Applied Linguistics Post in Trinity College Dublin (University of Dublin)

Fri Mar 2 12:58:24 UTC 2012

Post Title:

Assistant Professor* in Applied Linguistics

Post Status:

Permanent

Department/Faculty:

Centre for Language and Communication Studies / School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication   Sciences.

Location:

CLCS, Arts Building, College Main Campus

Reports to:

Head of School

Closing Date:

12 noon Tuesday 27th March 2012

Salary Range:

This appointment will be made on the Department of Education and Skills Lecturer Scale in line with current Government pay policy

Post Summary

The School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences wishes to appoint an assistant professor (equivalent to lecturer) in applied linguistics with expertise in cognitive approaches to second language acquisition. The person appointed will contribute to the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching of the Centre for Language and Communication Studies (CLCS) in this area.  The successful candidate will be expected to teach on the CLCS M.Phil programmes and to supervise postgraduate research at PhD level.  She or he will increase Trinity College’s research strength in second language acquisition and psycholinguistics. Information about the School is available at http://www.tcd.ie/slscs/. For further information about the post and the department please contact the Head of School, Prof John Saeed at john.saeed at tcd.ie.

Background to the Post

CLCS is an academic department of applied linguistics, linguistics and speech science. CLCS is particularly active at postgraduate level, with around 40 research students and four taught Masters programmes. It is also responsible for the Bachelor in Deaf Studies; the linguistics component of the B.A. in Computing and Language; and provides modules in linguistics and modern languages for students across the university. Its state-of-the-art language learning facilities and large collection of language learning resources are used for class teaching by the modern language departments and are also open to all members of the university for self-access learning.

CLCS has long established research and teaching strengths in applied linguistics. The Centre currently offers taught M.Phil degrees in linguistics, applied linguistics, speech and language processing, and English language teaching and has an increasing number of doctoral students in these areas.

* The new academic title of Assistant Professor, previously known as Lecturer, as approved by University Council (15 June 2011) and Board (29 June 2011).

Standard duties of the Post

The successful candidate will:

Contribute to the Centre’s teaching programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Be able to attract postgraduate students to the Centre and to supervise PhD and Masters students.
Actively engage in research and have the potential to develop a strong record of research and publication in applied linguistics.
Develop appropriate course modules.
Actively seek to obtain research funding.
Take on various administrative duties as directed by the Head of School.

Person Specification

Qualifications

The person appointed to this post will have an excellent academic record and have completed a PhD in applied linguistics or psycholinguistics. She or he should have academic publications in a domain closely related to the principal concerns of the post.

Knowledge & Experience (Essential & Desirable)

Essential:

·      A thorough knowledge of current theories of second language acquisition and a familiarity with research in areas such as language processing, memory and language, and language and cognition
·      The ability, enthusiasm for and success in providing lectures and practical classes in to undergraduate students
·      Evidence of research potential and achievements, including publications in leading international peer-reviewed journals, in a cognate area

·      Ability to contribute to undergraduate teaching  and develop and coordinate new taught modules

Desirable:

·      Experience of experimental approaches to research relevant to the post

·      Experience of both small and large group teaching at undergraduate level

·      Experience of supervising undergraduate dissertations

·      Experience of teaching at Masters level

·      Experience of developing new courses and teaching material

·      Experience of working in an interdisciplinary environment

·      Experience of research student supervision

·      Experience and documented success in obtaining research funding

·      Enthusiasm and aptitude for a collegial style of working, for collaborative and interdisciplinary work in teaching and research, and for international networking

·      The ability to contribute to the strategic objectives of the School

Skills & Competencies

·      A commitment to professional and innovative teaching.

·      Proven ability or potential to attract external research funding.

·      Good communication and organizational skills

·      Ability to work effectively as a member of a team and collaborate with colleagues at an inter-disciplinary level and participation at School, Faculty and College level

·      Demonstrate vision and commitment

·      Excellent communication skills

·      Strong organizational skills with efficiency in course-related, School and College  administration

Application Information

Please note that in addition to a cover letter with a full curriculum vitae, including the names and contact details of 3 referees (with their email addresses if possible), candidates should also submit;  a list of publications;  a description of research plans for the next two to three years (no more than 2 pages); and a description of their approach to teaching (no more than 2 pages).  Candidates who do not submit this additional information may not be considered for the shortlisting process.

