Thesis Supervisor – Occupational Psychology at Birkbeck

Location:	London
Salary:	£26.68 per hour. Grade 7 is inclusive of pro-rata London Allowance and holiday pay. See the advert text for details.
Hours:	Part-Time
Contract Type:	Fixed-Term/Contract

Placed On:	11th September 2024
Closes:	4th October 2024
Job Ref:	561887

Pulled from the full job description

We are thrilled to announce a unique and prestigious opportunity for a Professional Doctorate in Occupational Psychology Thesis Supervisor at Birkbeck Business School, a distinguished part of the Business & Law Faculty at Birkbeck, University of London. This role is perfect for Chartered Psychologists with a passion for academia and a dedication to guiding the next generation of occupational psychologists.

At Birkbeck, we are committed to delivering exceptional education to our diverse student body and fostering an environment that encourages continuous learning and professional development. With a rich history and a strong focus on evening education, we cater to a wide array of students who are looking to enhance their careers while balancing professional and personal commitments. If you are an experienced academic or practitioner looking for a challenging yet rewarding supervisory role in a world-class institution, this could be the perfect next step in your career.

Key Responsibilities of the Role

As a Thesis Supervisor for the Professional Doctorate in Occupational Psychology, you will play a vital role in shaping the academic and professional journeys of doctoral students. Your responsibilities will include:

1. Delivering High-Quality Supervision: You will oversee and guide students through the thesis stage of their Professional Doctorate programme. This includes ensuring they develop strong research proposals, conducting rigorous empirical studies, and writing high-quality theses. Your expertise will be crucial in helping students refine their research ideas, design methodologies, and critically analyze their findings.

2. Teaching and Mentoring: You will deliver outstanding teaching to our students, combining theoretical knowledge with practical application. This includes leading seminars, workshops, and possibly some lectures, intending to encourage critical thinking, fostering debate, and nurturing students' analytical skills.

3. Supervising Student Projects: In addition to thesis supervision, you may also oversee student projects, field trips, dissertations, and placements. Your role will involve helping students apply theoretical concepts to real-world settings and navigate the practical challenges of their research.

4. Developing Teaching Materials: To enhance student learning, you will contribute to the development of innovative teaching materials, methods, and assessment tools. These should align with the learning objectives of the programme and be designed to engage students effectively, both in traditional and virtual learning environments.

5. Administrative Duties: The role also includes relevant administrative responsibilities, such as maintaining accurate records of student progress, assessment results, and other documentation related to the thesis process. You will be expected to keep detailed logs of student meetings, thesis drafts, and submission deadlines.

6. Programme Development: You will have the opportunity to contribute to the development, planning, and design of new study programmes within the Occupational Psychology discipline. This involves working closely with other faculty members to ensure our curriculum remains cutting-edge, industry-relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of the profession.

Who We're Looking For

We are seeking a highly qualified and motivated individual with a strong academic background and practical experience in Occupational Psychology. To succeed in this role, you should possess the following:

1. Chartered Psychologist with a PhD or Professional Doctorate: You must have an advanced level of expertise in Occupational Psychology, evidenced by either a PhD or Professional Doctorate. As a Chartered Psychologist, you will bring specialized knowledge and insight that will greatly benefit the students under your supervision.

2. Teaching and Supervision Experience: You should have formal experience in teaching and supervising students at the postgraduate level. We are looking for someone who has successfully supervised at least one student to completion of their doctoral studies. This experience is crucial in understanding the challenges students face during their thesis work and providing the appropriate support.

3. Presentation and Communication Skills: Effective presentation and lecturing skills are essential. You must be able to lead engaging and informative taught sessions, communicate complex ideas clearly, and foster an interactive learning environment. Strong communication skills are also vital in providing constructive feedback to students throughout the thesis process.

4. Information Technology Proficiency: A good level of information and communication technology (ICT) skills is important, especially in relation to virtual learning environments (VLEs) and standard academic software packages. As much of the supervision process may take place online, it is important that you are comfortable using digital tools to facilitate learning and communication.

5. Membership in the British Psychological Society’s Division of Occupational and Organizational Psychology (DOP): Being an active member of the BPS Division of Occupational and Organizational Psychology is a significant advantage, as it demonstrates your professional commitment and engagement with the latest developments in the field.

6. Strong Publication Record: Ideally, you will have a track record of publications related to applied psychology or occupational psychology. A passion for research and the development of research practice is crucial in this role, as you will be guiding students through their own research projects.

If You Have Experience in the Following Roles, This Position Is for You:

• Occupational Psychology Lecturer

• Psychology Thesis Advisor

• Psychology Research Supervisor

• Psychology Academic Mentor

• Psychology Dissertation Supervisor

This role offers the opportunity to expand on your existing academic experience and contribute meaningfully to the field of occupational psychology by helping shape the future of the profession.

Remuneration and Benefits

We offer a competitive compensation package, reflecting the value and importance of the role within our institution. Specific details include:

• First Supervisors: £750 per annum

• Second Supervisors: £400 per annum

• Hourly Rate: Starting at £26.68 per hour (Grade 7), inclusive of pro-rata London Allowance and holiday pay. This rate applies per student per year, with the possibility to supervise up to three students concurrently.

Beyond monetary compensation, we are proud to offer one of the most attractive benefits packages in the Higher Education (HE) sector, including:

• Generous Annual Leave: 31 days of paid leave, allowing you ample time to rest, recharge, and pursue personal interests.

• Flexible Working Arrangements: We recognize the importance of work-life balance and offer flexible working options to accommodate your schedule.

• Pension Scheme: Birkbeck provides a competitive pension scheme to help you secure your financial future.

• Central London Location: Our campus is located in the heart of Central London, offering easy access to all the cultural, social, and professional opportunities that the city provides.

Terms and Conditions

This is a fixed-term, part-time contract commencing in January 2025, with an expected duration until 2027, or earlier depending on the students' progression. The role is structured to offer flexibility, allowing you to balance your professional and personal commitments while contributing meaningfully to the education and development of future occupational psychologists.

If you’re interested in this opportunity, please submit an Application Form for consideration by the closing date of 4 October 2024. Successful candidates will be invited for an interview on 21 and 23 October 2024.

Enquiries and Contact Information

If you would like more information about the role, feel free to reach out to:

• Professor Julie Gore (j.gore@bbk.ac.uk)

• Professor Alexandra Beauregard (a.beauregard@bbk.ac.uk)
  Both are Directors of the ProfDoc OP/EBHRM Programmes – thesis stage.

For technical issues with the recruitment portal, please contact jobs@bbk.ac.uk, providing your name and the job reference number.

Commitment to Diversity and Inclusion

At Birkbeck, we are dedicated to fostering a diverse and inclusive workplace. We welcome applications from all sections of the community and are committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of our workforce. Birkbeck is proud to hold an Athena SWAN award and operates under the Disability Confident and Mindful Employer schemes, ensuring that we provide a supportive and accessible environment for all staff members.

We look forward to welcoming passionate and qualified individuals to our team, where you can help shape the future of Occupational Psychology while enjoying the many benefits of working in one of the UK’s most respected institutions. Apply today and take the next exciting step in your academic career at Birkbeck, University of London!

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