Job title: Associate Professor in Mechanical Engineering - Full time, Permanent

Job reference: 0000016230

Date posted: 13/07/2022

Application closing date: 10/08/2022

Salary: £51,799 to £60,022 per annum (Grade 7)

Package: Excellent Benefits Package

Contractual hours: 35

Basis: Full Time

Job description

Edinburgh Napier University is the ‘#1 Modern University in Scotland’. An innovative, learner centric university with a modern and fresh outlook, Edinburgh Napier is ambitious, inclusive in its ethos and applied in its approach.

Our phenomenal results from the Research Excellence Framework (2021) are testament to our growing strength and capability as a research institution. These results, alongside our consistently positive National Student Survey results and sustained high levels of graduate employability, demonstrate the increasing impact of Edinburgh Napier's collective work, quality and commitment. 

REF 2021 assessed 68% of our research as either “world-leading” or “internationally excellent”, up 15% since 2014. Additionally, the University’s research power metric rocketed from 250 to 718, making Edinburgh Napier the top ranking Scottish modern university for both research power and research impact. 

The University’s improved power rating will now see our research funding increase as we take significant strides to grow our reputation as a research-focused institution as well as a teaching one.  Through continuous investment in staff and our research environment, we are confident that we are well on our way to establishing ourselves as one of the UK’s world-leading universities in research. 

The Schools of Engineering & the Built Environment has around 100 academics, 1,400 campus-based students, and delivers programmes with professional accreditations from the Institution of Engineering and Technology, The Chartered Institute of Building and other accreditation bodies. We have excellent engineering and construction lab facilities. The School of Engineering & the Built Environment houses leading UK research centres in transport policy and sustainable construction. The school is based in the lively and exciting Merchiston area at the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland's inspiring capital.

The School of Engineering & the Built Environment (SEBE) is delighted to offer an Associate Professor position in Mechanical Engineering. The successful candidate will join the Mechanical Engineering research group and shall be expected to assist in developing our expanding portfolio of programmes and contribute to the growing international standing of our research. We are currently undertaking a review of all of our activities, so now is a great time to join and help shape our school's future. We are looking for someone who can demonstrate enthusiasm for fundamental research, for working with industry in applied research and in the development of teaching to enhance the employability of our graduates. There is plenty of scope for research collaboration within the University and beyond.

The role 

Mechanical Engineering and Design (MED) subject group has a strong research expertise in energy, materials, manufacturing, design, automation and robotics. Our programmes include BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering, BEng Energy and Environmental Engineering, BEng Design and Manufacture (GA), MSc Advanced Materials Engineering, MSc Automation and Control and MSc Renewable Energy. Our programmes are accredited by the relevant professional body, such as the IET, IoM3 and Energy Institute.

In this role you will be expected to deliver excellent research in your area of expertise. Areas of desirable expertise include, but are not limited to: engineering management, manufacturing systems, operations management, polymer processing. As an Associate Professor you will have the opportunity to contribute to the leadership of the subject and research groups, for example by driving parts of the research agenda and contributing to the exploration of new foundational research areas. You will be expected to be a competent academic leader capable of delivering high quality, student-centred teaching and learning that is underpinned by research able to support innovation.

You will be a member of our Mechanical Engineering research group with:

• A research allowance of 30% of your time to expand your research – which can be increased further through external funding.
• Access to our staff development budget for travel to conferences and to establish collaborations.
• Extensive training and development opportunities through our Human Resources (HR) and Research, Innovation and Enterprise Office (RIE).
• Support for grant applications and post-award running of grants from professional services colleagues in the schools and the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Office (RIE).
• Opportunities to lead or join PhD student supervisory teams.
• Opportunities to contribute to the leadership of the research group.

This role will allow you to explore novel and emerging areas in Mechanical Engineering, deliver excellent quality research papers and secure substantial external research funding.

Your previous academic experience will put you in the ideal position to contribute to and build programmes and modules to support the expansion of the school’s teaching portfolio. You will also have the remit to actively contribute to our existing portfolio of engineering degree programmes.

You will also have the opportunity to expand your industry connections through our existing networks and by visiting students on one-year industry placements and on our employer-based Graduate Apprentice programme.

Essential Requirements:

• A doctoral-level qualification or equivalent
• Evidence of strong academic standing in research and teaching & learning.
• A national or international reputation as an emerging leader in the field of research appropriate for the level of associate professor.
• A sustained track record of internationally excellent quality output in the research area of Mechanical Engineering appropriate for the level of associate professor.
• A track record of securing external funding and support for research activity
• A track record of delivery of high quality, student-centred teaching and learning. 
• Sufficient breadth and depth of experience to underpin the ongoing development of research and teaching and learning within the School in Mechanical Engineering.
• Commitment to the sustained and continuous development of the discipline.  
• Evidence of academic leadership appropriate for the level of the associate professor position.

Desirable Requirements: 

• Research experience in engineering management, manufacturing systems, operations management, project management, polymer processing, or automation and control.
• Experience in undergraduate and postgraduate programme leadership.
• Extensive national and international collaboration network in industry and academia.
• HEA membership or a strong willingness to achieve membership within 2 years of appointment.
• Chartered Engineer.

Informal enquiries should be directed to Prof. Islam Shyha (Head of MED). For a detailed list of the requirements, please click here.

Benefits we offer

In return, we offer a great working environment where we support ambition, recognise achievement and offer an attractive benefits package. This includes a minimum of 46 days annual leave (including bank holidays), a generous pension scheme (23%), professional development opportunities, discounted access to onsite sports facilities and a wide range of other staff discounts.

Salary: £51,799 to £60,022 per annum (Grade 7) 

Further information about our benefits can be found here

Application closing date is 10th August 2022@11:59 pm

Interviews will be held from 25th August 2022 

The University is committed to inclusion, demonstrated through our work in respect of our diversity awards and accreditations and hold Disability Confident, Career Positive and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion status. More details can be found here.