Professors

School/Department: Institute for Global Food Security

Reference: 16/104564

Salary: Professorial Salary Scale

An attractive remuneration package, commensurate with the seniority and responsibilities of the role, will be provided.

JOB PURPOSE:

The principal aim of the Professorship is to provide leadership in the development and delivery of an innovative research programme within the Institute. The post-holder will also develop and oversee postgraduate teaching in within the School.

MAJOR DUTIES:

Teaching:

• Oversee the development and review of teaching provision in the subject area for all students at all levels.
• Develop and review approaches to teaching which advance techniques and standards locally, contribute to local policy and serve as a contribution to broader debate.
• Make a leading contribution to debate nationally / internationally about teaching and learning policy, methods and practices.
• Develop and teach courses or learning programmes for students at all levels, having overall responsibility for their design and quality.
• Plan and review own teaching load and approach to teaching, and coach others in doing the same.
• Design and supervise practical work where it is part of the course, and advise students on techniques.
• Set and mark coursework, and supervise and advise students at all levels.
• Act as internal and external examiner for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Coach and support tutorial groups, developing their knowledge and skills.
• Act as a coach and role-model through excellent practice and mentoring colleagues.
• Ensure the sustained publication of high quality pedagogical research results, through leading publications, books and national/international conferences.

Research:

• Plan and lead research/scholarly activities of outstanding quality and national/international repute in a major subject area.
• Oversee staff teams and resource management processes necessary to deliver research plans.
• Lead major funding bids which develop and sustain research support for the specialist area and advance the reputation of the School / Institute / Faculty and the University.
• Lead the process of acquiring, analysing and interpreting research data and information, ensuring appropriate techniques, approaches, models and methods are selected, developed and devised for the purpose.
• Secure the publication of key results in leading journals and/or books which further develop an already sustained individual and team reputation in the subject area.
• Sustain high quality research-related / scholarly contributions through conference papers and presentations.
• Supervise students in BSc, MPH, MSc, PhD programmes as appropriate; and supervise and manage research staff.
• Provide expert advice to colleagues, students, externally e.g. government bodies.

Administration/Contribution to the Community:

• May take responsibility for the appointment, development and management of all staff of all types in the directly managed team.
• Take responsibility for the handling of major processes within the School / Institute e.g. with forward planning, financial management, teaching or research quality and admissions.
• Contribute to the running and strategic direction of the University through designated committee representatives or project activities.
• Sit on national and international bodies; act as an advisor to government and in any other external advisory capacity.
• Manage responses to government consultations and policy, where appropriate, and acting as lead University spokesperson with regard to the subject.
• Design and deliver new community outreach programmes / Initiatives so that University's overall contribution to the educational, economic, cultural and social life is enhanced within Northern Ireland.

Planning and Organising:

• Plan and deliver research, teaching and outreach programmes and ensure that resources are available. Will involve substantial forward planning over a number of years.
• Be involved in strategic planning over a number of years for the School / Institute and contribute to the Institution's strategic planning process.
• Contribute to the management of quality, audit and other external assessments.

Resource Management Responsibilities:

• Provide academic leadership to those working within programme areas, as course leader or equivalent, by for example co-ordinating the work of others to ensure that courses are delivered effectively or organising the work of a team by agreeing objectives and work plans.
• Develop and manage staff and resources, in support of major research, teaching or outreach activities.
• Act as personal mentor to peers and colleagues.
• Contribute to the overall management of the School / Institute, in areas such as budget and business planning.
• Contribute to the School / Institute and / or strategic impact on the University through leading or contributing to broader processes committee and project management activities.

Internal and External Relationships:

• Lead and develop internal networks for example by chairing and participating in Institutional committee/s.
• Lead and develop links with external networks, for example, with external examiners and assessors.
• Develop links with external contacts such as other educational bodies, employers, and professional bodies to foster collaboration.
• Act as spokesperson for the University by responding to government consultations and policy.

ESSENTIAL CRITERIA:

• Honours degree.
• PhD or equivalent in a relevant discipline.
• Sustained record of publications at an international level of excellence in high quality and internationally recognised journals.
• Sustained record of playing a leading role in successful bids for competitive, peer-reviewed national or international grants or other awards with significant external peer reviewed research funding as a Principal Investigator over a sustained period.
• Successful, sustained postgraduate student supervision as primary supervisor normally at PhD level.
• Strong research collaborations outside current institution and experience in leading or making significant contribution to interdisciplinary teams.
• Recognised international expert in subject field as evidenced by for example a sustained record of invited talks at international conferences/ events and UK and/ or international Higher Education Institutions or a track record of invited keynote or plenary lectures at conferences of national and international significance.
• Research profile that complements the research priorities of the School / Institute.
• Experience of teaching students and in the supervision of students at undergraduate and/or postgraduate level.
• Experience of management in the research context and administration pertinent to teaching and research in a university setting.
• Contribution to administrative tasks at a strategic level.
• Experience of mentoring/training/management of colleagues.
• Ability to develop, manage and effectively execute original lines of research.
• Strong leadership skills with the ability to set strategic direction, influence policy and strategy, motivate colleagues and deliver change.
• A clear communicator, written and oral.
• Able to provide effective teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Able to present research and other plans and reports to the wider academic community and non-academic audiences
• Must have a clear commitment to interdisciplinary working.
• Must be a team player who can develop effective internal and external research and where appropriate practice links.
• Must be a dynamic, enthusiastic individual who wishes to avail of an opportunity to build an interdisciplinary research programme of international standing and is able to demonstrate a commitment to the realisation of the School/Institute's strategic research objectives.
• Ability to provide strategic research leadership and act as a role model for young scientists and educators.
• Must be prepared to travel.

DESIRABLE CRITERIA:

• Completion of a PGCHET (or equivalent) or HEA membership.
• Have obtained significant Research Council, Charity or International funding.
• Editor/editorial board membership of scientific or clinical journals.
• Successful entrepreneurial activity.
• Organisation of national and international conferences.
• Evidence of course co-ordination and the development and enhancement of curricula and assessment methods.
• Introduction/deployment of innovative teaching methodologies.
• A clear vision for the development of heath/medical/biomedical education as it relates to field of expertise.
• Contribution to and development of a wider range of community outreach programmes/initiatives.