Assistant Professor (Education) - Department of Nursing and Midwifery - 106395 - Grade 8

Position Details

Department of Nursing and Midwifery, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Part Time (7.5 hours per week)

Permanent

Closing date: 29th October 2025

Academic Development Programme - new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.

Role Summary

The University of Birmingham has a distinguished history of maternal health research with evidence of significant impact on the lives of women and their families. To further our ambition of improving maternal health and wellbeing, we commenced delivery of our first MSc Midwifery programme in Autumn 2022. We have since increased our portfolio to include a BSc (Hons) Midwifery degree apprenticeship and a BSc (Hons) Midwifery direct entry programme, welcoming learners from across the West Midlands, and beyond into the East Midlands and the South West to date, thanks to our innovative blended learning delivery. Due to this expansion, the Department of Nursing and Midwifery are seeking to recruit an NMC Registered Midwife (RM) to join the midwifery team. The successful candidate will work closely with our Lead Midwife for Education and assist in the ongoing implementation of our blended learning programmes. Our course has been developed in partnership with practice partners, service users and advocacy groups in response to the ambition to prepare highly skilled midwives, able to deliver a safe, compassionate and personalised service that meets women’s needs during pregnancy and childbirth

You will contribute to a range of education-related activities including clinical skills, digital and practice learning across our Midwifery programmes and, subject to requirements, across the wider departmental education portfolio. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students and practice partners. Your teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment at all levels; and (b) enhancement of the student experience and employability. 

You will be expected to advance teaching and learning practice in your modules within the Department of Nursing and Midwifery, take a role in leading aspects of ongoing curriculum development, and play an important role in student academic and pastoral support. You will deliver excellent teaching that inspires our students, and is informed by best evidence and research. 

Management and administration are likely to include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement widening participation, schools’ outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education

You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities: 

• contribute to leading curriculum development and/or renewal;
• develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution; 
• advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment; 
• deliver (where appropriate to the discipline) specific professional programmes; 
• advance the practice of teaching in their modules and within the school, and play an important role in student academic support; 
• inform your teaching practice by discipline based research; 
• frequently update your subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes;
• you may play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students; and co-supervise doctoral students to completion.

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work. 

Management/Administration

To contribute to Departmental /School administration. This may include:

• contributing to the administration/management of teaching across the Department/School; 
• where appropriate, leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• making a contribution to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
• managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach;
• promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• pursuing your activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently;
• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• Normally, applicants should hold a higher degree in a subject relevant to midwifery or cognate discipline, and hold or be willing to undertake a postgraduate award in health professions education/ Fellowship of Higher Education Academy and/or a higher degree. 
• The post holder must hold a current NMC registration as a midwife and have knowledge and understanding of contemporary midwifery practice.
• A NIPE (or equivalent) qualification is essential.
• Extensive teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
• Skills in managing, motivating & mentoring others.

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes. 
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues. 
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes.
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Dbs Required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Further particulars can be found here

Informal enquiries to Teresa Shalofsky, email: t.shalofsky@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.