Associate Lecturers in Physics (Level 2/3)

Unit: Associate Lecturers/Part time tutors

Salary: £38,249 Pro Rata

Location: Various locations

Please quote reference: STEM_SXPS288

London, South, Southwest, West Midlands, East Midlands, East of England, Yorkshire, Northwest, North, Wales, Scotland, Northern Ireland, Republic of Ireland, Southeast.

Closing Date: 30 May, 2025 - 12:00

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

The School of Physical Sciences at the Open University is looking to recruit several Associate Lecturers with expertise in physics.

The position is part-time in the range of 0.1 to 0.4 FTE and would involve teaching one or more modules. There are likely to be a need across one or more the following modules.

SXPS288 Remote Experiments in physics and space 30 credits, level 2

SM380 Quantum physics 30 credits, level 3

SM381 Electromagnetism 30 credits, level 3

The position is home-based, has no fixed core hours. It is for 2 years in the first instance, with a probation period of two years. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs, mainly linked to providing marking and assessment feedback. This is likely to include exam and end of module marking tasks. Other tasks will be required such as focused student support (individual and forum), peer mentoring and working with the module team on assessment activities and quality improvement. Some evening and weekend work will be required. The appropriate level of FTE will be discussed at interview, and there is the possibility of increasing the FTE later. The starting full-time salary is £38,249 paid pro rata based on your FTE. Although most of the teaching occurs between October and June, the position is paid over the full calendar year.

Contract will start from September 2025.

Appointments to the position will be subject to student registrations.

Person specification

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for an Associate Lecturer at The Open University. As well as meeting all the requirements set out in the generic person specification, you should be able to provide evidence of the following:

• A degree or equivalent in physics or a related subject.
• Relevant subject knowledge from one or more of electromagnetism, quantum physics, astronomy, planetary sciences.
• Evidence of recent physics teaching, preferably at undergraduate level.
• The ability to explain fundamental concepts in physics.
• The ability to teach mathematics at a level appropriate for physics.
• The ability to teach appropriate study skills, including practical work and group work, and scientific communication.
• The ability to support group-based experimental work.
• A willingness to engage with computer programming and data processing tools (specifically Python).
• The ability to support effective student learning in an online environment, using tools such as synchronous conferencing (e.g. Teams, Adobe Connect) and asynchronous communication (email and forums).
• The ability to provide constructive feedback on assignments.

It would be an advantage to have:

• A PhD, other higher degree or equivalent in a relevant subject.
• Relevant postgraduate experience in physics or physics education.
• Experience of teaching experimental science through virtual and remote experiments.
• Experience of working with others to deliver teaching.
• A teaching qualification in a relevant subject or AdvanceHE accreditation.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. To ensure they remain up to date with developments in their academic field, Associate Lecturers are allocated 6 days (pro-rata) per annum for AL-led (i.e. self-directed) Academic Currency and 1 day, plus 5 days pro rata, per annum for Agreed Academic Currency and Professional Development.

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata) with variable (pro rata) Bank holidays and an attractive pensions proposition.

Tuition Delivery

Predominantly online, but with a small number of face-to-face day schools/tutorials for some modules

How to apply

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below. Any queries regarding the application process please contact AL-Recruitment on AL-Recruitment@open.ac.uk quoting the reference number STEM_SXPS288.

Job related information:

AL Application Form

Generic Person Specification

Terms and Conditions

All candidates will be asked to provide a proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

The University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role as per the requirement laid out the UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK.

To work with us you will need access to the internet.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check or equivalent for their nation of residency.

Early closing date notification

We may close this job advert earlier than the published closing date where a satisfactory number of applications are received. We would therefore encourage early applications.

Email : AL-Recruitment@open.ac.uk

An application form and job related information are available from the links located below. Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available by request to the email above, quoting the reference number STEM_SXPS288

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.