Job Title: Assistant Professor in Chinese/ English Interpreting and Translation
Directorate: School of Social Sciences
Contract Type: Full time (35 hours per week), Open Ended
Grade and Salary: 7 (£36,023 - £45,845)
Organisation Name: Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies (LINCS)
Purpose of the Role
The new staff member will contribute primarily to teaching Chinese, Translation and Interpreting courses at various levels.
Detailed Description
LINCS is now looking to recruit a full-time member of staff to join the Department on a Teaching & Research contract. They will also have the opportunity to contribute to courses for other languages taught in the Department (BSL, French, German and Spanish) where qualified, across a range of programmes, as well as cultural studies-related courses. We are seeking an early career researcher with a developing programme of research in an area which complements the existing specialisations of the department. They will be required to be involved in relevant administration tasks.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Undertake teaching and assessment duties on academic programmes. Support colleagues at Heriot-Watt University in the delivery of courses and other activities to support the delivery of HWU's aims.
2. Develop relevant materials in appropriate formats for the above programmes. Contribute to the content, design and delivery of the curriculum, and the quality of teaching and learning, in consultation with colleagues and within the international structures and mechanisms established by the University. Review teaching design and delivery by obtaining and analysing feedback from students and peers. Support the accreditation processes of professional bodies.
3. Mentor and supervise students, including PhD students, providing effective, well documented and timely feedback, both formative and summative. Provide pastoral support, recognising when to refer a student for further support. Play a key role in the delivery and support of an excellent student learning and living experience at HWU.
4. Develop the level of subject expertise in line with latest development in research, and ensure these developments are reflected in teaching materials and methods.
5. Build and conduct research in one or more of the School's research areas at internationally competitive levels.
6. Develop and maintain strong links with business and industry, external organisations and the education sector.
7. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the UK, at other campuses, and with external networks both for the exchange of information, to share learning, and to form relationships for future collaboration.
8. Undertake a proactive role in promoting and marketing the University, ensuring the effective recruitment of students and the achievement of recruitment targets. Play a full role in Open Days and other student recruitment events.
9. Undertake leadership and administrative tasks associated with programme planning, preparation for examination boards and progression boards, etc, as instructed. Participate in relevant committees.
10. Undertake continuous professional development (CPD) and participate in staff development activities.
About our Team
LINCS offers taught undergraduate courses in Languages, Interpreting & Translation, Cultures and Communication, Masters-level Translation, Interpreting, and Intercultural Business Communication, and elective beginners and post-beginners levels. Staff conduct research on a range of topics related to language policy, linguistics, translation and interpreting, migration, culture, and heritage, and supervise PhD students working on similar topics and on interdisciplinary projects.
Education, Qualifications & Experience:
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be based.
Essential
Education & Qualifications
11. A PhD in a relevant field. We will consider applicants whose PhDs are near completion with viva voce examinations already scheduled.
12. Educated to or equivalent experience
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
13. Mandarin Chinese as their first language with English at near-native/ (Common European Framework of Reference for Languages - CERF).
14. Experience in teaching and assessing Chinese interpreting/translation at university level, OR suitable professional experience of interpreting/translation plus some teaching experience.
15. A developing programme of research in an area which complements the existing strengths of the department. We particularly welcome applicants with research interests in AI, computer-assisted interpreting, intercultural business studies, or professional interpreting/translation practice.
16. Credible plans for the active pursuit of external research funding
17. Experience or knowledge to design, teach and assess modules, with ability to link teaching to research and industry needs.
18. Evidence of the ability to deliver excellent teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level
19. Experience of working within a similar environment as outlined above
20. Competent in the use of relevant IT packages
21. Well-developed interpersonal skills
22. Demonstrable professional and proactive approach
23. Demonstrable ability to work quickly, flexibly and accurately in a dynamic, changing and pressured environment
Desirable
24. Experience in other areas of LINCS teaching and Continuing Professional Development activities.
25. Professional experience of interpreting and/or translation.
26. Post-doctoral research experience in a relevant field.
27. Published or forthcoming research publication(s) in relevant academic journals.
28. A further language taught in LINCS (BSL, French, German, Spanish) at near-native/