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| Vacancy Ref: : |
033793 |
Closing Date : |
31-Aug-2015 |
| Contact Person : |
Anne Payne |
Contact Number : |
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| Contact Email : |
anne.payne@ed.ac.uk |
| The School of Biological Sciences seeks a lecturer to enhance our research and teaching programmes in bioinformatics. You will be responsible for the design, planning and delivery of a personal research programme reaching standards of international excellence, for supervising research staff and students, and for contributing to a high-quality student experience including leadership of selected taught programmes. Working in a large and multidisciplinary group of biologists, you will have an outstanding opportunity to develop your research and teaching career in a well-supported environment. You will have a PhD in a relevant area of biology or bioinformatics and previous teaching experience.
The School of Biological Sciences is one of the UK’s largest and most highly-rated life sciences departments, providing an innovative environment for research and teaching with a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary research and world-leading strengths across multiple fields. As part of The University of Edinburgh we offer an exciting, vibrant, research-led academic community providing opportunities to work with leading academics whose visions are shaping tomorrow’s world. The School of Biological Sciences aims to ensure equality of opportunity and holds an Athena Swan Silver award. |
| Further Particulars
1. Job Details
Job title: Lecturer in Bioinformatics
School: School of Biological Sciences
Line manager: Head of the relevant Institute
2. Job Purpose
To create knowledge by carrying out research. To impart knowledge by teaching, by facilitating student learning, by publishing research, and by other knowledge transfer activities. To contribute to the academic development of the University.
3. Main Responsibilities
i. Research
Make a substantial and high quality contribution to research in the field of bioinformatics. Obtain research funding, and to supervise research students and research assistants and contribute to the development of research plans and strategies for the School of Biological Sciences. (Approx % of time 50-70%*)
ii. Teaching and learning
Plan, prepare and deliver effective teaching, supervision and assessment of undergraduate and postgraduate students. Supervise Honours and MSc students undertaking research projects. Act as Personal Tutor for undergraduate and postgraduate students. Participate in development of the curriculum and of teaching methods within the School of Biological Sciences. (Approx % of time 30-50%*)
iii. Academic support and professional development
Contribute to projects, working groups, committees, etc., on behalf of the discipline and/or the School. Undertake other activities in support of the School’s objectives, e.g. recruitment of students and staff, academic guidance and pastoral support, course and programme leadership and organisation. Interact with the external community in academia, industry or elsewhere in order to contribute to research, professional and educational developments within the biological sciences. (Approx % of time 5-20%*)
iv. Knowledge exchange and other academic activities
Engage in relevant activity such as consultancy, commercialisation, public engagement and other forms of knowledge transfer, and take on other School management roles as appropriate (Approx % of time variable*)
*Note on time percentages:
The School operates an academic workload management scheme that guides the allocation of teaching, academic support and other responsibilities in order to ensure individual workloads are appropriate and to ensure that adequate time is available for both research and teaching. The normal expectation is that a fully-research active member of academic staff will be allocated teaching and other academic support or management responsibilities not exceeding 50% of their contracted working hours. This allocation includes appropriate preparation time for such work. Staff managing larger research teams will generally be allocated fewer teaching and other duties. Staff with a reduced level of research activity will be allocated teaching and other responsibilities for a higher proportion of time than indicated here.
4. Planning and Organising
Plan appropriate progression and content for own teaching programme and contribute to overall planning of curriculum.
Plan and organise overall delivery of undergraduate or taught postgraduate courses and programmes as Course Organiser or Programme Director.
Plan and organise own research projects and programmes.
Plan for continuous replacement of research funding over a three-five year cycle.
Plan own time to balance requirements for teaching, research and other activities.
5. Problem Solving
Identify and analyse original research concepts and problems.
Resolve problems for individual and class students’ learning.
Prioritise and allocate work to staff in own team.
6. Decision Making
Decide what research areas to pursue within overall framework of School research strategy.
Decide how and what to teach, within overall School curriculum structure.
Decide how to control own project budgets and timescales.
7. Key Contacts/Relationships
Initiate and develop collaborative teaching and research with colleagues within the School and beyond.
Represent the University in discipline-focused teaching and research networks involving peers in the UK and internationally.
Line manage and develop staff on research grants and supervise PhD and project students.
Act as Personal Tutor for undergraduate students and/or taught postgraduate students.
8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job
Qualifications/Training
Essential
• A PhD in an appropriate subject.
• An established or developing research reputation in bioinformatics with an appropriate publication and research funding record.
Experience
Essential
• Experience of planning and implementing an independent research programme.
• Experience of leading, or significantly contributing to, successful collaboration in research.
• Experience of university teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level.
• Previous experience of, or demonstrable interest in, curriculum development, the design and development of courses and innovative teaching methods.
Knowledge, Skills and Competencies
Essential
• A research background in bioinformatics.
• Knowledge of current teaching and learning methods in higher education.
• Excellent written and oral communication skills and interpersonal skills in a range of contexts (e.g. presentations, student support, research collaboration).
• Demonstrated ability to conduct, publish and otherwise disseminate high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals, at a quality and rate of output commensurate with strong REF performance.
• Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to secure significant research funding as a Principal Investigator.
• Demonstrated ability, or clear potential, to lead and develop a research team.
• Demonstrated skill in delivering engaging and effective teaching.
Personal Attributes
Essential
• Self-motivated, able to work both independently and collaboratively, able to initiate and organise activities and projects and to manage and develop self and others
• Able to plan, implement, and articulate to others, coherent and innovative programmes of research and teaching, including the vision and skills to make a sustained contribution over a period of years
• Committed to working in a supportive, collaborative and open environment and to supporting others (students, research staff and colleagues), as well as oneself, to achieve.
9. Dimensions
The postholder will be expected to fulfil all of the normal responsibilities of a member of academic staff i.e. to apply for and hold research grants, supervise research staff and students, publish in high-quality journals, give talks and attend conferences, develop and deliver face-to-face and/or distance teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level through lectures, practical classes, fieldwork, tutorials, e-learning materials etc., prepare and mark assessments, act as Personal Tutor, contribute to School planning and committees, take part in other activities such as recruitment, outreach etc., and to take on academic management roles such as course or programme organiser, postgraduate advisor, etc. The postholder will be expected to act as Programme Director for the School’s established MSc in Bioinformatics.
10. Job Context and any other relevant information
Working in a multi-disciplinary environment, you will develop an independent portfolio of research and teaching in bioinformatics. The School has a strong research presence in related fields to bioinformatics, including quantitative genetics, genomics and systems biology. We also have close links with the physical sciences including Chemistry, Engineering, Physics and Informatics and with Edinburgh’s College of Medicine & Veterinary Medicine. You will contribute to teaching and research initiatives that integrate and innovate on this interdisciplinary front.
You will be qualified in any relevant area of bioinformatics. You will have, or will have demonstrated clear potential to develop, an international research reputation. You will be an enthusiastic and innovative teacher and will be expected to deliver both undergraduate and masters teaching in this area, notably developing and enhancing the School’s MSc programme in Bioinformatics, for which you will take on the role of Programme director. You will also take opportunities to try innovative methods in student-centred learning, and be involved in enhancing eLearning and on-line teaching initiatives across the School’s taught programmes. Courses and programmes are administered by the Biology Teaching Organisation.
You will be a full member of one of the School’s academic Institutes. You will be able to select which Institute you join in discussion with the Head of School and relevant Heads of Institute, based on the best fit of your research and teaching interests. You may also affiliate to one of the School’s interdisciplinary Research Centres: SynthSys (Synthetic & Systems Biology); Centre for Immunity, Infection & Evolution; Centre for Translational & Chemical Biology; Centre for Regenerative Medicine. You will be given appropriate support to develop your skills and career prospects.
Application Procedure
All applicants should apply online by clicking the ‘apply’ link at the bottom of this page. You should submit an up to date CV and a separate personal statement (not more than two pages) outlining your plans for research and teaching development over the next two to three years and how your plans would benefit from appointment to this position at Edinburgh. The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application. The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.
We anticipate interviews will be held in the week commencing 21st or 28th September 2015. Candidates invited for interview will be expected to deliver a research seminar as part of the selection process. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.
The closing date is 5pm GMT on Monday 31st August 2015
Eligibility to Work
In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).
To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.
For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work website
If you are not currently eligible to work in the UK, it may be possible for the University of Edinburgh to sponsor you to obtain a Tier 2 (General) visa to enable you to take up the appointment should you be successful at interview.
For applicants interested in sponsorship information is available on our Working in the UK website
However, if you have previously been sponsored by an employer within the UK but your leave has expired or lapsed and you are no longer in the UK, according to Home Office Visa Immigration rules you cannot apply for sponsorship under any category of Tier 2 for a period of 12 months after the date your visa expired and/or you left the UK.
If you are an academic in the field of sciences; humanities; engineering; medicine; digital technology; or the arts and come from outside the EEA, it may be possible for you to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa.
The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route offers a greater flexibility in your employment compared to other UK immigration routes, meaning you can, for example, move organisation, location and/or job role. By contrast with, a Tier 2 visa where you are ‘tied to a UK sponsor’. Tier 1 provides greater flexibility in undertaking additional engagements, such as collaborations and is intended as a route to settlement. Allowed absences from the UK are up to 180 days per year without losing the eligibility to qualify for settlement, with no restriction on the reason for absence (unlike Tier 2, where any absences from the UK must be for a purpose consistent with the person’s employment or economic activity, including paid annual leave, or for serious or compelling personal reasons).
You would initially need to apply to be endorsed as an internationally recognised leader or emerging leader in your particular field by a designated competent body (Arts Council England, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Tech City UK).
Tier1 (Exceptional and Exceptional Promise) Endorsement Criteria
Once successfully endorsed, you are able to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. More information on this entry route is available at UKVI Website.
Conditions of Employment
Pension Scheme
This role is grade UE08 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.
For further information please visit our Pensions website.
Salary
The role is grade ue08 and attracts an annual salary of £38,511 to £45,954 for 35 hours, each week. Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month. Salaries for part-time staff are calculated on the full-time scales, pro-rata to the Standard Working Week.
The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual. |
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