Department Summary

General Department Information

The Centre for Language and Communication Studies (CLCS), incorporating the Centre for Deaf Studies, is one of two departments that comprise the School of Linguistic, Speech and Communication Sciences. The other is the Department of Clinical Speech and Language Studies, which provides a professional training for speech therapists. Full details of all the School’s activities are available on its website (www.tcd.ie/slscs/).

Academic staff

CLCS’ academic staff includes four professors, four associate professors, nine assistant professors, and six research fellows and associates.

Number of Students

CLCS has around 40 research students (Ph.D., M.Litt., M.Sc.), 35 M.Phil. students and 120 undergraduate students (FEs).

Courses Delivered

M.Phil. courses in Linguistics, Applied Linguistics, Speech and Language Processing, and English Language Teaching; the linguistics component of the B.A. in Computing and Language; the Bachelor in Deaf Studies; and various language and linguistics modules for students across the university.

Current Research Fields

CLCS has a national and international reputation for leading-edge research in three closely connected areas: applied linguistics, theoretical linguistics, and phonetics/speech science (for further details, see website).

Research Funding – past five years

Between 2006 and 2011 CLCS secured research funding totalling more than €3 million for projects in applied linguistics and phonetics/speech science.

Domestic or International Recognition

Members of CLCS’s academic staff have served as officers of a number of national and international academic associations (e.g., IRAAL, AILA, EUROSLA IPA, CercleS).

CLCS has been involved for many years in the development of language education in Ireland: in the exploration of issues in second/foreign language acquisition and multilingualism; in research and development with respect to the teaching and learning of Irish and foreign languages; and in addressing major questions relative to the teaching of English as a second language to adult immigrants with refugee status and to non-English-speaking pupils/students at school.

For nearly thirty years CLCS has been involved in the Council of Europe’s modern languages projects, most recently in the development and implementation of the Common European Framework of Reference for Languages and the European Language Portfolio.

Outstanding Scholars

All the senior academic staff in CLCS enjoy international reputations for their research and publications. They are regularly invited to give plenary presentations at international conferences and are members of the editorial boards of a number of international journals.

Trinity College Dublin

Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the older universities of Western Europe. On today’s campus, state-of-the-art libraries, laboratories and IT facilities, stand alongside historic buildings on a city-centre 47-acre campus.

Trinity College Dublin offers a unique educational experience across a range of disciplines in the arts, humanities, engineering, science, human, social and health sciences. As Ireland’s premier university, the pursuit of excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of a Trinity education. TCD has an outstanding record of publications in high-impact journals, and a track record in winning research funding which is among the best in the country.

TCD has developed significant strength in a broad range of research areas including the 18 broadly-based multi-disciplinary thematic research areas listed below.

 Sustainable Environment

Next Generation

Medical Devices

Human Condition

Smart and Sustainable Cities

Creative Technologies – Digital Media, Arts and Entertainment

International Development

Cancer

Neuroscience

Immunology and Infection

Nanoscience

Telecommunications

Cultural Heritage & Arts

Sustainable Society

Abstract, Generalize, Apply

Human and Social Networking

Ageing

International Integration

Digital Humanities

Its current flagship interdisciplinary research institutes are in areas such as molecular medicine, neuroscience, international integration studies, nanostructures and nanodevices. The construction of Ireland’s first purpose built nanoscience research institute, CRANN, was opened in January 2008, which houses 150 scientists, technicians and graduate students in specialised laboratory facilities.

The building also includes an innovative public venue, the Science Gallery.   In 2011, it received the Shorty Award for Best Cultural Institution on Twitter globally and the Irish Web Award for Best Education and Third Level Website. These joined a list of awards that includes European Museum of the Year Award – Special Commendation 2010 and National IT award for best use of technology in education, 2009. In 2012, during Dublin's tenure as European City of Science, Science Gallery will continue to develop inspiring new exhibitions and experiences.

The recently opened Trinity Biomedical Sciences Institute (TBSI) is an unprecedented development for Biomedical Research in Ireland, both in terms of scale and ambition.  It provides a facility for TCD to continue its upward trajectory in both basic and translational research programmes, notably in the areas of Immunology, Cancer and Medical Devices.

