Job Number: FAC01764
Contract Type: Open Ended
Closing Date: 27-Jul-2023
Location: Stirling Campus
Grade: Grade8 £44,414-£52,841 p.a.
Faculty/Service: Faculty of Natural Sciences
Post Details
Full time
Open ended
Grade7 £36,333-£43,155 p.a. or
Grade8 £44,414-£52,841 p.a.
The closing date for applications is midnight on Thursday 27 July 2023.
Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 31 August.
There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.
For the purposes of sponsorship, this is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2311.
The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.
The Post
The University of Stirling is seeking to appoint a Lecturer in Aquatic Environmental Science within its world-leading Institute of Aquaculture (IoA). This appointment comes at an exciting time for an individual who wants to help shape our ambitious strategic plan and new state-of-the-art facilities under development. Our research was ranked first in the UK for impact in the REF2021 for Agriculture, Veterinary and Food Science, and the IoA recently won the coveted Queen’s Anniversary Prize for global impact of its research into sustainable food security. We hold an Athena Swan Bronze award in recognition of our approach to Equality Diversity and Inclusion.
Significant government investment, our research excellence and exciting vision combine to present an outstanding opportunity for an effective academic leader to maximise these opportunities and advance our research on the next stage of their journey. The IoA is contributing to positioning the University of Stirling as a Global Leader in providing transformative solutions for a sustainable expansion of the aquaculture sector, improving the health and sustainability of aquatic ecosystems with climate smart aquaculture and precision technology. The new position will play a vital role in achieving this goal and that of wider goals such as the UN SDG 14 Life below water.
The position in aquatic environmental science encompasses freshwater and marine environments throughout the world and will involve research in biological and chemical interactions between aquaculture and the aquatic environment. The successful applicant should have an in-depth working knowledge of aquatic nutrient/biological/environmental interactions. Research experience in the areas of aquatic environmental assessment and impact mitigation, or relationships between environmental quality and the culture of fish, shellfish or crustaceans and effects upon their health or welfare would also be an advantage. The successful applicant should demonstrate the potential to secure significant external funding and experience in collaborating with colleagues from different research and technical specialisms.
This position will contribute to and develop an ambitious research strategy that maps on to the current focus of UKRI and international funding opportunities for environmental sustainability for blue foods, systems interaction, and an emphasis on making sustainable and resilient aquaculture production compatible with preserving natural ecosystems. The post holder will be expected to develop and deliver high quality teaching and supervision to UGs, PGTs and PGRs in their specialist area. Similarly, they will be expected to deliver internationally excellent publications, contributions to Impact Case Studies for the next REF period and contribute to co-creating a strong research culture.
Description of Duties
Grade 7
- Engage in individual and collaborative research related to interactions between environmental quality and aquaculture production and also research which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, develop a programme of research and disseminate results through regular publication in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings
- Identify appropriate sources of funding, prepare research proposals for funding bodies, and manage grants awarded
- Link with funding bodies, environmental regulators, and the commercial aquaculture sector to develop impactful research in environmental resources use and management
- Supervise research students as required, providing direction, support, and guidance
- Design and deliver a range of teaching and learning, supervision, and assessment activities across undergraduate, postgraduate including online/digital programmes where required
- Participate in the Faculty’s international engagement activities as required e.g. delivering teaching, contributing to joint programmes and recruitment of students
- Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post
Grade 8
- Engage in individual and collaborative research related to interactions between environmental quality and aquaculture production and also research which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, develop a programme of research and disseminate results through regular publication in high impact journals, books and conference proceedings
- Identify appropriate sources of funding, prepare research proposals for funding bodies, and manage grants awarded
- Link with funding bodies, environmental regulators, and the commercial aquaculture sector to develop impactful research in environmental resources use and management
- Supervise research students and staff as required, providing direction, support, and guidance
- Design, teach and assess a range of teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes including online/digital programmes where required
- Contribute to and develop new teaching activities in environmental resource use in in relation to aquaculture production.
- Contribute to curriculum review and enhancement, in a manner that supports a research-led approach to student learning
- Participate in the Faculty’s international engagement activities as required e.g delivering teaching, contributing to joint programmes and recruitment of students
- Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post
Please see attached job description to see the full duties of the post.
