Position Description

Position Details

School of Mathematics

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £46,485 to £55,295 with potential progression once in post to £62,098

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 2nd March 2025, 23:59 GMT

Please quote job ref: 105155

Academic Development Programme - new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop. 

Background

The School of Mathematics is committed to significantly expand developing its research and education programmes in Geometry and Mathematical Physics. The successful candidate will be expected to conduct high-quality research in related areas and to develop and deliver undergraduate and postgraduate education for the School. In addition, the successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the school through management/leadership, securing grants, and enterprise activities, as appropriate.

The School consists of over 70 research active academic staff, around 20 postdoctoral researchers and around 50 postgraduates, with research groups in Algebra, Analysis, Combinatorics, Probability and Algorithms, Continuum Mechanics and Nonlinear Systems, Data Science and Computational Statistics, Financial Mathematics, Geometry and Mathematical Physics, Mathematical Biology and Healthcare, Mathematics Education, Optimization and Numerical Analysis, Topology and Dynamical Systems.

The minimum qualification is a PhD (or equivalent) in Mathematics or a related area. Candidates are expected to have or to clearly be developing an internationally recognized research record in Geometry and Mathematical Physics, and a solid commitment to teaching, mentoring and service. Full consideration will be given to applicants with research interests in any area of Geometry and Mathematics and applicants with specialisms in algebraic geometry, symplectic geometry, string theory, supersymmetric quantum field theory, generalised symmetries, and related areas are especially invited to apply. 

Please include a CV (with publication list, highlighting 4 significant publications and three references to contact at interview stage) and a research statement in your application.

The Geometry and Mathematical Physics group currently hosts 5 academic staff, 2 postdoctoral researchers, a teaching fellow and 7 postgraduate students. The group currently conducts research across algebraic geometry, integrable systems and high-energy theoretical physics. The successful candidate will expand and complement the group’s current research portfolio.

The School of Mathematics aims to provide a supportive and friendly environment for staff to develop as researchers and lecturers. The School is a supportive and people-focused friendly environment, committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from the widest community and provide equal opportunities in our recruitment processes. 

The School of Mathematics holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia. 

The School also supports the London Mathematical Society Good Practice Scheme, whose aim is to support mathematics departments to embed equal opportunities for women within their working practices, and is a member of the Piscopia which forms a UK-community of women and non-binary students and mathematics researchers. 

Role Summary

You will contribute to a range of research, teaching and administration. In addition you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining generous, mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others can carry out theirs.

Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development (including programme/module review) and delivery of teaching and assessment; 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, (b) supervising and examining PhD students, and (c) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods. 

Research is likely to involve initiating, conducting and disseminating original research. Your research will have measurable outcomes reflect in your growing national (and ideally international) reputation.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (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 Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education 

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
• where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
• devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work. 

Research

Planning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):

• planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;
• project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;
• presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;
• effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;
• providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
• participating in research-related enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;
• applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University, including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.

Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration, including:

• contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
• leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
• managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach.
• actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship 

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications
• Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research
• Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, and advising colleagues 
• Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability

Research

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity

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
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action

Informal enquiries to Professor Chris Good, email: c.good@bham.ac.uk or Dr Alexandra Tzella, email: a.tzella@bham.ac.uk 

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.