Open University Job Opportunities

Staff Tutor (2 positions)

Ref: 7911 Staff Tutor in Design or Engineering, based in Gateshead

Ref: 7991 Staff Tutor in Mathematics, based in Leeds (in the first instance)

In the Design or Engineering post you will be responsible for providing support for Associate Lecturers and students on design and/or engineering modules. You will also contribute to the teaching and the scholarship/research of the Design, Development, Environment and Engineering department. You will need a good honours degree (or equivalent) in engineering or materials or design or a closely related area.

In the Mathematics post you will be responsible for providing support for Associate Lecturers and students on undergraduate and postgraduate mathematics and statistics modules. You will also contribute to the teaching and the scholarship/research of the Mathematics and Statistics department. You will need a good honours degree (or equivalent) in mathematics or statistics and specialist knowledge in a relevant field of mathematics demonstrated by a postgraduate qualification or research publications.

For both posts you will also need to have a sound understanding of the needs of adult learners and experience of supporting/managing people who facilitate their learning. Good communication, administrative and organisational skills are also essential.

It is likely that some evening/weekend work will be required in this role and you will occasionally be expected to travel to the Midlands and to Milton Keynes.

Closing date: noon on 18 May 2012.

Vantage Programme Manager, Information Technology

We are looking for a Programme Manager to take responsibility for planning, structuring, leading and executing a complex set of software development and architecture transformation projects. The programme has a budget of £20m and will involve the development of bespoke applications as well as the implementation of package solutions.

The project is a critical component of the organisation’s strategic plan and systems transformation programme, and represents an exciting and challenging opportunity to work at a senior level to make a real difference.

You will manage a team consisting of project management, business analysis and software development staff and ensure the delivery of new products or services from the projects is to the appropriate levels of quality, on time and within budget, in accordance with the programme plan.

You must be able to demonstrate leadership and management skills and the ability to drive change to completion. You will be expected to lead cross-functional teams, manage budgets and undertake work with low initial clarity, some business risk and multiple dependencies.

You should be fully conversant with best practice IT development methodologies and must have demonstrable experience of successful delivery of complex IT systems, working both with internal teams and third parties. Experience of implementing packages and managing third party suppliers is a significant advantage.

You will work closely with other IT managers in a matrix environment, so must be a strong communicator with excellent influencing, negotiation and relationship building skills.

Closing date: Midday Thursday 24 May 2012. Interview dates: 11 and 13 June 2012.

Business Manager - Quality and Training , Student Recruitment & Financial Support

The Student Recruitment & Financial Support area is a dynamic, customer-focussed service within the area of Student Services.

You will be responsible for the development and implementation of a quality framework, delivering exceptional customer service and ensuring compliance with externally accredited standards. This will be achieved through the design, development, delivery, and evaluation of all training for our operational staff.

You will have significant experience of developing and managing training and quality initiatives in a complex customer services environment. Strong planning and organisational skills will be required as well as excellent verbal and written communication skills, the ability to work independently as well as part of a team and you will need to demonstrate inspirational leadership skills to achieve the desired results across organisational and geographical boundaries.

Closing date: 12 noon on 25 May 2012.
Interview dates: Between 19 and 21 June 2012 in Milton Keynes.

Senior Faculty Manager (Research, Finance and Profile), Faculty of Education and Language Studies

We are looking for an experienced manager to lead and develop support for the Faculty’s academic profile, its income-generating activities and its financial management.

You will support the Faculty’s research and scholarship strategy, including strategies for profile raising, demonstrating the social and economic impact of our academic work, and identifying income-generation possibilities. You will lead on the financial management processes of the Faculty, including management of grant bidding activity, and ensure compliance with good financial practice and the University’s regulations. Working in a complex and intellectually demanding environment, you will work with Faculty management colleagues to ensure a complete picture of academic workload planning and resource.

You will have a degree and relevant staff management experience and be able to demonstrate excellent planning and organisational ability. Your financial management experience and communication skills will ensure that staff understand the key issues around resourcing at a challenging time for the HE sector.

Closing date: noon on 25 May 2012.

Business Systems Analyst, Information Technology

The University is looking for experienced systems analysts with a good knowledge of structured development methods, requirements analysis techniques and experience in data analysis to join its IT Development department.

