Graduate Teaching Assistant – Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies

PhD Scholarship with Graduate Teaching Assistantship 

Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies 

There are 2 opportunities available. 

The School of Social Sciences seeks to award a number of PhD scholarships with associated Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) positions to outstanding doctoral candidates with clear potential to excel as academic teachers and researchers. The GTA PhD scholarship is a four-year fixed term position: Students undertake a PhD on a 0.75 FTE basis alongside a 0.25 FTE teaching contract. Remuneration consists of a PhD stipend of £14,427 per annum (0.75 of the standard UKRI rate), plus a salary of £7,401. In addition, PhD tuition fees will be covered. 

About Our Team 

Founded in 1970, the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies specialises in the fields of translation and interpreting studies, as well as intercultural studies such as living cultural heritage, language policy and intercultural communication. Research in the department falls under the auspices of two research centres that reflect our specialisms: the Centre for Translation and Interpreting Studies in Scotland (CTISS) and the Intercultural Research Centre (IRC). They focus on our established and distinctive strengths of translation and interpretation, as well as building the emerging areas of living cultural heritage and language policy. 

Detailed Description 

Two posts are available in the Department of Languages & Intercultural Studies. One of the posts will provide teaching support in Spanish, and the other will provide teaching support in British Sign Language (BSL). Under the leadership of the Head of Department, Prof. Jo Drugan, the role-holders will provide teaching support, including large and small group teaching, tutorials and assessment activities. 

For the Spanish post, we invite applications from candidates who can address the following topic area in their PhD: 

We invite PhD proposals in the discipline of Interpreting and Translation Studies that reflect on inter-linguistic/cultural communication as a situated practice mediated by interpreters and translators (professional and non-professional) (Angelelli, 2008, 2019). We welcome proposals focused on contexts of crisis and conflict (e.g. environmental disputes, natural disasters and zones of tension) that explore how the socially constructed nature of the goals, ideas or messages exchanged in language-mediated communication is influenced by the worldviews and belief systems of the different participants (Angelelli 2004). Proposals should outline an appropriate theoretical framework and a methodology aligned with the research questions that emerge from the context described above. We would be particularly interested in proposals from countries where Spanish is the societal language and translation/interpreting is used between indigenous languages and Spanish, as well as proposals exploring ecological approaches to interpreting and translation, for example ecolinguistics (e.g. Calvet) or eco-translation approaches (e.g. Cronin). 

The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr James Kelly & Prof. Claudia Angelelli. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Kelly ([email protected]) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application. 

Applicants for this project must have Spanish as their first language. Teaching will be agreed with the Spanish section based on the successful applicant’s prior experience and interests, but will include linguistic and socio-cultural awareness of contemporary Spanish-speaking societies. Over the period of the award, there may be opportunities to take on teaching interpreting, translation, and intercultural studies, where appropriate, in discussion with the Spanish section and Head of Department. 

For the BSL post, we invite applications from candidates who can address the following topic area in their PhD: 

Your proposed PhD project should explore a theme within the field of Deaf Studies or Sign Language Studies, benefitting from SIGNS@HWU expertise across various domains. Prospective areas for exploration include: 

• Deaf activism, advocacy, and campaigns 
• Deaf employment and entrepreneurship experiences 
• Effective methodologies for teaching BSL /Deaf Studies 
• Language use and language policy in signing families 
• Representation of BSL and “deaf topics” in the media (including social media) 

Through rigorous investigation and analysis, the research should gather insights that can inform policies, practices, and interventions aimed at empowering deaf people and promoting linguistic diversity and inclusivity. 

The research can draw upon theoretical frameworks from sociology, linguistics, and related fields to illuminate the complexities and nuances inherent in deaf experiences and sign language practices. 

The supervisory team for this project area will consist of Dr Mette Sommer Lindsay & Prof. Annelies Kusters. Candidates interested in this project area are encouraged to contact Dr Sommer Lindsay ([email protected]) for an informal discussion about their research proposal prior to submitting their application. 

Preference will be given to deaf candidates who have British Sign Language (BSL) as their first language. Teaching will be agreed with the BSL section based on the successful applicant’s prior experience and interests, but will focus on BSL teaching from beginners to advanced level. Over the period of the award, there may be opportunities to take on teaching interpreting, translation, deaf studies and intercultural studies, where appropriate, in discussion with the BSL section and Head of Department. 

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

Reporting to the Head of Department, the post-holder will: 

• Undertake a PhD on one of the topics specified above, maintaining an appropriate rate of progress and engaging in relevant training and other events as required. 
• Develop and deliver teaching in the areas specified above, including delivery to a range of group sizes in both in-person and online environments. 
• Provide flexible, appropriate, and timely support to students using a variety of media. 
• Prepare and mark assessments and provide student feedback as required, and in line with School policies and standards. 
• Contribute to the administrative work of the Department as required. 
• Undertake other duties as required by the Head of Department. 

Relevant training will be provided alongside the role. In particular, during the first two years of the contract, the post-holder will be expected to undertake training in teaching and learning as required by the University, as well as the School’s PGCert in Research Methods (unless equivalent qualifications are already held). 

Education, Qualifications and Experience 

The person requirements to successfully perform the role. 

Essential criteria: 

• An undergraduate degree in a relevant field with a minimum 2:1 classification (or equivalent). 
• Excellent communication skills. Candidates for whom English is a second language should meet the University’s minimum English-language requirements for entry onto the PhD programme. If you have not already studied a degree programme that was taught and examined in the medium of English, the minimum overall IELTS score is 6.5 with no score lower than 6.0 in Reading, Writing, Speaking and Listening. 
• A viable research proposal for PhD study on one of the topics listed above. 
• Good general IT skills. 
• Ability to manage own time in order to balance the requirements of teaching and PhD study. 
• Ability to work as part of a teaching team to deliver a high quality student experience. 

Desirable criteria: 

• A postgraduate Master’s degree in a relevant field, or equivalent research experience. 
• Relevant teaching and/or professional experience. 

About Heriot Watt University 

Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry. 

Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business, psychology and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland’s most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort. 

About Our School 

Social Sciences is the largest of five academic schools at Heriot-Watt University and we provide teaching and research across our core disciplines: 

The Edinburgh Business School: 

• Accountancy, Economics, and Finance 
• Management 
• Marketing and Operations 

Languages and Intercultural Studies 

Psychology 

We specialise in industry-focused degree programmes which embrace a truly international outlook. Our degrees are taught by experienced professionals and highly regarded academics, and we are proud to produce high-calibre, career-ready graduates and offer a full range of degree choices at undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

Further details can be found at: https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/social-sciences.htm 

How to Apply 

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on Wednesday the 10th of July 2024.

When applying for this role, please submit a single pdf that includes a cover letter that identifies how your skills and experience are a good match for this position, a copy of your PhD research proposal (clearly indicating which project you are applying for), a copy of your CV, and the names and contact details for two referees. 

Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all. 

Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ . 

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. 

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University. 

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