Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Reader – Biogeomorphic Systems

Job Purpose

To carry out research and scholarship in the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences in the field of Biogeomorphic Systems. This position is one of three positions associated with a cluster hire in Stressed Environments and Communities (LINK to Cluster description ). Fields of research could include (but are not limited to) biogeomorphology, ecohydrology, rhizosphere processes, soil science, vegetation-atmosphere-hydrosphere interactions, or nutrient and element cycling. Techniques used can include: geomorphic, geochemical, molecular, physiological, geophysical, field, or analog/numerical modeling experiments. We are particularly interested in candidates who can bridge disciplines within the school and investigate processes active on both human and geologic timescales.  We seek individuals who can deliver an excellent student experience through teaching and assessment as well as contribute to school management and administration. Teaching contributions will be in the broad areas of an undergraduate course(s) in physical geography, geosciences, field trips and in the candidate’s area of research expertise at the post-graduate level. At Grades 8 or 9, demonstrated leadership, prior external funding, and contributions to academic and strategic management are required.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Perform the following range of activities:

1.    Develop, lead and sustain a coherent research programme in Biogeomorphic systems appropriate to the School of Geographical and Earth Science (GES), and the College of Science and Engineering (CoSE) research strategy.

2.    Enhance a robust research profile, reputation, and esteem through:

-         Establishing and sustaining a track record of independent and joint publications of international quality in high-quality refereed journals and beyond;

-         Generating public engagement and research impact in terms of societal benefit;

-         Presentation at international and national conferences and at internal/external seminars, colloquia and workshops;

-         Identification of potential funding sources and the development of proposals to secure funding from external bodies to support future research;

-         Developing and maintaining collaborations with colleagues across the School/College/University and external Academic and Community Partners;

-         Contribution to team/group meetings/seminars/workshops and activities to enhance the wider knowledge, outputs and culture of the School/College.

-         Supervision of postgraduate taught and postgraduate research (i.e., MSc, PhD) students.

3.    Contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of substantial and high-quality teaching, supervision and assessment activities across under/postgraduate programmes within the school of Geographical and Earth Sciences and via field classes.

4.    Contribute to the ongoing development and design of under/postgraduate curricula, to ensure a research-led approach to student learning and assessment in the discipline and/or profession.

5.    Manage a variety of academic administrative activities, including timely delivery of effective and constructive feedback on assessment, and provision of pastoral support.

6.    Contribute to the management and organisational duties of the school, as assigned by the Head of School (Todd Ehlers).

7.    Engage in personal, professional and career development.

8.    Contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan Inspiring People – World Changers Together.

Knowledge, Qualifications, Skills and Experience 

Knowledge/Qualifications 

Essential:

For an appointment at Grade 7/8:

A1 A PhD or equivalent prior to appointment and in a related discipline with a growing reputation for scholarship within the geosciences (broadly defined).

A2 Comprehensive and relevant research experience within Biogeomorphic Systems and (broadly) complementary to the cluster hire in Stressed Environments and Communities. Research fields could include biogeomorphology, ecohydrology, rhizosphere processes, soil science, vegetation-atmosphere-hydrosphere interactions, or nutrient and element cycling.

A3 A developing national/international reputation, evidenced by esteem indicators, in the field of surface processes that matches or enhances existing activities within the school of Geographical and Earth Sciences.

For an appointment at Grade 8:

A4 Demonstrated leadership, external funding, and contributions to academic and strategic management.

For an appointment at grade 9:

A5 An extensive and established reputation in research, external fundraising, and teaching within biogeomorphology to develop new knowledge and understanding within the field.

Desirable:

B1 Prior international research and scholarship experience as a PhD student and/or at the postdoctoral (or equivalent) level.

B2 Evidence of scholarship investigating interactions over human and geologic timescales.

Skills 

Essential:

For an appointment at Grade 7:

C1 Ability, drive, and influence to develop an international research profile and research impact.

C2 Research creativity and strong interdisciplinary collaborative ability relevant to existing disciplines within the School of Geographical and Earth Sciences.

C3 Excellent communication skills, with the ability to communicate complex data/concepts clearly and concisely.

C4 Excellent interpersonal skills and a collegiate approach.

C5 Appropriate workload/time/project/budget/people management skills.

