This document outlines the scope of a development opportunity for Early Career Researcher Institute (ECRI) Programme Partners (EPPs). 

ECRI Programme Partners are doctoral students, postdocs or fellows who are engaged by ECRI to represent their peers and to help shape the Learning and Development provision offered by ECRI to early career researchers at Imperial.  

There are 11 programmes of courses delivered by ECRI and each of these programmes is led by one or more ECRI Programme Leaders who are members of ECRI staff with responsibility for the overall management of the programme, and EPPs. There will usually be one student and one Postdoc/Fellow EPP per programme (the roles may be distributed differently in some circumstances). 

Typical duties within this development opportunity are listed below. Descriptions are not exhaustive, and further activities may be discussed, although these will be broadly in line with the key responsibilities listed. Some of these obligations may also be subject to change.  

The maximum term of engagement for the role is one year. 

Scope:   

Successful applicants will be asked to collaborate with the corresponding ECRI Programme Leader(s) in the following ways:  

  • Co-commission the programme - identifying gaps in provision, looking at priorities, reviewing existing provision, as appropriate, helping to develop business cases for new provision and advising on the removal of existing courses, where appropriate.   
  • Co-design courses – designing course material, workshops and other associated teaching activities. To consult with peers to seek further ideas and input. The level of contribution to the co-design would depend on the level of expertise of the EPP and the time they have available.  
  • Recommend other ECRs who could also assist with co-delivery, if appropriate.  
  • Co-assess the programme as part of the regular programme and course review and to make recommendations for changes to the programme. Note: participant feedback on individual facilitators will not form part of the material reviewed by EPPs.  
  • Co-lead the recruitment of and handover to EPP successors.  
  1. Key Responsibilities

The key responsibility of an EPP is to develop and engage with their programme. An EPP will complete the following related tasks:  

  • Have regular meetings with the ECRI Programme Leader(s) to fulfil the tasks above. The frequency and format of these meetings is to be mutually agreed with the ECRI Programme Leader(s).  
  • Engage with peers who attend the courses within the programme (e.g. by running focus groups and other engagement methods)  
  • Attend relevant ECRI meetings, when appropriate. 
  1. Requirements 

All EPPs are expected to have completed the core Graduate Teaching Assistant (GTA) modules/Educational Development Unit (EDU) Training/equivalent qualifications from prior institutions: 

  • Introduction to Learning and Teaching (ECRI) or Teaching for learning (EDU) 
  • Introduction to Assessment and Feedback for Learning (ECRI) or Assessment for Active Learning (EDU) 

Doctoral Students: Imperial requires that any doctoral student wishing to undertake EPP work must have:  

  • permission from their supervisor(s) prior to applying for the role.  
  • completed or registered on ECRI training aligned with Descriptor 1 of the UKPSF, as appropriate to their needs.  
  • at least a term’s experience of GTA work or equivalent experience such as small group teaching or peer-learning experience.  
  • a demonstrable interest in and/or attended courses from the programme to which they are applying.  

Postdocs and Fellows: Imperial requires that any postdoc/fellow wishing to undertake EPP work must have:  

  • support from their line manager prior to applying for the role.  
  • completed or registered on ECRI/EDU/equivalent training aligned with 

 Descriptor 1 of the UKPSF  as appropriate to their needs.  

  • at least a term’s experience of supporting teaching in a higher education institute, GTA work or equivalent experience such as small group teaching or peer-learning experience.  
  • a demonstrable interest in and/or attended courses from the programme to which they are applying. 

EPPs should not apply to more than two programmes.  

  1. Allocating Time 

This section provides guidance on the time commitment expected from EPPs:  

  • It is expected EPPs will contribute approximately six hours per month over 10-12 months depending on start date (approximately 9 days / academic year).  
  • For postdocs and fellows this time can be counted toward their 10 development day allocation. 
  • The ECRI Programme Leader(s) and EPP should discuss and mutually agree how best time should be given to the EPP role e.g. 1-2 hour weekly meetings might work best for some partnerships, whilst others might prefer to allocate 1 day per month.  
  1. Training and Support 

The EPP will be expected to have undertaken the appropriate training from ECRI/EDU. The EPP will be fully supported by the ECRI Programme Leader(s) in this development opportunity. EPPs are encouraged to use their experiences during the year to apply for (Associate) Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy /Advance HE (AFHEA or FHEA).  

  1. Recompense

Doctoral student EPPs will be supported for their contribution via a bursary top-up of £1000, which will be paid in equal monthly instalments over the course of the appointment (i.e.10 payments of £100 each).   

For Postdocs and Fellows EPPs, time spent in this role counts towards the 10 development day allocation and therefore no further recompense is offered for the role.  

  1. Performance Management Procedure  

Part of the commitment made by the EPP is to work and collaborate with the ECRI Programme Leader(s). If the EPP is unable to fulfil their responsibilities for whatever reason, the EPP should discuss how to proceed with the ECRI Programme Leader(s) or contact the Manager of ECRI administration.     

In the event that the ECRI Programme Leader(s) is/are dissatisfied with the level of commitment displayed by the EPP, the following steps will be taken,   

  • Informal conversation between ECRI Programme Leader(s) and EPP outlining areas for progress and a plan of implementation.   
  • If the implementation plan is not realised, a formal conversation between the ECRI Programme Leader(s) and the EPP will take place and if necessary, the partnership will be terminated and for doctoral students the bursary top up will be stopped.