November 2015

Dear Applicant,

Tutor in Architecture

Thank you for your enquiry.

Please find enclosed a job description, including pay and benefits, relating to the post of Tutor, School of Architecture. An application form and equal opportunities monitoring form should be returned to me by 11 October 2015 (either through the post or via email.) Both forms are available to download from the website on the ‘Work at the RCA’ page.

Please note it is vital that all sections of this form are completed. The ‘Additional Information’ section is particularly important to the selection process; you should use this to outline the skills, knowledge and experience that you have which specifically relate to the job description and person specification for the post. You may continue on separate sheets if necessary.

If you are disabled and require help completing your application form, or if you will require help or special facilities should you be shortlisted for interview, please telephone me, in confidence, on 020 7590 4133 or e-mail me on raymond.lee@rca.ac.uk.

Completed application forms should be sent to hr@rca.ac.uk or HR Assistant, Royal College of Art, Kensington Gore, London SW7 2EU.

We look forward to receiving your application.

Yours sincerely

RAYMOND LEEHR Assistant

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

JOB DESCRIPTION

Post: Tutor

Programme: Architecture and PhD

School: Architecture

Tenure: Initially offered on a fixed term basis for three years

Hours Part time, 0.6FTE (21 hours per week)

Grade: 9

Responsible to: Head of programme for architecture and the head of programme for research (in consultation with dean of school for school responsibilities)

THE ROYAL COLLEGE OF ARTThe Royal College of Art (RCA) is the only entirely postgraduate institution of university status devoted to research and knowledge exchange, teaching and practice in art, design, communication and humanities. The College has some 1,380 students (growing to 1,580) registered for MA, MPhil and PhD degrees and there are 416 permanent academic, technical and administrative staff, with more than 800 visiting lecturers and professors.

The College is located on two sites in Central London, in South Kensington and Battersea. The main campus in South Kensington includes among its neighbours Imperial College London, the Victoria & Albert Museum, the Royal College of Music, the Natural History Museum and the National Museum of Science and Industry. The Battersea Campus is expanding rapidly with the opening of the Dyson building in 2012, which hosts the School of Fine Art, as well as InnovationRCA, the knowledge exchange and commercialisation centre of the RCA. Battersea will expand further in autumn 2015 with the opening of the Woo building which will host two of the four programmes of the School of Material – Ceramics & Glass, and Jewellery & Metal – in purpose designed new studios and workshops.

Ranked as the world’s #1 university of art and design in the 2015/16 QS world university rankings, the College has an august history in art and design education, numerous eminent graduates and a remarkable record of graduate employment. The Higher Education Funding Council for England (HEFCE) recognises the small, specialist institution status of the College through its ‘exceptional funding’ stream. Truly a leader in its field, its excellence in teaching and research has been consistently recognised as being of the highest standing.

The REF 2014 results cemented the RCA's position as the UK’s leading university of art and design, with its research gaining more 4* ratings than any of its specialist competitors. Crucially the College is ranked as the most research intensive art and design research environment to be found in the UK.  

The School of Architecture

The School of Architecture offers two MA programmes that engage with design on multiple levels, with a strong culture of innovation, experimentation and debate.

The MA Interior Design and MA Architecture programmes are both based at the South Kensington campus, with research degrees at MPhil and PhD level that range across the theoretical and practice-led, and which explore the boundaries of knowledge in the discipline and beyond. It is intended that the programmes will develop closer links with other programmes in the School and across the College, and will seek to expand the intellectual and interdisciplinary bases for architecture and design in the 21st century.

The programmes are underpinned by a committed staff of active practitioners and researchers and run on a studio teaching model. Contracted staff are highly experienced and work with a skilled team of visiting tutors of a very high calibre.

Research includes not only the MPhil/PhD programme, but international research projects addressing the role of the architect in the production of public space.

Key responsibilities

To deliver History/Theory lecture series and seminars to MA Architecture students.

To tutor MA Architecture dissertations.

