exceptional researcher and curator

Liverpool John Moores University; Liverpool; On-site; GBP 42,000 - 66,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

LGPS pension

TPS pension

Annual leave 30–35 days

Flexible working

Wellbeing initiatives

Job summary

Liverpool John Moores University is seeking an academic to design and deliver teaching across modules while leading curriculum development. The role includes contributing to public programmes, mentoring colleagues, and supporting administrative duties to enhance student engagement.

The post is based at the Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries with an embedded Tate Liverpool collaboration, offering opportunities in research, teaching, and community outreach.

Qualifications

• Honours degree or postgraduate degree in a related discipline.
• PhD level or equivalent qualification.
• HE teaching qualification or commitment to enrol and complete the LJMU A, I PGCertLTHE programme.

Responsibilities

• Design and deliver teaching material across a range of modules or within a subject area.
• Lead on/contribute to programme/module development and curriculum enhancement.
• Contribute to the development of public programmes and knowledge exchange activities.
• Mentor colleagues with less experience and advise on personal development.
• Support administrative duties associated with admissions, timetabling, examinations, and student engagement.

Skills

Teaching

Curriculum development

Public engagement

Student support

Education

Honours degree or postgraduate degree in related discipline

PhD level or equivalent qualification

HE teaching qualification (or willingness to enrol on LJF… PGCertLTHE)

Job description

To enhance and consolidate research in Art and Design across Liverpool School of Art and Creative Technologies and Tate Liverpool. To contribute to the development, implementation and delivery of research strategies which align with the University's overarching research strategy, and which will benefit Tate. To engage in activity resulting in high-quality publications, exhibitions, impact, and public engagement, underpinned by external income generation. To design and deliver a range of high-quality teaching informed by distinct research focus of the post and take responsibility for the management of teaching. Engage in relevant professional and knowledge exchange activities. Carry out assigned administrative tasks.

• Design and deliver teaching material across a range of modules or within a subject area.
• Set, mark and assess assignments and examinations and provide timely and constructive feedback to students.
• Identify needs and develop effective approaches to teaching and learning that are innovative for the subject or school and reflect evolving practices elsewhere.
• Produce teaching materials informed by current research and scholarship that motivate and inspire student learning.
• Supervise and provide support and guidance for student learning activities, such as work-based learning, student projects, field trips and where appropriate, placements.
• Provide academic and pastoral support and guidance for students, signposting to specialist services where appropriate. Act as personal tutor to students, supporting their progress and development as learners through one to one and group activities, and being a point of contact for reference requests after graduation.
• Contribute to the enhancement of the student experience outside of the learning environment to build cohort identity and sense of community.
• Lead on/contribute to programme/module development.
• Contribute to the successful development of curricula and teaching methods in the School.
• Reflect on teaching practices and contribute to the enhancement of teaching quality.
• Participate in the accreditation of courses and quality assurance and enhancement processes.

Research and Scholarship

• Develop research objectives, projects and proposals.
• Collaborate with colleagues to identify and secure external funding through research grants and contracts and in developing collaborative research income-generating ideas.
• Conduct high‑quality research and scholarship, including with the potential for notable external impact and engagement.
• Disseminate research and scholarship in appropriate venues to advance a strong publication record.
• Engage in the research culture of the University and ensure that the research activities of the School / Institute are integral to the learning experience of all students.
• Develop knowledge exchange activities establishing research and educational links with industry and influencing public policy and the professions.
• Contribute to the supervision of postgraduate research students.

