Scotland: Reader/Chair in Experimental Physics

Job Purpose

Main Duties and Responsibilities

1. The post holder will help establish and maintain a new research group within the School and will enhance the research profile of the School, inter alia by conducting and developing first class research, producing first author and co-authored papers and upholding an expert reputation in own subject area.

2. The Post holder will sustain this high-quality research activity through a portfolio of individual, joint and/or network research programmes and secure the funding required to underpin the long-term growth of his/her activity through grant applications to Research Councils, the EU and other sources including industry, in a world-class research intensive university.

3. The University wishes to promote and grow a multidisciplinary research portfolio and fully engage with the societal challenges as identified by RCUK, and the appointee should contribute to this agenda.

4. To contribute to national and international Research Councils and similar bodies at a high level, and engage, if and when appropriate, in the dissemination of advanced research through commercialization, technology transfer, outreach etc.

5. To supervise and train postgraduate research students and postdoctoral research staff to ensure their effective development.

6. To plan, organize and deliver a range of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and assessment activities in accordance with the established School programme at all levels within Physics and Astronomy, concentrating on his/her own area of subject specialism.

7. To undertake administrative and other activities within the School as directed by the Head of School.

8. To represent the School in external activities and events as required.

9. To participate in service activities within the School, the College and the University

10. To engage in professional development as appropriate.

For appointment to the Professorship:
11. The post holder will take a significant lead and excel in all of the above.

12. To create and lead the research group and pilot research of highest international quality, whilst maintaining a consistent output of publications and invited talks at a world-class level.

13. Play a leading role in developing and enhancing the Research profile of the school and represent the school at a high level both within and outside the University.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience

Knowledge/Qualifications

Essential:
A1. Good first degree in subject specialism or related discipline and PhD or equivalent research profile in physics.
A2. Comprehensive knowledge of current research within an area of Experimental Physics.
A3. An established and strong international reputation and track record in this area.

For appointment to the Professorship:
A4. A significant track record, with excellent and extensive reputation in the above.
Skills

Essential:
C1. Excellent communication and presentation skills, both oral and written.
C2. Excellent interpersonal skills, including the ability to enthuse students.
C3. Ability to take on a leadership role and motivate students.
C4. Willingness and ability to work both independently and as part of a team.
C5. Research skills, including the capability to generate new ideas and use them to initiate new projects and win grant funding.
C6. People/time/project/budget management skills as appropriate.
C7. Ability to contribute effectively to the development of the field through interaction with colleagues.
C8. Commitment to teaching quality.
C9. Ability to accept collegiate responsibilities and act accordingly.

For appointment to the Professorship:
C10. Proven and extensive leadership and motivational skills in research and teaching and the ability to actively lead relevant teams as appropriate.
C11. Ability to bring strategic direction to decision making.
C12. Experience of performance management of staff.

Experience

E1. More than 8 years’ postdoctoral/lecturer experience together with a strong international reputation for research leadership.
E2. A track record of highly-cited publications in high impact peer-reviewed journals.
E3. Experience in leading research grant applications, collaborations and managing projects.
E4. A strong track record of gaining research funding.
E5. If from within the UK system, it is likely that the appointee will bring with them an existing and funded research programme.
E6. Significant broad teaching experience at undergraduate and postgraduate level or, if coming from a background not requiring this expertise, a willingness to develop teaching skills rapidly.

For appointment to the Professorship:
E7. Extensive research grant and project management experience at a level appropriate to a Professor in a world-class research intensive university.
E8. Evidence of significant leadership and management skills.
E9. A significant, international track record and reputation in:
a. published work
b. ability to secure funding

Job Features

Dimensions

• Lead a high-level collaborative research programme within the experimental physics area involving, where appropriate, other researchers in SUPA and further afield. Be Principal Investigator on research grants and contribute as co-Investigator on others.

