Assistant Professor in Mechanical Engineering

Directorate: School of Engineering & Physical Sciences

Salary: Grade 8 (£45,585-£56,021)

Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Open Ended

Job Summary

The Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE) at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh is seeking a new colleague to join our thriving community of academics. We invite applications from outstanding early career researchers for an open-ended (tenured) Assistant Professorship (Teaching and Research) position in Mechanical Engineering. 

We are looking for a candidate with a focus on metal additive manufacturing (AM) processes whose research programme will strongly complement our existing capabilities for the pragmatic improvement of existing metal AM techniques and the development of new metal AM technologies, through combined experiments, measurement and modelling. 

The candidate will also employ their expertise to teach Mechanical Engineering to undergraduate and postgraduate students via lectures, tutorials, laboratory classes and project supervision.

Detailed Description

The successful applicant will be expected to build an independent research group carrying out cutting-edge research in their field. You will demonstrate the ability to develop and lead research in the understanding of metal AM processes; evidence of developing an international research portfolio; and a clear research vision in metal AM and related areas. You will show the capacity to obtain independent funding for your research and form strong interdisciplinary collaborations both within and beyond IMPEE. This will require the development of a clear strategy for research plans which communicates how this aligns with the landscape of EPS and Heriot Watt University as well as the broader national and international landscape. For established independent researchers a proven ability to attract research funding and a good track record of publishing is required. For researchers looking for their first independent position an excellent research track record and definitive plans for future research and funding is required.

The successful applicant will be encouraged to deliver research-led teaching. The role holder will be expected to lead and contribute to the delivery and assessment of BEng, MEng and MSc courses relevant to Mechanical Engineering and/or Aerospace Engineering. Teaching is likely to cover a range of topics such as fluid dynamics, thermodynamics, strength of materials, dynamics, and manufacturing. Teaching will involve the delivery of lectures, tutorials, and practical classes and may involve organisation of external expert speakers and field trips (e.g. to industry). It will be expected that the role holder will reflect on the delivery of courses and enhance and develop courses based on student feedback. Supervision of desk and lab-based research project students will also be required. The successful candidate will also be a personal tutor to BEng, MEng and MSc students.

The successful applicant will be based in Edinburgh in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences and the role will require you to collaborate with colleagues in EPS as well as other schools at the Edinburgh campus, and with colleagues at our overseas campuses in Dubai and Malaysia. 

Whilst this is a role with a significant amount of responsibility you will have a network that will help support your career development. For those from a non-academic background we will provide mentorship to develop your academic skills.

Key Duties and Responsibilities

Education, Qualifications & Experience

Essential criteria

Research and Professional experience

Learning, Teaching and Scholarship

Desirable criteria

Research and Professional experience

Learning Teaching and Scholarship

About our Team

The School of Engineering and Physical Sciences

The Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE) is located within the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS). 

Our research in EPS ranges from fundamental sciences through to engineering applications, all of which are supported by strong external funding. We have over 210 full-time academic staff who drive this research activity and are based in 5 research institutes: the Institute of Chemical Sciences, the Institute of Photonics & Quantum Sciences, the Institute of Mechanical, Process and Energy Engineering (IMPEE), the Institute of Sensors, Signals & Systems and the Institute of Biological Chemistry, BioPhysics & BioEngineering. In REF2021, our Physics was top in the UK for world-leading research outputs. Our joint submission to Engineering with the University of Edinburgh was ranked 1st in Scotland and 3rd in the UK for quality and breadth of research (based upon the standard Research Power formula as used by the Times Higher Education). 

We provide world-class education to our students across six undergraduate programmes: Chemistry; Physics; Electrical, Electronic & Computer Engineering; Chemical & Process Engineering; Mechanical Engineering and Brewing & Distilling and have recently added Aerospace Engineering to our undergraduate programme portfolio. We also offer a range of postgraduate taught programmes. In the recent The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2023, our Chemical Engineering is the 6th in the UK (the 2nd in Scotland), Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering is the 7th in the UK (the 1st in Scotland) and General Engineering is the 9th in the UK (the 1st in Scotland). In the 2022 National Student Survey (NSS), we are ranked the 4th in the UK for overall satisfaction in Chemical Engineering, the 2nd in Scotland in Electrical Engineering and Physics, and are the top ranked in the UK in Food & Beverage discipline (which includes our Brewing & Distilling discipline, where we have achieved a 100% student overall satisfaction).

The University has undertaken a significant programme of investment to enhance student-facing services. These include the alteration and refurbishment of the James Watt Centre into a modern state of the art learning and teaching facility, the modernisation of the Student Services Centre and the development of a training room for Assistive Technology. Recent investments have included a £6M refurbishment of the library, £19M to build and establish a Global Research, Innovation, and Discovery (GRID) building with a focus on innovative teaching for students in EPS and in Mathematics and Computer Science, and a recently opened the National Robotarium, a £22M research facility for Robotics and Artificial Intelligence.

Heriot Watt holds an Institutional Athena Swan Bronze Award, as does the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences, recognising excellence in championing employment of women in the field of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics. We offer a range of family friendly, inclusive employment policies, flexible working arrangements, staff engagement forums, campus facilities and services to support staff from different backgrounds.