing and refining high quality online learning materials and activities to support Durham's diverse student community both in terms of blended and distance learning.
We are therefore seeking an enthusiastic individual to join our team with significant general experience of online learning design and development, training (both 1:2:1 and seminar) and with specialisms in one (or more) of the following: graphic design, interaction design, e-learning development, game/simulation design and web development. Creativity, playfulness, and experimentation are core to the DCAD mission, and we are seeking individuals who share our passion for innovative and novel approaches to learning enhancement.
Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD)
Inspiring excellence in learning and teaching. Using technology imaginatively and with relevance. Nurturing inclusive learning communities. Inspiring life-long learners. The Durham Centre for Academic Development (DCAD) fosters education by design. DCAD is...
...a resource open to all students
Offering a wide range high quality educational programmes and opportunities to enhance learning, to ensure that all students, no matter what their need, have the opportunity to realise their full potential.
...an educational partner for life
Engaging learners at all points - pre-sessional, undergraduate, postgraduate and throughout their professional development - within a life-long community. Because knowing how to learn, is knowing how to teach.
...an opportunity to develop pedagogic skills and new practice
Delivering professional development programmes for careers at all stages: from training for teaching practitioners in their early years, to supporting experienced practitioners to hone their craft. Pushing the boundaries of pedagogic practice and building bridges between scholarly research and teaching practice.
...a forum to share best practice
Providing regular scholarship events, conferences and networking opportunities. Designing platforms for educators, both new and experienced, to share and learn from each other.
Further information about the role and the responsibilities is at the bottom of this job description.
Working at Durham
A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:
• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year - a total of 42 days per year.
• The University closes between Christmas and New Year - please include or delete if not applicable.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16 throughout the year.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, you may be eligible for help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.
We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification
When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description.
Your application should cover the following criteria:
Essential Criteria
Qualifications/Experience
1. Educated to degree level (or equivalent experience).
2. Experience of participating in internal or external networks to share and discuss good practice and develop strong and productive working relationships in the area of digital learning.
3. Experience of providing specialist advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues, including more senior colleagues in the area of digital learning.
4. Experienced practitioner who has led teaching/research project working within an educational, commercial or industrial environment.
5. Experience of implementing policies and procedures in the area of teaching and learning
6. Continuing professional development required to maintain professional recognition. Hold or be willing to work toward either Associate Fellowship of the HEA (AFHEA) or Certified Membership of the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT Accreditation).
Skills/Abilities/Knowledge
7. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.
8. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including Microsoft 365 applications.
9. Experience of the technical production and design of online learning and associated materials using software and techniques such as Adobe Creative Cloud, Articulate Storyline, 3D modelling (e.g. Blender), game engines (e.g. Unity or Unreal).
10. Experience of digital design principles, and ability to create assets that enhance the learner experience and promote or maintain accessibility for learners with a range of needs.
11. Possessing skill(s) in a specialist area of online learning design. Examples include: graphic design, interaction design, game/simulation design, web development, artificial intelligence, XR use, inclusive educational development.
12. Experience of using generative AI in a digital education or professional context
13. Committed to continuing professional development to maintain professional recognition.
14. Professional knowledge and experience of compliance and regulations, local and national, for example copyright clearance, accessibility.
15. Ability to solve problems and decide on and plan appropriate solutions. 16. Expert knowledge and expertise in the area of designing high-quality active online learning content, and the application of skills to create, build, construct and realise new and innovative resources.
16. Knowledge and experience of ensuring compliance with regulatory and organisational policy and guidelines, including health and safety.
17. Ability to teach or train others with specific technical skills.
How to Apply
To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification above and a link to a portfolio.
While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.
Submitting your application
We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.
What you need to submit
• A CV: and
• A covering letter which clearly outlines how you meet all the essential criteria within the Person Specification.
• Within the covering letter, please include a link to a portfolio, which provides up to three examples of digital content that you have created yourself, or contributed to in a significant manner. If you can't share the actual resource, please give a summary, with screenshots. The portfolio can take any suitable format, perhaps a webpage, video, or annotated document. For each example, provide a written or recorded commentary explaining the purpose of the resource, the design decisions taken and the pedagogic approach used. If you have any evaluation data or feedback from staff or students, please include these too.
Contact details
For a chat about the role or any further information please contact Prof Sam Nolan, s.j.nolan@durham.ac.uk Director of DCAD.
Typical Role Requirements
Service Delivery/Development
• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University's values.
• Provide specialist advice and guidance relating to your professional area of expertise in line with the University's policies, regulations and values.
• Provide the best possible service by continually reviewing what is required from teaching staff and contribute to ideas and service improvements.
• Provide specialist knowledge and support when interpreting and analysing complex data and information sources.
• Look for ways to improve [processes, techniques and outputs/results] across all areas of your work.
• Identify any learning needs that should be met by DCAD and design activities and arrange any training.
• Oversee specialist risk assessments and safety procedures and resolve incidents that require specialist expertise.
Planning and Organisation
• Provide specialist advice to resolve technical problems, plan projects and continually develop and improve the service.
• Seek feedback from key stakeholders so that DCAD is being adapted to meet customer expectations and to plan future requirements.
• Manage budgets and expenditure including buying (and returning) goods and services.
Teaching and Learning Support
• Design, build and maintain interactive teaching resources.
• Provide advice on digital tools and infrastructure to ensure an appropriate pedagogical approach to developing world class teaching.
• Manage the day-to-day delivery of a high-quality technical service to ensure teaching outputs.
• Record, monitor and collate information to analyse patterns and trends as part of teaching and research activities.
• Be responsible for the design, set-up, maintenance and integrity of teaching, research and learning facilities, technology and resources within a specialist area. Support the delivery of undergraduate and post graduate teaching and learning activities, and income generation, where appropriate.
• Contribute to the planning, design and delivery of research outputs and prepare innovative teaching/research proposals.
Communication/Liaison
• Use your operational expertise to lead and participate in business meetings, working groups and sub-committees.
• Collaborate with internal and external academics, industry and technical specialists to support the delivery of teaching and research projects and to contribute to the generation of external income.
• Liaise with internal and external agencies, local authorities, industries and visitors where appropriate.
• Meet the development needs of your stakeholders providing training when required.
• Create positive working relationships, including internal and external networks, using your networks to increase your knowledge and skills and swap information with peers.
• Contribute to promotional events and presentations at conferences.
• Any other reasonable duties.
Useful links
If you would like further information you may find the following web site useful:https://www.dur.ac.uk/dcad
Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Privacy Notices - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.