Associate Lecturers in the School of Computing & Communications TM355

Actual working hours and salary: Part-Time: 0.09 FTE, around £3490 per year. 

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The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

We are looking to recruit several Associate Lecturers in the area of Communications Technologies, in the School of Computing and Communications at the Open University.

The role is part-time and will involve teaching one or more modules in the area of Communications Technologies. In particular, there are immediate teaching needs on TM355: Communications Technology. Appointments are likely to be around 0.09 FTE initially, with the potential for appointments at higher FTE’s if there is additional business need.

The position is home-based and has no fixed core hours. It is a two year fixed-term appointment, with a probation period of two years. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs, mainly linked to providing marking and assessment feedback. This is likely to include exam and end of module marking tasks. Other tasks will be required such as focused student support (individual and forum), such as peer mentoring and working with the module team on assessment activities and quality improvement. Some evening and weekend work will be required. The appropriate level of FTE will be discussed at interview, and there is the possibility of increasing the FTE later. The starting full-time salary is £38,784 paid pro rata (around £3490 per year) based on your FTE. Although most of the teaching occurs between October and June, the position is paid over the full calendar year.

It is anticipated that the contract will commence from October 2026. 

Appointments to the position will be subject to student registrations.

Qualification Description 

TM355 is an optional module in several qualifications including: 

Q62 BSc (Honours) Computing and IT

R60 BSc (Honours) Cyber Security

R62 BSc (Honours) Computing with Electronic Engineering

Q65 Bachelor of Engineering (Honours)

This module will provide students with a firm understanding of the principles of both wired and wireless communications technologies. They will also learn how to read and assess academic papers to keep themselves up to date. Students are expected to have studied maths and communication technologies prior to studying TM355. 

Person specification 

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for an Associate Lecturer at The Open University.  As well as meeting all the requirements set out in the generic person specification, you should have:

• The ability to grade assignments accurately and to provide constructive feedback to students.
• Experience of teaching online or an understanding of the pedagogical issues surrounding online teaching.
• Demonstrated ability to encourage students to engage with scholarship and independent study (including awareness of resources)
• A relevant degree or equivalent experience in communication technologies
• The ability to explain principles and concepts relating to both wired and wireless technologies including:
  • signals theory and real-world aspects such as noise and interference;
  • channel coding, information theory and compression;
  • access and core networks for both mobile and fixed-line;
• The ability to support students in the mathematical aspects of the module, including a variety of concepts from basics like decibels to more complex ideas such as Fourier series

It would be an advantage to have:

• A higher degree or Ph.D. (or equivalent)
• Experience of teaching and assessment via an online environment.
• Evidence of having taken the initiative to deliver better teaching and learning or to take advantage of new technology in teaching.
• Teaching qualification in relevant subject or HEA accreditation.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. To ensure they remain up to date with developments in their academic field, Associate Lecturers are allocated 6 days (pro-rata) per annum for AL-led (ie. self-directed) Academic Currency and 1 day, plus 5 days pro rata, per annum for Agreed Academic Currency and Professional Development. 

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata) with variable (pro rata) Bank holidays and an attractive pensions proposition.

Tuition Delivery
It is expected that all tuition will be online though in the future some face-to-face teaching may be possible.  

Interview dates

It is expected that interviews will be held on 19 or 23 June 2026.

How to apply

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below. Any queries regarding the application process please contact AL-Recruitment on [email protected], quoting the reference number STEM_TM355.

Job related information:

AL Application Form

Generic Person Specification

Terms and Conditions 

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK at interview.

The University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role as per the requirement laid out the UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK.

To work with us you will need access to the internet.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check or equivalent for their nation of residency. The Open University has a policy on the Recruitment of Ex-Offenders, a copy of which can be obtained on request by email to [email protected]

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

Email : [email protected] 

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength.  We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all under-represented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks