Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Astrophysics (ID:5504)

Salary Per Annum:

Lecturer (Grade F/G) - £35,845.00 -  £49,553

Senior Lecturer (Grade H) - £51,034  - £59,135

Application Closing Date: 19 May 2021

The Role

As part of a strategy to rapidly expand our Physics programme, the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics (MPS) is looking to appoint an Astrophysicist. 

You should be an enthusiastic academic with expertise in any area of observational or theoretical astrophysics. You will be expected to establish your own area of expertise, but may find synergies with our existing areas of strength (galactic magnetism, stellar and planetary (magneto-) hydrodynamics, neutron stars, cosmology and relativity). Similarly, there will be opportunity to leverage our strengths in statistics. 

Newcastle University expects to grow its Physics academic staff by employing ~30 Physicists over the next 5-7 years and you will have the opportunity to help shape the research and teaching associated with this expansion.

We are committed to using this opportunity to build a Physics environment with Equality and Diversity at its core. As such, in addition to a strong research track record, you will have a genuine interest and commitment to developing the role of under-represented groups in Physics, and an interest in establishing innovative, evidence-based programmes that will target these groups at all levels. In addition, you will need to demonstrate the potential to be a strong role model for the values of equality, diversity and inclusion.

To apply, please visit the Newcastle University job site by clicking here: https://jobs.ncl.ac.uk/

Application is via a CV and an additional document (max. 3 pages) outlining the following:

1)    your top 5 research outputs (accounting for career breaks) in which you have had a significant input.  This may include journal publications and other forms of output relating to impact.  For multi-author works, describe your contribution AND research funding applied for or received.

2)    what constitutes excellent teaching to you

3)    your past contributions to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) and what your contributions to EDI at Newcastle will be

A covering letter is not required as part of your application. Instead, please upload the above document to the covering letter section of the recruitment system when submitting your application. Please state if you are specifically applying for Lecturer or Senior Lecturer; please note all candidates will be considered for both.

For more information or informal inquiries, please contact Dr Angela Dyson via email : [email protected]   or  Professor Tamara Rogers, [email protected]

The post is required to commence September 2021 at the latest. 

Please note, the title Lecturer/Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University is equivalent to Assistant/Associate Professor in universities and colleges in the United States, Canada, and some other countries.

For further details about Newcastle University please click here. 

For further details on School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics please click here. 

The University has developed an Academic Job Summary Guidance document which summarises the range of activities that academic colleagues may be expected to perform.

Key Accountabilities

•    Undertake independent original research in any area of astrophysics. 
•    Publish refereed articles in journals of international standing.
•    Collaborate with colleagues in the School on research with synergies to their own.
•    Develop grant-funded research projects.
•    Supervise PhD students and postdoctoral researchers.
•    Undertake external professional activities that contribute to the development of physics and astrophysics.  
•    Undertake teaching in physics. 
•    Contribute to the life and work of the School of Mathematics, Statistics and Physics in general and to the physics section in particular.
•    Carry out administrative duties as assigned by the Head of School and the School Executive Committee.
 

The Person 

Knowledge, Skills and Experience 

Essential 

•    In-depth subject knowledge/expertise in astrophysics.   
•    Evidence of analytical and problem-solving capability, with the relevant personal skills, initiative and drive.
•    The knowledge, ability and expertise to teach the relevant subject at undergraduate level.
•    Demonstrable ability to effectively teach, support and supervise undergraduate and postgraduate students.
•    Effective time management and prioritisation skills to balance the potentially conflicting demands of teaching, research and administration; and the ability to meet deadlines.
•    Potential to achieve international standing in research within a few years through obtaining grant and research contract awards, leading journal publications and conference participation. 
•    Possess a track record of high quality research in any area of astrophysics.  
•    A clear realistic vision for your research that represents a good fit with aims of the academic unit. 
•    Able to meet the University’s standard for submission to the Research Excellence Framework.
 

Desirable 

•    An interest in course development at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
•    Potential to provide leadership to research or teaching teams 
•    A record of successful research income generation either in own name or as major contributor
•    Evidence of (or potential for) research leadership
•    An understanding of the grant/funding application process
•    Holding current or recent research funding 
•    Experience of presentation of work to the national/international research community (at conferences, seminars and similar high-profile events)
•    Evidence of national and international impact and recognition
•    Experience of recruitment and supervision of research students
•    Experience of working at a leading international university 
•    The knowledge, ability and expertise to teach the relevant subject at undergraduate level, including large group and small group teaching and project supervision 
 

Attributes and Behaviour

•    Excellent interpersonal and teamwork skills. 
•    Ability to work collaboratively with all colleagues and to encourage the commitment of others.
•    Evidence of good networking skills. 
•    Excellent communication skills.
•    A demonstrated commitment to ensuring our institutional strategy for Equality, Diversity & Inclusion (EDI) is embedded in all our group activities, with a commitment to ensuring dignity and respect in the workplace to the highest standard.  
 

Qualifications

•     PhD in physics, mathematics or a related discipline.
•     Relevant teaching qualification (Desirable) 
 

In addition to the above for Senior Lecturer level:

Essential 
•    Academic teaching qualification
•    The knowledge, ability and expertise to teach the relevant subject at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including large group and small group teaching and project supervision
•    Ability to mentor junior staff.
•    Ability to provide leadership to research or teaching teams.
•    The ability to persuade and influence at all levels in order to foster and maintain relationships, resolving tensions/difficulties as they arise. 
•    Ability to engage with and respond enthusiastically and positively to students.
•    Good networking skills and the ability to develop productive links with fellow professionals from other organisations and agencies with whom the University interacts, notably representatives of organisations funding or collaborating in research and professional bodies and societies. 
•    International standing in research with track record of achieving grant and research contract awards, leading journal publications and conference participation. 
•    Evidence of success in developing innovative research proposals and securing research funding from major funding agencies. 
•    A regular and high quality publication record for the discipline, with peer reviewed publications at international level. 
•    Proven delivery of research outcomes to a defined timescale.
•    Proven project management skills. Evidence of effective management of projects and teams, especially those involving multi-disciplinary teams. 
•    Evidence of success in collaborative research. 
•    Evidence of the provision of an exceptional standard of academic support and pastoral care for students/tutees. 
•    Evidence of undertaking a senior role in the management of the academic unit. 
•    Evidence of standing at national/international level in the discipline. 
•    Original thinking and analysis of complex information that has led to the bringing of new insights to the research undertaken. 
•    Experience of new course development and/or degree programme management. 
•    Evidence of development and delivery of innovative and effective teaching and learning materials.
 

Desirable
•    Evidence of having initiated interdisciplinary collaborations
•    Successful development and delivery of CPD courses
•    Evidence of successful engagement with industry or external bodies at a senior level, bringing demonstrable benefit to the academic unit 
•    Holding current or recent research funding

Newcastle University is committed to being a fully inclusive Global University which actively recruits, supports and retains staff from all sectors of society.  We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all our employees and the communities they represent.  We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from everybody, regardless of race, sex, ethnicity, religion, nationality, sexual orientation, age, disability, gender identity, marital status/civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, as well as being open to flexible working practices.

The School holds a bronze Athena SWAN award in addition to the University’s silver award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality.  The University also holds the HR Excellence in Research award for our work to support the career development of our researchers, and is a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.

Requisition ID: 5504