Head of Discipline – Professional Psychological Practice
Hybrid
This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
The School of Psychology was established in 2020 and is situated within the College of Health, Psychology and Social Care. The School is home to our two Discipline areas of Psychological and Behavioural Sciences (PBS) and Professional Psychological Practice (PPP), the latter being home to our forensic psychology programmes. As a School we seek to deliver excellence in all areas of academic activity, including our teaching and research. We foster a culture of continual growth and improvement and seek to hold equality, diversity, inclusion and wellbeing as a central pillar to all activity. As a TEF Gold institution we put student experience at the heart of all of our activity.
We are excited to be able to advertise this role for a forensic psychologist who will lead our innovative and growing team who are at the forefront of influencing the next generation of forensic psychology students, researchers and practitioners through our stage 1 MSc Forensic Psychology programme. You will contribute to the academic leadership and delivery of our MSc Forensic Psychology programmes and to the research profile of the School of Psychology, including applied forensic psychology research. We are home to the first wholly online PG Diploma in Forensic Psychology Practice and there will be opportunities to work in our growing forensic psychology team, which included both Chartered Psychologists and HCPC registered Forensic Psychologists.
As we grow our forensic psychology provision, this role will include oversight, leadership and development of our campus and online programmes, working with the Head of Discipline, senior academics and the wider teaching team to ensure continuation of excellent student experience and outcomes. We are passionate about inspiring and empowering our graduates in their future careers in forensic psychology (or other destinations), within practice, academia or other progression routes. The role will include leading and supporting our marketing events (e.g., open days) which occasionally take place into evenings and at weekends.
The School of Psychology has an active research agenda, and you will be expected to engage with and support financially sustainable research and/or other appropriate academic activity. Whilst we are back to full campus delivery and activity, there will be opportunity for working from home as agreed with the Head of Discipline. We do support hybrid working as business needs permit.
This role is a full-time position of 37 hours a week, however we would welcome applications from candidates who wish to be considered for a job share. The role is required on a full-time basis therefore a job share could only be offered should a suitable arrangement be available with the days and/or hours of work to be agreed on appointment. Please indicate in your application your preference of days and/or hours you would be available to work.
We are seeking a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist (forensic domain) to join our team and lead our MSc Forensic Psychology programmes. We would welcome applications from candidates with experience of teaching / training and leadership, and experience of relevant transferable skills in these areas from beyond higher education. You should also have experience of undertaking research, and be passionate about supporting the development and growth of evidence in their field. Excellence in communication, team and collaborative working are essential, both internally and externally.
Responsibilities
* Lead on, or contribute to the leadership within, the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and/or post-experience programmes.
* Teach and facilitate learning on core and optional modules relating to the academic discipline.
* Ensure that module/programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University, and relevant PSRB requirements.
* Contribute to the development of learning and teaching strategies and ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching.
* Undertake relevant module leadership responsibilities and take on other programme-related work that may include marketing, recruitment, and learning and teaching development.
* Supervise student projects at undergraduate/postgraduate levels.
* Develop innovative approaches to learning and teaching, such as blended or online, to encourage student-centred learning.
* Ensure effective monitoring of student progress and provide advice and guidance to staff and students as appropriate.
Research / Scholarship
* Take the lead on, plan, develop and conduct research objectives, projects and proposals within the broader programme. Deliver research outcomes that will contribute to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
* Generate income by developing and winning support for innovative research proposals and funding bids.
* Disseminate and explain research findings through leading peer-reviewed national publications (and international where appropriate), conferences and other appropriate media.
* Ensure adherence to ethical standards in the projects for which the role holder is responsible.
* Monitor research resources such as budget, materials and equipment.
* Provide mentoring and guidance to colleagues and co-ordinate the work of research and support staff.
* Take a leading role in the development and delivery of business engagement activities, developing entrepreneurial links with external organisations.
* Identify own professional needs and undertake appropriate training and staff development.
Other
* Act as a personal academic tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
* Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
* Liaise with international partners as required on existing and future collaborations.
* Contribute to new initiatives at appropriate levels.
* Build on existing research networks, furthering contacts with external organisations such as funding bodies.
* Actively seek out and develop opportunities for interdisciplinary research both across the University and externally.
Observe and implement University policies and procedures.
Qualifications
* Good Honours Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent.
* Senior Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards.
* PhD or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement.
* HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist (forensic domain).
Experience
* Experience of delivering effective learning, teaching and assessment in Higher Education to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
* Demonstrable experience of successful curriculum development.
* Demonstrable experience of effectively designing and implementing a range of formative and summative assessments for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.
* Significant experience of excellent teaching identified by peer review.
* Experience of quality assurance and validation of HE modules/programmes.
* Proven experience of module and programme leadership.
* Experience of supervising undergraduate projects and postgraduate research students, providing training and some teaching as appropriate.
Research / Scholarship
* Experience and achievement in the academic discipline, reflected in growing and consistent national reputation.
* Evidence of publishing in high quality (“REF able”) journals or other outputs in research or practice.
* Experience and demonstrable knowledge/expertise in research methodologies appropriate to the academic discipline.
Skills, knowledge & abilities
* An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which enhance student learning.
* Ability to communicate with clarity on complex and conceptual ideas to those with limited knowledge and understanding as well as to peers, using high level skills and a range of media.
* Excellent ability to build relationships and collaborate with others, internally and externally.
* A high-level ability to think critically and promote innovation and creativity.
* Ability to devise, advise on and manage research programmes.
* Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values.
* Demonstrates professionalism in learning/teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE.
* Committed to continual enhancement and a high-quality student experience.
* Promotes a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality.
* A sound knowledge of the QAA Quality Code and HEFCE’s Operating Model for Quality Assurance.
* A sound knowledge of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience.
* A sound knowledge of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum.
* A sound knowledge of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum.
Business requirements
* Able to take a flexible approach to work.
* Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching.
* Some evening and occasional weekend teaching.
* Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
* A commitment to own professional development.
How to apply
You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.
If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.
Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.
The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Rachael Wheatley, Professional Psychological Practice Programme Manager via r.wheatley@derby.ac.uk or Dr Amy Baraniak, Head of Discipline Professional Psychological Practice via a.baraniak@derby.ac.uk.
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