Salary: Grade 7 or 8 (£36,023 - £45,585) or (£45,585 - £54,395) 

Contract: Full-time (35 hours a week) 

Detailed Description 

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Science (EGIS) seeks to drive new initiatives in engineering the transitions of fossil carbon energy systems with an appoint of an Assistant/Associate Professor in Energy System Transition Engineering with an emphasis on petroleum energy systems, particularly transportation as an energy system. This is an exciting opportunity to develop a leading role in the development and delivery of innovative teaching and research. We are particularly interested in applicants with expertise in energy systems as relating to the transport activities, or with a developing research record in one of the following areas: 

• Transition Engineering 
• Systems Engineering, Energy Engineering, Systems Modelling 
• Urban form, essential transport activity systems, GIS data  
• Freight supply chain and goods movement systems, Agent Based Simulation  
• Vulnerabilities, risks, costs and social impacts of transport systems design  
• Oil and gas industry in transition and production decline, economics, policy and society 

Heriot-Watt University is known for its research-informed course delivery and the global multi-campus education it provides.  The successful applicant will have a strong student-centred approach to pedagogy and curriculum design and will be encouraged to innovate to develop both engineering and interdisciplinary training for skills needed for engineering systems transitions.  There are numerous opportunities for teaching/research linkages and for education to be strongly informed by the applicant’s pioneering research. Previous teaching experience, a strong commitment to the student experience, and evidence of successful innovation in teaching delivery are essential.  The candidate must also be a graduate in an Engineering discipline with a doctorate in an energy related Engineering specialisation or related field.   

This is an exciting time to join an innovative and ground-breaking team. The position will contribute directly to the action research programme in the Islands Centre for Net Zero (ICNZ) in Orkney, Shetland and Outer Hebrides. The ICNZ is a partnership with councils, companies, communities and academics, provided with initial and capital funding for 5 years under the research directorship of Professor Susan Krumdieck. Heriot-Watt University has committed to taking a leading role in defining and developing the principles, approach, methods and tools of energy systems transition engineering through establishment of a globally leading research centre, International Centre for Net Zero and Beyond (iNetZ+). The successful candidate will contribute to the cross-cutting systems transition theme in the iNetZ+ through successful collaborations and gaining funding for research. Applications from candidates who can operate across the disciplinary boundaries of engineering, allied fields and economic or social sciences are particularly welcome.  Applicants must have an excellent record of high-quality publications and demonstrated team working and communication skills.  Any relevant enterprise, policy or community experience is desirable but not essential. Previous experience in energy systems work and the development of modelling for complex systems is also very welcome. 

Heriot-Watt is a research-intensive university, with the School achieving high status in the UK's Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise of 2021.  The successful candidate will be expected to make a substantive contribution to the next research assessment process in 2028.  

Key Duties and Responsibilities 

The successful appointee will be expected to undertake the following: 

Research and Knowledge Exchange  

• Identify and develop their own research agenda, focussing on research that is valuable and relevant to government, society and industry, that also contributes to the energy system transition engineering discipline.  
• Contribute to the development of the research agenda of the ICNZ and iNetZ+. 
• Identify sources of funding for research, then successfully win funding through submission of effective proposals and support production of proposals elsewhere within the School as appropriate.  
• Regularly publish high impact research findings in recognised industry-leading journals; share findings at conferences and within the School  
• Further disseminate research activity using an appropriate range of media for example through external reports, conference presentations, exhibitions of research activity or via short courses for knowledge transfer;   
• Recruit and supervise PhD students through to successful qualification and supervise MSc student projects. 
• The energy system transition engineering discipline is not about technology solutions of the past decades, and while the successful candidate may have experience with hydrogen, biofuels, CCS, EVs and other technologies, they will be most interested in engineering incumbent systems transition.  

Learning and Teaching  

• No undergraduate teaching is expected. 
• Undertake teaching duties in relation to courses appropriate to your area of expertise (e.g. through practical sessions, lectures, seminars, tutorials) in the MSc ReSET online and in person in Orkney.  
• Consult with industry, government and consultants to design and deliver executive education, CPD training, online certificates to directly provide skills and competencies needed for energy transition throughout society.  
• Undertake scholarly activity related to the effective delivery of the curriculum and maintain the level of your subject expertise in line with the latest developments in the field;   
• Contribute to the design and delivery of the curriculum in consultation with colleagues and within the structures and mechanisms established by the School and University;   
• Conduct assessment and moderation across the discipline area, ensuring this is rigorous, fair and clear and undertaken within the policies established by the School and University;   
• Be responsible for providing effective, well documented and timely feedback, both formative and summative, to students;   
• Contribute to the monitoring of the quality of learning and teaching through course monitoring and contribute to quality management and enhancement activities across the programme, School and University;   
• Design, prepare and develop a range of learning materials appropriate to the subject area in support of teaching;   
• Disseminate the development of good learning and teaching practice    
• Provide appropriate pastoral support recognising the varied cultural backgrounds of the student cohort;   
• Stay abreast of developments in civil engineering education and ensure that these developments are reflected in the evolution of the learning and teaching methods employed on the programme;   
• Interact with staff within and outside the School to support the development of the discipline;   
• Develop productive working relationships with other members of staff to facilitate effective team working for benefit of the subject area. 
• Contribute to publicising and increasing demand for the MSc and trainings offered. 

Academic Management and Administration  

• Undertake administrative tasks associated with programme planning, preparation for examination and progression boards, course development teams etc.   
• Engage in team working and work with others to the benefit of the School and the University;   
• Take a proactive role both internally and externally in promoting and marketing programmes of study, ensuring the effective and efficient recruitment of students and the achievement of home and international recruitment targets.   
• Contribute to the effective recruitment, admission and induction to the courses with which you are involved, ensuring compliance with the School and University targets. This will include involvement in School and University open days and interview processes;   
• Monitor student number targets;   
• Contribute to the resource planning for the academic year;   
• Participate as a member of the appropriate committees as required;   
• Devise income generating activities including assisting with raising sponsorship as well as other activities that will raise the profile of the School’s programmes;   
• Represent the School effectively in both the national and international context.  

