Assistant Professor (Research and Education) Microbiology - School of Biosciences Full-time Job

Position Details

School of Biosciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £45,585 to £54,395 with potential progression once in post to £61,198

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 14th April 2024

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.

Background

The School of Biosciences carries out world-leading research in fundamental and applied biological science and develops impact from this research to provide crucial improvements to society. This Assistant Professorship post is allied to the school research theme of Microbiology. Research in this theme includes molecular microbiology, the microbial cell surface, genomic surveillance, host-pathogen interactions and microbiome research. Members of the theme are also members of the University of Birmingham Institute for Microbiology and Infection (IMI) which brings together from across our campus, one of the largest communities of academic microbiologists in the world.

We are now seeking to invite applications for an Assistant Professor position in Microbiology with research interests co-aligning with areas of existing or emerging strengths in the School and in particular within the School’s sister research theme of Structural & Molecular Cell Biology. Areas of synergy that link these themes include but are not limited to RNA in infections, RNA and protein modifications, chemical biology and structural biology.

This post will bring opportunities for career development, enable you to realise your ambitions in research and teaching, and enhance your leadership and management skills. You will initiate, conduct and disseminate original research, which will have measurable outcomes reflected in your growing national and international reputation. In teaching, you will make substantial contributions to the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment, and to enhancing the student experience and employability. The specific areas of teaching can be negotiated to suit the expertise of the successful applicant but an ability to contribute to virology, molecular microbiology or host-pathogen interactions would be particularly welcomed. Management and administration activities will allow you to make important contributions at School level and to managerial/leadership activities (e.g., working groups) across the wider University.

The School of Biosciences and wider is a collegiate community. You will demonstrate academic citizenship, develop and maintain generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships within the School and wider University.

Role Summary

You will contribute to a range of research, teaching and administration. In addition you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others can carry out theirs.

Teaching is likely to include contribution to: (a) the management, development (including programme/module review) and delivery of teaching and assessment; and (b) enhancement of the student experience or employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, (b) supervising and examining PhD students, and (c) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.

Research is likely to involve initiating, conducting and disseminating original research. Your research will have measurable outcomes reflect in your growing national (and ideally international) reputation.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (e.g. working groups) within the University. This may 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

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.

Research

Planning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):

planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;

project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;

presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;

effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;

providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;

participating in research-related enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;

applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;

developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University, including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.

Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration, including:

contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;

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 major contribution to some 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;

actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

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 research/teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications

Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism

Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research

Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels

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 success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability

Research

Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation

Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results

Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods

Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity

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

Informal enquiries to Claire Cooper, email: c.e.cooper@bham.ac.uk

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