Assistant Lecturer/ Lecturer/ Senior Lecturer/ Associate Professor in Audio Engineering
School of Computing and Digital Technology
Location:     Birmingham, City Centre Campus
Salary:     £30,831 to £59,880 per annum (Dependent on grade)
Closing Date:     Wednesday 5th May 
Interview Date:     To be confirmed
Reference:     032021-100

Located in a modern £300m campus in the heart of Birmingham City Centre, the Department of Digital Media Technology is a thriving, vibrant, and  inspiring learning community committed to high quality teaching with meaningful learning opportunities, excellence in research and impactful industrial engagement. 

We invite applications to join our integrated teaching and research teams for the BSc Sound Engineering and Production and BSc Music Technology courses in the School of Computing and Digital Technology. For this role we are particularly seeking applicants who bring a wide range of skills and experience in the Audio Engineering domains.

As one of the four departments within the school, academics working in the Department for Digital Media Technology (DMT) embrace a collaborative and cross-disciplinary culture. Our ethos of interacting freely across the school and the wider university, including the Royal Birmingham Conservatoire is embedded in our course design and allows students to gain insight and inspiration from across the University. 

The reputation of our sound courses is reflected in long-established relationships with prestigious audio product manufacturers and acoustic consultants. Such partnerships inform the development of our courses and sustain both placement opportunities and the employment of our graduates.

The audio team at Birmingham City University is composed of members from mixed disciplines: acoustics, digital signal processing, computer programming, sound engineering, electronics, embedded systems, machine learning and audio applications. We have a thriving staff-student community which promotes ongoing engagement with a wide range of industry partners. Our approach to enhancing graduate employability is illustrated in initiatives such as Special Interest Groups which involve student-led, extra-curricular activities borne out of industry engagement.

Research borne out of the Digital Media Technology Lab (DMT Lab) is focused on the development of methods for creating, processing, analysing, evaluating and distributing digital media. As a key component of the DMT Lab, the Sound and Music Analysis (SoMA) Group exists at the intersection of audio analysis, electronic engineering, computer and data science and computational musicology. The team has an internationally-recognised track record of outputs borne of cutting-edge audio signal processing, music information retrieval and machine learning techniques.

We are focused on maximising the potential of each of our students through actively promoting professional networks and informal mentorship with individuals work across the full-range of course-related professions.

To support this exciting strategic initiative, the Department of Digital Media Technology has the following openings in their team;

Assistant Lecturer - £30,831 to £33,512
Lecturer - £37,505 to £40,766
Senior Lecturer - £46,376 to £50,408
Associate Professor - £55,091 to £59,880

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – For All Grades

• Providing an excellent student experience. 
• Acting in accord with the University’s strategy, policy and procedures. 
• Innovate on best practice for learning, teaching, support and assessment methods.
• Supervise student computing projects at undergraduate level.
• Lead in the design and development of high quality, up-to-date computing modules.
• Setting and marking of assessments and providing constructive feedback and feedforward. 
• Reflective practice as a method for improving your performance.
• Participate in and orchestrate outreach activities to aid in recruitment. 
• Build contacts internal and external to conduct knowledge transfer activities. 
• Embody the University’s strategy and values, demonstrating behaviours that align to those values.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED

Essential - for Assistant Lecturer

• Be studying for, or willing to study for, a PhD in Audio Engineering, Acoustics, Music Informatics, Applied Digital Signal Processing or Machine Learning for Audio, or a related applied technical computing subject, or have equivalent industry experience..
• A proven record of partnering across your area of practice.
• Applicants should have demonstrated excellent teaching in higher education or have presented regularly to technical audiences in an industry setting.
• Excellent team working and communication skills. 
• Expertise in the field of Audio Engineering. You will bring a proven experience in the field of Audio Engineering covering such areas as:
• Acoustics, psychoacoustics, audio signal analysis, live sound reinforcement, machine listening, recording and production for music and media, interactive music systems, procedural audio, applied artificial intelligence/machine learning/deep learning for audio, and computational musicology.

Desirable - for Assistant Lecturer

• Good mathematical background. 
• Field-leading knowledge of industry practices. 
• Hold associate fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES – For Lecturer and Above

• Innovate on leading edge practice for learning, teaching, support and assessment methods.
• Supervise student computing projects at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Lead in the design and development of high quality, up-to-date computing modules.
• Setting and marking of assessments and providing constructive feedback and feedforward. 
• Reflective practice as a method for improving your performance.
• Participate in and orchestrate outreach activities to aid in recruitment. 
• Conduct high quality research leading to publications in reputable journals and international conference proceedings.
• Embody the University’s strategy and values, demonstrating behaviors that align to those values.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE REQUIRED – For Lecturer and Above

Essential

• Hold a PhD in Audio Engineering, Acoustics, Music Informatics, Applied Digital Signal Processing or Machine Learning for Audio, or a related applied technical computing subject, or have equivalent industry experience.
• Have a strong record of contributing to research teams.
• A proven record of partnering across your area of practice. 
• Internationally recognised excellence in creating and writing research publications.
• Applicants should have demonstrated excellent teaching in higher education or have presented regularly to technical audiences in an industry setting.
• Excellent team working and communication skills. 
• Strong mathematical and scientific background. 
• Expertise in the field of Audio Engineering. You will bring a proven research or industrial portfolio of experience in the field of Audio Engineering covering such areas as:
• Acoustics, psychoacoustics, audio signal analysis, live sound reinforcement, machine listening, recording and production for music and media, interactive music systems, procedural audio, applied artificial intelligence/machine learning/deep learning for audio, and computational musicology.

