Teaching Fellow – Chemistry - Nazarbayev University - The International NanoScience Community

Nazarbayev University (NU) was established to become Kazakhstan’s first research intensive university in partnership with the world’s leading universities in 2010. This is the first University in Kazakhstan that is committed to working in accordance with international academic standards and guided by the principles of autonomy and academic freedom. NU is a thoroughly merit-based institution, and emphasizes academic integrity being fully supported by the government of Kazakhstan and seen as a major platform for educational reform in the country. NU has ambitious goals with an aspiration to join the world’s top universities in the near future.

CONTEXT:

NU Partners include the University of Cambridge, Duke University, National University of Singapore, the University College of London (UCL), the University of Pennsylvania, the University of Pittsburgh, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Colorado School of Mines. Each of them partners with one of the graduate or undergraduate schools. NU’s partners are helping to create an institution that meets the highest global standards for university education and research while remaining uniquely Kazakhstani such as support and advice in faculty recruitment and development, curriculum design, policy and procedures development, and quality assurance systems.

NU has three schools offering both undergraduate and graduate programs: the School of Engineering (SEng), the School of Science and Technology (SST), and the School of Humanities and Social Sciences (SHSS). In 2013 three dedicated graduate schools were also opened: the Graduate School of Business (GSB), the Graduate School of Public Policy (GSPP), and the Graduate School of Education (GSE).

NU students are the best and the brightest in Kazakhstan and are well trained by a faculty drawn from top grade universities around the world. Student body totals 2900 students.

The Nazarbayev University campus is located in Astana, the new capital of Kazakhstan, in the new and ultra-modern left-bank region of the city within the heartland of Eurasia. Kazakh and Russian are the predominant spoken languages in this culturally diverse former Soviet Republic. Kazakhstan is a leading producer of oil, gas, uranium, rare metals and other minerals and is rapidly moving toward an industrialized economy through high-technological development and advancements in education. Incoming faculty can expect to experience a unique mixture of Western-style and traditional cultural living experience similar to a mid-size North American or European cosmopolitan city, including a rich and vibrant atmosphere with convenient access to excellent restaurants and clubs, theatre, music, opera, museums, modern and traditional bazaar shopping, professional and amateur sports, recreation, and much more.

NU Foundation Year Program

Since 2010 we have accepted at least 500 students per year out of over 3,500 applicants. These are Kazakhstan’s brightest secondary school graduates and they are competitively selected through a three-stage admissions process. The intensive academic one-year program prepares students for successful undergraduate study in three Nazarbayev University Schools: Engineering, Science and Technology or Humanities and Social Sciences. Students’ critical thinking and English language skills are developed. Students are encouraged to work independently so that they are well-equipped to enter Nazarbayev University Undergraduate Programs.

In 2015-16, the curriculum of the foundation programme will be broadened so that all students will experience a liberal arts education with a range of elective subjects in the humanities and sciences. The student body will be expanded to approximately 700 students in the future. All students are expected to be proficient in Mathematics and English. All classes are taught in English. Our new strategic partner, the University of Warwick (UK), will provide input into the curriculum and guidance on the learning process.

JOB PURPOSE:

As a member of the academic teaching team, you will teach 500-600 hours per year to students enrolled on to the NUFYP. You will report to the relevant subject coordinator. You will be responsible for planning, delivery, evaluation and assessment of your modules and ensure that they align with the broader program objectives.

DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES:

Teaching and Learning support:

To uphold NU principles of academic integrity and to provide guidance to colleagues and students on embedding NU Graduate Attributes in curricular and co-curricular activities.

To teach as a member of a teaching team within NUFYP and in line with the NUFYP curriculum.
To develop and ensure teaching materials, methods and approaches are in accordance with the established objectives of the teaching program.
To use appropriate teaching, learning support and assessment methods, including new learning technologies.
To set, mark and assess work and examinations.
To provide timely, customised feedback to students.
To provide attendance data to the NUFYP administration team.
To provide teaching cover in the absence of other colleagues.

To provide information to students during induction week.
To challenge thinking, foster debate and develop the ability of students to engage in critical discourse and rational thinking.
To conduct regular tutorials and academic review sessions.
To supervise the work of students, provide advice on study skills and help students with learning problems.
To accelerate the learning of talented students.
To complete teaching-related administration.
To actively encourage students to participate in the social and cultural life of the University.
To contribute to course and module development through periodic module reviews.
To provide both formative and summative evaluations.
To provide academic support for students, through personal tutorials and office hours.
To participate in the NUFYP social programs where this is an integral part of the teaching/learning program (attending induction activities, welcome and graduation ceremonies).

Quality assurance:

To plan and deliver classes consistent with the quality standards of the NUFYP curriculum.
To contribute to the planning, design, development and review of modules.
To comply with the NUFYP program’s quality procedures and standards.

Staff and Professional Development:

To pursue academic rigour through a commitment to academic, professional and personal development.
To complete all academic administration tasks.
To ensure that relevant NU regulations and policies are upheld.

Administration and other activities

To attend NUFYP meetings and to participate, as required, in other committee and working groups in NUFYP, NU Schools and the University.
To actively follow and promote NU policies, including equal opportunity – regardless of gender, sexual orientation, racial or ethnic origin or religion.
To ensure compliance with health and safety procedures
To participate in and develop internal and external networks, for example, to contribute to student recruitment, invigilate entrance examinations, facilitate outreach work, or participate in relevant professional activities.
To compile student progress reports for the co-ordinator as requested.
To carry out any other duties within the scope and purpose of the job as requested by the Director of NUFYP or relevant Coordinator.

Terms and Conditions

NUFYP staff will be a part of the NU community and are offered the NU Social package. Please see the attached Compensation and Benefits document for more detailed information. This includes:

The salaries will be competitive.
Expatriation tickets at the start of the contract, repatriation tickets at the end of the contract for employees and immediate family members.
Accommodation is provided on a rent-free basis (tenants pay utilities and deposit).
Health insurance is provided by NU with international and local insurance companies respectively.
Annual paid leave allowance is 56 calendar days including week ends, excluding national holidays.
Two return flights to home country per year, during annual paid leave for employee and family (Normally Christmas holiday and summer vacation). Limits are calculated for each employee separately, depending on the place of his/ her country of residence/citizenship.
Child education allowance. The amount paid is dependent on the age and type of education (i.e. home school, pre-school, school) for the children of employees from 2 to 18 years old.
Professional Development opportunities are available for each employee in accordance with professional development plans.

To apply

Please submit all of these documents:

A cover letter that outlines your relevant experience in teaching or coordinating at secondary, pre-degree level and/or degree level in an international context and why you are interested in applying for the NUFYP positions;
Current Curriculum Vitae (maximum 3 pages);

All documentation should be submitted to: nufyp_hiring@nu.edu.kz by 10 June 2015

Additional information can be found at the official website of Nazarbayev University www.nu.edu.kz