UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH WALES

PRIFYSGOL DE CYMRU

Faculty of Computing, Engineering and Science

Senior Lecturer in Forensic Sciences (Trace Evidence and Professional Skills) (Ref: CES/SL/FS)

Grade G, *£40,082 – £46,414 per annum

*appointment will be made to the minimum of the scale

Permanent Contract – Full Time Post

External Vacancy

The School of Applied Sciences wishes to recruit a current or former forensic practitioner with significant experience of trace evidence analysis especially in the field of biological fluids, fibres and materials, and it’s logical interpretation to expand it’s base of subject experts and form part of a dynamic team responsible for the delivery and assessment of students across it’s highly popular undergraduate and postgraduate forensic sciences courses.

The subject area has seen significant growth in the past three years with the launch of it’s new integrated Masters programmes in Forensic Investigation, Forensic Science and Forensic Biology bringing with them a significant increase in student enrolments.

As a proven practitioner with a degree in a relevant subject and experience of casework, expert witness testimony, links with the forensic science sector (both industrial and professional body), you will offer expert training to a wide range of students specifically in the areas of trace evidence analysis, body fluids, DNA and applied biochemistry, microscopy, with the ability to develop new modules and teach across a wider range of crime scene to court topics. You will bring wide experience of the logical interpretation and reporting of forensic examinations in the court room with the ability to train students through the examinations of case studies and simulations. Experience of casework and contemporary and contentious subject areas will allow you to develop and direct laboratory-based master’s level research projects in these subject areas. You will be an ambassador for the forensic sciences at the University of South Wales and will represent the university locally, regionally and nationally at educational committees and professional body meetings.

The successful candidate will teach and provide module management to a range of new and existing modules, and will also provide Course Leader duties to the BSc/MSci Forensic Investigation course, and the BSc Analytical and Forensic Sciences Top-Up Degree. Teaching/Training course development experience and knowledge of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences Accreditation Scheme will allow you to ensure the currency and further development of the course and modules.

This position is based at Pontypridd Campus of the University of South Wales.

The terms and conditions of the post (including grade and salary) will be those of the University of South Wales.

