Lecturer in Dietetics

Job Description

Department/Unit: Food and Nutritional Sciences
Job Type Permanent, full-time (A split role or job share would be considered) Grade Grade 7
Accountable to Prof Colette Fagan
Accountable for Undergraduate students, postgraduate students, and practice-based

Apply:

https://jobs.reading.ac.uk/Job/JobDetail?JobId=13723&Source=JobtrainGoogle

Vacancy reference SRF48122

Purpose
The University of Reading is launching a MSc Dietetics (pre-reg course) and plans to take its first entrants in September 2025. To support the rollout of our dietetics programme, the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences seeks to appoint a candidate to the post of Lecturer in Dietetics. We are looking for an experienced HCPC registered dietitian, who has worked in the UK health system at a band 6 AfC level or above. This is an exciting addition to our departments portfolio of courses in nutrition and food science (foundation, BSc, MSc and PhD) and our schools offerings in pharmacy, physician associate, advanced clinical practice and independent prescribing. Other health related courses we offer at the university include, speech and language therapy,
psychology, psychological based therapies, biomedical sciences and medical sciences.

We would welcome applications from dietitians, who have experience in the development/delivery of practice-based education, have ambitions to lead this area and the development of simulated
healthcare teaching. There will be the opportunity to work with other health courses in the university and across the sector to develop interprofessional learning opportunities.

The successful candidate will undertake high quality teaching, curriculum development and course management using their in-depth knowledge of clinical dietetics. Teaching and learning activities will include module development and delivery of high-quality modules at postgraduate and undergraduate levels.

In particular, the successful candidate will lead the development of modules in dietetic practice, clinical nutrition and practice-based learning which will align to professional accreditation
requirements and prepare our students for their first posts. There will be opportunity to undertake supervision of MSc and BSc projects in your specialist area. The successful candidate will work
with our partners to develop projects that support the development of the profession and the evidence base.

Team Structure
The successful candidate will join the Hugh Sinclair Unit of Human Nutrition (HSUHN) within the Department of Food and Nutritional Sciences. The HSUHN has a long standing, international
reputation for excellence in teaching and research in Human Nutrition, and attracts high quality students from across the globe and delivers highly employable graduates. Our HSUHN nutrition
team consists of dietitians, nutrition scientists, physiologists, biochemists, researchers, and clinical trials professionals, all of whom actively contribute to our teaching and research/scholarship
activities. We expect the successful candidate to collaborate not only with nutritionists and/or food scientists within FNS, but also with colleagues in other relevant Schools i.e. School of Psychology and Clinical Language Sciences, the School of Pharmacy, School of Biological Sciences and professional directorates as is relevant to their professional area.

We have a vibrant teaching and student community within the department and across the school, with many opportunities to get involved at local and institutional levels.

Our HSUHN nutrition team consists of dietitians, nutrition scientists, physiologists, biochemists, researchers, and clinical trials professionals, all of whom actively contribute to our teaching and
research/scholarship activities.

Members of our team have been appointed to senior leadership positions in the department (Research Division Director, Group chair) and University (Deputy Vice Chancellor, Research Dean
(Agrifood and Health), Teaching and Learning Dean, Strategic partnerships director (Health), and Director of the Chemical Analysis Facility).

Members of our team have also been appointed to many national organisations such as the Nutrition Society, Association for Nutrition, All Parliamentary Groups, Food Standards Agency,
Scientific Advisory Committee on Nutrition, and international organisations.

Regionally we have close collaborative links with the Royal Berkshire NHS foundation trust, through our joint Health Innovation Partnership (HIP).

We host the Berkshire Health Inequalities Group (BHIG), where we are bringing together leaders from Trusts, local government, public health and our community to tackle Health Inequalities.

We were the first European university to join the Menus of Change Universities Research Collaborative (MCURC). This international network, which includes leading universities, aims to
promote long-term well-being for people and the planet through sustainable food choices—one student, one meal at a time.

We are partnering with our campus catering on the Menus of Change programme- where we utilise the universities dining rooms to support teaching and research. This programme has allowed us to take significant steps toward healthier and more environmentally friendly meals on campus.

We have invested in state-of-the-art teaching facilities (£60m Health & Life Sciences building); £2.6m Offs funded Clinical Simulation Teaching Suite in partnership with the RBFT and a £50m
Library. Our pilot plant, sensory testing suite, test kitchens, cognitive suite, exercise laboratory and clinical trials facilities offer exciting learning opportunities. We have recently approved a £16m
investment in farms as part of Agrifood Futures Strategy.

The Department is part of the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy, which currently holds a silver Athena Swan award.

