PhD Scholarship with Graduate Teaching Assistantship
School of Social Sciences, Department of Psychology
There are 2 opportunities available.
The School seeks to award a number of PhD scholarships with associated Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions to outstanding doctoral candidates with clear potential to excel as academic teachers and researchers. The GTA PhD scholarship is a four-year fixed term position: Students undertake a PhD on a 0.75 FTE basis alongside a 0.25 FTE teaching contract. Remuneration consists of a PhD stipend of £14,427 per annum (0.75 of the standard UKRI rate), plus a salary of £7,401. In addition, PhD tuition fees will be covered.
About Our Team
Research in Psychology is conducted within our Centre for Applied Behavioural Sciences. The research we do is grouped by three main themes: Cognition, Brain and Behaviour; Lifespan Health and Wellbeing; Work, Society and Environment.
Detailed Description
Two posts are available in the Department of Psychology. Under the leadership of the Head of Department, Prof. Adele Dickson, the role-holders will provide teaching support on our psychology undergraduate programme, including large and small group teaching, tutorials and assessment activities.
We invite applications from candidates who can address one of the following topic areas in their PhD:
Responding to food poverty inequalities: The role of community dynamics, identity, and marginalisation in food aid experiences.
The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr Mhairi Bowe, Prof. Suzanne Fitzpatrick & Dr Mark Atkinson. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Bowe (m.bowe@hw.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application.
Working beyond state pension age: Who benefits and who doesn’t?
The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr Terry Lansdown, Prof. Kate Sang & Prof. Alan Gow. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Lansdown (t.lansdown@hw.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application.
Co-designing and developing Sport Psychology strategies and skills for disadvantaged youth in Scotland.
The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr Jenny Meggs, Dr Mioara Cristea & Dr Mhairi Bowe. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Meggs (j.meggs@hw.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application.
Volunteers’ cultural journey.
The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr Katharina Lefringhausen & Dr Mhairi Bowe. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Lefringhausen (k.lefringhausen@hw.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application.
How do humans innovate?
The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr Monica Tamariz & Dr Emily Messer. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Tamariz (m.tamariz@hw.ac.uk) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application.
Optimising pedagogical strategies for teaching novel tasks.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
Reporting to the Head of Department, the post-holder will:
* Undertake a PhD on one of the topics specified above, maintaining an appropriate rate of progress and engaging in relevant training and other events as required.
* Develop and deliver teaching in psychology, including delivery to a range of group sizes in both in-person and online environments.
* Provide flexible, appropriate, and timely support to students using a variety of media.
* Prepare and mark assessments and provide student feedback as required, and in line with School policies and standards.
* Contribute to the administrative work of the Department as required.
* Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Department.
Relevant training will be provided alongside the role. In particular, during the first two years of the contract, the post-holder will be expected to undertake training in teaching and learning as required by the University, as well as the School’s PGCert in Research Methods (unless equivalent qualifications are already held).
Education, Qualifications and Experience
The person requirements to successfully perform the role.
Essential criteria:
* An undergraduate degree in psychology (or a closely-related area) with a minimum 2:1 classification (or equivalent).
* Excellent written and verbal communication skills. Candidates for whom English is a second language should meet the University’s minimum English-language requirements for entry onto the PhD programme.
* A viable research proposal (max. 1500 words) for PhD study on one of the topics listed above.
* Good general IT skills.
* Ability to manage own time in order to balance the requirements of teaching and PhD study.
* Ability to work as part of a teaching team to deliver a high quality student experience.
Desirable criteria:
* A postgraduate Master’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent research experience.
* Relevant teaching and/or professional experience.
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday the 10th of July 2024.
When applying for this role, please submit a single pdf that includes a cover letter that identifies how your skills and experience are a good match for this position, a copy of your PhD research proposal (clearly indicating which project you are applying for), a copy of your CV, and the names and contact details for two referees.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities.
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