Salary for this Role:

From £50,700, subject to skills and experience, with benefits

Job Title:

Teaching and Learning Specialist

Reports to:

Lorenza Giannella

Closing Date:

12/Jan/2025 23.59 GMT

Job Description:

Job title: Teaching and Learning Specialist

Reports to: STP External Training Lead

Location: Francis Crick Institute, London

Contract term: Permanent

The Francis Crick Institute uses a shared access approach to delivering high-end technology and expertise via science technology platforms (STPs). These platforms ensure that Crick scientists can be productive at the highest level by providing managed access to specialist equipment operated by skilled professional staff. The STPs play an important role in training in the use of core technologies in biomedical research, both for Crick scientists and those from other institutions. This is an important aspect of the Crick’s national role.

The Crick is currently seeking a proactive and enthusiastic individual to support STPs scientists in designing and delivering content for face-to-face, online and blended internal technical training. This training will be used by Crick students, staff, and partners, to develop and refine their theoretical and technical knowledge and skills in areas such advanced cell culture (including stem cells and organoids), microscopy, flow cytometry, genome editing and omics approaches.

In addition to content, the postholder will support the development of high-quality learning materials in a range of formats, from short videos, interactive exercises, quizzes, online assessments and discussions forums, aimed to support successful remote and blended learning. The postholder will also support and train STPs scientists in the use of the Crick online learning platform, based on Moodle, and guide them in developing digital content that is engaging, fit for purpose and follows best practices in teaching and learning.

As an expert in content development and delivery, you will be responsible for turning complex information into digestible and accessible resources for digital and blended learning. You will have a background in biomedical sciences, allowing you to digest the information provided by subject matter experts and to actively contribute to the development of the content. You will apply instructional design methodologies, student-led approaches (such as problem-based learning and flipped classroom) and adult learning principles to create content and courses that are engaging, interactive, and impactful. Additionally, you will use your experience and expertise with LMS platforms to maintain and further develop the Crick’s online learning platform, including uploading courses, solving technical issues, and training subject matter experts to drive full utilisation of the platform.

It is an exciting time to join our Technical Training team, as we prepare to develop our technical training offering for students and staff. You will actively contribute to shaping the Institute STPs training strategy, by collaborating with world-class scientists and translating their expertise into effective learning resources. This role would be particularly suitable for a professional with experience in teaching and developing online and blended courses in Higher Education.

Key responsibilities

These include but are not limited to:

Take a leading role in cross-functional teams between subject matter experts in the Science Technology Platforms and the Technical Training team for the end-to-end design of tailored technical training courses across the biomedical technologies available at the Crick.
Develop high-quality content and materials for the technical training of Crick students and staff in a range of biomedical science and technology areas.
Collaborate with subject matter experts and participate in the creation of technically excellent and engaging content that instructs participants in core concepts across biomedical technologies, with exceptional contributions in the area of your own expertise.
Provide expert support and advice STP staff on the best teaching and learning methodologies and digital and blended learning tools, as well as the design, structure and delivery of effective content.
Manage the implementation and adoption of our Moodle Learning Management Platform across the STPs to grow the Crick’s digital training presence for the provision of internal training.
Support STP staff with the development, implementation and administration of the Moodle system for their platforms, providing bespoke support catering for the specific needs of each STP to promote a smooth and consistent user experience.
Develop key training approaches and methods to instruct STP scientists in the full utilisation of the online learning platform and support them in the creation of online or blended learning materials.
Act as the primary contact point for administrative and technical support for troubleshooting the Moodle system, including uploading content and configuring courses, consolidating training records, managing user registration and tracking learning progress.
With the Technical Training Lead and Director of STPs, agree key performance and learning indicators and develop reporting strategies to ensure learning success targets are met.
Work closely with the Training Lead and subject matter experts to design, develop, test, evaluate and implement effective, interactive and engaging content for online and blended learning.
In collaboration with the Training Lead, periodically review and evaluate content and delivery, to ensure it’s up to date and fit for purpose.
Collaborate with STP scientists and advise on best practices and effective learning tool usage for the effective delivery of training.
Keep up to date with developments in training approaches by attending workshops, reviewing professional publications, establishing personal networks, and participating in professional societies.
Ensure the delivery of these courses and learning materials within planned timescales and towards the strategic objectives of the internal technical training programme.

Key experience and competencies

The post holder should embody and demonstrate our core Crick values: Bold, Open, and Collegial, in addition to the following:

Essential

First degree in biomedical sciences or equivalent relevant subject area.
MSc, PhD or appropriate professional qualification in relevant discipline
Good understanding of adult learning principles and familiarity with different teaching methods and materials.
Experience of teaching and training
Experience in developing and delivering content for digital and blended learning in Higher Education.
Significant experience with a virtual learning platform in Higher Education.
Experience in developing interactive learning resources on complex subjects.
Experience in reviewing and proofreading text for online content.
Proven record in managing a Learning Management System, including uploading content in different formats, managing student registrations and queries, troubleshooting technical issues, track learning progress and generating report with key metrics.
Strong communication skills, both written and verbal, and a collaborative style of working to reach common goals and objectives.
Excellent organisation and time management skills.
Proven record in efficiently collaborating with stakeholders at different levels.

Desirable

Experience in implementing a Moodle-based platform.
Relevant qualification in adult education (eg. Advance HE fellowship).
Experience in designing and developing online learning content from e-learning storyboards.
Experience in coordinating video production, from script writing to editing and evaluating the final product.
Experience in using authoring tools to create multimedia.
Experience in video recording and editing.

Find out what benefits the Crick has to offer:

For more information on our great pay and benefits package please click here:https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/pay-and-benefits

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion:

We welcome applications from all backgrounds. We are committed to providing equal employment opportunities, regardless of ethnicity, nationality, gender, sexual orientation, gender identity, religion, pregnancy, age, disability, or civil partnership, marital or family status. We particularly welcome applications from people who are Minority Ethnic as they are currently underrepresented in the Crick at this level.

Diversity is essential to excellence in scientific endeavour. It increases breadth and perspective, leading to more innovation and creativity. We want the Crick to be a place where everyone feels valued and where diversity is celebrated and seen as part of the foundation for our Institute’s success.

The Crick is committed to creating equality of opportunity and promoting diversity and inclusivity. We all share in the responsibility to actively promote dignity, respect, inclusivity and equal treatment and it is our aim to ensure that these principles are reflected and implemented in all strategies, policies and practices.

Read more on our website: https://www.crick.ac.uk/careers-and-study/life-at-the-crick/equality-diversity-and-inclusion

Francis Crick Institute Ltd remote jobs

Teaching and Learning Specialist