The School of Biodiversity One Health and Veterinary Medicine is seeking to appoint a director for its field station, the Scottish Centre for Ecology and the Natural Environment (SCENE). The broad role of the position is to encourage, develop and support field research and teaching at this unit within the research and teaching strategies of the broader school. The position will be in the Teaching and Research job family and based at SCENE on the east shore of Loch Lomond.
Providing academic leadership will be an important facet of this position. This will require the Director to proactively seek opportunities to develop research opportunities and to provide support for existing research at SCENE, both within and alongside the Director’s immediate research specialisation. This may variously require developing research strategies for field-based and experimental studies, providing advice to colleagues and students on the feasibility of research plans, developing facilities, advising and supporting research grants led by others, maintaining relationships with external stakeholders and funders, and managing the access to facilities that support field research.
In addition to providing leadership to this unit, the Director will be expected to develop a personal programme of research and teaching, the majority of which would be conducted at SCENE. The successful applicant will be required to contribute to aquatic ecology teaching (including running components of field courses) in the Bachelors degrees of Zoology and Marine and Freshwater Biology, and to taught Masters (MSc) and MRes courses. In addition, the new Director will be expected to supervise PhD students in fields appropriate to their research interests.
The successful candidate is likely to have a background in freshwater ecology with a record of peer reviewed publications and evidence of having secured research funding in this area. However, other appropriate areas of specialism will also be considered.
Job Purpose
To make a substantial and positive contribution to the strategic direction of the School/College through leading and contributing to research of international standard, high quality teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate level, securing research funding, and providing academic leadership and management within the School/College. To actively engage in relationships with external stakeholders that advance knowledge exchange, public understanding and outreach.
Main Duties and Responsibilities
- Undertake a leading role in the development and implementation of individual and/or joint research projects of international standard, participating actively in the development of College/School research strategy in appropriate areas (e.g. ecology, evolution, environmental change, aquaculture).
- Act as principal investigator or project leader on major research projects with a portfolio of research activity and publications of high quality and impact.
- Take a lead in major funding bids and related activities, including Knowledge Exchange, which develop and sustain support for the subject area and recognised excellence for the University.
- Undertake academic management and leadership roles and responsibilities as Director of SCENE to ensure a high-quality research and teaching environment, setting and monitoring standards and lead on the development of policy and practice across research and teaching teams (beyond subject/school level).
- Create and develop effective networks with students and colleagues across the University, as well as external stakeholders, to oversee the embedding of key University priorities such as graduate attributes, professional requirements, work-related learning, transitions support, student mobility and quality enhancement within credit bearing and non-credit bearing activities.
- Lead the development of inclusive and innovative approaches to teaching, learning and assessment that recognise the needs of a diverse student cohort, taking appropriate responsibility for managing associated cultural changes and staff support and development.
- Regularly attend and participate in appropriate activities to effectively contribute to the subject specialism, through learned societies, professional bodies, broader review, and editorial processes. Disseminate research findings locally, nationally and internationally to enhance learning within the discipline and to represent the University externally.
- Supervise individual student projects at both undergraduate and postgraduate level to ensure their effective development and assisting with difficulties e.g. learning support/problems.
- Actively engage with externals, including funding agencies, academic partners and stakeholders, to promote the use and reputation of SCENE as a high quality research and teaching environment.
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.
- To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, Inspiring People Changing The World.
For appointment at Professorial level
We would expect all of the above criteria, but to be undertaken in line with
- More academic management and senior leadership roles in a manner that enhances the student and staff experience, ensures programmes are internationally benchmarked and of international standing, and that values and supports a culture of enhancement.
- Sustained internationally leading high-quality research activity, seeking and securing funding for a portfolio of research projects through grant applications to external funding bodies, e.g. UK Research Councils, government agencies, European Commission, and mentoring early career staff to support their development in securing funding.
- Demonstrate leadership in supervising research projects undertaken by research staff, postgraduate and undergraduate students and ensure the effective development of the staff and students. Engage with potential research students of high calibre intending to undertake postgraduate and doctoral research, building effective working relationships and supervising to completion.
- Make a substantial contribution to University Committees/Working Groups to ensure the advancement of learning and teaching policies and practice that align with local and international challenges in Higher Education, evolving student needs and other related changes in the University’s strategic context.
- Build effective internal and external collaborations to support the development and mentoring of academic staff and their learning, and to enhance research and teaching within the College.
- Represent the Institute/College/University on key external bodies and at significant external events nationally and internationally to promote excellence in research and teaching, and the development of professional practice.
- Ensure a substantial track record of, and demonstrate leadership in, knowledge creation and transfer, ensuring impact on external bodies and contributions to public understanding and contributing fully to key strategic initiatives that underpin School, College and University strategies for external engagement.
- Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate.