Please note that this job description is not exhaustive, and the role holder may be required to undertake other relevant duties commensurate with the grading of the post. Activities may be subject to amendment over time as the role develops and/or priorities and requirements evolve.  

We will measure applicants based on the essential criteria, not by the key duties. 

Education, Qualifications and Experience (i.e. Person Specification) 

Essential: 

• First degrees in a relevant field of Engineering 
• PhD in a cognate discipline 
• Enthusiasm for novel action research carried out with stakeholders using the Transition Engineering approach.  
• Knowledge and experience in topics related to energy transition, for example this could include but is not limited to innovative use of data and geospatial modelling, net zero, resource efficiency, demand side management, efficiency, EROI, ecological economics. 
• A track record of high-quality research publications 
• A developing track record of generating external research income  
• Experience of teaching in a higher education environment 
• A clear personal research focus aligned to the areas of interest of the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment and the wider School  
• Effectiveness as a research supervisor 
• Evidence of vision, drive and determination to succeed 
• Ability to work both independently and as part of a team 
• Demonstrably excellent oral and written communication skills 

Desirable: 

• Specific expertise in experimental work complementing the current capability and transition laboratory facilities 
• Experience in or at least an enthusiasm for novel perspectives on the approaches to energy transition and net zero. 
• A developing track record in teaching to meet social and industry needs 
• Ability to operate at the cross-disciplinary boundaries of engineering and allied fields  
• Previous experience in working with social sciences, economics, energy policy, wellbeing. 
• Relevant industrial or social experience 

About Heriot-Watt  

Heriot-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 our Team 

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society 

The School of Energy, Geoscience, Infrastructure and Society is one of the UK’s leading institutions for multidisciplinary research and teaching in areas critical to economic development and societal equity.  We aim to attain excellence in the teaching of the core disciplines that contribute to a sustainable, resource and energy efficient society and are committed to undertaking high value, high impact research and knowledge transfer in topics of relevance to global challenges. 

The School enjoys facilities consistent with its location in modern, purpose-built accommodation on the Edinburgh campus. The School is well equipped in respect of laboratories for materials, structures, engineering, building services and hydraulics research and teaching.  Our research and teaching facilities in Dubai and Malaysia are contained within purpose-built campuses in Knowledge Park and Putrajaya, respectively.  

The School’s undergraduate teaching on our Edinburgh campus covers civil and structural engineering, architectural engineering, construction project management, quantity surveying, geography, urban studies, interior design and the biology suite.  At the Orkney campus we teach MSc programmes in person to a maximum of 40 students in Renewable and Sustainable Energy Transition (ReSET) and Marine Renewable Energy (MRE), and to more than 200 students OnLine around the world.  On our Dubai campus we teach civil & structural engineering, architectural engineering, architecture, construction management, quantity surveying and interior design.  On our Malaysia campus we teach civil engineering, construction project management, quantity surveying and petroleum engineering. We offer a high quality educational experience underpinned by practical and laboratory teaching, and informed by contact with professional practice.  Most of our degree programmes hold the appropriate accreditation from the relevant professional body.  This educational philosophy ensures excellent employment prospects for our graduates. 

Programmes of postgraduate study are aligned to the expertise contained in each of our research institutes. Our postgraduate students therefore benefit from state-of-the-art knowledge in their chosen study area.  You can find further information about the School’s postgraduate programmes at https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/postgraduate-programmes.htm   

School Structure: 

Research and teaching within the School is structured across six Institutes. The successful candidate will be based within the Institute for Infrastructure and Environment, with direct links into the Institute for Sustainable Building Design. 

The Islands Centre for Net Zero undertakes action research to deliver stakeholder knowledge from carefully designed and executed shift projects, and inform government policy on topics such as climate change, sustainable development, energy resilience risk and security as well as covering specialist themes such as energy shift management, low carbon transport, systems engineering; regeneration, and energy efficiency.  

Further information, please visit: http://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/research/institute-infrastructure-environment.htm  

For information on other Institutes within the School, please visit: 

Institute of GeoEnergy Engineering:  http://hw.ac.uk/IGE  

The Urban Institute (https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/research/the-urban-institute.htm)  

The Institute for Social Policy, Housing, Equalities Research: https://www.i-sphere.hw.ac.uk/  

The Institute of Life and Earth Sciences (https://www.hw.ac.uk/schools/energy-geoscience-infrastructure-society/iles.htm)  

 How to Apply 

Applications can be submitted up to midnight (UK time) on 16th June 2024

Interviews will take place w/c 1st July 2024

Applicants must make their submission via the Heriot-Watt on-line recruitment system and include: (1) Cover letter describing their interest and suitability for the post; (2) Full CV that includes the list of publications (3) Research and teaching statements, showing their strengths in one or more of the research areas above. 

Informal enquiries should be directed to Professor Susan Krumdieck, Director of Research ICNZ and Transition Engineering Theme Leader iNetZ+    s.krumdieck@hw.ac.uk  

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 https://www.hw.ac.uk/uk/services/equality-diversity.htm and also our award-winning work in Disability Inclusive Science Careers https://disc.hw.ac.uk/  

We welcome and will consider flexible working patterns e.g. part-time working and job share options. 

Use our total rewards calculator: https://www.hw.ac.uk/about/work/total-rewards-calculator.htm  to see the value of benefits provided by Heriot-Watt University. 

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