Advice/tips for job interview for a lecturer position (life science) please?

[petiteHBB]

Hello,

I'm invited for an on-site 2-day interview for a lecturer position (UK based). I'm asked to give a research presentation and a teaching presentation, then meet with the panel. It's my first interview, I was wondering if anyone can kindly provide some advice/tips. Many thanks!

Make sure that you research their undergrad teaching course content. Suggest who you could collaborate with from the dept research wise and also be able to explain what new things you would bring to the dept. if you don’t yet have much teaching experience be ready with ideas of what you want to do. Have at least a five year research plan with external costing planned

Agree with above - fit with department and excellent developmental potential. They’ll want to see that you can start working effectively straight away but also - as it’s a long term position! - that they can see you as a senior colleague in the future - whether as research leader, course or programme director, … so basically the opposite of a candidate we interviewed for a London based position who basically said ‘haven’t thought that far ahead and don’t have ideas and I’m not sure I want to be in a large city long term anyway’

read the person spec and job description carefully - the interview questions are likely to be pretty closely based on the person spec and will ask how you meet the criteria.

agree with the above - have a plan for research. And also a realistic idea about teaching - what courses could you take on, what is realistic etc. Don't claim you will provide detailed personalized feedback to 300 first-year undergrads, but don't claim you know nothing about teaching. if you can, get hold of the current list of courses so you can see where your expertise would fit in.

access as many of the university policy and strategy documents as you can do that you can speak to the strategic objectives and reflect their approach to learning, teaching and assessment

Thank you all so much for advice! Really helpful.

Can't help on the research side as I'm education, but from sitting in on many interview presentations - do the professional stuff right. Stick to your time limit, have clean slides, be an engaging speaker. You would think this shouldn't need to be said at this level. You would be wrong.

Haha I'll keep that in mind. Thank you very much!