Link also http://www.victoria.ac.nz/about/careers/current-vacancies
Are you passionate about teaching physics at university? Can you create an engaging and
intellectually stimulating learning experience for students with a broad range of educational goals
and ability? Then this opportunity is for you! We are looking for a person with a PhD in physics or
commensurate qualifications/experience who will be able to maintain and further develop our
excellent standard of delivery for introductory physics courses. Besides teaching, candidates are
expected to pursue research on physics education, or in a subfield of physics that enhances our
current research efforts, and to become an active part of the academic community in our school and
the university.
To find out more details about this role and to submit your electronic application, visit the website
http://www.victoria.ac.nz/about/careers/current-vacancies
Contact: Prof Uli Zuelicke, Head, School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Email: uli.zuelicke@vuw.ac.nz Phone: +64 4 463 6851
Please do not send applications to this email address. Applications must be submitted online.
Applications close: 15 April 2016
Reference 903
School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Lecturer in Physics Education
Base Salary Range: NZ $69,837 - $84,135 per annum
Permanent full time position
Reporting to Head of School
Further information can be found at: http://www.victoria.ac.nz/scps
The role of the Lecturer in Physics Education is to:
Teach physics and coordinate physics courses, particularly at 100 Level.
Promote physics education to the School’s stakeholders.
Lead the development and implementation of innovative methods for the effective
teaching of physics, especially at introductory level and in a service-teaching
context.
Create, adapt and test the efficacy of evidence-based teaching methodology in
science subjects, especially physics.
Engage with the relevant academic communities within the university and beyond
to obtain collaboratively, and disseminate widely, new knowledge in teaching
practice.
Pursue an active research agenda focused on physics education or in a subfield of
physics that enhances existing research efforts in the School.
Contribute to the School’s administrative framework.
The role of the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences is to:
Advance learning through undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, both for students
majoring in the school’s disciplines and those requiring chemistry or physics for a range
of other subjects, including the natural and social sciences, architecture, engineering
and computer science.
Conduct pure and applied research, including supervision of postgraduate research
students.
2
Key Result Areas
The Key Result Areas of Research, Teaching,
Student Experience and Service are the basis for the
primary duties and responsibilities of the role. Areas of focus will be agreed annually with the Head of
School in the Performance Development and Career Plan (PDCP) Process. Other duties may be
required from time to time as directed by the Head of the School.
Research
On-going research activity at a level appropriate to the career stage of a Lecturer as evidenced by:
A developing record of scholarly research and a research agenda.
Some publishing in disciplinary-relevant internationally refereed journals (i.e. where the
refereeing process is of international standing) and/or with academically reputable national
and/or international presses.
Some indicators of the impact and significance, or potential for impact and significance, of
research activities.
Where appropriate, encouraging, contributing to and producing research outputs in the form of
substantial creative works (e.g. creative performance etc.).
Where appropriate, contributing to research which provides cultural innovation or socioeconomic
benefits), nationally and internationally.
Participating in research teams that may include members from other disciplines and
institutions and that address national or international priority areas.
Where possible, incorporating Maori and Pasifika perspectives and interests into your research.
Engaging constructively and productively on research interests with colleagues within and
outside the University.
Successfully attracting Honours, and Masters and/or PhD students into the discipline, School
or Faculty.
Commitment to seeking and successfully attracting internal and/or national level funding for
research activities.
Teaching
Commitment to teaching and learning as evidenced by:
Commitment to teaching with academic rigour and to promoting students’ learning in the
discipline in general and in your specialist area.
Successful teaching, as evidenced by peer and student feedback.
Developing and maintaining a high standard of teaching through professional development
initiatives such as regularly seeking feedback and evaluation of your teaching practice, and
using this to review and update your teaching practice.
Conducting teaching in accordance with University policy, including assessment, course coordination
and course materials.
Regularly reviewing courses to ensure continuing relevance and incorporation of new research.
Where possible, incorporating Maori and Pasifika perspectives in course content and teaching
practice.