The largest IT redevelopment programme ever seen at the University has recently been approved. IT Development is tasked with delivering this multimillion pound programme whilst continuing to support the existing estate of in-house systems and packaged software, including Siebel CRM.

There are a number of roles available. Most are to work on the major change programme to redevelop the University’s student and curriculum systems. There may also be opportunities to work on the enhancement of existing systems, package configuration and system migration.

You will be working in a team environment, so you should enjoy working collaboratively, have a flexible approach and a keenness to develop your professional skills. This is a great opportunity for experienced systems analysts to strengthen our large and growing analyst team and play a part in delivering flexible and effective IT systems to support the University’s mission to improve business agility and efficiency.

Closing date: Midday Thursday 17 May 2012. Interview dates to be confirmed.

2 Research Associates in Human-Computer Interaction and Ubiquitous Computing, Faculty of Mathematics, Computing and Technology
The Computing Department is looking for two Research Associates in the areas of Human-Computer Interaction and Ubiquitous Computing. The posts are available in the EU-funded GAMBAS project. The main objective of GAMBAS is to develop fundamental technologies for context-aware, behaviour-driven services for innovative public transportation applications.

Research Associate 1 (HCI): You will conduct internationally-leading research in mobile user interfaces for public transport systems, with a particular focus on proactive services that predict user movement and information needs. You will apply human-centred design methods to create engaging mobile user experiences, and use empirical research methods to conduct user studies and field trials.

Research Associate 2 (Systems): You will conduct internationally-leading research in algorithms and systems for context and behaviour prediction. You will use an experimental systems approach to develop and evaluate location and behaviour prediction algorithms, and build system infrastructures for collection and processing of movement and behaviour data.

Both post holders will be expected to develop proposals for own or joint research and to contribute to writing bids for research funding.

To apply you must hold a first degree in the areas of computer science, human-computer interaction, electronic engineering, mathematics or a related discipline, and a PhD relevant to the research area or equivalent qualifications. Also, you should have demonstrated your research competence through high-quality publications in top conferences in the area of mobile computing, pervasive computing, human-computer interaction and/or machine learning. Strong practical software development skills are required for both posts.

Informal enquiries may be made to Prof Gerd Kortuem http://www.kortuem.com at the Ubiquitous Computing and Sustainability Lab, Department of Computing, The Open University.

Closing date: noon on 7 June 2012.

Senior Research Fellow in Detector Physics , Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science
A Senior Research Fellow is required to strengthen and enhance the research profile of the Department of Physical Sciences and to contribute to the research of the e2v Centre for Electronic Imaging (CEI) within the Faculty of Science. Your research should complement existing areas in our Centre for Earth, Planetary, Space and Astronomical Research (CEPSAR), particularly those in Planetary and Space Sciences. We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose research includes CMOS sensor design and development. You will also contribute to the training of PhD students within the group.

You should have a strong track record in research and research management, with a history of securing funding, meeting the minimum requirements to be included in the CEPSAR submission to the Research Excellence Framework. You should also be familiar with recent developments in imaging detector technology. You must be committed to principles of equality and diversity in the teaching of science, and preferably have some experience of distance education.

Closing date: 7 June 2012. Interview date: 27 June 2012.

Research Fellowship in Design of Software Systems for inquiry-based Science Learning, Institute of Educational Technology
The Institute of Educational Technology (IET) is looking for a Research Fellow to work on a prestigious project, funded by the Wolfson Foundation, to develop an OpenScience Laboratory. You will be designing and implementing the system architecture and software tools to support inquiry based-science learning and integrating these into the software platform. You should demonstrate excellent skills in systems software design and implementation. You will have previous experience in undertaking design-based research, and a strong record of publication.

Closing date: 24 May 2012. Interview date: 12 June 2012.

Research Fellow - International Management Practice Education and Learning, The Open University Business School
The Open University Business School has a growing profile of leading research projects in the Management area. It is the largest provider of distance learning management courses in the UK with around 43,000 students currently enrolled in the UK, in Eastern and Western Europe and in parts of Africa and Asia.

