Research Assistant

The Faculty of Arts and Humanities is seeking a conscientious, reliable, friendly, and practical general assistant to support the friendly Student Experience Team during the busy enrolment and Welcome period.

They will be involved in running our student help desks, planning and assisting with welcome events, administrative tasks, plus any other tasks to support the Faculty Education Team as required. 

This will be an in-person position hence you would need to be on campus daily at Strand and Virginia Woolf buildings.

This role would suit a recent graduate from the Faculty of Arts and Humanities. 

Applications should refer to the above and give examples of why you would be a good fit for this role. Generic applications will not be successful.

Important - This is a full-time position (37.5hrs per week) hence may not be suitable for students with visas, please check before applying. Only students with a complete profile, including right to work check, by the deadline will be shortlisted. We may close this advert early if we get a large amount of applications.

N/A

Essential skills -

Excellent IT skills (MS Office including Word, Outlook, Excel)

Attention to detail

Excellent communication skills including writing skills

Friendly, helpful, can-do attitude

Excellent timekeeping

Desirable (but not essential) experience would be - 

Planning and assisting with events

Working with students e.g. societies, student rep roles

Administrative tasks

Running campus tours

Using Canva 

Comms e.g. Instagram/Tiktok

• To act as course tutor in the delivery and administration of courses for International School for Government.


• To develop, convene and deliver modules on our online and blended programmes.


• To update KEATS module page as appropriate and relevant to the module.


• To keep abreast and incorporate new innovative technology into the online/blended delivery.
  
   

Key responsibilities

• Take responsibility for the planning, organisation and delivery of teaching activities for online/blended courses.


• Update professional skills as appropriate in support of teaching excellence.


• Undertake administrative work as part of the role.


• Contribute to performance and development review processes as appropriate in accordance with the College’s strategy.


• Undertake any other reasonable duties that may be requested by the Director of Education.


• Responsible for part of the Department’s educational programme including setting of standards, assuring its smooth operation, monitoring student progress, assuring quality control, maintaining good assessment procedures and problem resolution procedures in accordance with regulations.


• Contribute to the overall management of the department including resource management, programme and business planning.
  
   

Service Delivery:

• Responsible for identifying the needs of students, colleagues, and external bodies and ensuring these are met.


• Set the standards of service and ensure overall quality is maintained.


• Provide expert advice in the field of specialisation.
  
   

Teamwork, Teaching & Learning Support:

• Design, develop and deliver modules for distance/blended learning provision.


• Develop and apply innovative and appropriate teaching techniques and material to create interest, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students.


• Ensure that course design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the Department, School and College.


• Responsible for dealing with referred issues for students within own educational programmes.


• Provide first line support for colleagues, referring them to sources of further help if required.
  
   

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities.

Typical area modules can be found below but are not limited to:

• Financial Management for Policymakers


• International Trade Policy


• Foresight and Horizon-Scanning in Policymaking


• The Economic Analysis of Public Policy


• International Conflict Analysis and Resolution


• Empathy and Emotion in Policymaking


• Working internationally


• Key Models in Public Management: A Comparative Analysis
  
   

You can find more information on our current modules here: https://www.kcl.ac.uk/isfg/education#Ourcurrentmodules

Timings

Shortlisting currently scheduled to take place week commencing 22 July 2024

Interviews currently scheduled to take place week commencing 29 July 2024

For any questions please email Khushboo.Puri@kcl.ac.uk

PhD* in a discipline related to public policy and practice but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered.

Applicants should have a CV uploaded and a cover letter detailing their suitability for the role. 

For any questions please email Khushboo.Puri@kcl.ac.uk

Essential criteria

1. PhD* in a discipline related to public policy and practice.


2. Experience of teaching on related subject areas.


3. Familiarity with and advancement of relevant critical theoretical and conceptual approaches.


4. A track record in executive and online delivery, indicating experience in innovative pedagogical practices.


5. Ability to work independently and as a member of a team.


6. Experience of educating postgraduate students from diverse cultural backgrounds.


7. Experience of innovative curriculum and teaching design.


8. Ability to understand, and interest in, the needs of working professionals.


9. Ability to prepare teaching materials.
   
    

Desirable criteria

• Ability to organise, plan and prioritise own workload


• Have a track record of wider administrative contribution to the delivery of departmental activities.
  
   

* Please note that this is a PhD level role but candidates who have submitted their thesis and are awaiting award of their PhDs will be considered.

Please read all of this before applying - information on where to send your application is below. 

About the Role

We are looking for a Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) to contribute to the King’s Academy GTA Development Programme next year. This fixed-term role would be ideal for someone who has experience as a GTA who is interested in working with King’s Academy to support fellow GTAs and develop their own skills. This post may be particularly suitable for someone wishing to develop an academic career with a teaching component. The post holder will be a member of the King’s Academy team and work alongside other academic development and professional services colleagues to provide support to GTAs. The postholder will receive support and mentoring to develop their expertise in teaching and education. This would be a hybrid role. Office space may be available on the Waterloo or Strand campuses and some working from home may be possible.

Role Purpose

• To contribute to the design and implementation of the GTA Development Programme.

Role Profile

• To work closely with the GTA Development Programme Lead to design, plan and run events and workshops for GTAs.


• To update existing and create new online resources for GTAs, such as on the GTA One Stop Shop KEATS page.


• To work with the GTA Development Team to plan and organise events for GTAs, which may include workshops, peer teaching support and social events.


• To develop own teaching expertise in line with the responsibilities of the post.

Application Process

If you fulfil the criteria, please submit and indication of your interest by sending:

• a concise CV (max two sides of A4) and,


• a brief covering letter outlining your interest in the post and relevant experience (max two sides of A4)

to Dr Sandra Takei at Sandra.Takei@kcl.ac.uk

Further Information

Interviews will take place on 20 June 2024.

Candidates will be asked to prepare a brief (10-minute) interactive teaching demonstration for the interview on one of the following topics: planning your first seminar, active learning strategies or developing confidence as a GTA.

Deadline: 13 June 2024

E = Essential; D = Desirable

Education / qualifications and training

• A teaching qualification of any kind - D


• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (e.g. AFHEA) or working towards - D

Experience

• Experience of teaching in a university setting - E


• Experience of using active learning methods in teaching - E


• Experience of designing, developing and evaluating teaching - D


• Experience of using virtual learning environments and other forms of technology to support teaching and learning - D


• Experience recording and editing videos - D


• Experience teaching in a health or science/STEM discipline - D

Knowledge / skills

• Some theoretical knowledge of education - D


• Excellent organisational skills - E


• Good listening, communication and interpersonal skills - E


• Excellent verbal and written communication skills with the ability to communicate with academic and professional services colleagues - E


• IT literate with good knowledge of Microsoft Office 365 applications such as Word, Excel and Outlook - E

Personal characteristics / other requirements

• Ability to be punctual, reliable and professional at all times - E


• A commitment to equal opportunities and inclusive teaching - E


• A commitment to continued professional development to enhance teaching and broaden the range of teaching methods used, including the use of technology - E

Applicants must:

• Have an understanding of the GTA role at King’s and completed some teaching on an academic programme (either undergraduate or postgraduate)


• Be available to commit to a minimum of 0.5 days per week for 9 months (August 2024 to April 2025) and be present during peak periods (9 – 30 September 2024 & 13 – 24 January 2025)


• Be flexible about working at more than one campus (primarily Strand and Waterloo).

Desirable criteria:

• GTAs from all disciplines are encouraged to apply. However, we especially welcome applicants with teaching experience in a health or science/STEM discipline.