The Library of Trinity College is the largest research library in Ireland and is an invaluable resource to scholars. In addition to purchases and donations accrued over four centuries, the College has had 200 years of legal deposit. By this right Trinity can claim a copy of every book published in Ireland the UK.  The Library has over 4.25 million books, 22,000 printed periodical titles and access to 60,000 e-journals and 250,000 e-books. The Library’s research resources also include internationally significant holdings in manuscripts (the most famous being the Book of Kells), early printed material and maps. Its collections and services support the College’s research and teaching community of 15,000+ students and academic staff.

Trinity continues to attract intellectually strong students from Ireland and abroad. More than half of its incoming undergraduates have earned in excess of 500 out of a maximum 600 points in the national Leaving Certificate examination. The accessibility of a Trinity education to all students of ability is also very important. Trinity College was the first university in Ireland to reserve 15% of first year undergraduate places for students from non-traditional learning groups – students with a disability, socio-economically disadvantaged students as well as mature students. The College has met its target in this respect. There is also an exciting international mix of its student body where 16% of students are from outside Ireland and 40% of these students are from outside the European Union. TCD students also have an opportunity to study abroad in other leading European universities through Trinity’s partnership agreements.

Students also benefit from a scholar teacher model where they have the opportunity of being taught by world-leading experts in their field. Interdisciplinarity forms a key element in the College strategy in increasing Trinity’s international standing as a research-led university.

Many of Trinity College Dublin’s alumni have helped shape the history of Ireland and Western Europe. They include author, Jonathan Swift, philosopher, George Berkeley, political philosopher, Edmund Burke, wit and dramatist, Oscar Wilde, historian, William Lecky, religious scholar, James Ussher, scientists, John Joly, George Johnstone Stoney, William Rowan Hamilton and physicians, William Stokes and Denis Burkitt.

Two of Trinity College’s alumni have won Nobel prizes – Ernest Walton for Physics in 1951 and Samuel Beckett for Literature in 1968. The first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde was a graduate as was the first female President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.

The Selection Process in Trinity

§  The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) will include members of the Academic community together with an External Assessor who is an expert in the area.

§  Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not have confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online, please get in touch with us immediately and prior to the closing date/time.

§  Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection Committee available on the specified date, the College regrets that it may not be in a position to offer alternate selection dates.  Where candidates are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist.

§  Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to candidates and are issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day. 

§  In some instances the Selection Committee may avail of telephone or video conferencing.

§  The College’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following:
§  Interviews
§  Presentations
§  Psychometric Testing
§  References

§  It is the policy of the College to conduct pre-employment medical screening/full pre-employment medicals.

§  Information supplied by candidates in their application (Cover Letter and CV) will be used to shortlist for interview.

Equal Opportunities Policy

Trinity College Dublin is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community.

Pension Entitlements[1]

This is a pensionable position.  Details of the applicable Pension Scheme will be provided to successful candidates.  

The Normal Retirement Age for pension purposes is 30 September on or after your 65th birthday and the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2004 presently apply.

Application Procedure

Candidates should submit a cover letter together with a full curriculum vitae to include the names and contact details of 3 referees (email addresses if possible), a list of publications;  a description of research plans for the next two to three years (no more than 2 pages); and a description of their approach to teaching (no more than 2 pages)  by e-Recruitment:

APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED BY E-RECRUITMENT 

If you have any query regarding this, please contact:

Ms. Claire Levingstone, Recruitment Officer, Human Resources, House No. 4, Trinity College Dublin

Tel: +353 1 896 3365

Email: claire.levingstone at tcd.ie

[1] The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 set a minimum retirement age of 65 and removed the upper compulsory retirement age for certain New Entrants to the Public Sector on or after 1 April 2004.  In the December 2009 Budget, the Government indicated its intention to (i) increase the minimum retirement age for all new Public Servants to equal the qualifying age for the Irish State Pension that is anticipated to be 67 for the foreseeable future; and (ii) to again introduce an upper compulsory retirement age of 70 initially.  Legislation is pending and this appointment will be subject at all times to the provisions of such legislation.

Dr. Lorraine Leeson
Associate Professor in Deaf Studies

Director, Centre for Deaf Studies
School of Linguistic, Speech & Communication Studies
Trinity College Dublin
Dublin 2
Ireland

leesonl at tcd.ie

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