Leadership and Management

• Mentor colleagues with less experience and advise on personal development.
• As leader of a module/ programme or significant sections of a programme, coordinate the work of other staff to ensure module, programme, enterprise or research project is delivered to the standards required.
• Plan, co‑ordinate engagement projects; organisation of external activities such as student projects, field trips and industrial placements; manage or monitor engagement budgets and ensure effective use of resources.
• Within the context of the role, be responsible for administrative duties e.g. in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations, student attendance, and retention.
• Initiate, shape, deliver and manage public programme activities in collaboration with colleagues from different teams, in particular Exhibitions and Displays, Learning, Visitor Experience and Art Handling.
• Attend and participate in programme development meetings with the Exhibitions and Learning teams.
• In consultation with the Director, Head of Learning and Head of Exhibitions, develop a framework for public programme that engages students.
• Devise a series of occasions for LJMU teaching to take place as part of or in parallel to Tate Liverpool's programme.
• Champion integrated practice between the Exhibitions and Learning teams, where appropriate and in line with Tate Liverpool's Research and Learning strategies propose, develop and manage integrated practice projects that engage local communities and Tate Liverpool audiences.

Citizenship

• Contribute to a supportive working environment and develop productive working relationships with other team members.
• Support colleagues with less experience and advise on personal development; train/advise on own area of expertise where appropriate; coach and support colleagues in developing research.
• Attend and make a positive contribution to relevant school meetings. Participate and assist the work of committees, working parties and panels etc.
• Effectively contribute to operational activity, process development, project work and organisational change.
• Contribute to wider school/university activities e.g. open days, student welcome, graduation and clearing events. Actively support the recruitment of students.
• Build internal and external links to enhance own teaching and learning activity.
• Participate in institutional widening participation and outreach activities.
• Develop an external engagement profile, engage with peers in own discipline both nationally and internationally.
• Act as an ambassador for the University in all interactions with current and prospective students, staff, visitors to the University, external partners, media and general public.
• Promote the University's values of an inclusive and diverse community.

Values and Regulations

• Any other duties commensurate with the grade as deemed necessary by the Director of The School of Art and Creative Industries and the Director of Tate Liverpool.
• A commitment to LJMU's values and regulations and Diversity and Inclusion Policy.
• Commitment to adhere to and promote the ethos of Respect Always as set out in the Respect Always Charter.
• Liverpool John Moores University recognises and is aware of its Social, Economic and Environmental responsibilities. The post holder is required to minimise the environmental impact in the performance of the role, contribute to (and supervise if applicable) the implementation of environmental improvement measures and actively contribute to the delivery of LJMU's Environmental Management, Energy Management and Sustainability Policy Statement, and the Climate and Sustainability Plan.
• The post-holder's mandatory Health and Safety responsibilities, which have been agreed by the University's Executive Leadership Team, are contained in Section 2 of the University's Safety Management Code of Practice (MCP1) Organisation for the Implementation of the Health and Safety Policy.
• The post-holder's mandatory Environmental Management responsibilities are contained in Section 2 of the, University's Environmental Management Code of Practice (ECP1) Organisation for the Implementation of the Environmental Management and Sustainability Policy.
• As a commitment to professional development. Liverpool John Moores University encourages and enables continuous development for all staff. Where you undertake Level 8 training (PhD, EdD, DBA, Professional Doctorate or equivalent) as part of your job, for the duration of your enrolment in the qualification the University will support you by providing time and not expecting your job to involve conducting independent research.
• For some of your activity, from time to time, you may be required to contribute to externally funded projects such as research or EU projects.

