Job Summary

The School of Computing, listed as the top modern in Scotland for Computer Science (GUG 2022), is a lively, friendly community with research, innovation and teaching strengths across the spectrum of computing science. The school is seeking Lecturers in 2 main disciplines – Cyber Security and HCI/Games to enhance these strengths.

We will consider applications on a full time, part time or ad hoc basis and although you will be teaching on campus 2-3 days per week, you will also have the option of working from home for up to 50% of your working week. In addition, you will benefit from a generous pension scheme, 46 days annual leave (including statutory days) an onsite nursery and sports centre, as well as a range of voluntary health and travel benefits.

You should hold a PhD in a closely related field or be nearing completion, in which case we can be flexible around your contracted hours initially to allow time for this. You’ll have demonstrable knowledge and practical ability of techniques and practise in one or more of the following fields – cyber security, network security or UX/UI, User Centred Design, HCI, computer graphics and games development. An excellent communicator with some higher education teaching experience, you will have a strong commitment to delivering high quality, novel and relevant content to a diverse range of students.

We are internationally recognised for our research in Computational Intelligence, Case-Based Reasoning and Machine Learning with growing expertise in Cyber Security, Digital and Immersive technologies and educational practices in computing. We have a thriving research environment supported by national and international funding to bring together early-stage and career researchers across all areas to carry out leading-edge applied computer science research with high industrial and societal impact. Our research directly inspires our teaching, and you will be expected to undertake high quality research, secure funding, disseminate results through the highest quality publications, develop industry/academic collaborations and engage with our courses and students at all levels.

RGU's ultra-modern campus, located on the outskirts of the vibrant and prosperous city of Aberdeen, offers a superb place to live, work and develop your career. This one of the most impressive university campuses you'll find anywhere in the world, with first-class educational infrastructure and outstanding sporting and leisure facilities set against a stunning rural backdrop on the banks of the river Dee.  A relocation package is available to assist with your transition to the area.

We understand that this could be a major decision for you, particularly if you are in the final stages of your PhD. If you would like an informal conversation before you apply, please contact: John Isaacs, Dean of School at j.p.isaacs@rgu.ac.uk

Interviews will be held on Wednesday 1^st February 2023 but if shortlisted, it is likely you will be asked to deliver a presentation prior to this date, as this is the first stage of our selection process.

We would particularly welcome applications from women as they are under­represented in this area of our team.

This post is subject to a Disclosure Scotland check.  For more information visit: https://www.mygov.scot/basic-disclosure/

Grade 7 Salary Scale: £35,326 – 40,927
Grade 8 Salary Scale: £42,149 – 50,296
Salary on appointment will be dependent upon experience.

Candidates with limited or no prior experience as an academic will be placed on the first point of the Grade 7 scale. Consideration will be given to offering an Academic Attraction Payment (adjusted annually) for those candidates who have specific industry knowledge, skills or, expertise which are required for the position. Please see the job attachments for further information regarding the Grade 7 and Grade 8 criteria.  Further guidance on Academic Attraction Payments can be found here.

JOB DESCRIPTION

RESPONSIBLE TO: Dean of School

RESPONSIBLE FOR: No supervisory responsibilities

PURPOSE OF POST: Delivery of taught provision and contribution to applicable research.

PRINCIPAL DUTIES:

Contribute to the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching as directed by the Dean of School.

In particular:

• Develop and deliver high-quality educational content
• Devise and deliver assessments and examinations as required
• Participate in subject and course development.
• Participate in curriculum development and, in particular, contribute to the introduction of new methods of teaching and learning.
• Provides tutorial and personal guidance for students.
• Supervises undergraduate and postgraduate projects.

Undertake research activity contributing to one or more of the identified research areas.

In particular:

• Apply for and obtain external research funding
• Publish high-quality research outputs that contribute to the research impact of the School
• Actively pursues and/or encourages research activities (eg developing own research, supervising research students, presenting at conferences and seminars etc).
• Contribute to the School research strategy and research groups

Contribute to recruitment, promotion and outreach delivery as directed by the Dean of School.

In particular:

• Outreach workshop development and delivery of STEM events and promotion
• Contribute to university open days.
• Establishes and maintains relevant professional and industrial links, as necessary.

Undertake administrative duties as directed by the Dean of School

Person Specification

ESSENTIAL REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships:

PhD in Computer Science or closely related field

Knowledge

A demonstrable knowledge and practical ability of techniques and practices in one or more of the following fields, computer science, software development, games, computer graphics, or HCI

A proven interest in research in one of the following: computer graphics, VR, mixed reality, or HCI.

Experience

Funding or publication success appropriate to early career staff (Grade 7) or established researcher (Grade 8)

Teaching experience at higher education level in Computing Science or closely related field with evidence of successful student learning outcomes.

DESIRABLE REQUIREMENTS

Qualifications and Professional Memberships

Recognised teaching qualification

Knowledge

Knowledge of professional body requirements, codes of conduct and industry practices.

Knowledge of higher education practices and procedures.

Knowledge and demonstratable use of novel and engaging teaching methods and practices.

Experience

Experience of course or module development at HE level.

Experience of quality assurance processes including moderation and peer review.

Experience of developing outreach and recruitment activities. Particularly addressing gender imbalance in the field.

Evidence sustainable research activity.

Experience and demonstratable funding in industrial focused research or other research engagement

Behaviours

Behaviour 1: Communication - Ability to receive, understand and convey information requiring careful explanation and information of a complex or conceptual nature, in a clear and accurate manner

Behaviour 2: Teaching and Learning Support - Experience of providing standard information or delivering teaching or training, designing content or learning materials within existing frameworks and developing innovative approaches to learning experience and the curriculum

Behaviour 3: Service Delivery - Experience of exploring and adapting a service to meet customers’ expectations and also identifying ways of improving standards 

Behaviour 4: Liaison and Networking - Experience of circulating information in an accurate and timely manner, working across team boundaries to build and strengthen working relationships, leading and developing internal networks to pursue a shared interest and leading and building external networks to enhance the work of the organisation

Behaviour 5: Decision Making - Experience of using own judgement to make decisions, making collaborative decisions with others to reach conclusions and providing advice or information that will influence the decisions of others

Behaviour 6: Analysis and Research - Experience of identifying or designing data gathering and analytical methods appropriate for each investigation, and producing reports that identify key issues and findings