Lectureship in Statistics and/or Data Science

Job Location: Milton Keynes, Remote/Hybrid

Weekly Working Hours:  14.8-37

Welsh Language:  Not Applicable 

Job Description: 

About the Role 

This opportunity is for multiple posts, up to an FTE of 1.6, we welcome part-time and full-time applications. Please detail in your supporting statement whether you are looking for part-time, full-time or are open to either.

The successful candidate(s) will contribute to developing and delivering our statistics and data science curriculum. This will involve writing high-quality text-based teaching materials and creating innovative online pedagogic resources. Teaching at the Open University is collaborative and team-based; the ability to work collegially as part of a team is an essential part of the job. This team-based approach allows excellent support for the training and induction of new staff into the Open University teaching process. 

The successful candidate(s) will contribute to the School’s research, scholarship and external engagement activities, which may include the supervision of PhD students and exploring external funding opportunities. 

This role will suit a candidate who is interested in high-quality teaching and research, or in high-quality teaching and scholarship of teaching and learning, with opportunities to develop in all areas.

Key Responsibilities

The successful applicant will be expected to undertake a combination of the following duties at a level appropriate to career stage and to career focus (teaching and research or teaching and scholarship of teaching and learning, or all three).

Teaching

• Contribute to developing high-quality asynchronous teaching materials in statistics/data science, using new technologies as appropriate
• Support student learning, through the delivery and maintenance of existing modules and qualifications, including the preparation of assessment materials
• Work with other academic and academic-related colleagues in the support of student engagement and progression and the enhancement of the quality of teaching and learning within the School

Research and Scholarship

• Establish an independent research and/or scholarship programme that contributes effectively to the research and scholarship activities of the School and/or the Faculty and University
• Contribute to the Statistical Advisory Service by supporting researchers across the university
• Support the research and scholarship culture of the School and the Statistics Group, which may include attracting and supervising postgraduate research students and applying for external research or scholarship funding
• Enhance the national and international reputation of the School, the Faculty, and the University, through developing high-quality peer-reviewed publications, as well as representation at scientific meetings and other public-facing activities

Other academic contributions

• Demonstrate a commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion principles in all aspects of the role
• Undertake a programme of continuous professional development
• Contribute to the academic community in the School, Faculty and University, including the opportunity to undertake a range of leadership and administrative roles

Skills and Experience

Essential:

• A PhD, or equivalent level of experience, in an area of statistics or data science
• The ability to contribute high-quality distance learning teaching materials for the statistics modules
• The ability to carry out excellent research and/or scholarship of teaching and learning, in statistics and/or data science
• Excellent communication skills, both oral and written
• The ability to work collegially in a team
• The ability to plan and organise work to agreed deadlines
• A readiness to contribute to the life of the School through general citizenship, leadership and administrative roles
• A strong commitment to excellence in inclusive learning and teaching for a diverse student population and embedding equity, diversity and inclusion in all aspects of the role

Desirable:

• Experience of curriculum development
• Strong track record in research/scholarship which strengthens or augments the existing research/scholarship activities in the School
• Experience in the application of new technologies to teaching and supporting students
• Experience in providing statistical support to researchers from different disciplines
• Experience of interacting with the wider statistics and data science community
• Experience in external engagement activities

If you would like to discuss the particulars of this role before making an application please contact the Head of the Statistics Group within the School, Professor Stefanie Biedermann, email: stefanie.biedermann@open.ac.uk.

If you would like to discuss the application or recruitment process before making an application, please contact careers@open.ac.uk quoting the reference 631.

Essential Requirements 

How to apply

Unless otherwise stated in the advert, all applications are completed online via the instructions on The OU Job’s page. Applications submitted via 3rd party websites will not be received.

To apply for this role please submit the following; 

• CV 
• Supporting statement, up to 1,000 words, you should set out in your supporting statement why you’re interested in this role and provide examples of where your skills and experience meet the essential and desirable criteria for this role as detailed above and in the Full Job Description. Please detail in your supporting statement whether you are looking for part-time, full-time or are open to either.

Start Date: September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

Assessment

Interview, presentation and pre-interview teaching task.

Work location

It is anticipated that a hybrid working pattern can be adopted for this role, where the successful candidate can work from home and the office. However, as this role is contractually aligned to our Milton Keynes office it is expected that some attendance in the office will be required when necessary and in response to business needs, for example for supervision of research students and team meetings.

Flexible working 

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you and the role.   

If you have any queries or questions about the recruitment process, or regarding your application, please contact: Careers@open.ac.uk.

Looking for Associate Lecturer (AL) roles?

Please use our AL home page to find AL vacancies.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.

Closing Date: 28th March 2025