JOB DESCRIPTION
Professor and Director of the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences
The appointment will be at Professor level, Grade:10, Salary: from ÂŁ66,857 – negotiable (dependent on experience and qualifications).
Detailed Description
Applications are invited for a professor with the vision and leadership credentials to direct the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences to deliver a strong international reputation in areas of excellence to address key aspects of the UN Sustainable Development Goals. This professorship is particularly aimed at applicants keen to lead the institute and a broad range of scientific expertise within the Life Sciences will be considered with some focus on environmental science preferred. We are particularly interested in the interplay between environmental, climate and biodiversity changes and microbial systems within terrestrial, marine, or freshwater contexts. We seek an individual who works in the field of environmental science who can demonstrate how they can add to the diversity of our current portfolio of environmental science expertise, while having the potential to be collaborative in a multidisciplinary environment. The position will be based within the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES) in the School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) at Heriot-Watt University. The successful appointee will be responsible to lead and manage ILES, building on the current excellent research work and strategy in place. The appointee will lead ILES’ contributions towards delivery of the School’s research strategy and delivery of the University ambitious overarching research goals.
The successful candidate will develop an independent research portfolio whilst working with colleagues in ILES, including ILES staff based in the Lyell Centre Global Research Institute, and at our Orkney campus (the International Centre for Island Technology, ICIT), as well as other areas of the School and University. The successful applicant will have an internationally recognised profile in their own area of expertise, with a clear track record of research funding and publications, with the capacity to expand and enhance our School’s research base. The successful candidate will be expected to have a clear strategy for their own research, and be able to demonstrate how this can contribute to the wider ambitions of the Institute, the School, and Heriot-Watt’s Strategy 2025. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who have experience of working in interdisciplinary teams and projects.
The successful candidate will be required to make some contribution to our teaching programmes in their area of expertise. We are committed to expanding our teaching across all our campuses through our Biology Go-Global scheme and via our virtual learning environment. Where possible we use problem-based learning techniques, based on societal or industrial challenges, to teach core science. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who can make a positive contribution to these activities.
Key Duties & Responsibilities
The post holder is required, but not restricted to:
- As director of the Institute of Life and Earth Sciences, provide leadership for the institute to build on a long reputation and emerging areas of excellence to address key themes of the UN Sustainable Development Goals within a global context. Support staff to engage in innovations in research and teaching to deliver on the vision of the university within a global context.
- Establish a portfolio of research and other scholarly activities, independently attract external funding for the purpose, publish original research and scholarship in the international literature, and develop a leading international reputation in research and scholarship. Show a commitment to collaborative research. Lead a research group, including supervision of graduate and postgraduate students. Make presentations or exhibitions at international conferences demonstrating evidence of esteem. Lead collaborative partnerships with other bodies, and lead bids for consultancy additional funds, which may involve complex negotiations. Advise external bodies.
- Provide leadership in the planning, organisation and development of learning and teaching activities on a School or subject basis and lead the development and clarification of academic standards for the subject area. Encourage the development of innovative approaches to course delivery and ensure that teaching delivery achieves the required educational standards. Develop and implement initiatives contributing to and deriving from the University’s wider learning and teaching strategies.
- Chair and participate on internal committees and contribute to University decision making and governance. Independently devise and implement major strategic initiatives leading to substantial and long-term business benefits to the University. Take a lead role in senior external groups, such as editorial boards and committees in learned societies. Lead and develop on internal and external networks to foster collaboration and share information on the subject. Promote the work of the School in the subject area both nationally and internationally.
- Exercise academic leadership for all subject area teaching and scholarly activities, jointly with ILES Senior Director of Studies. Act as line manager for ILES staff recruitment and allocation of resources according to skills and capacity. Appraise and advise ILES staff on personal and career development plans. Expected to be involved in the induction of new team members, coaching and mentoring to enhance performance and sharing own knowledge and experience. Take responsibility for the overall welfare of ILES staff drawing upon advice and support as required.
For an extensive list of Key Duties and Responsibilities, please see HERE.
Education, qualifications and experience
Essential criteria
- PhD in the wider field of Biology, Environmental Science or a related area
- Clear demonstration of leadership in their research area managing and coordinating substantial research teams
- A clear personal research focus, and experience of attracting substantial external research funding, working with an inclusive, and forward-looking research team in relevant area(s) of biology or environmental science, such as: assessment of eukaryotic and prokaryotic responses to biotic and abiotic stressors using molecular tools, biotechnological solutions to mitigate current and emerging threats, use of eDNA approaches;
- Experience and track-record in authoring high-quality publications in international journals and presenting at conferences;
- Experience and track record in the delivery of excellent teaching, in a higher education environment;
- Experience in teaching program leadership, quality assurance, bringing research into teaching, etc.