This exciting position offers the opportunity for an experienced researcher to work with Profs. Sally Dibb and Mark Fenton-O’Creevy to build a recently established strategic research theme, International Management Practice, Education, and Learning (IMPEL), at the Open University Business School in Milton Keynes. You will be an experienced and well-qualified social science researcher with a track record in producing high quality research outputs and working on funded research projects. You will have research experience within international management, management learning or equivalent relevant experience in a social sciences discipline along with proven ability to publish in top ranking journals with one or more research publications which are internationally excellent in their originality, significance and rigour. You will have excellent communication skills and the capability to work in a self-directed way.

The position is initially for a period of three years, with the possibility of extension or progression to a lectureship subject to availability of funding. Appointment will normally be on the salary scale £30,122 – £35,938. However, appointment on the higher scale £37,012 – £44,166 may be possible for an exceptional candidate with high quality existing research publications.

Closing date for electronic applications: 12 noon on 31 May 2012. Interviews will be held 20 June 2012.

Postdoctoral Research Associate – Project OECUMENE ‘Citizenship after Orientalism’, Faculty of Social Sciences
The Open University is pursuing an ambitious project, the 2 Million Euros of funding for which has been provided by the European Research Council under its second Advanced Research Grants scheme. Professor Engin Isin is leading the project, entitled ‘Citizenship after Orientalism’, (www.oecumene.eu) between 2010-2014.

We are looking for a motivated graduate with a PhD in social sciences background to join the existing research team of 4 Research Associates and 3 PhD students.

The purpose of the project is to redefine European citizenship by developing, without the assumptions of orientalism and occidentalism, comparative insights on citizenship understood as political subjectivity in Africa, Asia, Australia or the Americas. Expertise in any one of these areas is required but applicants with a focus on Africa especially in relation to indigenous citizenship would be beneficial.

You will work with the Principal Investigator, Research Associates and Senior Project Manager to develop and conduct a research programme, to deliver specified project outcomes to a professional standard, and ensure effective communications and publicity.

Closing date: 24 May 2012. Interview date: week commencing w/c 11 June 2012.

Post Doctoral Research Associate, Cosmology, Department of Physical Sciences, Faculty of Science
Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate within the Astronomy Discipline of the Open University.

You will work on the Herschel Astrophysical Terahertz Large Area Survey (H-ATLAS, the largest open-time key project on Herschel), on SCUBA-2 legacy surveys, on the e-Merlin gravitational lensing legacy survey, and on preparation for Euclid. The aims of the project are the exploitation of far-infrared and submm-wave surveys for the discovery of strong gravitational lenses, and/or for the evolution of star formation in quasar host galaxies.

You will have a PhD or equivalent qualification in physics or a related subject, a background of independent research, strong programming skills, good oral and written communication skills in English as well as a demonstrable grasp of the relevant research literature, an ability to work harmoniously in a team, and a willingness to collaborate with others in the department. Directly relevant research experience is also highly desirable.

Closing date: 1 June 2012.

Interviews will take place in June 2012.

Faculty Assistant
We are seeking a highly motivated and versatile candidate to fill a demanding administrative position in our Regional Centre.

You will provide support to members of our academic staff belonging to one or more faculties, as well as helping out generally within a team of five other Faculty Assistants. You will be comfortable with new technology, have excellent communication skills, and be able to demonstrate competence in explaining procedures and regulations. Well developed customer service skills are important in this position, so evidence of previous experience in an office based and customer focussed environment will be required.

You will have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and the ability to make effective use of a wide range of OU IT applications. The ability to organise and prioritise your work is an essential attribute. You will be used to working on your own initiative but also have experience of providing administrative support in a team environment.

Closing date: 12 noon 17 May 2012.

Interview date: 23 May 2012.

Learner Support Assistant
We are seeking a highly motivated and versatile person to join our Learner Support Team. You will provide a wide range of services to Open University students in the South West via telephone, email, letter and face to face. In addition to information and advice for students, the Team provides administrative support for examinations and residential schools within the Region.

You will be comfortable with new technology, have excellent communication skills and be able to demonstrate competence in explaining procedures and regulations. You will have well developed customer service skills and experience of an educational based environment. You will have a good working knowledge of Microsoft Office, and the ability to make effective use of a wide range of OU IT applications.

Closing date: 12 noon 17 May 2012.

Interview date: 25 May 2012.

