Studentship/ Teaching Assistantship in Human Communication Sciences



The Department of Human Communication Sciences has established a reputation for high quality research and teaching in the field of human communication and its disorders.  The results of the 2008 Research Assessment  Exercise (RAE) confirm the Department’s status as a world class centre for the study of Human Communication Sciences, with 60% of its research graded in the top 4* (world leading) and 3* (internationally excellent) categories.

We are seeking a graduate (1st or upper 2nd class) preferably with a Masters degree qualification who would pursue research into an area of human communication sciences for which supervision is available. Candidates should have a qualification and post qualification experience in speech and language therapy or a qualification in education or a background in applied linguistics.  The department has strong research interests in speech, language and literacy development and disorders; clinical linguistics; and cognitive neuroscience of speech and language.  For details of staff research interests, please see the departmental web page:  http://www.shef.ac.uk/hcs  which also has a link to further details of the portfolio of programmes we currently deliver.

The successful candidate will register for a PhD.  In addition, there are tutorial duties of up to 6 hours per week during term time, with associated preparation and marking.  This will involve backing up lectures on various degree courses offered in the department (ie the wide ranging portfolio of taught  post graduate programmes, the BMedSci Speech; and MMedSci in Clinical Communication Studies, leading towards qualification as a speech and language therapist;  the non-clinical BSc in Human Communication Sciences).  In the case of a qualified and experienced speech and language therapist, this may include clinical tutoring.  An ability to support teaching in speech and language development, disorders and therapy is an advantage. Training is provided.

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The term of studentship and fee waiver will be three years in the first instance, subject to an annual progress review, with the possibility of extension exceptionally, for a fourth year.  You will receive a Stipend, (which does not attract UK income tax) of £14,000 per year plus a fee waiver at the rate of Home/EU current fee (NB:  Stipend will apply for the fourth year, but extension fees for a fourth year of PhD registration will be the student’s own liability).  You will also have the opportunity to bid for funds to support conference attendance and associated travel relevant to the area of research. 

Applicants should in the first instance submit a CV including details of relevant courses taken in previous degrees; an abstract of any research project(s) already undertaken; details of any relevant teaching experience; contact details for two referees, at least one of whom should be an academic referee; and a description of your potential PhD research topic (up to 1 side of A4 for this).

Applications should be sent either electronically by clicking APPLY below (jayne.barker@sheffield.ac.uk) or by post to Mrs Jayne Barker, Departmental Manager, Department of Human Communication Sciences, University of Sheffield, 31 Claremont Crescent Sheffield S10 2TA  to arrive by Thursday  11th July 2013.  Interviews will be held on 22nd July  2013.

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