Career Opportunities

The Chair of Basic Sciences provides academic and operational leadership for the delivery and continuous enhancement of the basic sciences component of the Doctor of Medicine (MD) program, primarily encompassing Years 1-3 of the curriculum.

The role is responsible for leading the development, delivery, integration, and continuous enhancement of basic sciences education while ensuring alignment with the MD program's Intended Learning Outcomes, the integration of early clinical exposure throughout the curriculum, accreditation standards, and the educational strategy established by the Dean of Medicine and Curriculum Committees.

The Chair will work collaboratively with the Dean of Medicine, Chair of Clinical Sciences, faculty members, students, and external partners to ensure an integrated and contemporary medical curriculum that prepares students for clinical practice and lifelong learning.

The Chair reports to the Dean of Medicine and is accountable for the effective implementation, delivery, and quality assurance of the basic sciences phase of the MD curriculum. The role operates within the strategic direction, policies, and governance framework established by the Dean, Board of Trustees, and relevant University committees.

Curriculum Leadership

• Provides academic and operational leadership for the delivery of the basic sciences curriculum.
• Lead curriculum development, review, mapping, and enhancement activities across Years 1-3.
• Ensure alignment between curriculum content, learning activities, assessments, and intended learning outcomes.
• Promote horizontal and vertical integration of basic and clinical sciences throughout the curriculum.
• Work collaboratively with the Vertical Modules Lead to ensure alignment of module content, sequencing, and outcomes with the overall curriculum framework and program learning outcomes.
• Ensure Vertical Modules are appropriately mapped and reinforced across the curriculum to support spiral learning and progressive development of competencies.
• Support the development of innovative educational approaches, including simulation-based learning, case-based learning, team-based learning, and technology-enhanced education.
• Ensure curriculum delivery reflects contemporary educational evidence and international best practice.

Quality Assurance and Enhancement

• Lead quality assurance and quality enhancement activities within the basic sciences curriculum.
• Monitor educational quality through student feedback, faculty feedback, program evaluation, and performance data.
• Support accreditation activities, audits, and program reviews.
• Implement improvement initiatives arising from quality assurance processes.
• Provide regular reports and recommendations to the Dean of Medicine on educational performance, risks, quality metrics, and improvement initiatives within the basic sciences phase.

Assessment and Student Progression

• Support the implementation of program-wide assessment strategies and policies.
• Ensure assessments within the basic sciences phase align with curriculum outcomes and educational best practice.
• Work closely with the Assessment Lead and academic faculty to support assessment quality, standard setting, and moderation.
• Monitor student progression and academic performance trends within the basic sciences phase.
• Escalate significant concerns relating to student progression, assessment outcomes, curriculum quality, or educational risk to the Dean of Medicine through established governance processes.

Student Support and Academic Advising

• Serve as a Personal Academic Tutor, academic advisor, or student mentor as assigned by the University.
• Provide first-line academic support to students, including guidance on study skills, learning strategies, academic progress, and professional development.
• Support students’ academic engagement, motivation, and integration into the medical program.
• Participate in scheduled academic advising sessions, small group tutoring, and student support activities as required by the program.
• Maintain an accessible and supportive learning environment that promotes student success and professional growth.
• Recognize students who require additional or specialist support and refer them through established University processes in a timely and appropriate manner.
• Work within defined professional boundaries and maintain confidentiality in line with university policy.
• Contribute to a culture of student wellbeing, inclusion, engagement, retention, and progression across the program.

Specialist Support Boundary:

• Faculty provide first-line academic and pastoral support only.
• Specialist support (including mental health care, safeguarding, disability services, and fitness-to-practice processes) is the responsibility of designated University Student Affairs and Wellbeing Services.

Faculty Leadership and Development

• Provide academic leadership and mentorship to faculty involved in basic sciences education.
• Support faculty recruitment, onboarding, induction, and professional development activities.
• Contribute to faculty appraisal and performance review processes.
• Promote a culture of educational excellence, collaboration, scholarship, and innovation.

Scholarship and External Engagement

• Foster educational scholarship and research within the basic sciences curriculum.
• Encourage dissemination of educational innovations through presentations and publications.
• Develop productive relationships with internal and external stakeholders, including academic partners and healthcare organizations.

Essential

• PhD in Medical Sciences
• A medical, dental, or other relevant health professions qualification is desirable where appropriate to the discipline.
• Appointment as a faculty member within a Faculty of Medicine, with significant experience teaching undergraduate medical students.
• Demonstrated leadership experience in an academic, healthcare, or medical school environment, including faculty leadership, mentorship, and staff development.
• Experience in curriculum design, implementation, and review.
• Experience in assessment and student progression processes.
• Experience in faculty leadership, mentorship, and development.
• Strong understanding of quality assurance and accreditation in medical education.
• Excellent communication, organizational, and stakeholder management skills.
• Demonstrated ability to work effectively within complex governance structures and multidisciplinary academic environments.

Desirable

• Master's or PhD in Medical Education, Health Professions Education, or related discipline.
• Experience leading basic sciences or pre-clinical education.
• Experience in integrated curriculum design.
• Experience in simulation-based education.
• Evidence of educational scholarship and publication.
• Experience working with international academic partners.