Assistant Professor – Computing/Digital Engineering

Assistant Professor – Computing/Digital Engineering

NMITE is working towards becoming a new provider of higher education in Hereford. Engineering- and teaching-focused, it will enable its future students to learn by undertaking real-world engineering and technical projects provided by employers and community groups. NMITE hopes to break the mould in existing higher education provision – to be a disruptive game-changer in every facet of its operations and programmes. Supported by government, industry and the profession our first intake will join us as soon as we have completed the validation process. Who, what and how we teach will all be radically different to traditional engineering degrees.   

We recognise that future engineers need technical knowledge, but also that creativity, problem-solving ability, and understanding of humanities, arts, business and many other areas are all required to succeed, as well as the ability to use this knowledge in current and future professional contexts.  For these reasons our planned programmes will be open to those with the creativity, imagination and the determination to solve society’s challenges, not just those with A-level maths and physics.   Our teaching will be in studio-based, problem-led, and deeply connected to industrial and community partners. 

We are now seeking to make academic appointments for an Integrated Engineering Education professor within the area of Computing/Digital Engineering. 

Appointments to the Assistant Professor role will suit capable educators with relevant subject knowledge and ability to take responsibility for the delivery and development of individual modules and similar elements of NMITE’s academic activity. 

Responsible to: Chief Academic Officer

 Job Description

1. Introducing first year (FHEQ Level 4) integrated engineering students with the fundamental principles, generic practices and techniques associated with programming, and to support students in becoming competent with Python and MATLAB.

2. Contribute to an innovative, high-quality curriculum through development, design, implementation, and improvement activities.

3. Propose and negotiate mechanisms by which programming and/or simulation are further integrated in NMITE’s future educational offerings, including numerous open-ended challenges at all levels of their programme. Implicit in this is the ability to help students to become independent learners, having a mental framework by which new languages can be acquired and more sophisticated analyses performed.

4. Actively and enthusiastically use and share knowledge, skills and experiences with students and colleagues. Enhance and encourage a collegiate atmosphere in a formal and informal learning environment.

5.  Supervise or co-supervise research projects with elevated computer science content.

6.  Contribute to the development and delivery of ad-hoc programming support through our Academic Skills Centre. 

7. Assist in developing external relationships and partnerships to enhance the academic programme and the institution as a whole. 

8. Support and contribute to student recruitment. 

9. Maintain continuing professional development and professional standing. 

10. Contribute to the processes of degree validation, accreditation and/or quality assurance. 

11. Support the broader student experience, such as student support, educational spaces and resources, co-curricular activities etc. 

12. Support the development, dissemination, and promotion of the NMITE pedagogy and approach to the broader engineering education community. 

13. Actively follow and promote the vision, ethos, and policies of NMITE, including those around diversity and inclusivity. 

14. Be flexible, adaptable, and willing to take on other tasks as necessary to support the entire development and delivery of NMITE. 

15. Ability to teach a diverse student body with a wide range of perspectives, experience, and cultures.

16. Potential to model and advocate scholarly, evidence-based teaching.

17. Potential to contribute to academic income generation, such as through educational research grants, knowledge transfer funding, or CPD.

18.   Ability to engage actively and productively with other areas of NMITE outside the academic team.

19. Take organisational responsibility and/or leadership roles as assigned from time to time. 

20. Act as mentors and advisors to other staff as appropriate.

21. Present and advocate for NMITE externally. 

As such, you will be comfortable working with students at an introductory level through to advanced (MEng/MSc) learning and have the capability to supervise complex projects and challenges.  Furthermore, NMITE is in the process of developing a campus at Skylon Park, with a Centre for Advanced Timber Technology, a Centre for Automated Manufacture, and a Centre for Future Skills. This post has the potential for future impact in the development of these Centres, and in helping translate industrial needs to educational portfolio. 

PERSON SPECIFICATION 

You will be an experience educator of engineering students, able to support learning in a diverse cohort of students, a significant proportion of whom will not have maths A-level (this will be provided through the programme). As such, your ability to provide numerous contextual examples of how computing approaches underpins both smart technology and smart approaches to logical thinking, structured analysis and simulation. You will have a demonstrable commitment to developing meaningful scenarios within which students can develop their programming ability

Attribute (E – Essential, D – Desirable)                                                 

Passion for education                   

Interest in engineering education and a desire to teach future engineer in a forward-looking, unique, start-up (E)

A desire to engage with, mentor and motivate students (E)

Experience of using and/or developing novel pedagogies (D)       

Educational and Professional Attainment

Demonstrable ability to teach Python and MATLAB, and good working knowledge of other relevant languages

Advanced degree in relevant discipline (E)

Member of professional engineering body.  E.g. MIET, MICE, MIMechE, C.Eng (D)

PhD in a relevant discipline (D)

Knowledge Required

Specialist knowledge in Python and MATLAB (E)

Knowledge of teaching and learning theory and practice, particularly in an HE context (D)

Familiar with simulation software (D)

Experience Required

Demonstrable experience of high-quality teaching (E)

Teaching Experience (E)

Experience in pastoral/academic tutoring (D)

Working in productive and positive teams (E)

Experience of using your expertise outside academia (D)

Interests

Ability to enthusiastically share how your specialist subject impact global or local issues that you care about.

Personal Qualities

Excellent communicator and facilitator (E)

Collegiate (E)

Problem solver (E)

Creative and open to new ideas (E)

Cultural Alignment:  Equality focussed, Inclusive, Respectful, Creative, Honest. Non judgmental. 

Our offer 

We offer competitive salaries for the Assistant Professor position.  We also offer a competitive benefits package, including pension scheme, life assurance, 30 days holidays (plus Bank Holidays & closure days), ongoing training & development.  We also have a clear progression framework in place. Most importantly, NMITE offers a once in a lifetime opportunity to be part of something new.  Working in the historic city of Hereford, you will be instrumental in developing a new way of educating engineers for the 21st Century. We offer you the opportunity to be the change that you want to see. 

Location: Hereford

 To apply, please email a full academic CV and a two-minute video to vacancies@nmite.ac.uk explaining why you want the role and how you feel you meet the essential criteria.  

Informal questions about the roles can be addressed to the Chief Academic Officer, Professor Beverley Gibbs (Beverley.gibbs@nmite.ac.uk)

Whilst all applicants will be judged on merit alone, we particularly welcome applications from groups currently underrepresented in engineering education.   Part time proposals may also be considered.

NMITE is committed to promoting a diverse and inclusive community – a place where we can be ourselves and succeed on merit.

The opening date for applications is Monday 24^th August 2020.  The closing date for completed applications is Monday 28^th September 2020.