• Supervise postdoctoral researchers and research students and mentor academic staff. Disseminate scholarship through regular publication in high impact journals and regular presentations at high profile international conferences. Engage more generally with the public/media as a recognised spokesperson for the field. Undertake undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in accordance with a fair distribution of the School workload. Contribute to the development of School/University strategy in research and teaching through leadership of School/College/University committees.

• Contribute to national and international research developments through membership of appropriate committees and review panels for research council and similar bodies.

• Mentor staff as appropriate

Planning and Organising

• Develop a high-level research programme within experimental physics. This includes initiation, planning and overseeing of grant applications, management of the projects including their international dimensions and production of research publications and reports.

• Manage and provide leadership in strategic planning of research activities at the group, School, national and international levels. Identify key stakeholders and build productive relationships accordingly.

• Contribute to design, development and delivery of taught programmes in the physics and astronomy area.

• Demonstrate sound organisational skills to manage time effectively and prioritise as appropriate research, teaching, service and any other managerial/leadership type duties. Organise research meetings on various scales from small group meetings upwards.

• Organise knowledge exchange and outreach activities as appropriate.

Decision Making
• Play a major role in the decision making process within the School. Decide on both day-to-day and longer term research objectives for supervisees.

• Contribute to, and then accept, broader decisions on research directions of the whole group/School. Contribute to similar national and international decision-making processes. Prioritise work in accordance with agreed Group/School/College objectives. Demonstrate leadership of, and encourage participation in, agreed research activities.

• Supervise new researchers and assist other academic staff on their progress/direction. Take responsibility for organisation of resources, as appropriate. Contribute on behalf of the School to decisions in recruitment, selection, curriculum choice, degree programmes, SQA compliance, etc.

Internal/External Relationships

Internal:
• Head of School, Head of Teaching, Head of Graduate School and Head of Research for exchanging information, learning and teaching strategy, research and KT strategy.
• Academic colleagues with regard to all aspects of the post, including establishing academic collaborations.
• Academic colleagues, technical and administrative staff as an academic leader within the School.
• Research associates and research students to advise and motivate.
• Undergraduate/postgraduate students for teaching and learning support purpose.
• Academic support services for appropriate advice and for exchanging information.
• Student support services, to exchange information, refer/support students.

External:
• Key research players, nationally and internationally, in order to develop subject specialism through appropriate academic channels.
• Grant funding bodies (income generation)
• Journals (publishing)
• Academics in other HEIs to foster research collaboration and share good teaching practice.

The appointment will be subject to the whole powers and conditions of any Act of Parliament, Ordinances, and Law affecting the University. Subject to such Acts, the Professor will hold office until the end of the academic year in which he or she attains the age of 65 years. The appointment is a whole-time appointment, the Professor undertaking to accept paid outside work only with the prior consent of the University Court. This provision does not apply to examinerships and such other appointments as are incidental to the ordinary course of University business.

Salary will be within the professorial range and subject to negotiation.

The successful applicant (if aged under 60) will be eligible to join the Universities’ Superannuation Scheme. Further information regarding this scheme is available from the Superannuation Officer, who is also prepared to advise on questions relating to the transfer of superannuation benefits.

All research and related activities, including grants, donations, clinical trials, contract research, consultancy and commercialisation are required to be managed through the University’s relevant processes (e.g. contractual and financial), in accordance with the University Court’s policies.

Relocation assistance will be provided where appropriate.

Disclosure Scotland

The post for which you are applying is considered to be a child care position in terms of The Protection of Children (Scotland) Act 2003. It requires the successful applicant to undergo a satisfactory Disclosure check through Disclosure Scotland prior to appointment. This check is necessary to ensure that the University of Glasgow fulfils its legal duties under the Act.

If you are successful in your application, the offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory Disclosure Report. The University will make a Disclosure application to Disclosure Scotland which will reveal any past criminal convictions (spent or unspent) or inclusion on the Disqualified From Working with Children List. Any non-conviction information held locally by the police may also be disclosed should this be considered relevant to the position.

Please note it is a criminal offence to apply for a child care position if you are on the Disqualified From Working with Children List.