Head of Department of Physics, Astronomy & Mathematics

Post Title Head of Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics

SBU/Department: School of Physics, Engineering, & Computer Science

FTE: 1.0FTE

Duration of Contract: Permanent position as an Academic Manager with appointment as Head of Department (Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics) on a four-year renewable basis, subject to performance.

Salary: AM 3 - £76,864 to £82,080 depending on skills and experience (plus Performance Related Variable pay).

Annual Leave: 30 days plus standard public holidays and an additional 4 days including the closure of our office between Christmas and New Year

Location: College Lane Campus, Hatfield.

The School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science is one of six Schools of the University of Hertfordshire and is a Strategic Business Unit of UH. From the inception of the University in 1992, the School has gone from strength to strength and has developed a strong international and national reputation for its creative, industry-engaged teaching and research. Our School is financially sound, and we will be moving in tour our new £90M purpose-built facility, Spectra, for the 2024 academic year. Alongside our facility on college Lane the School have access to our own observatory at Bayfordbury, and this facility provides an excellent capability for our undergraduate teaching, with this combination of facilities we are positioned to continue our success into the future. In recruiting to our Head of Department position we are looking for a person able to further enhance the activities, culture and reputation of the School by taking the Department of Physics, Astronomy, and Mathematics forward, strengthening its research and teaching reputation in the UK and international HE sectors. You will work alongside the Heads of Department of our Engineering, Computer Science, and Technical Services, to support the Dean of School and wider School management team in creating a thriving educational and work environment for our students and staff, For more information about the school please visit here.

It is expected that the successful applicant would take up this post on the 1st July 2024.

Main duties and responsibilities 

The role of the Head of Department of Physics, Astronomy and Mathematics, as an academic manager in the School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, is one of strategic leadership, ensuring the highest standards of teaching, learning, research, enterprise and scholarship in the subjects and disciplines for which the Department is responsible, within a resource environment that offers considerable opportunities to innovate. The post holder will be responsible for strategic leadership in physics, astronomy, and mathematics education, research and enterprise activity in order to meet the requirements for related degree programmes, research and industry engagement, as well as the overall operations of the Department.

Taking responsibility for the strategic management, academic quality assurance and standards of the subject and discipline areas within the Department, in particular:

a)    The effective teaching and assessment of the Department’s subjects in all programmes across the University, and where appropriate overseas

b)    The operational delivery of teaching and assessment quality within the Department

c)     The promotion of research, enterprise and international activity

d)    The development of academic partnerships

e)    To support and promote active Professional Advisory Groups to enhance the student learning experience

f)      The nurturing of an academically lively environment for staff and students.

In the 2023/24 Academic year a major operational focus for the Department will be the move and migration into our new purpose £90M new building facility, a significant activity for the new Head of Department will be to oversee the successful settling in of this activity and to not only ensure business continuity but to capitalise on this move to strengthening our research and teaching reputation in both the UK and internationally.

The Head of Department will make an impactful and positive contribution to the Senior Leadership Team of the School and will achieve this using the University values of Friendly, Ambitious, Collegiate, Enterprising and Student Focused.

Skills and experience required 

You will have proven expertise as a manager and will have demonstrable leadership skills, evidenced through your ability to work successfully with a multi-disciplinary team of staff.

Additionally, you will have proven expertise as an academic with a demonstrable track record of teaching at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level. You will have a motivated approach towards your work and the work of the School.

You will also have excellent communication skills and the ability to form good working relationships on an internal and external basis. You will be committed to the ongoing development of teaching and learning skills, in particular the growing use of technology in relation to blended learning activities and have good self-management and time management skills.

Ideally you will also have an established or emerging research profile in an area of academic study relevant to the Department, and experience of managing people, teams, and budgets.

Qualifications required 

You will have an undergraduate degree in a subject relevant to the disciplines within the Department alongside a doctorate in a relevant subject, or evidence of substantial industrial or academic experience within a relevant subject. You will be knowledgeable and understand national and international drivers and developments in physics, astronomy and mathematics education, and research, as well as future developments in the discipline.

Please view the job description and person specification for a full list of the duties and essential criteria.Please attach a personal statement showing clearly how your skills and experience match the Person Specification.

An appointment to this role may require an Academic Technology Approval Scheme (ATAS) certificate. 

Contact Details/Informal Enquiries: Informal Contact Details: For an informal discussion contact Prof. Martin Hardcastle, Head of Department at [email protected] or Prof. Daniel McCluskey, Dean of School of Physics, Engineering and Computer Science, at [email protected]

Closing Date: 18 February 2024

Interview Date: To be confirmed

Reference Number: 056275

Date advert placed: 17 January 2024

Our vision is to transform lives: UH is committed to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion and building a diverse community. We welcome applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of their protected characteristics, and recognise there are different ways applicants may achieve the criteria in this document. We offer a range of employee benefits including generous annual leave, flexible location opportunities within the UK, discounted Sports Village memberships and free Active Staff sessions, personal and professional development and family-friendly policies. #GoHerts