Desirable (for Lecturer)

• Field-leading knowledge of industry practices. 
• Strong programming skills in a good selection of languages appropriate to the discipline, such as C, C++, JS and Python.
• To be a member of, or to have submitted for fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.

In addition to all the above for Senior Lecturer and Above; 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Disseminate on best practice for learning, teaching, support and assessment methods.
• Secure industry-mentored projects for the student body.
• Contribute to the design and development of high quality, up-to-date computing courses.
• Take a participatory role in management, administration and development of the course provision within the school.
• Reflective practice as a method for improving collegiate performance.
• Develop bids and partnerships to secure research funding.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE

Essential

• Have strong experience in conducting successful research supervision.
• A proven record of attracting and securing research funding and partnering across your area of practice. 
• Track record of impact via networking and community management.
• Have the ability to communicate complex ideas and issues to a variety of stakeholders, both written and verbal.

Desirable (For Senior Lecturer)

• Demonstrable ability to analyse complex information, think strategically and identify business opportunities for faculty improvement within your subject discipline.
• Experience of contribution to relationships between the University and discipline appropriate accrediting and professional bodies.
• Knowledge of Quality Assurance processes in University award management.

In addition to all of the above, for Associate Professor 

MAIN DUTIES AND RESPONSIBILITIES

• Coordinate highly effective teams, facilitating continuing professional development and efficiently manage staffing and fiscal resources.
• Manage a portfolio of industry-mentored projects for the student body.
• Lead in the design and development of high quality, up-to-date computing courses.
• Take a leading role in management, administration and development of the teaching and research provision within the school.
• Conduct mid- and end-of-year reviews to ensure the team’s goals are appropriately prioritised and completed. 
• Lead on and orchestrate bid consortiums to secure research funding.

SKILLS AND EXPERIENCE 

Essential

• Have a world leading research track record.
• Have an evidentiary basis for positive influence on key University performance metrics including retention, progression, achievement, employability, student satisfaction and the research and teaching excellence frameworks.
• The ability to act as a representative of your discipline for the University in a variety of contexts, internally and externally, nationally and internationally. 
• Be autonomous, work flexibly and effectively use initiative to be innovative where appropriate. 
• A proven record of delivering upon impactful projects.
• Strong leadership qualities and skills commensurate to a management position, evidencing ability to nurture, develop and motivate teams and individuals to inspire a highly performant environment. 

Desirable

Demonstrable ability to successfully manage projects or embed new developments and initiatives into faculty agendas.

• To be a member of – or have submitted for at least Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy

The specific requirements for each role are detailed in the relevant job descriptions so applicants are advised to review these carefully before making an application.

We also welcome applicants seeking a fractional contract arrangement. If you wish to discuss this option more or to informally discuss the position please contact Dr Ian Williams  - ian.williams@bcu.ac.uk

The University Core Values are Excellence, People Focused, Partnership Working and Fairness and Integrity. These values underpin our working practices and student and staff community so applicants need to demonstrate these values during the application process. 

Benefits

In return for your dedication and hard work, can expect great ongoing personal and professional development plus the following main benefits;

• Generous annual leave entitlement – 40 days including bank holidays and Christmas/New Year closure
• Sickness/absence entitlement
• Teachers’ Pension scheme
• Library facilities on all campuses
• Life Assurance
• Personal Accident
• Travel card scheme
• Car parking
• Cycle to work scheme
• Car share scheme
• Catering facilities

With around 24,000 students from 80 countries, Birmingham City University is a large and diverse place to study. We put students at the heart of everything we do, giving them the best opportunities for future success. The University has an enviable reputation for providing quality, student-focused education in a professional and friendly environment. Our superb courses, state-of-the-art facilities, first-rate staff, and focus on practical skills and professional relevance is producing some of the country’s most employable graduates.

We put £270 million into the regional economy and support thousands of jobs in the area. We're investing £260 million in our estate, including a major expansion of our city centre campus at Eastside, providing students with an enviable range of facilities. The Complete University Guide ranked us as a top 30 UK university for spending on facilities in 2015.

Selection and Interview Process

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to participate in a an Assessment Centre process, incorporating a detailed interview, teaching activity and a team-based activity. 

If you want to be a part of this amazing opportunity, are passionate about education and want to join our richly diverse community, please apply today as we could be part of your future. Complete the online application and upload a copy of your CV.  Candidates are advised to remove personal information, including name, to ensure a fair and transparent recruitment process.

Core Values

The University is committed to internationalism and diversity and welcomes applications from all countries, faiths and backgrounds.

It is each individual successful applicants responsibility to ensure that they have permission to work in the UK. Some applicants may require sponsorship from the University and a visa from UKVI to take up the role if successful. More information on this can be found here: https://www.gov.uk/check-uk-visa

Some roles are not capable of sponsorship because they do not meet the UKVI criteria relating to skill and salary level. If you are unsure as to whether you would require sponsorship if successful, or whether the role is capable of sponsorship, please contact us: RTinbox@bcu.ac.uk

Please note on occasions where we receive a large number of applications, we may close the advert ahead of the publicised closing date. If this does happen, we will contact all candidates via email who have started but not yet completed their application, giving 48 hours’ notice.  We would therefore advise that you submit your completed application as soon as possible.

At Birmingham City University we are proud to be an equal opportunities employer.  All staff are expected to understand and enact the University’s commitment to ensuring equality, diversity and inclusion in our employment practice and in all that we do . This commitment is enshrined in our Core Values and is detailed in our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in Employment Policy. The University values and celebrates the diversity of our staff and students; we welcome people from the many  different backgrounds and life experiences that reflect the students and the citizens we serve.  We are committed to equality of opportunity for all staff and actively encourage unique contributions, in particular from under-represented groups in respect of age, disability, sex, gender or gender identity, ethnicity, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation or transgender status

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