Edinburgh Napier University is the ‘#1 Modern University in Scotland’. An innovative, learner centric university with a modern and fresh outlook, Edinburgh Napier is ambitious, inclusive in its ethos and applied in its approach.
The School of Computing, Engineering & the Built Environment has over 200 academics, and around 3,100 campus-based students, and delivers programmes with professional accreditations from the British Computer Society, Institution of Engineering and Technology, The Chartered Institute of Building and other accreditation bodies. We have excellent computing, engineering and construction lab facilities. The School has embarked on a major development in the area of Industry 4.0, bringing together computer science, engineering, mathematics and construction technology. We are one of the UK’s largest computer science academic units with key strengths in AI, cyber security and creative and social informatics. We house leading UK research centres in transport policy and sustainable construction. The schools are based in the lively and exciting Merchiston area at the heart of Edinburgh, Scotland’s inspiring capital.
The latest UK national research assessment, REF 2021, places our Computer Science research in the UK top 30, and the top 3 in Scotland. In terms of research impact, 100% of our work achieved the highest rating (4*), a performance achieved only by six other universities in the whole UK. Our Communication, Cultural and Media Studies, Library and Information Management research is also ranked 3rd best in Scotland, is placed in the UK top 35, and shows particular strengths in research impact (100% 3* and 4*) and research environment (90% 3* and 4*). Our research is underpinned by significant amounts of funding from prestigious sources including the AHRC, EPSRC, ESRC, and Horizon 2020.
This is a great opportunity for an experienced academic with expertise in Social Informatics or related fields to join the Social Informatics research group and add to the research of the experienced team in exploring subjects such as: democratic digital engagement; e-government; information behaviour and practices; information and digital literacy; information and knowledge management; information policy; the information Society; online communities; technology and policy development; and work-based and organisational learning. The group hosts a large and vibrant group of PhD students, the majority of whom are UK research council funded through collaborative awards funded by the ESRC and Skills Development Scotland.
The professor will be expected to contribute to the leadership of the research group, especially in terms of driving the research agenda and leading the exploration of new foundational research areas.
Areas of desirable expertise fall into one or more of the subjects listed above. They may include (but are not limited to): ethical aspects of technology development (e.g. artificial intelligence); gender and digital skills; health information behaviour; design, implementation and evaluation of collaborative participatory digital media/services; impacts of online archive and library collections; information governance and trust; information retrieval; information/knowledge sharing; information systems; knowledge representation; privacy, risk and online safety; reuse of digital heritage materials; management of information services; open access publishing; technologies and organisational change; creative qualitative and quantitative research methods. With 30% time allocation for research, this role will allow you to explore novel and emerging areas in social informatics, deliver excellent quality research papers, and secure substantial external research funding.
The Professor in Social Informatics will contribute to and build programmes and modules to support the expansion of the School’s teaching portfolio which explores the changing nature of IT infrastructure, software engineering, digital media, business intelligence, and the impact of technology on business. You will actively contribute to our existing portfolio of computing and applied informatics based degree programmes.
We are looking for someone who can demonstrate enthusiasm for working in a cross-disciplinary manner in fundamental and applied research and in the development of research-informed teaching to enhance employability of our graduates. You will have the opportunity to expand your industry connections through our existing networks and by visiting students on one-year industry placements and on our employer-based Graduate Apprentice programme.
Further information about Edinburgh Napier University can be found here.
The Role
As a professor you will be a member of our Social Informatics research group with:
- A research allowance of 30% of your time to build your research.
- Access to our staff development budget for travel to conferences and to establish collaborations.
- Extensive training and development opportunities through our Human Resources (HR) and Research, Innovation and Enterprise Office (RIE).
- Support for grant applications and post-award running of grants from professional services colleagues in the schools and the Research, Innovation and Enterprise Office (RIE).
- Opportunities to lead and join PhD student supervisory teams.
- A fully funded PhD position (UK student) that you are expected to fill during your first year of employment at Edinburgh Napier University.
- Opportunities to contribute to the leadership of the research group.
Applicants must demonstrate:
- A doctoral level qualification in a relevant discipline.
- Evidence of a professional academic and research profile alongside a commitment to sustained continuous professional/academic development.
- An international reputation as a leader in the field of research appropriate for the level of the professorial position.
- A sustained track record of internationally excellent quality output in the research area of Social Informatics appropriate for the level of the professorial position.
- A sustained track record of securing external funding and support for research activity (as Principal Investigator or key contributor) and networking within the relevant research community nationally and internationally appropriate for the level of the professorial position.
- Completion of at least one PhD student, supervised as main supervisor.
- Evidence of academic leadership appropriate for the level of the professorial position (e.g., mentoring others, engagement in institutional leadership, engagement in cross-institutional and national projects and initiatives).
- Evidence of relevant teaching experience.
If you would like to know, more about this exciting opportunity please click here to view the role profile. Find our more about the Social Informatics research group at https://blogs.napier.ac.uk/social-informatics
Salary: £65,573 to £74,735 per annum (Grade 8)
Further information about our benefits can be found here.
Additional Information
Informal enquiries about the role can be made to Professor Peter Andras ([email protected]) or Professor Hazel Hall ([email protected]) or Professor Ben Paechter ([email protected]). Applications for the role must be submitted via the Edinburgh Napier University job applications web site – emailed applications will not be accepted.
Application closing date: 4 September 2022 at 11.59pm
Interview date: Week of 10 October 2022
The University is committed to inclusion, demonstrated through our work in respect of our diversity awards and accreditations and holds Disability Confident, Career Positive and Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champion status. More details can be found here
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