Job Description

JOB DESCRIPTION
Assistant Professor in Early Childhood Education
School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education
DCU Institute of Education
Three Year Contract Fixed Term Contract

Dublin City University

Dublin City University (DCU) is a young, ambitious and vibrant university, with a mission ‘to transform lives and societies through education, research, innovation and engagement’. Known as Ireland’s ‘University of Enterprise’, DCU is a values-based institution, committed to the delivery of impact for the public good. DCU was named Sunday Times Irish University of the Year 2021.

DCU is based on three academic campuses in the Glasnevin-Drumcondra region of north Dublin. More than 18,000 students are enrolled across five faculties – Science and Health, DCU Business School, Computing and Engineering, Humanities and Social Sciences and DCU Institute of Education.

DCU is committed to excellence across all its activities. This is demonstrated by its world-class research initiatives, its cutting-edge approach to teaching and learning, its focus on delivering a transformative student experience, and its positive social and economic impact. The university continues to develop innovative programmes in collaboration with industry, such as the DCU Futures suite of degrees, which are designed to equip graduates with the skills and knowledge required in a rapidly evolving economy.

DCU’s pursuit of excellence has led to its current ranking among the top 2% of universities globally. It is also one of the world’s Top Young Universities (QS Top 100 Under 50, Times Higher Top 150 Under 100). In the Times Higher Education University Impact Rankings 2021, DCU ranked 23rd in the world for its approach to widening participation in higher education and its ongoing commitment to eradicating poverty, while it ranks 38th globally for its work in reducing inequality and 89th globally for gender equality.

The university is ranked 23rd in the world and first in Ireland for its graduate employment rate, according to the 2020 QS Graduate Employability Rankings. Over the past decade, DCU has been the leading Irish university in the area of technology transfer, as reflected by licensing of intellectual property.

Overview of the department

The School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education contributes to a wide range of education related degrees and courses at undergraduate and post-graduate levels. The School comprises of a dynamic and unique group of researchers and educators working together in collaboration. Colleagues grow the national and international reputation of the School through the award of prestigious fellowships, securing large-scale research grants, and the publication of research in the leading journals in the field. Staff are committed to ongoing scholarship and inquiry in reciprocal partnership with early childhood education and care, primary and post-primary settings colleagues across the institute and other stakeholders in the education system.

Role Profile

The School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education is seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor in Early childhood Education. The appointee is expected to contribute directly to in early childhood education on the BEd undergraduate and postgraduate programmes through research-led teaching, student mentoring and support, and supervision of student projects and research. Furthermore, the appointee is expected to lead the development of programmes in early childhood education in the School through curriculum design, teaching, professional practice, research, and administration. The post is based on the St Patrick’s Campus and the candidate will report to the Head of School.

Duties and Responsibilities

The post will comprise a range of duties and responsibilities, including but not limited to, the following:

Teaching and Learning

To contribute to the teaching and learning activity of the School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education by:

• Coordinating and delivering modules in a manner consistent with the highest academic
• standards;
• Using a wide range of teaching and assessment methodologies which foster a deep
• approach to learning and which equip students with the skills and attributes needed to be lifelong learners;
• Working proactively to enhance and enrich existing modules and programmes;
• Contributing to the design and development of new modules and programmes;
• Providing research supervision for taught undergraduate and postgraduate students.

Research and Scholarship

To contribute to the research agenda and profile of the School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education by:

• Having clearly articulated research interests and research profile development plans
• Publishing new ideas and findings in high impact international journals
• Achieving measurable impact via citations
• Generating research income to assist with research initiatives;
• Contributing to research activities such as conferences, seminars etc.
• Attracting and supervising postgraduate research students
• Contributing to the research culture and environment in the School and, where appropriate,
• Working collaboratively on research initiatives.

Service and Contribution to the University and Society

To contribute to the leadership, management and administration of the School of Language, Literacy and Early Childhood Education by:

• Contributing proactively to relevant School and University committees, working groups and meetings;
• Actively engaging in accreditation-related activities;
• Delivering management and school roles to a high standard;
• Representing the School in activities such as marketing activity and the recruitment of
• students;
• Developing relationships with stakeholders within and outside the University;
• Engaging in external academic, enterprise, professional, public sector and community activities to enhance the reputation and impact of the School.

Qualifications and Experience

• Applicants must hold postgraduate qualifications in Education/Early Childhood Education.
• Applicants must have a minimum of three years’ experience as an educator with young children. Ideally, this should be in a primary setting in infant classrooms, however, experience in an early childhood education setting may be considered.
• Previous teaching experience at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level is required, including the development of modules.
• Applicants must have good technical skills and experience in using a number of platforms such as Moodle or Loop.
• Applicants should demonstrate excellent interpersonal and communication skills, along with evidence of highly developed teamwork underpinned by a collaborative and collegial approach.
• Applicants should be motivated and flexible in their approach to their work.
• The applicant must be committed to supporting quality in education at all levels.
• Applicants will be qualified to a post-graduate level; it is desirable that they have completed, or be undertaking, a PhD/Doctorate relevant to early childhood education Experience of programme development is desirable.

*Please mention you saw this ad on AcademicJobs.*

Apply Now