Lecturer in Computer Science (Flying Faculty) - School of Computer Science

Position Details

School of Computer Science, College of Engineering and Physical Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £41,526 to £49,553, with potential progression once in post to £55,750 a year.

Grade 8

Full Time/ Permanent

Closing date 22 April 2021

Summary of Role

The School of Computer Science at the University of Birmingham seeks to recruit outstanding computer scientists for the role of a Flying Faculty Lecturer in Computer Science (Teaching focused) to be based at the University of Birmingham, UK but providing teaching at both our Edgbaston and Dubai campuses.

The School's areas of strengths are in artificial intelligence, cyber-security, human-centred computing, computational life sciences and theory. Applicants should be capable of teaching a broad base of core computer science but may have a particular focus in terms of computer science scholarship.

We provide an inclusive environment and are committed to a recruitment process free from discrimination. We believe that supporting a variety of career trajectories is vital for world class computer science to flourish.

Post holders will be based on our Edgbaston Campus and will be expected to contribute teaching to both Edgbaston and Dubai-based students. Dubai teaching will be via both remote teaching and occasional travel to Dubai to deliver block teaching for which allowances (including accommodation, air ticket and full travel insurance) will be paid and relevant visas will be arranged. Travel to Dubai will be no more than four visits per academic year for a period of no more than four weeks at a time, most likely less and will be contingent on government advice on international travel and safety concerns due to Covid19. An ideal candidate should be flexible to travel to Dubai whilst being based in Birmingham as part of the role requirements. During this time you will be under Birmingham employment terms and conditions.

The postholder will create and disseminate knowledge through developing and delivering undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in computer science. They will also contribute to the School's operation through management, leadership and enterprise activities, and other School events.

University of Birmingham Dubai

The development and opening of our Dubai Campus in the Autumn of 2018 marked us out as the first global top 100 and Russell Group University to establish a campus in Dubai. Initially we are offering a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including Economics, Teacher Education, Computer Science, Mechanical Engineering and Business. Our ambition over the next ten years is to grow the University of Birmingham Dubai to around 4,500 students studying on a full range of programmes; and to establish an active programme of research.

Scope of Role

Contributing to the whole range of teaching and administration.

Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development (including programme/module review) and delivery of teaching and assessment at all levels; and (b) enhancement of the student experience or employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, and (b) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.

Teaching focussed role-holders should advance the practice of teaching in their modules within the school, take a role in leading curriculum development, and play an important role in student academic support. They should also deliver excellent teaching that inspires students, and is informed by discipline-based research.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at School level, such as Teaching Committee, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership (e.g. working groups) within the University. This may include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement widening participation, schools outreach, or similar activities at School level or further within the University.

Main Duties/Responsibilities

Teaching focused Lecturer role-holders will:

• Contribute to leading curriculum development and/or renewal
• Develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are innovative to the subject area or institution
• Advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment
• Deliver (where appropriate to the discipline) specific professional programmes
• Advance the practice of teaching in computer science within the school, and play an important role in student academic support
• Inform their teaching practice by discipline-based research and scholarship
• Frequently update their own subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes
• Typically carry a higher teaching load than those staff who carry out both teaching and research
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of manifest benefit to the College and the University

In addition, they may play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students; and co-supervise, with a research focused or research and teaching focused member of staff, doctoral students to completion.

Learning and Teaching

• To use a variety of methods teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students. Where appropriate to the discipline this may include:
• Teach and examine courses at a range of levels in core computer science subjects including, for example, databases, programming and software engineering
• Deliver excellent teaching that inspires students, and is informed by discipline-based research
• Supervise undergraduate and MSc projects, student dissertations and practical work
• Contribute to the School's tutorial scheme
• Plan and review own teaching approaches and act as a mentor to encourage others to do the same
• Develop programme proposals and make substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely in the School, as appropriate
• Where appropriate, undertake and develop the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining (including summative assessment, assessed work contributing to the final award - as a mark or as credit - such as unseen examinations, essays dissertations or presentations)
• Use appropriate approaches to learning and teaching in their field
• Disseminate appropriate practices through suitable media
• Develop and advise others on learning and teaching tasks and methods
• Devise & supervise projects, student dissertations and practical work
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and is of manifest benefit to the College and the University

Management/Administration

To contribute to Departmental /School administration or have a high level of responsibility for others. This may include:

• Contribute to the administration/management of teaching across the School
• Contribute to the running of the School by contributing to the Teaching Committee, and taking on an administrative role, such as undergraduate or postgraduate admissions
• Assist in Applicant Visitor Days, Open Days and other School events
• Lead and manage a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive)
• Advise on personal development of colleagues and students
• Make a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups)
• Manage enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities that are of manifest benefit to the College and University
• Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher Degree (usually PhD) relevant to computer science, mathematics or a closely related discipline or equivalent qualifications
• Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning
• Skills in managing, motivating & mentoring others successfully at all levels
• Familiarity with major programming languages

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes in core computer science subjects including, for example, databases, programming and software engineering
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes

Informal enquiries can be made to Mark Lee, email: M.G.Lee@bham.ac.uk