Assistant Professor (Education) in Health Economics (Dubai) - Department of Applied Health Sciences - 105599 - Grade 8

Position Details

Department of Applied Health Sciences, School of Health Sciences, College of Medicine and Health

Discipline: School of Health Sciences

University of Birmingham, Dubai campus

Salary: Competitive 

Grade: 8

No. of positions: 1

Full time

Location: Dubai, UAE

Closing date: 15th May 2025

Academic Development Programme - new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.

University of Birmingham Dubai

Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.

Background

We are seeking to appoint an enthusiastic and experienced educator to the role of Assistant Professor to lead the MSc Health Economics and Health Policy programme at the University of Birmingham (UoB) campus in Dubai.  This post represents an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.

Our MSc Health Economics and Health Policy programme will equip students with the skills to examine health issues from an economic and policy perspective and conduct impactful economic analyses that help healthcare decision-makers to use resources in an efficient and equitable way. The programme will allow students to gain a deep understanding of the economic and policy frameworks that shape healthcare management. This programme is designed for those seeking an immersive and accelerated learning experience. Students will engage in an intensive curriculum delivered through evening and weekend classes, utilizing a mixture of lectures, small group tutorials, presentations, peer group learning, and self-study.

The post-holder will lead the MSc in Health Economics and Health Policy (Dubai) and work closely with colleagues within the Medicine and Health Subject Group on the Dubai Campus, as well as colleagues involved in the Birmingham-based MSc Health Economics and Health Policy programme. This programme is part of a broader School of Health Sciences (SHS) strategy to expand and develop its portfolio of health- related teaching and research, and to support the development and delivery of innovative new modules and programmes.

This is an exciting time to join the Department of Applied Health Sciences, within the School of Health Sciences. Over the last year, the Department has benefited from over £22m research funding and now employs over 300 members of staff. The Health Economics Unit, within the Department of Applied Health Sciences, is one of the largest groupings of health economists in the UK and pioneers new methods for health economics and conducts analyses that inform decisions across healthcare, public health, and social care in the UK and internationally.  The Health Economics Unit makes a significant contribution to the development, delivery and assessment of a number of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes at the University. This includes the Medicine & Surgery (MBChB) programme and a series of postgraduate taught programmes, including the highly successful MSc Health Economics and Health Policy programme, which has been operating for almost 30 years, attracting both international and UK students each year. The Department of Health Sciences is actively exploring options to further expand its undergraduate and postgraduate offer, including the use of innovative hybrid and blended approaches and programmes located at the University’s Dubai campus.

The University opened a campus in Dubai in November 2017, becoming the first global top 100 and UK Russell Group University to establish a campus in this rapidly developing international education hub, and has a mission to deliver a world-class British university education in the global city of Dubai. The ‘University of Birmingham Dubai’ provides opportunities for students to study on a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes to the same recognised standards as those delivered on our UK campus. Our campus in Dubai provides a home for up to 3,000 students, a community for Birmingham alumni in the region and a hub for engagement activities with businesses in the local community.

In return, you will receive a competitive package and be a key part of an expanding and ambitious University as we develop our international reputation and global footprint.

This is a full-time post, based in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, and involves teaching during evenings and weekends.

The University of Birmingham is an Athena Swan Bronze award holder and is committed to providing a supportive work environment for our staff and providing equal opportunities in our recruitment process.

The University of Birmingham is an equal opportunity employer. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and will take flexible working options into consideration during the process.

Further details relating to this position as well as our developing Dubai Campus can be found at http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/dubai/work-with-us/index.aspx 

Role Summary

Based on the UoB Dubai campus, the post holder will act as Programme Lead, and lead teaching across the modules of the programme. They will be expected to contribute to the breadth of taught modules delivered as part of this programme (economic evaluation, health economics, policy, decision modelling) in line with their subject knowledge, work with Edgbaston-based module leads to shape and deliver the programme in line with local needs. They will also set and mark assignments and supervise dissertation projects. They may also be expected to contribute to other School of Health Sciences and wider College of Medicine and Health programmes and modules. 

You will contribute to a range of education-related activities.  In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs. 

Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment at all levels; and (b) enhancement of the student experience and employability.  The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, and (b) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods. 

You will be expected to advance teaching and learning practice in your modules within the school, take a role in leading curriculum development, and play an important role in student academic and pastoral support.  You will deliver excellent teaching that inspires students and is informed by discipline-based research. 

Management and administration is likely to include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement widening participation, schools outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education

You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities: 

• contribute to leading curriculum development and/or renewal; 
• develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution; 
• advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment; 
• deliver (where appropriate to the discipline) specific professional programmes; 
• advance the practice of teaching in their modules and within the school, and play an important role in student academic support; 
• inform your teaching practice by discipline based research; 
• frequently update your subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes;
• you may play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students; and co-supervise doctoral students to completion.

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement,  public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work. 

Management/Administration

To contribute to Departmental /School administration. This may include:

• contributing to the administration/management of teaching across the Department/School; 
• where appropriate, leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• making a contribution to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
• managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach;
• promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• pursuing your activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently;
• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications.
• Extensive teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
• Skills in managing, motivating & mentoring others.

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes. 
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues. 
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes.
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

For informal enquiries, please contact Khalifa Elmusharaf email: k.a.elmusharaf@bham.ac.uk (Edgbaston Campus) and Louise Jackson email: L.JACKSON.1@BHAM.AC.UK (Edgbaston Campus)

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.