To run seminar series for PhD students on architecture-specific research methodologies.

To assist the PhD Co-ordinator in promoting and publicising the PhD programme through events/symposia/conferences/recruitment drives.

Teaching

1. Provide academic, pastoral tutorial support to students, including regular one to one meetings as agreed

2. Provide regular and timely feedback to students to help them to continuously develop their skills and the quality of their work

3. Participate in the assessment of student work, including through participation in the Assessment Board as required, ensuring a rigorous and fair assessment of the work

4. Keep abreast of innovation and best practice in learning and teaching in own field

5. Continually update own knowledge and understanding in academic specialism

6. Contribute to the design of curriculum and supporting material to help ensure high quality academic content and innovation in learning and teaching and assessment

7. Contribute to the teaching delivery for agreed programme, delivering high quality teaching content that meets the individual needs of students

8. Supervise research students (MPhil or PhD as appropriate)

9. Actively engage in broader educational issues, external examining, conference attendance etc.

Research

1. Complete and keep up to date five year individual research plan 2. Disseminate research findings through the appropriate channels, and in

line with the College’s overall strategy and standing, demonstrating standards of excellence

3. Lead individual research projects, and contribute to larger ones as required

4. Consistently produce research outputs of at least 3* REF quality to enable submission to the REF.

5. Follow research interests in line with the strategic direction of the College or relevant school, in discussion with head of programme

6. Contribute to the development of funding bids7. Contribute to securing research funding in line with the targets for the

School

Academic management & administration

1. Assist in the promotion of the College to potential students, through speaking engagements, attendance at promotional events, or other activity as required

2. Lead field trips in line with programme requirements, supporting student learning and helping to ensure maximum value from such trips

Enterprise

1. Contribute towards proposals for research funding and manage any grants awarded to ensure the delivery of objectives

Skills, knowledge and experience

Essential

1. Knowledge that is continuously developing through research 2. First degree in a relevant specialism3. A PhD in relevant field or evidence of an appropriate professional practice

record4. Proven expertise in researching and teaching the history and theory of

architecture and urban design.5. PGCert or HEA fellow or a willingness to undertake appropriate training to

achieve such 6. Experience of devising and teaching courses, and setting and assessing

written work at postgraduate level7. Commitment to high quality teaching and fostering a positive learning

environment for students.8. Commitment to continuous professional development.9. Commitment to the College’s policy of equal opportunity and the ability to

work harmoniously with colleagues and students of all cultures and backgrounds

10.Research active in the history and theory of architecture and urban design.

11.Evidence of, or clear potential to, consistently produce research outputs of at least 3* REF quality in line with the strategic direction of the College with expectation of submission to REF2020

12.Ability to supervise academic work by masters and doctoral students.13.Ability to deliver effective teaching of postgraduate students and, through

teaching, significant contribution to the advancement of the subject

Desirable

1. PhD supervision experience2. Submitted to REF20143. Experience of website design and maintenance.

Salary and conditions of service

Salary, working 21 hours per week: £26,303 – £29,399 per annum, inclusive of £1,550 London allowance. This is calculated on a pro rata basis from the full time salary range of £43,839 - £48,998 per annum, inclusive of £2,584 London allowance.

Normal hours total 21 per week, 3 days per week, 9.30am to 5.30pm with an hour for lunch.

The post is initially offered on a fixed term basis for three years. 30 days annual leave (pro rata) plus extended breaks at Christmas and

Easter. You will automatically be entered into the Superannuation Arrangements

of the University of London (SAUL) pension scheme with an option to opt out. An interest free free season ticket loan is available. All offers of appointment are subject to the College receiving satisfactory

references. All posts at the College are subject to reasonable adjustment under the

Equality Act (2010). All appointments at the College are subject to a probationary period.

November 2015

ROYAL COLLEGE OF ART

PAY & BENEFITS

Pay StructuresStaff at the Royal College of Art are paid within one of eleven grades on the national 51 point pay spine.