CLOSING DATE: Monday, 4 July 2016

INTERVIEW DATE: Tuesday, 19 July 2016

JOB DESCRIPTION

Title: Senior Lecturer in Forensic Sciences (Trace Evidence and Professional Skills)
Type of Contract: Permanent
Grade: G
Responsible to: Academic Manager (Analytical and Forensic Sciences)
Responsible for:
Main Purpose of the Job:
1.  To undertake teaching, curriculum development, and course leadership supporting the School’s activities at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the areas of laboratory and scene based trace evidence analysis, including the analysis of blood and other body fluids, fibres, applied biology and biochemistry as related to forensic investigation including microscopic analysis of forensic evidence.
2.  To engage in applied research and income generation with a particular focus upon trace evidence analysis.
Principal Duties and Responsibilities:
Teaching and Learning
• Demonstrate innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment through the use of a wide range of learning resources and appropriate pedagogic practice
• Ensure that your teaching is informed by contemporary research in the relevant field and develops the ability of students to engage in debate, critical discourse and rational thinking
• Reflect critically on your own teaching practice, implement improvements, disseminate good practice to others and engage actively with the quality monitoring and enhancement processes and with professional accreditation processes as appropriate
• Ensure that students have an effective learning experience by providing high quality academic guidance and advice and by enhancing their employability
Scholarly Activity, Research and Income Generation
• Extend, transform and apply knowledge acquired from scholarship to learning, research and appropriate external activities
• Make a substantial contribution to bids and tenders for external projects or contracts
• Enhance your academic practice by engaging in one or more of the following activities
o Write or contribute to publications in peer reviewed journals
o Disseminate academic work/ research findings via presentations at conferences/ exhibitions or other appropriate events
o Work with a range of external partners and professional bodies/agencies nationally and internationally
o Supervise research students
• Contribute to the promotion and external profile of the University and adopt a customer/client-focused approach where appropriate
Student Experience
• To promote and implement initiatives, working practices and similar that enhance the student experience
• To recognise the critical nature of the National Student Survey (and other league tables) and ensure a positive approach to improvement the student experience at all times
• To lead course initiatives that will result in a positive impact on the NSS and general student experience
Leadership and Management
• Work effectively as a team member, chairing committees and working groups and where appropriate supervising and/or mentoring other members of staff
• Take a lead in your own area of expertise and lead/ co-ordinate the work of other staff to ensure module, course programme, enterprise or research project is delivered to the standards required
• Support colleagues with less experience and advise on personal development; train/advise on own area of expertise where appropriate; coach and support colleagues in developing research
• Undertake professional development in support of teaching and research, and if appropriate in support of enhancing the student experience and curriculum management
The successful candidate will additionally be responsible for:
1.  Course Leadership of the BSc/MSci Forensic Investigation degree (shared responsibility, this post specifically leading years 2 and 4 of the course).
2.  Course Leadership of the BSc Analytical and Forensic Sciences Top-Up course, including recruitment, retention, progression initiatives.
3.  Module Leadership (proposed, and subject to change) of:
·  FP3S100 Forensic Evidence (II)
·  FP3S101 Specialist Forensic Investigation
·  FP3S102 Research, Employability and Professional Practice in the Forensic Sciences,
·  FP4S007 Project Design, Management and Enterprise
4.  The design and delivery of expert curricula and associated teaching duties for the following modules (not exclusively but with the ability to teach across a range of crime scene to court topics):
a.  FP2S09 Forensic Evidence
b.  FP3S011 Forensic Microscopy
c.  FP3S100 Forensic Evidence (II)
d.  FP3S101 Specialist Forensic Investigation
e.  FP3S102 Research, Employability and Professional Practice in the Forensic Sciences
f.  FP4S007 Project Design, Management and Enterprise
g.  FP4S008 Interpretation, Evaluation and Presentation of Casework
h.  FP4S013 Advanced Physical Evidence Analysis and Crime Scene Management
i.  FP4D001 Laboratory Research Project
j.  FP4T001 Major Laboratory Research Project
5.  To conceptualise and direct student research projects in these subject areas at the Master’s level.
6.  To represent the university and subject area at external professional body and educational committee meetings e.g. Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences, UK Forensic Science Education Group etc.
7.  To strengthen the newly formed USW-Forensic Science Education and Industry Working Group by using your experience of working with/within industry/the sector to forge links with Forensic Science Service Providers to enhance the employability focus of our courses, and secure work-based learning opportunities for students to complete research projects.
8.  To enhance pedagogic learning within the forensic sciences through the use of new learning approaches (simulation, cross-examination, video-recording, self-reflection techniques) and to continually review module materials across the subject area to ensure currency and sustainability, and ensure graduate and enterprise skills are strongly embedded within your teaching and learning methods.

PERSON SPECIFICATION

SKILLS AND ABILITIES
Essential / Desirable
·  A good honours degree in an appropriate subject plus appropriate professional practice (e.g. Forensic Practitioner) and/or membership.
·  Recognised teaching qualification or willingness to undertake / ·  Masters qualification or PhD in an appropriate subject
·  Active membership of a relevant professional body e.g. The Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences
KNOWLEDGE
Essential / Desirable
·  Recent teaching experience at Higher Education level with evidence of successful student learning outcomes
·  Evidence of good/innovative pedagogic practice
·  Experience of leading-edge professional practice/ consultancy work including evidence of effective application of solutions to business/ practice problems, with associate reports or other outputs / ·  Evidence of contribution to wider student experience e.g. in recruitment/retention initiatives, in employability/ enterprise initiatives, enhancing student experience
·  Evidence of securing and/or delivering externally funded projects or contracts
·  Experience of partnership working with external organisations
JOB RELATED SKILLS AND CAPABILITIES
Essential / Desirable
·  Ability to work independently, to take the initiative and to innovate
·  Commitment to developing high quality service to students and external clients
·  Good organisational and management skills
·  Ability to identify and secure opportunities that contribute to the University’s strategic plan and goals
·  Proven experience in Expert Witness Testimony and Professional Casework in Forensic Sciences
·  Ability to teach the following subject areas: trace evidence analysis, body fluids, DNA and applied biochemistry, microscopy, the logical interpretation of evidence, expert witness and professional skills. / ·  Experience of disseminating own ‘good practice’ effectively to others and of taking up ‘good practice’ from other sources
·  Experience of process and systems improvement
·  Evidence of successful external networking and profile-raising
INTERPERSONAL SKILLS
Essential / Desirable
·  Ability to work as a member of a team or group
·  Ability to relate to students from diverse backgrounds, ages and experience
·  Ability to establish positive and effective working relationships with a range of university external clients
·  Effective oral and written communication skills in both individual and group situations / ·  Ability to mentor or supporting less experienced colleagues
OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Essential / Desirable
·  Willingness to undertake academic activities in the evening and at weekends when necessary.
·  Willingness to travel abroad to undertake academic and related activities / ·  Ability to speak Welsh