Faculty Assistants

Introduction

The Academic and Related Sub-Committee concluded that there was scope for the introduction of a category of staff between the postgraduate level and the formal academic appointment.

Recommendation

It is recommended that the University allows for the introduction of a post of Faculty Assistant. It is expected that Faculty Assistants will be engaged for a continuous period of 21 months being from 1 October in one year to 30 June in the next succeeding year, during which they will undergo training and participate in the teaching programme of the Department/Faculty. They will normally be post doctoral and it is expected that during the period of their appointments they will develop teaching skills and seek to develop a number of publications from their doctoral work.

Training

Under the guidance of a mentor appointed by the Head of Department, Faculty Assistants will be expected to:

• study for the Postgraduate Diploma in Learning and Teaching
• develop of their research skills (including attendance at relevant course offered by the Staff Development Service)
• develop their teaching skills and
• undertake such other training as may be determined by the Head of Department or identified by themselves as being relevant to their career development.

A report on progress will be submitted at the end of the second and fourth terms of the appointment.

Duties

The Faculty Assistant will be required, only during term time, to:

• contribute around 6 contact hours teaching per week of which a maximum of 3 hours will be lecturing. Note these hours will vary according to teaching patterns of particular Faculties and
• undertake such administrative duties as may be assigned provided that the total number of hours is limited to 150 hours during the academic year.

Terms and Conditions of Employment

Faculty Assistants are not members of the Academic Staff;

The rate of pay will be £9834* per annum in the first year rising on the anniversary of your appointment to £10,537**.

The appointments are superannuable (note this needs to be discussed with the Pay and Pensions Manager)

The appointments are subject to 3 months' probation and are terminable by three months notice being given by either side.

The contract will be issued by the Human Resources Department, subject to normal recruitment and financial release procedures being applied.

* £28 x 11 x 31 
** £31 x 11 x 31

Please note: On-costs should be taken into consideration and are currently 13% for Superannuation and 12% for National Insurance Contributions for the 2000-01 academic session 

Human Resources April 2001