Successfully supervising Honours, and Masters and/or PhD students to completion.
Familiarity with innovation in teaching practice and technology and adoption of new
technologies and other appropriate innovations in support of teaching development.
Contributing to innovations in learning, teaching and assessment within the discipline and more
widely across the University.
Student Experience
Commitment to a first-rate student experience as evidenced by:
Providing an open channel for communication with students including being regularly available
and accessible to students.
Valuing the diversity of the student population and ensuring equity in your teaching, supervision
and collaborative practices.
Promoting an inclusive culture for learning which encourages and motivates students to
succeed in their studies.
Seeking to attract and support students from diverse backgrounds, including Maori students,
Pasifika students and international students.
Commitment to supervision of postgraduate students in ways which ensure and enhance
student experience and endeavour.
Service
Commitment to service to the University and the wider community as evidenced by:
Contributing to the collegial development of the Programme, School and Faculty through
respectful and transparent interactions with colleagues.
Where appropriate, contributing effectively to School, Faculty or University administrative or
committee roles.
Contributing to the University’s Treaty of Waitangi and equity obligations and/or objectives.
Contributing effectively to a role in your professional body or disciplinary community.
Fostering relations with industry, government, professional bodies and the wider community.
Key Relationships
The role holder will develop and maintain excellent relationships with:
School and Faculty staff
Staff of the Faculty of Education
Centre for Academic Development
Behavioural Indicators
The person appointed to this role will understand and be committed to the following:
Student Focus – listens to and understands the needs of students including those from diverse
backgrounds and meets those needs through a professional, courteous and empathetic
approach.
Academic Integrity – committed to the discipline and to collegial decision-making, maintains
high professional and ethical standards, and has enthusiasm for teaching and research.
Innovation – encourages the discussion, free debate and generation of creative ideas and
solutions in teaching and research.
Equity and Diversity – considers equity/diversity perspectives (e.g. Maori, Pasifika, international
students/staff, gender, disability) and supports increased participation and success of
colleagues and students in these groups.
Communication – communicates clearly and in a variety of ways to suit the situation and needs
of the recipients.
Collegiality – deals with colleagues and others in a respectful and fair way.
External Relationships – builds and maintains productive external relationships and networks
that benefit the individual and the University.
Health and Safety/Emergency Management
Complete the University’s e-learning module Health & Safety at Victoria, including the
assessment.
Be able to demonstrate actions in an emergency situation that are specific to the workplace
and are designed to keep you safe.
Staff Conduct Policy
The person appointed to this role will be expected to behave in accordance with the “Standards of
Conduct” and the overarching “Values” both of which are outlined in the University’s Staff Conduct
Policy. On joining the University, all new staff are expected to complete the University’s e-learning
module “Working together at Victoria”.
4
Person Specification
Criteria Essential/
Desirable
Means of
Assessment
Education &
Qualifications
A completed PhD in a relevant field, or
other relevant qualifications commensurate
with the role.
Essential Certificates
Experience &
Knowledge
A developing record of scholarly research
and publication and/or creative work Essential Application
Interview
Presentation
References
A research agenda Essential
Demonstrated evidence of some successful
teaching in a relevant field at tertiary level Essential
Competencies &
Skills
Demonstrated evidence of good oral and
written communication skills Essential Application
Interview
Presentation
References
Good interpersonal skills and demonstrated
ability to work with students and staff from a
diverse range of backgrounds
Essential
Evidence of successfully attracting funding
for research activities Desirable
Evidence of
published
papers, funding
received and
roles held
Other
Attributes/Abilities
Evidence of commitment to the use of
technology and innovation to enhance
teaching and research Desirable
Application
Interview
Presentation
Essential Criteria = requirements without which a candidate would not be able to undertake the full expectations of
the role. Applicants who have not clearly demonstrated in their application that they possess the essential
requirements will not normally be shortlisted.
Desirable Criteria = requirements which would be useful for the candidate to hold. For the purposes of shortlisting,
these criteria will be considered when more than one applicant meets the essential requirements.
