School of Mathematics

Vacancy in the School for a Mathematics Engagement Officer

Please apply online via our vacancy website.

Mathematics Engagement Officer
Vacancy Ref: : 034224 Closing Date : 07-Oct-2015
Contact Person : Karen Downie Contact Number : 0131 650 5872
Contact Email : hr@maths.ed.ac.uk

 

University of EdinburghSchool of MathematicsMathematics Engagement OfficerThis exciting post combines Public Engagement and Outreach activities in the Mathematical Sciences with a teaching role, particularly emphasising innovative teaching through online media and developing undergraduate employability skills. A central theme is the communication of the wonder and wide applicability of mathematics to both students and the outside world and to widen awareness of the work of the School of Mathematics.The ability to enthuse and engage very different audiences with mathematics is at the heart of this role. Candidates will therefore need to have knowledge of, and familiarity with, a broad range of the mathematical sciences, together with a PhD in the Mathematical Sciences. Excellent communication skills in a variety of media will be particularly important. This is a twelve month fixed term post and the salary will be in the range of £31,342 - £37,394.Informal enquiries can be made by contacting: Professor Iain Gordon, email hos@maths.ed.ac.ukThe closing date for receipt of applications is 5pm on 07 October 2015.Please quote reference no. 034224

1. Job DetailsJob title: Mathematics Engagement OfficerJob Grade: UE07Job type: Full time, fixed term for 12 monthsSchool: MathematicsLine Manager: Head of School2. Job PurposeThis post combines Public Engagement and Outreach activities in the Mathematical Sciences with a teaching role, particularly emphasising innovative teaching through online media and developing undergraduate employability skills. A central theme is the communication of the wonder and wide applicability of mathematics to both students and the outside world and to widen awareness of the work of the School of Mathematics. 3. ResponsibilitiesTeaching and Teaching Related Activity (50%) • Lead the course build for a Massive Open Online Course (MOOC) in the Mathematical Sciences, taking responsibility for successful project delivery against agreed timescales. • Lead the delivery of the course during its live period, including content creation, forum oversight and teaching assistant management, with ultimate responsibility for learner experience against course design and learning outcomes.• Liaise with senior academic colleagues on curriculum details, academic course content and methods of assessment for the MOOC. • Contribute to postgraduate tutor training and observations of tutorials, and postgraduate involvement in Outreach. • Contribute expertise on mathematics communication to the School in activities such as the postgraduate generic skills programme. Outreach, Public Engagement and Publicity (50%)• Promote undergraduate Communication skills and other Employability skills, by organising and taking a leading role in Innovative Learning Week and leading the School’s Mathematics Outreach Team, typically consisting of around 30 students and staff from the School.• Organise and deliver Mathematics events for children, including Widening Participation Workshops and the Edinburgh & Lothians Royal Institution Masterclasses.• Work with others in the School on Public Engagement projects including the Edinburgh International Science Festival.• Work with other institutions in Edinburgh, particularly ICMS, to promote the School of Mathematics and Mathematics in general• Lead and organise the School’s activity in Innovative Learning Week• To be a key point of contact in the School of Mathematics for those outside the subject interested in the nature of mathematics research, and current research undertaken in the School.4. Planning and OrganisingThe post-holder has a varied collection of roles and good organisational skills will be required to plan and manage work over a number of independent areas. They are clearly required for MOOC content organisation, event planning, running a UG Outreach team and many of the other intended spheres of activity. 5. Problem SolvingIssues will arise in event management that require problems to be solved rapidly. The post-holder will need to find ways of implementing innovative teaching ideas, and to find ways of explaining complex mathematical ideas via talks, demonstrations, etc. 6. Decision MakingThe post-holder will need to make decisions on selecting Public Engagement contacts, how to approach different contacts and will need to prioritise the various opportunities for Public Engagement activity.7. Key Contacts/RelationshipsWithin the School, the post-holder will work with all academics to facilitate outreach activity. They will need to work closely with the recruitment and publicity teams in the School. In the University, they will be in regular contact with others in the Public Engagement community and also the University’s Institute for Academic Development with regard to teaching. Outwith the School, the post-holder will be in contact with numerous organisations with an interest in communicating Mathematics and Science to the public.