Lecturer in Sport Sciences (Biomechanics) at University of Sunshine Coast, Australia

[Rebecca Mellifont]

Lecturer in Sport Sciences (Biomechanics)
School of Health and Sport Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Appointment: Full-time ongoing appointment
Salary level: University of the Sunshine Coast Classification Level B (Salary range A$78,429 to A$93,136 gross per annum plus up to 17 percent employer superannuation contributions)
Supervisor: Head, School of Health and Sport Sciences, Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Reference No: 1303
Closing date: Midnight, Sunday 8 April 2012

Background
At the University of the Sunshine Coast, a Lecturer is an established academic who is engaged in all three aspects of academic work – teaching, research and service. While s/he is an effective teacher, s/he is also maintaining and developing his/her research activity and can have responsibility for research projects and for supervision of honours students and candidates for higher degrees by research. S/he is making important connections with and contributions to his/her discipline/field and/or within the community. S/he has significant involvement in faculty development and can also have some involvement in University development.

Position overview
The Lecturer in Sport Sciences (Biomechanics) contributes to the Faculty’s teaching programs, is responsible for coordinating and teaching in Sport Sciences and is also expected to contribute to other courses relevant to this discipline. S/he is also making significant contributions in research and consultancy, and within the Faculty.

Duties can include:
Be an effective teacher and provide leadership in teaching by:

• maintaining currency in a discipline/field relevant to Sport Sciences (specifically Biomechanics and Functional Anatomy) and in effective learning and teaching practices in that discipline/field;
• designing, developing, evaluating and improving curricula;
• lecturing, tutoring, conducting workshops, seminars and field trips, and demonstrating;
• assessing, and giving feedback to, students;
• participating in and leading learning and teaching development processes within the Faculty;
• contributing to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment that is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of achievement in learning and teaching

Be an effective researcher and provide leadership in research and research training by:

• purposefully developing focused expertise in a discipline/field relevant to Sport Sciences (Biomechanics);
• developing a research agenda in Sport Sciences (Biomechanics) and establishing and participating in research teams;
• framing research problems and researchable questions
• designing and conducting research projects and writing research reports;
• communicating research outcomes to experts through publishing in refereed journals, and to relevant lay audiences;
• successfully applying for research grants, particularly external competitive grants;
• developing and exploiting intellectual property;
• successfully supervising candidates for higher degrees by research;
• being invited to conduct research with colleagues at other universities and give addresses in various research and research training fora; and
• contributing to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment that is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of achievement in research
• Maintain substantial involvement in community service as a scholarly practice through which discipline knowledge and skills are applied to consequential problems in the world beyond the University. Service can be both in a remunerated capacity as consultancy, or without remuneration.

Provide service to the University by contributing to the definition and achievement of its goals and enable it to be a healthy organisation. This includes:

• making contributions to the achievement of significant University outcomes as a member or chair of committees and working parties;
• taking on roles of responsibility within the University, such as key coordination roles;
• making contributions to significant projects that advance the achievement of the University’s Mission;
• developing and maintaining strategic and productive partnerships, connections and relationships with people, groups and organisations at local, national and international levels; and
• communicating appropriately and effectively with students, other staff and individuals outside the University
• Other duties within the range of skills normally associated with this classification, including those associated with an evolving research, teaching, learning and professional environment, as required by the Executive Dean.

Selection criteria
Applicants need to demonstrate:

1. Completion or near-completion of a doctoral qualification in the area of Sports Sciences. In determining experience relative to qualifications, regard is had to teaching, experience in research, experience outside tertiary education, professional contributions and/or technical achievement.
2. Effectiveness as teacher of Biomechanics and Functional Anatomy which is evidenced by student feedback on teaching using valid instrument/s.
3. The capacity to conceive, develop and deliver tertiary curricula in Sport Sciences, initially in the area of Biomechanics and Functional Anatomy and to contribute to other relevant areas of teaching.
4. A track record of research activity, including for example, refereed publications; external grants; numbers of, and timely completions by, candidates for honours and higher degrees by research.
5. Participation and success in academic administrative functions, eg. course coordination, within a University.
6. Sound connections with relevant professional bodies and community groups and/or in professional practice.
7. Strong personal qualities and collegial approaches that contribute to the development and maintenance of a positive academic environment which is conducive to high levels of engagement and standards of achievement for both staff and students.
8. Successful supervision of honours and postgraduate students.
9. Evidence of regular participation in staff development activities and the desire to continue to learn and improve as an effective academic.
10. Membership of relevant professional associations.

More information
Professor John Lowe
Head, School of Health and Sport Sciences
Faculty of Science, Health, Education and Engineering
Tel: + 61 7 5459 5030
Email: jlowe@usc.edu.au

To apply for this position, go to

http://www.usc.edu.au/university/jobs-at-usc/