- Track record in working in close collaboration with other disciplines (both internally and externally to Heriot-Watt);
- Emotional intelligence, with an excellent collegiate attitude and outstanding interpersonal skills;
- Track record of motivating colleagues, and encouraging innovation and resilience in teams;
- Demonstrably excellent interpersonal and communication skills.
Desirable criteria
- Ability to draw on industrial and professional networks to develop and enhance the teaching portfolio;
- Proactively involved with professional bodies and/or other external, relevant networks;
- Experience in, or enthusiasm for, teaching innovation and adopting novel pedagogical approaches, for example in the context of online and blended learning.
About our Team
Institute of Life & Earth Sciences
The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES) undertakes multidisciplinary research in the areas of Environment and Bioscience, as well as Sport Science, based both in Edinburgh (including staff based in the Lyell centre) and at the International Centre for Island Technology (ICIT) in the Orkney Isles. ICIT is internationally recognised for research, training and consultancy in renewable energy, marine science and environmental resources. Our work within ILES focuses on life sciences in its broadest sense from cells to ecosystems, including physical geography and sports science, teaching and researching on how systems work, how they may be changing and how to manage the planet sustainably. Further information can be obtained at – https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/iles.htm
The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society (EGIS) is one of the UK’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity. We aim to attain excellence in the teaching of the core disciplines that contribute to a sustainable, resource and energy efficient society and are committed to undertaking high value, high impact research and knowledge transfer in topics of relevance to global challenges.
The School of EGIS enjoys facilities consistent with its location in modern, purpose-built accommodation across global campuses and is well equipped in respect of laboratories for materials, structures, engineering, building services and hydraulics research and teaching. Our research and teaching facilities in Dubai and Malaysia are contained within purpose-built campuses in Dubai Academic City and Putrajaya, respectively.
Teaching
The School’s undergraduate teaching on our Edinburgh campus covers civil and structural engineering, architectural engineering, construction project management, quantity surveying, geography, urban studies, interior design and the biology suite. On our Dubai campus we teach civil & structural engineering, architectural engineering, architecture, construction management, quantity surveying and interior design. On our Malaysia campus we teach civil engineering, construction project management, quantity surveying and geoenergy engineering. We offer a high-quality educational experience underpinned by practical and laboratory teaching and informed by contact with professional practice. Most of our degree programmes hold the appropriate accreditation from the relevant professional body. This educational philosophy ensures excellent employment prospects for all of our graduates.
Programmes of postgraduate study are aligned to the expertise contained in each of our research institutes. Our postgraduate students therefore benefit from state-of-the-art knowledge in their chosen study area. You can find further information about the School’s postgraduate programmes at https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/postgraduate-programmes.htm
Research
The School is one of the leading research centres in the UK. It has sustained a high reputation for the international standing of its research over two decades. The School of EGIS is a leader in fundamental and applied research and directly aligns with addressing the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Our six research institutes facilitate cross-disciplinary collaborations and the delivery of large consortium projects to provide impact solutions. Environmental science and sustainability are areas for which we have a long history and are integral to the research strategy of the School going forward. Research within the School is organised into six Institutes: https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/research.htm
- Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (ILES)
- The Urban Institute (TUI)
- Institute of Geoenergy Engineering (IGE)
- Institute of Sustainable Built Environment (ISBE)
- Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research (I-SPHERE)
All academic staff based on our campuses contribute to the research activities of one (or more) of our Institutes.
These Institutes support a wide range of research activities of relevance to a sustainable, resource and energy efficient society. Institute staff undertake research funded by research councils, charitable foundations, local and national government. Research outcomes are published in leading international and national journals and key findings are widely disseminated through other media and forms of output. Staff in the School are embedded with HWU Global Research Institutes (e.g., the Lyell Centre Global Research Institute as well as the soon to be formed Net-Zero Global Research Institute).
How to Apply
Applications can be submitted up until midnight on 30th November 2023.
Please must submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV that includes the list of publications (3) Research and teaching statements, showing their strengths in one or more of the research areas above.
For informal discussions about the position or the subject area, please contact Professor Teresa Fernandes (t.fernandes@hw.ac.uk).
About Heriot-Watt University
Heriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.
Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland’s most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.
Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.
Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/ .
We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options.
Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.