Qualifications
Essential:
A1. Scottish Credit and Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in animal ecology, evolution, physiology or related discipline with an extensive and established reputation in research and significant teaching experience within the subject area.
Desirable:
B1. Membership of a relevant professional body.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience
Essential:
- C1. Recognised expertise in field-based animal research or related discipline to develop new knowledge and understanding within the field.
- C2. Substantial track record of published research of international standard compatible with  enhancing the School’s submission to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
- C3. Established track record of successfully securing funding for research projects, as appropriate for the subject specialism.
- C4. Proven ability to plan and lead staff and efficiently deploy resources in support of major research and teaching activities.
- C5. Ability to disseminate conceptual and complex ideas to a wide variety of audiences to promote understanding.
- C6. Ability to forge new and effective relationships with colleagues, internally and externally, to  foster collaboration across the University and with colleagues in other institutions.
- C7. Demonstrated commitment to open research, as appropriate to the discipline, through open  data, open code, open educational resources and practices that support replication.
For appointment at Professorial level:
- C8. A sustained track record of substantial research income (i.e. supporting research staff) from a range of sources.
- C9. Maintaining an established portfolio of research activity of international quality, reputation and impact.
- C10. A thorough understanding of, and track record in, contributing to broader academic leadership and management. Potential to contribute to the academic leadership and management of the Institute/College, e.g. by chairing committees and leading on key processes and new initiatives.
- C11. Proven commitment to supporting the career development of colleagues and to other forms of collegiality appropriate to the career stage.
Desirable:
- D1. Proven track record of developing and devising teaching programmes, techniques and methods.
- D2. Track record of student supervision and development/mentorship/coaching of early career academic colleagues in subject area/team.
For appointment at Professorial level:
- D3. Proven ability to lead and deliver high quality and innovative University teaching, including assessment and curriculum development.
- D4. Comprehensive and up-to-date knowledge of research issues and debates, both nationally and internationally, and future direction of research and teaching in the subject area.
As part of the application for this post, applicants are asked to submit, along with a CV & cover letter, a 2-page statement articulating
‘A ten-year vision for SCENE’. https://www.gla.ac.uk/research/az/scene/
Additional Information
SBOHVM is home to researchers studying organismal biology and animal health across a diverse range of systems, approaches and disciplines with existing strengths in evolutionary biology, physiology, movement ecology, fish biology, quantitative ecology, animal welfare and animal diseases. Areas of prioritization and recent investment also include aquaculture, fish health, and marine biology. Research staff are distributed across three main sites: UoGs main campus at Gilmorehill, Garscube campus (3 miles from Gilmorehill) and SCENE (26 miles from Gilmorehill).
The Director’s position will be based at SCENE and will be supported by a Research Manager, Technical and Domestic Support staff.
The research and teaching facilities at SCENE have been extended, redeveloped and replaced over the last decade with expenditure over £7.6m. Facilities include dry and wet laboratories, aquarium and fluvarium, and residential accommodation for researchers. Teaching facilities include lecture and laboratory space, dining facilities and accommodation for groups of up to 43.
SCENE currently supports a broad range of ecological, behavioural and evolutionary research projects across a range of fields and currently supports the work of over 35 researchers. SCENE operates a number of research facilities supporting that research programme. These include: a small Home Office licenced animal unit for fish, amphibians and reptiles; boats for aquatic field sampling; a suite of nest boxes in the surrounding oak woods; a light trap for insects.
SCENE’s residential teaching activity is currently ca. 3500 student-nights per annum. Approximately half of this is University of Glasgow teaching (primarily field courses teaching aquatic and terrestrial ecology to undergraduates), the other half are visiting field courses and workshops from other universities in the UK, Europe and beyond.
We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion, in line with the Athena SWAN Charter, which recognises commitment to advancing gender equality in Science, Technology, Engineering, Maths and Medicine (STEMM) employment in academia.
SBOHVM is a merger of two previous Athena Swan Silver award winning bodies (the School of Veterinary Medicine and the Institute of Biodiversity, Animal Health & Comparative Medicine). These previous awards demonstrate our commitment to best practice in recruiting and supporting the career development and progression of female scientists, addressing gender inequalities in higher education. We are currently in the process of renewing Athena Swan silver accreditation for the new School.
Terms and Conditions
Salary will be Professor, Grade 10 will be within the Professorial range and subject to negotiation
Senior Lecturer, Grade 9, £57,696 – £64,914 per annum
This post is full time and open ended.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension – pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community.
We are investing in our organization, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
As part of the application for this post, applicants are asked to submit, along with a CV & cover letter, a 2-page statement articulating ‘A ten-year vision for SCENE‘.
Informal Enquiries should be directed to Professor Roman Biek, Roman.Biek@glasgow.ac.uk
 Vacancy Ref: 125348,  Closing Date: 04 October 2023.
More information about the position is available via this link.