Applications are invited for a Teaching Fellow in Russian Studies. You will have research expertise and teaching experience in Russian Studies. You should be able to teach Russian literature, culture and history in a holistic way across different periods, with particular emphasis on the 19th and 20th centuries. You should have excellent Russian and also the ability to teach translation from Russian into English at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
If successful you will be fully integrated in the Russian Studies team within Durham University’s School of Modern Languages and Cultures and you will be expected to contribute to the delivery of teaching on the relevant programme, to include curriculum development, the convening of modules, all aspects of assessment, the supervision of final-year dissertations, and academic advising.
The role of Teaching Fellow offers the opportunity of valuable experience to those early in their academic career. Durham University is keen to maximise the career benefits of this role in terms of exposure to relevant departmental experience. The post of Teaching Fellow will involve a significant but rewarding teaching load, which may extend into the summer period, and includes administrative duties that relate to education.
The post is for a fixed term of 12 months only. It is not anticipated that the post will be extended beyond this fixed term. Successful applicants will ideally be in post by 1st September 2022.
The University provides a working and teaching environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.
Key responsibilities
Offer lectures, seminars, classes, and dissertation supervisions at all levels, demonstrating awareness of different approaches to and methods of teaching and supporting student learning, as well as the ability to manage one’s own teaching and designing, planning and writing teaching materials where relevant;
Develop and deliver an inclusive curriculum and make an active contribution to an inclusive community in which diversity is embraced and celebrated;
Seek and take on board feedback on teaching, contribute to the educational skills of colleagues, and generally engage with others in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses;
Provide support to students, including the assessment of their academic performance, provision of feedback and dealing with student disciplinary matters and complaints;
Undertake effectively and efficiently any administrative role allocated by the Head of School;
Take part in relevant meetings, such as those of the School's Board of Studies or meetings of the Russian Studies unit;
Contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect;
Engage in wider citizenship to support the School and wider discipline;
The modules that the successful candidate will be expected to convene and deliver solo are the first-year module RUSS1151 (Introduction to Russian History and Culture) and the second-year module RUSS2231 (Reading Russian Literature);
The module to which the successful candidate will be required to contribute an independently designed 5-week segment based on their own research specialism is the first-year module RUSS1171 (Understanding Russia: Arts and Ideologies);
The successful candidate will also be expected to deliver bi-weekly teaching in Russian to English translation on the final-year core language module (RUSS3031), as well as to teach Russian to English translation on the MA in Translation Studies (MATS);
The candidate will be assigned the supervision of a number of 20- and/or 40-credit final-year dissertations by students in Russian Studies (MLAC3001 and MLAC3012);
The candidate will be integrated in the Russian Studies team, supporting the delivery of the relevant programme, to include curriculum development, convening responsibilities, participating in all aspects of assessment (design, marking, moderation), and student academic advising.
How to Apply
For informal enquiries please contact Professor David Cowling, Head of School (d.j.cowling@durham.ac.uk) and/or Dr Viktoria Ivleva, Director of Russian Studies (viktoria.ivleva@durham.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in the strictest confidence.
We prefer to receive applications online via the Durham University Vacancies Site. https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/
Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University .
What to Submit
a CV and covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out above.
a statement as to your aspirations as a Teaching Fellow in terms of what motivates you, what you would like to achieve and what your broad approaches to teaching excellence and innovation are (maximum 2 pages).
Referees
You should provide details of three referees and the details of your current line manager so that we may seek an employment reference (if they are not listed as an academic referee). Please note:
We shall seek references during the application process. Unless in the case of very early career candidates, referees should not (if possible) include your PhD supervisor(s) and include references from a University other than your own.
We would ask that you alert your referees to this application as soon as possible so that we can quickly obtain references. If you do not wish (some or all) of your referees to be approached during the recruitment process; you must clearly indicate this to us at the time of your application.
References sought for candidates may be made available to the panel during the shortlisting process.
We will seek a reference from your current line-manager if we make you an offer of employment (albeit you may have also nominated your line manager as an academic referee). Please clearly indicate on the application form which referee is your current line-manager and indicate if we should only approach them once an offer has been made.
We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.
