The University of Sheffield
Teaching Associate in Russian
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The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.
We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.
Overview
We are seeking to appoint an experienced teacher of Russian to contribute to the delivery of the School’s Russian language provision through high-quality teaching and assessment.
You will have native or near-native proficiency in Russian with knowledge of current affairs and cultural life in Russian-speaking countries and regions, a proven track record in teaching Russian in Higher Education for general and possibly specific purposes, and experience of acting as module leader. You will have a degree involving Russian (or equivalent experience), ideally a teaching qualification, and a strong commitment to professional development and the delivery of a high-quality, innovative language-learning experience to students.
This is a unique opportunity to join a highly motivated team of academic and administrative professionals in a supportive environment.
Main Duties And Responsibilities
- Work under the supervision of the Co-ordinator for Russian and in collaboration with other teaching professional services colleagues to ensure the administration, delivery and development of Russian language courses to the highest standards, in line with the School’s guidelines and strategies.
- Deliver teaching courses in Russian at all levels up to 8 hours a week (pro-rata of a full-time post):
- Plan and prepare linguistic and cultural teaching and independent study materials and resources, maintaining the VLE as appropriate, communicate subject matter and encourage critical engagement with it, observe and react to student interventions, providing on-going oral and written feedback, respond to questions outside class times and to contingencies in course delivery, liaising effectively with staff and students both face-to-face and at a distance.
- Carry out formative and summative assessment for courses in accordance with guidelines, including design and preparation of assessments, marking, moderation, and providing written/oral feedback, meeting established deadlines.
- Carry out course evaluation, including facilitating student feedback, reflecting on own and team teaching design and delivery, and implementing ideas for improving own and team performance.
- Carry out administrative duties relating to own teaching such as class attendance registers.
- Supervise undergraduate and possibly Master’s project students and/or Tandem students.
- Assist the Co-ordinator for Russian by taking responsibility for design, material development, delivery, assessment and administration of some modules, co-ordinating the work of other tutors teaching these modules if team-taught.
- Assist the Co-ordinator for Russian in administrative duties (e.g. mentoring new tutors, collating material and information for External Examiners, participating in the registration of students and Open Days), possibly taking delegated responsibility as appropriate.
- Develop and/or contribute to co-curricular and extracurricular activities for students.
- Attend and contribute to team meetings and quality assurance processes in respect of learning and teaching as requested (e.g, Exam Boards, periodic reviews, annual reflection exercise).
- Develop own profile as an expert language teacher by taking an active part in CPD and Scholarship schemes and activities organized by the School and the wider University (e.g. training events, L&T workshops, scholarship project, peer observation and Staff Review Development schemes), keeping abreast of national trends in language teaching through relevant literature and conferences, and disseminating own findings internally and externally through publications, conferences, and/or workshops.
- As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.
- Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.
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Person Specification
Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.
Criteria
Essential
- A good honours degree in a relevant subject area (or equivalent experience).
- Proven teaching ability at undergraduate level to non-native speakers, ideally in the UK and at all levels, including for specific purposes.
- Experience of designing teaching and assessment materials for Russian as a foreign language.
- Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, in English and Russian.
- Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively and efficiently with colleagues and students.
- Solid experience of using a virtual learning environment (e.g. Blackboard) to support teaching and learning as well as familiarity with other online teaching tools and resources.
- A high level of organisation and attention to detail, with an ability to meet tight deadlines and prioritize.
- A confident and professional manner and a good level of personal initiative, judgement and flexibility to meet the demands of the post.
- A commitment to creating a positive learning and working environment for all students and staff.
Desirable
- Postgraduate qualification in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education (or equivalent).
- Experience of developing new language modules.
Further Information
- Grade: 7
- Salary: £38,784 - £47,389 annum pro-rata. Potential to progress to £48,423 per annum pro-rata through sustained exceptional contribution.
- Work arrangement: Part-time 50% (working 11 months out of 12)
- Duration: This post is open ended with a start date of 01.09.2026.
- Line manager: Director of the MLTC
- Direct reports:
- Right to work in the UK
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Our website
https://sheffield.ac.uk/las
For informal enquiries about this job contact Oranna Speicher, Director of the MLTC: on o.speicher@sheffield.ac.uk
Next steps in the recruitment process
It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in the week commencing 17th August 2026. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10th August. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process, please contact Oranna Speicher.
Our vision and strategic plan
We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).
What We Offer
- A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.
- Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.
- Generous pension scheme.
- A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.
- A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).
- Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.
- A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.
- A range of generous family-friendly policies
- paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
- access to menopause support in the workplace
- paid time off and support for fertility treatment
- and more
More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).
We are a Disability Confident Leader (opens in a new window). If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.
We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.
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