Postgraduate Research Studentships, Faculty of Social Sciences
The Faculty of Social Sciences invites applications for two fully-funded PhD studentships for three years commencing October 2012.

We are committed to the enhancement and development of this culture as a priority in our mission. Our research is supported by 2 University Centres of Research Excellence, an emerging University Centre of Research Excellence, an ESRC Research Centre and a Faculty Research Centre as well as by our 6 academic departments.

The Faculty has a thriving research culture and is engaged in world-class, agenda setting research in fields such as human geography, culture, citizenship, identities, governance, criminology and international development and innovation. The specific research areas for the studentships are listed on the Faculty website: http://www.open.ac.uk/socialsciences/research/students/index.php.

You should have at least a 2:1 for your first degree and should preferably have a relevant masters degree.

Applicants must normally reside in the UK for the duration of the full-time studentship.

Closing date: 5pm on 7 June 2012.
Interview date: Mid-July 2012 TBA.

Faculty of Science, PhD Studentship in Department of Environment, Earth and Ecosystems
Feedbacks between increased plant growth and soil carbon storage in forests under global change

Main supervisor: Emma Sayer
Co-supervisor: Vincent Gauci

• Work on rapidly advancing area of ecosystem science with field work at different sites across the UK;
• Carry out cutting-edge multi-disciplinary research that could have important implications for global climate change;
• Training in state-of-the-art techniques in ecosystem ecology, biogeochemistry and microbial ecology.

Feedbacks between plants and soil under environmental change are likely to have a significant impact on ecosystem carbon cycling. Recent work has shown that increased atmospheric carbon dioxide concentrations have enhanced tree growth in forests. However these increases in growth can also cause ‘priming effects’ whereby microbial degradation of soil organic matter is stimulated by fresh carbon inputs, such as plant litter, releasing additional carbon from the soil. Given that forest soils represent the largest terrestrial carbon pool, priming effects could cause a major release of carbon dioxide to the atmosphere. Despite their potential importance in ecosystem carbon dynamics under environmental change, the processes and mechanisms underlying priming effects are still poorly understood. This project will address current knowledge gaps on plant-soil feedbacks in forests by conducting a series of studies to determine the mechanisms behind priming effects and to establish general patterns in their occurrence.

Specifically, the project will address:

A. What are the mechanisms controlling the occurrence of priming effects?
B. What regulates the intensity of priming effects?
C. How do priming effects measured in the laboratory incubations compare to those measured under natural conditions in the field?

This will be achieved through a series of laboratory experiments and mesocosm studies. Microcosm experiments will be set up in the lab to determine mechanisms and measure changes in microbial community composition and activity. Mesocosm experiments will be established in different forest stands to determine relationships between priming effect intensity and substrate/site characteristics. A comparison of results from the lab and field experiments will determine the representativeness of laboratory incubations for predicting the occurrence of priming effects in forests under global change.

You will receive training in a wide range of techniques in field ecology, microbial biology and biogeochemistry, which will enable you to effectively develop and conduct research spanning these disciplines.
The department has a thriving postgraduate community and the postgraduate training programme provides a full range of courses covering: research techniques, scientific methods, information technology, communication and interpersonal skills, which are tailored to the needs of each student. Details of the Department and the Science Faculty can be found on http://www.open.ac.uk/science

Informal enquiries regarding the studentship can be made to the first named supervisor at the email link below.

Closing date: 15 June 2012
Interview date: week commencing 9 July 2012

Full-time and Part time Research Degrees
As part of our on-going investment in research, we are offering both fully funded and fee bursary studentships for PhD and Masters in Research commencing October 2012. We are looking for outstanding and committed individuals with the determination to succeed in the following areas: Arts, Education, Maths, Computing and Technology, Science, Business and Law, Social Sciences, Health and Social Care.

Selected candidates will work alongside leading academics and research staff on projects that will inspire and shape our research portfolio. The University supports a vibrant research community with expertise across of broad range of disciplines. Our research teams compete with the best in the world and our research students play a valuable part in that success.

Applications are invited from UK, EU and international students for full or part time study. Applicants must have a first or upper second class degree from a UK university or the overseas equivalent and may require a relevant Masters degree.

Applicants must normally reside in the UK for the duration of the studentship.