University of Edinburgh: Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Science, Technology and Innovation Studies as applied to the challenges of environmental sustainability.

Presentation

The University of Edinburgh seeks to appoint an outstanding researcher and teacher to a permanent post in the Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) Subject Group of the School of Social and Political Science.

The person appointed will be expected to engage actively in research, teaching, and administration, and to play a full part in the collegial life of the subject area and the School.

• It is essential that the successful candidate present a research profile which is at the forefront of Science, Technology and Innovation Studies, particularly as applied to understanding and addressing the challenges of environmental sustainability, broadly understood to include (but not restricted to) eco-innovation, energy systems and policy, sustainable transitions, and environmental modelling and monitoring.
• In addition to contributing to achieving the highest possible REF grade, the successful candidate will demonstrate the ability to provide leadership in developing and delivering research programmes in this area, and in achieving wider impact through knowledge exchange and engagement.

Depending on level of appointment, the position will attract an annual salary of £37,012 to £44,166 (UE08) or £46,846 to £52,706 (UE09).

The deadline for applications is 4 February 2013

 and the successful applicant will be expected to take up the post no later than 1 September 2013.

For more information about the post and details of application procedures, see https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.jobspec?p_id=007047

PERSON SPECIFICATION

Essential

• A PhD (awarded, or - exceptionally – submitted, by start date) or, also exceptionally, equivalent research experience;
• Commitment to, and evidence of, or clear potential to deliver, excellence in teaching, and ability to develop new courses/programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Ability to become a research leader, to attract external research funding as an independent researcher, and to lead research programmes
• A track record of publications in high quality journals and other outlets which will contribute to the highest possible REF grade, coupled with an evidenced ability to communicate to diverse stakeholders.

Desirable characteristics:

• A record of obtaining external research income
• Experience of the supervision of postgraduate research students
• Propensity to develop interdisciplinary engagements with other social sciences/humanities areas
• Experience of knowledge exchange and/or engagement with public bodies and stakeholders and wider publics.

For appointment as Senior Lecturer, the following specifications will also apply:

Essential:

• A proven track record in research leadership, and in attracting external research funding as an independent researcher, and/or
• A proven track record in teaching leadership, in curriculum development, and in enhancement of the student experience
• Depending on level of appointment, the position – which is available from April 2013 - will attract an annual salary of £37,012 to £44,166 (UE08) or £46,846 to £52,706 (UE09).

Application Process

Informal information regarding the post is available from Dr Steve Sturdy (http://www.sps.ed.ac.uk/staff/science_technology_and_innovation_studies/sturdy_steve)

It is currently anticipated that interviews will take place in mid-February 2013. The selection procedure will involve an interview, and a presentation attended by members of the School. Details of the requirements for a presentation will be included in invitations to interview.

Unless applicants signal that they withhold their permission, members of the School will be given an opportunity to inspect, in confidence, the letters of application and CVs of those who apply for this post; and the letters of application and CVs of short-listed applicants will be made available for inspection by all those attending any presentations prior to interview. References will be confidential to the selection panel.

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies

Science, Technology and Innovation Studies (STIS) at the University of Edinburgh is internationally recognised as a leading centre of research, teaching and knowledge exchange in this important interdisciplinary field. With a staff complement exceeding 20, STIS enjoys outstanding REF ratings for its scholarly publications and impact, sustains research intensity with a high volume of external research income, and excels in teaching through a suite of undergraduate and postgraduate courses programmes that are evaluated very positively by students. STIS maintains a highly collegial and interdisciplinary environment including a large complement of doctoral, postdoctoral and visiting researchers from around the world.

Much of our scholarly activity is focussed around four interlocking strands:

• History and Sociology of Science, Technology and Medicine, building on foundational perspectives in the sociology of scientific knowledge and the social shaping of technology, including biomedical science and technology, science and religion, colonial science and military technology.
• Environmental Science, Technology and Sustainability, including collaboration with colleagues in the School of GeoSciences and the Energy Research Centre, with whom we participate in an informal ‘Energy and Society’ network.
• Life Science Innovation, with a broad programme of activities covering innovation, governance and engagement strategies and their interactions across a range of life sciences including cell therapies, synthetic biology, pharmaceuticals, agro-biotechnology, biofuels, and sustainable food production.
• Socio-economic research into Information and Communication Technology, fostered through the Social Informatics cluster that draws colleagues from the Schools of Business and of Informatics, and a wider Digital Economy network including colleagues from Law and the Edinburgh College of Art.

STIS also hosts two major research institutes:

• ISSTI: the Institute for the Study of Science, Technology and Innovation (www.issti.ed.ac.uk/), a research network bringing together a wide array of interdisciplinary collaborative activity across the University.
• Innogen: The Institute for Innovation Generation in the Life Sciences (www.innogen.ac.uk), a University-wide research network focused on life science innovation.

Through these two institutes, STIS maintains extensive research collaborations with colleagues in the University of Edinburgh’s Colleges of Humanities and Social Science, Science and Engineering, and Medicine and Veterinary Medicine, as well as national and international collaborations.

http://www.stis.ed.ac.uk/