Assistant/Associate Professor for On-Line Teaching

Heriot-Watt University

  • Edinburgh Midlothian
  • £47,389-58,225 per year
  • Permanent
  • Full-time
  • 23 days ago
Job Category: AcademicDegree Level: DoctorateJob Description:Directorate: School of Mathematical and Computer SciencesSalary: Grade 8 - £47,389 - £58,225 / Grade 9 - £58,225 - £69,488Contract Type: Full Time (1FTE), Open EndedRewards and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday) for all full time staff. Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt UniversityAbout Heriot-Watt UniversityHeriot-Watt University has established a reputation for world-class teaching and leading-edge, relevant research, which has made it one of the top UK universities for innovation, business and industry.Heriot-Watt University has five campuses: three in the UK (Edinburgh, Scottish Borders and Orkney), one in Dubai and one in Malaysia. The University offers a highly distinctive range of degree programmes in the specialist areas of science, engineering, design, business and languages. Heriot-Watt is also Scotland's most international university, boasting the largest international student cohort.About the DepartmentYou will join the School of Mathematical & Computer Sciences at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh, Scotland. The School is internationally renowned for its world-class research across a number of areas including mathematics and statistics, actuarial mathematics, theoretical computer science, robotics, natural language processing, programming languages, AI, data science and machine learning.The School has an extensive portfolio of taught programmes, including the new MSc Computer Science on the Coursera platform which is the programme in which you will be mostly active (see ). The School has a global profile, establishing teaching programmes in Dubai since 2005, and in Malaysia.The School of Mathematical and Computer Sciences is committed to supporting family friendly work practices and part-time working options as part of our Athena Swan Silver award (see ).We especially encourage women and members of under-represented groups to apply for this position. We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. We are very proud of our inclusive and friendly community. We organise regular events for women in CS, fora for staff and students with disabilities, as well as formal and informal support groups at all levels. Our professorial staff is 46% female, compared to the national average of 16%.Detailed DescriptionWe are looking for a teaching focused assistant/associate professor with experience of developing and delivering online courses, particularly in Computer Science and the Mathematical Sciences. The post will be based on the Edinburgh campus of Heriot-Watt University. This is a role where you are expected to spend 80% of your time on teaching and 20% on scholarship. For such a role, career paths to full professorship exist at Heriot-Watt. Depending on the profile of the applicants, different arrangements may be considered.SCHOOL / SECTION: Based in the School of Mathematical and Computer SciencesAssistant Professor: Grade 8 - £47,389 - £58,225Associate Professor: Grade 9 - £58,225 - £69,488Duration - Open ended.Key Duties and ResponsibilitiesReporting to the Head of School/Head of Discipline, responsibilities include: * Developing, teaching, overseeing and running undergraduate, masters, and doctoral level courses, in particular courses within the on-line MSc Computer Science on the Coursera platform. When appropriate, leading new teaching initiatives to enhance current provision.
  • Academic leadership, such as being course leader on internationally taught courses, being programme leader on undergraduate or postgraduate programmes, and leading outreach and recruitment events where appropriate.
  • Supervision and guidance of undergraduate, postgraduate and where appropriate postdoctoral researchers.
  • Scholarship activities, particularly, but not exclusively, in relation to on-line teaching and the use of teaching technology.
Education, Qualifications and ExperienceEssential CriteriaE1: A PhD in computer science or closely related fieldE2: Experience in developing and delivering online courses/contentE3: Experience in teaching courses in Computer ScienceE4: Evidence of strong communication skillsE5: Good interpersonal and teamwork skillsDesirable CriteriaD1: The skills to supervise undergraduate and postgraduate studentsD2: Track record of teaching well and enthusiasticallyD3: Evidence of research activities that relate to on-line teaching and the use of teaching technology generallyWe will also entertain applications for a T&R role, that is, a role where time is split 50/50 among teaching and research. If that is the case, additional criteria will come into play including evidence of good quality research outputs (Essential) and having a track record of grant funding (Desirable). Should you want to apply for the T&R role, then please make this very clear in your cover letter; otherwise T&S will be assumed.How to ApplyApplications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on the 11th of September, 2025.Interested applicants must submit via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system: (1) a cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post, indicating a preference for either a T&S or T&R position, and whether you are applying for an associate professor role (assistant professor will otherwise be assumed); (2) a full CV, including a list of publications if applicable; and (3) a 1 page summary of their online experience and teaching plans and ambitions. If you apply for T&R, also include (4) a 1 page summary of your research plans and ambitions.Informal enquiries may be made to: Prof. Jurriaan Hage, Head of Computer Science, j.hage@hw.ac.uk.At Heriot Watt we are passionate about our values and look to them to connect our people globally and to help us collaborate and celebrate our success through working together. Our research programmes can deliver real world impact which is achieved through the diversity of our international community and the recognition of creative talent that connects our global team.Our flourishing community will give you the freedom to challenge and to bring your enterprising mind and to help our partners with solutions that can be applied now and in the future. Join us and Heriot Watt will provide you with a platform to thrive and work in a way that also helps you live your life in balance with well-being and inclusiveness at the heart of our global community.Heriot-Watt University is committed to securing equality of opportunity in employment and to the creation of an environment in which individuals are selected, trained, promoted, appraised and otherwise treated on the sole basis of their relevant merits and abilities. Equality and diversity are all about maximising potential and creating a culture of inclusion for all.Heriot-Watt University values diversity across our University community and welcomes applications from all sectors of society, particularly from underrepresented groups. For more information, please see our website and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers .Use our total rewards calculator: to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University.

Heriot-Watt University