Graduate Teaching Assistant role and fully funded PhD Scholarship

The School of Psychology at the University of Leeds is offering candidates a 5-year fully funded PhD/Graduate Teaching Assistant scholarship opportunity. For 60% of your time, you will undertake a part-time PhD. For the remaining 40% of your time, you will be employed as a Graduate Teaching Assistant to deliver teaching sessions and provide feedback to students across the degree programme. You can find out more information about the role and the person specification here: MHPSY1106 Psychology PhD Candidate/Graduate Teaching Assistant - Jobs at the University of Leeds

This is an excellent opportunity for someone who is interested in undertaking a PhD within one of the School’s four research themes: (i) Cognition, Perception, & Action, (ii) Childhood, Adolescence, & Ageing, (iii) Health, Wellbeing & Healthcare Services, and (iv) Appetite, Nutrition & Obesity. Alongside your PhD research, you will have time dedicated to student education activities, providing you with the opportunity to gain teaching experience. Support will be provided to help you develop your teaching practice. The successful candidates will be part of a thriving PhD community of more than 53 PhD students and around 67 academic/research-related members of staff.

Job description:

As a Postgraduate Researcher, you will: 

• Undertake a part-time research PhD qualification under the direction of nominated supervisors in the School of Psychology; 
• Maintain active progress, including maintenance of appropriate research records, PhD training courses and progression (with transfer to full PhD registration status by the end of year 2), which will be a condition of employment; 
• Successfully complete a PhD thesis, within the five year period; 
• Present at national and international conferences and publish research material as agreed with your supervisors; 

As a Graduate Teaching Assistant, your main duties will include: 

• Delivery of teaching and support sessions for research skills (including statistics, research methods, practical classes, practical seminars) for years one and two of the undergraduate programme; 
• Assessing and providing feedback to students about research skills assessments (including practical reports and other assessments) for years one and two of the undergraduate programme;
• Provision of tutorials for years one and two of the undergraduate programme; 
• Contributing to recruitment activities such as Open Days and outreach activities; 
• Undertaking, as part of normal duties, miscellaneous administrative and organisational responsibilities as specified by the Head of School. 

Please note: These duties provide a framework for the role and should not be regarded as a definitive list. Other reasonable duties may be required consistent with the grade of the post. 

Qualification Requirements:

• A first-class degree (1st) in Psychology (or related subject) which is accredited as Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC), OR a minimum of a 2:1 in a Psychology degree (or related subject) which is accredited as Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) and a Psychology-related MSc, OR a minimum of a 2:1 in a Psychology degree (or related subject) which is accredited as Graduate Basis for Chartered membership (GBC) and relevant experience;
• Research interest which aligns with a relevant area in the School of Psychology;
• Evidence of the ability to generate independent research ideas and to undertake research of a quality commensurate with a PhD;
• The ability to deliver high quality teaching, assessment, and feedback at undergraduate level;
• Excellent verbal and written skills and the ability to work as a member of a team;
• Evidence of excellent time-management and prioritisation and organisational skills;
• A commitment to your own training and development;

How to apply:

You can apply for this role online. More guidance can be found on How to Apply - Jobs at the University of Leeds. Applications should be submitted by 23.59 (UK time) on the advertised closing date. 

IMPORTANT NOTE: As part of your application you will need to submit a short research project proposal of one to two sides of A4 maximum. The proposal should clearly identify aims and objectives of your proposed thesis and should also identify a potential academic supervisor with corresponding research interests from within the School of Psychology’s academic staff.

To explore the post further or for any queries you may have, please contact: 

Professor Amanda Waterman, Director of Research: A.H.Waterman@leeds.ac.uk

Or

Dr Richard Harris, Lecturer Teaching and Scholarship: R.J.Harris@leeds.ac.uk

As an international research-intensive university, we welcome students and staff from all walks of life and from across the world. We foster an inclusive environment where all can flourish and prosper, and we are proud of our strong commitment to student education. Within the Faculty/School of Psychology we are dedicated to diversifying our community and we welcome the unique contributions that individuals can bring, and particularly encourage applications from, but not limited to Black, Asian, people who belong to a minority ethnic community, people who identify as LGBT+; and people with disabilities. Candidates will always be selected based on merit and ability.

The University of Leeds is committed to providing equal opportunities for all and offers a range of family friendly policies. The School of Psychology holds a Silver Athena Swan award. We are committed to being an inclusive School that values all staff, and we are happy to consider job share applications and requests for flexible working arrangements from our employees.