Main duties and responsibilities
Teaching and learning:
• Develop and deliver teaching of the highest quality across a range of modules addressing dietetics practice, clinical nutrition, practice-based learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels which is informed by current research, scholarship and sector practice.
• Development and delivery of modules in dietetics and clinical nutrition to postgraduates.
• Develop and apply effective teaching methods, materials, and assessment techniques, recognising cultural, equity and diversity challenges.
• Reflect on student feedback, student performance and peer observation to enhance modules and teaching.
• Review and update module content and materials regularly, applying knowledge gained from relevant research, scholarship, and professional development.
• Set, mark, and assess student coursework, professional practice and examinations and provide timely and useful feedback to students.
• Supervise the work of students on projects, dissertations, and practice-based learning.
• Support and encourage students’ academic, personal and professional development, particularly through their role of academic tutor.
• Support the development of external practice-based practitioners inputting to the course
• Ensure that module design and delivery comply with professional quality standards and regulations.

Teaching & Learning Development:
• Demonstrate, develop, and support pedagogic research findings and establish a national reputation for the enhancement of teaching and learning within own subject area
• Ensure that teaching, learning, and assessment is informed by current research and scholarship in the field.
• Play an active role in the development of Health care professions and the reformation of clinical education and placement provision
• Champion the use of simulated learning opportunities within the course, department, and profession
• Provide expert advice to staff and students and promote best practice
• Engage with educational and teaching development issues with relevant committees and working groups across the University
• Be a recognised role model for the dietetic profession

Outreach:
• Liaise with NHS, government, industry, and other external partners to promote education & research.
• Contribute to National committees and/or working groups.
• Participate in activities that contribute to student recruitment and the widening participation agenda.
• Take on appropriate media, lay and advisory opportunities.

Leadership and Management:
• Support the programme director for the MSc in Dietetics in leading external accreditation.
• Take on leadership roles (e.g. Admissions Tutor, Examinations Officer, Programme Director) within the department or school as appropriate to career stage.

• Contribute to the accreditation of programmes and quality control processes.
• Provide academic leadership to those working within subject programme areas as a module convenor.
• Supervise the work of support staff e.g. in a small teaching or research team.
• Participate in University-wide projects or working groups, and/or be a member of a Departmental or School committee.
• Actively participate in citizenship activities for example Open Days and Visit Days, Graduations.

Supervision received 

The person appointed will report to Prof Colette Fagan, Head of Department, and will be based within the Nutrition Research Group managed by Prof Julie Lovegrove Hugh Sinclair Chair in
Human Nutrition. They will also be assigned a Mentor to provide advice and support in satisfying requirements of the post and progressing their teaching and scholarship career.

Supervision given
The successful candidate will be expected to provide supervision to undergraduate and postgraduate students, and to postdoctoral research assistants and fellows as appropriate. The
successful candidate will be expected to support external clinical and practice-based educators’ input to the course(s).

Contact
Colleagues within the University, particularly within the School of Chemistry, Food and Pharmacy and the Agriculture, Food, and Health Research Theme. UK and overseas industry, professional
organisations, and funding bodies.

Terms and conditions

Full-time, permanent subject to probation. A split role or job share would be considered and we are open to applications from candidates interested in a part-time appointment in order to maintain their clinical practice.

This document outlines the duties required for the time being of the post to indicate the level of responsibility. It is not a comprehensive or exhaustive list and the line manager may vary duties
from time to time which do not change the general character of the job or the level of responsibility entailed.

Date assessed: September 2024

Skills Required

• Ability to engage in and take responsibility for module development and delivery of teaching and learning to undergraduate and postgraduate students (A and P)
• Ability to work with NHS England and NHS providers to support student and programme development (A and I)
• Good organisational and administrative skills (A and I)
• Strong oral and written communication skills (A, I and P)

Existing national or international reputation in dietetics (A & I)

Attainment

• Registered Dietitian with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (A)
• Postgraduate qualification in a relevant subject or a good honours degree with significant professional practice experience (A)

• PhD in Dietetics or Nutritional science/level 7(postgraduate) leadership qualification (A)
• Member of the British Dietetic Association (BDA) (A)
• Registered Nutritionist with Association of Nutrition (A)
• Recognised teaching qualification (e.g. FHEA) (A)
• Active membership of a relevant professional body (or bodies) e.g. special interest group of the BDA (A)

Knowledge

• Specialist area in dietetics (I)

• Subject knowledge of practice-based learning (I)

• Knowledge of NHS long-term workforce plan and implications for the development of Allied Health Professionals and in particular dietetics. (I)

Relevant Experience

• Experience of working at a minimum AfC band 6/senior/specialist dietetic role in the NHS (A)
• Experience of teaching and learning in an NHS/Higher education setting (A & I)

• Experience of delivering practice-based learning activities (A and I)• Experience of dietetic/nutrition course accreditation (A and I)
  • Experience of training practice-based educators. (A and I)
  • Experience of supporting others continual professional development (A and I)
  • Experience of research in a university, research institute or NHS setting (A and I)

Other

• The ability to work well with students and colleagues. (P and I)
• Collegiate, respectful, and considerate of the skills of others (P and I)

• Commitment to delivery of high-quality teaching, outreach, and public engagement activities (P and I)
• Committed to undertaking administrative tasks and developing leadership skills (A and I)
• Collaborative attitude (P and I)
• Committed to own continual professional development (I)
• Ability to work effectively alone and within teams (I)
• Commitment to the values of both the University and NHS (I)

• Interaction with University outreach and impact activities (A and I)