C6 Extensive data analysis/interpretation skills.

C7 Good teamwork and team leadership skills, including demonstrable supervisory skills.

C8 A strong commitment to high quality, research-led, student-orientated teaching and proven ability to engage students to inspire learning and to provide pastoral care to students.

C9 Supervise individual student projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels to ensure their effective development and assist with difficulties, e.g., learning support/problems.

For an appointment at Grade 8/9:

C10 Excellent leadership skills, able to develop early career academic colleagues.

C11 Excellent influencing and collaboration skills to facilitate shaping the research agenda of the academic community and funders.

C12 Exceptional commitment to high-quality teaching, enthusing students, and inspiring learning.

C13 Demonstrated leadership, external funding, and contributions to academic and strategic management.

Desirable:

D1 Potential to foster collaboration in Human and Physical Geography and Environmental Geosciences research and with other subject areas across the school and university.

Experience 

Essential:

For an appointment at Grade 7:

E1 Sufficient depth of relevant research experience appropriate to an early career researcher, including evidence of publications in peer-reviewed journals.

E2 Evidence of an emerging track record of presentations and publications.

E3 Experience in undertaking independent research and contributing to successful external funding applications.

E4 Excellent track record of development and delivery of teaching, tutoring, or demonstrating at undergraduate or postgraduate level.

E5 Demonstrable understanding and/or effort evidenced in the development of public engagement and research impact activities or portfolios.

For an appointment at Grade 8:

E6 Demonstrate enhanced leadership, academic responsibility, and strategic management, particularly through internationally leading research, outputs, and funding and evidenced research impact.

E7 Strong track record of undertaking research, publishing in high-impact journals at national and international levels, and attracting external research funding through external grants.

E8 Excellent track record of contribution to academic and administration activities in a research-led institution.

For an appointment at Grade 9:

E9 In addition, demonstrate a distinctive contribution to the academic community through a leading role nationally and internationally, e.g., shaping research agendas, advising review panels and funders, and research impact case studies.

E10 Evidence the above criteria to a higher degree, particularly in the generation of research, outputs, funding, supervision, and knowledge exchange/impact.

E11 Excel significantly in the generation of research, outputs, funding, supervision, and knowledge exchange/impact.

Application requirements

Required application materials include completion of application via the University of Glasgow, a CV (including a list of publications and prior/current funding, names, and contact information for three references), 1-page future research/scholarship plans and 1-page teaching statements, as well as a cover letter commenting on their fit with the breadth of disciplines in the school and university research centres (see below). The cover letter should also include a point-by-point and clearly labelled descriptions/responses of the applicants fit with each of the Knowledge/Qualifications, Skills, and Experience criteria. The shortlisting of applicants is expected to occur in March 2024, with interviews occurring in April 2024.

Job Location and Information

The School of Geographical and Earth Sciences (GES) is one of six schools in the College of Science and Engineering. GES has ~35 FTE academic staff and 16 FTE professional staff. It delivers three undergraduate programmes with ~600 student FTEs (Environmental Geoscience, Geology, Geography) and eleven taught postgraduate programmes with ~100 FTEs. Research is organised into two groups, Earth Systems Science (ESSRG) and Human Geography (HGRG), and a graduate school with ~55 FTE MSc and PhD students. The school benefits from close linkages with university research centres such as the Centre for Sustainable Solutions, Centre for Data Science and AI, the Centre for the Isotope Sciences (SUERC), the Glasgow Computational Engineering Centre, Glasgow Refugee, Asylum and Migration NETwork (GRAMNET), and the Glasgow Center for International Development (GCID).

The city of Glasgow and the University provide a stimulating international setting with a diverse population and student body. Glasgow is a vibrant city and offers a large range of cultural, music, and culinary opportunities as well as numerous parks and museums.  Glasgow is located at the southern end of the Scottish Highlands and is close to the coast. It provides access to exceptional year-round outdoor activities as well as an international airport.

Terms and Conditions

Salary will be Grade 7/8/9, £39,347 -  £44,263  /  £48,350 -  £56,021  /£57,696 - £64,914 per annum.

This post is full time and open ended.

As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.

3 A flexible approach to working.

We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community

https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/

.

Vacancy reference number: 139211

Closing date: 17 March 2024