The person specification describes the skills, experience, knowledge and aptitude requiredto perform the duties of this post effectively. The criteria order listed should not be taken to simply their relative importance. Both paid and unpaid experience may be relevant., An honours degree or postgraduate degree in a related discipline. A, C PhD level or other equivalent qualification, or appropriate level of A, C experience, as appropriate to discipline. HE teaching qualification or commitment to enrol and complete the LJMU A, I PGCertLTHE programme in the three-year induction plan. Ability to teach at undergraduate and postgraduate levels in relevant A, I, P lectures, tutorials and seminars and to supervise postgraduate students. Proven record of ability to conduct high-quality research which is reflected A, I in the authorship of high-quality publications, exhibitions, or other research outputs. Distinct subject expertise relevant to the post with track record of curatorialA, I, P practice and publications. Experience of delivering public programme including talks and learning A, I, P activities in a museum or gallery setting. Ability to develop research proposals and attract research students and A, I funding as appropriate to the discipline. Understanding of how the outputs of scholarship and research or A, I, P professional body engagement can inform curriculum development in order to enhance the learning experience of students. Evidence of demonstrable engagement with the student experience. Ability to develop ideas and find ways of disseminating and applying the A, I result of research Ability to initiate development in the curriculum and take responsibility forA, I the effective and efficient delivery of teaching programmes/modules. Ability to undertake organisational and administrative tasks appropriate to A, I working within Higher Education and Museum sector. Commitment to fostering a positive and inclusive learning environment for A, I students. Commitment/ability to provide excellent pastoral and academic support, A, I advice and guidance to students that takes account of their individual needs and circumstances, signposting to specialist services where appropriate. Ability to respond sensitively and appropriately to students A, I needs/concerns taking action in line with institutional policies/expectations where needed. Ability to work both individually and as a member of research/ teaching A, I team. Experience of submitting applications for external funding through A, I research grants and contracts, and other. Ability to use ICT as a research tool and to develop teaching materials. A, I Excellent communication skills (oral and written), coupled with the ability A, I, P to develop these skills in students. Excellent interpersonal skills and the ability to inspire and collaborate A, I Commitment to LJMUs values and regulations, including diversity and A, I inclusion policy. Desirable Factors Evidence Evidence of innovation in curriculum design and delivery, particularly A, I through the use of technology enhanced learning Membership of a relevant professional or teaching body A

Location

The John Lennon Art and Design Building, although staff may be asked to work in any location within the University, and Tate Liverpool.

Introduction

This is an academic post at Liverpool School of Art and Creative Industries with an embedded curatorial role at Tate Liverpool. The appointed person will be expected to make broad contributions to the academic work of the School of Art and Creative Industries, dividing their time between duties at LJMU and Tate Liverpool, expected to be 0.8FTE LJMU / 0.2FTE Tate. The post holder will contribute research and teaching in the field of contemporary art and curating at LJMU and make a contribution to the public programmes at Tate Liverpool. We are looking for an exceptional researcher and curator with distinct expertise and a strong, high-quality body of work, with a preferred focus on decolonisation and non-Western art, or another clearly defined area of research specialism.

Financial benefits

• Competitive salaries based on a low contractual 35 hour working week.
• 7.1% employer pension contributions for non-academic staff enrolled in the Local Government Pension Scheme (LGPS). This is a temporary reduction from the previous rate of 17.5%, effective from April 2026, following the Fund's triennial review. The reduction reflects the Fund's current surplus and improved financial position. This does not affect your pension benefits, which are determined by LGPS scheme rules rather than the level of employer contributions.
• 28.68% employer contribution to pensions for teaching staff enrolled into the Teachers' Pension Scheme (TPS).
• Work life balance: Excellent annual leave provision. 30 days for support staff and 35 days for staff and senior managers grade 8 and above. 8 UK bank holidays and up to 5 University closure days between Christmas and New Year.
• Family friendly policies and a range of benefits to support including job-shares, flexible working hours and part-time roles where possible.
• Health and wellbeing: Regular wellbeing support initiatives throughout the year. Access to a trained counsellor via Employee Assistance Programme (EAP). Plus a programme of activities and range of support and resources to help look after your mental and physical wellbeing.
• Career Benefits: Continuous development opportunities to enhance your knowledge and meet your career ambitions, including LinkedIn Learning.
• Making a difference: LJMU Climate Action - be at the forefront of initiatives to tackle climate change. Share experiences and challenge unfair practices with our Diversity and Inclusion Staff Networks.
• Opportunity to volunteer at graduation ceremonies, clearing and open days. Discounts and other benefits: A reward and benefits platform, giving savings on day-today purchases across a range of retail outlets. Interest free loans repayable across twelve monthly instalments, including loans for annual travel season tickets and cycle to work scheme. Massively discounted gym and fitness classes at the University Sport Building.