Essential Criteria
Grade 7
Qualifications
- PhD in relevant discipline or close to successful completion
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of a developing publication record in aquatic environmental sciences
- Practical experience of application of environmental science to effective use of water resources
- Experience in analysis and behaviour of aquatic nutrients, their environmental interactions and wider ecosystem effects
- Have credible plans for the active pursuit of external research funding
- Experience or knowledge to design, teach and assess modules in the subject area
- Evidence of the ability to deliver excellent teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level
Grade 8
Qualifications
- PhD in relevant discipline
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Established track record of high-quality published research in aquatic biogeochemistry
- A record of involvement in successful applications for external funding for research and/or knowledge transfer
- Practical experience of application of environmental science to effective use of water resources
- Experience in analysis and behaviour of aquatic nutrients, their environmental interactions and wider ecosystem effects
- Experience of supervising dissertation projects across the range of undergraduate/ postgraduate and of supervising doctoral students
- Experience of providing high quality teaching across a range of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level preferably including online/digital programmes
- Experience of designing and delivering course modules
- Evidence of successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of others
Desirable Criteria
Grade 7
Qualifications
- Higher Education teaching qualification or equivalent e.g. PGCert and/or holding or working towards Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of success in attracting research grants/external funding and delivering on externally funded research projects
- Experience of supervising dissertations and research projects
- Demonstrate a broad understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as key contributions to high quality student learning
- Evidence or knowledge to support international activities
- Evidence of a basic knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework
Grade 8
Qualifications
- Higher Education teaching qualification or equivalent e.g. PGCert and/or holding an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (HEA) and be working towards Fellowship
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
- Evidence of collaborative research with other institutions and interdisciplinary work
- Demonstrates a thorough understanding of effective approaches to teaching and learning support as a key contribution to high quality student learning
- Evidence of programme innovation and development
- Evidence or knowledge to support international activities
- Evidence or knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework
Behaviours and Competencies
The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.
- Managing self and personal skills
Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly. - Delivering excellent service
Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards. - Finding solutions
Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation. - Embracing change
Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles. - Using resources effectively
Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets. - Engaging with the wider context
Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values. - Developing self and others
Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential. - Working together
Working collaboratively with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process. - Achieving Results
Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.
About Us
Faculty of Natural Sciences
The Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research – REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland’s International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.
Institute of Aquaculture
Established in 1971, the Institute of Aquaculture (IoA) is the leading international centre in its field and the largest of its kind in the world. The Institute of Aquaculture has research and teaching facilities on campus including temperate and tropical aquaria. Off campus, at Buckieburn, the IoA has its freshwater research facility and, at Machrihanish on the Kintyre peninsula, its marine research facility. The entire Institute brings together cross-disciplinary, world class researchers in breeding and physiology, genomics and selection, nutrition, emerging aquatic diseases, immunology, parasitology, welfare and behaviour, environmental management, society and technology, and policy and governance our research and training that focuses on critical questions relating to strategies for sustainable aquaculture. In REF 2021, 100% of the Institute of Aquaculture’s research was considered to have global impact and rated top in the UK for research impact in Agriculture, Food and Veterinary Sciences.
The University
The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe – addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society. Stirling is 4th in Scotland and 43rd in the UK for research impact, with 87% of its research having an outstanding or very considerable impact on society – and more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021).
The University of Stirling is ranked among the top 30 UK universities for student satisfaction (National Student Survey) and top 30 in the UK for postgraduate student experience (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey), and has an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings.
More than 17,000 students study with the University of Stirling globally, with over 140 nationalities represented on its scenic central Scotland campus alone. The University – also home to 1,700 staff – is ranked first in the UK and top three in the world for its campus environment (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two). Ranked first in the UK and top five in the world for its sports facilities (International Student Barometer 2022, wave two), Stirling is Scotland’s University for Sporting Excellence. Its world-class facilities provide the perfect training environment for the University’s sports scholars – many of whom compete at the highest level, including at the Olympics and Commonwealth Games – and for students, staff, and the wider community.
The University has twice been recognised with a Queen’s Anniversary Prize – the first for its Institute for Social Marketing and Health (2014) and the second for its Institute of Aquaculture (2019).
The University is a signatory to the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal and a central partner of the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.
www.stir.ac.uk @stiruni
Available documents
Attached documents are available under links. Clicking a document link will initialize its download.