The salary quoted in the job description is a range because it shows the entire grade assigned to the job. The salary offered to the successful candidate depends upon their experience and previous salary. Once appointed, staff (if in post by 31 March) will move to the next point on the salary scale each year on 1 August until they reach the maximum of the scale. In addition to these increments, a percentage rise will be negotiated nationally with the unions each year, and will also be awarded from 1 August each year.

Pension SchemeThe College operates the Superannuation Scheme of the University of London (SAUL) Career Average Revalued Earnings (CARE) pension scheme. The College will contribute a sum equal to 13% of your salary while you pay 6%.

Enhanced sick payOccupational sick pay is offered after six months’ service of three months’ full pay followed by three months’ half pay.

Enhanced maternity and adoption pay Qualifying employees are entitled to enhanced maternity/adoption pay: 26 weeks’ full pay, 13 weeks Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay. This compares to the statutory provision of 90% of average pay for 6 weeks followed by Statutory Maternity/Adoption Pay for 33 weeks.

Enhanced paternity payQualifying employees are entitled to two weeks’ paternity leave entitlement at full pay. This compares to the statutory provision of two weeks’ pay at the statutory rate.

Compassionate and Parental LeaveThe College will give sympathetic consideration to requests for compassionate leave, dependent upon individual circumstances.

Occupational HealthOccupational Health support for the College is provided by Imperial College’s Occupational Health Service at their South Kensington Campus.

24/7 confidential supportStaff and their household members have access to a free, external confidential support service for work, financial, legal, family and personal problems 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Staff DevelopmentThe College’s commitment to staff development is expressed through the Staff Development Policy, which includes the following statement:

“The Royal College of Art is committed to the support and promotion of relevant staff development and training. Staff Development is defined as policies, procedures and practices designed to develop the knowledge, skills and attitudes of staff and, by so doing, to improve the effectiveness and efficiency both of the individual and the College.

The Royal College of Art is committed to the development of all categories of its staff and recognises that the efficient and effective functioning of the College depends on its support and provision of staff development activities for academic and non-academic staff alike at all levels.”

A full copy of the policy is available upon request.

Season Ticket LoansInterest-free pay advances are available for staff to purchase annual season tickets.

Holiday5 weeks (30 days) paid leave per annum plus Bank and Public holidays normally observed in England and Wales. In addition, the College is normally closed for six days a year one day either side of Easter and the remainder between Christmas and New Year. Part-time staff will be entitled to the pro-rata equivalent. 

Cycle to Work SchemeThe Royal College of Art has signed up to the Cycle to Work Scheme – part of the government's Green Transport Initiative – which allows employees to make significant savings on new bikes and/or safety equipment.

Childcare VouchersThe Royal College of Art enables staff to purchase childcare vouchers, through its partner Edenred, as a salary sacrifice scheme. Childcare vouchers can enable parents to pay for childcare from pre-tax and national insurance income.

Computing ServicesThe RCA’s licensing arrangements allow staff to access software and services at home while employed at the College. Software available includes Microsoft Office (Word, Outlook, Excel, PowerPoint), Adobe Creative Cloud Suite (Photoshop, Illustrator, Indesign etc) and Kaspersky Antivirus software. The College offers free online training tutorials for over 300 software titles for use on both Macs and PCs. Staff can also access their RCA email accounts and the College Intranet services from home and full remote access using VPN. Free Wireless Internet can also be used at any institution offering Eduroam. 

Student Restaurant and Senior Common RoomStaff are entitled to use the Student Restaurant, Snackbar and RCafé, which provides reasonably priced hot food and snacks through the day. The Senior Common Room serves a more formal menu every lunchtime during term time.

Drawing ClassesThe Drawing Studio runs weekly drawing classes during term-time which are free for staff to attend.

LibraryAll staff are welcome to join the College Library.

EventsAll staff are welcome to attend exhibitions, lectures and private views held by academic schools and programmes.