Assistant/Associate Professor in Connected and Autonomous Vehicle Technologies
WMG
Assistant Professor: £40,792 – £48,677 pa or Associate Professor: £50,132 – £58,089 pa
WMG is at the forefront of collaborative R & D on automotive engineering with significant research and exciting growth plans in the area of Connected and Autonomous Vehicles. With an extensive programme of research in collaboration with industry and unique research facilities, such as a multi-million 3xD simulator for development of autonomous driving systems, WMG is leading some cutting-edge research projects in collaboration with automotive industry, and is co-located with Jaguar Land Rover’s (JLR) research department and Tata Motor’s European Centre. The National Automotive Innovation Centre is driving the future of the automotive industry from the heart of the United Kingdom. A beacon for automotive research it brings together the brightest minds from industry and academia, to develop future vehicles and mobility solutions. The Centre is a partnership between WMG, Jaguar Land Rover, and Tata Motors UK, with a join investment of £150m.
WMG’s Intelligent Vehicles Research Group, dedicated to the development of autonomous and smart vehicles within WMG, is calling for applications for a new academic post at Assistant/Associate professor level depending on experience. While applicants with related expertise and outstanding qualifications from various disciplines will be considered, a background in Applied Artificial Intelligence (e.g., Machine Learning) in the area of autonomous driving systems, demonstrated by a track record of publications and successful grant applications, will be highly suitable for this post.
To qualify for this post the applications:
- Must have a PhD degree in related fields (for example, computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering)
- Must have some postdoctoral experience of researching some aspects of connected autonomous driving systems (for example, these could include Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Robotics, Navigation Systems, Mobile Edge Cloud Computing), which MUST be supported by strong high quality journal publications record
- Are required to have some experience of preparing successful research proposals
- Are required to have some experience of technical leadership and supervision of MSc/PhD students
- Are desired to have very good teaching capabilities
- Will be required to have excellent skills in technical writing and presentations
The successful applicant will contribute to a variety of academic activities (mainly research), including ongoing research projects such as the UK’s flagship multi-disciplinary research on connected autonomous cars, namely Cloud Assisted Real-time Methods for Autonomy (CARMA), which is sponsored by EPSRC and Jaguar Land Rover (JLR), as well as development of new research proposals. In particular, the appointee is expected to:
- Contribute to the technical leadership of existing research projects in the area of autonomous and connected vehicles
- Contribute to development of new research proposals
- Supervise PhD and MSc students and work closely with them in order to guide them in their research
- Collaborate with the industrial partners in automotive industry and other related sectors in delivering technical work as well as development of new research proposals
- Contribute to departmental teaching activities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
This is an excellent opportunity for you to demonstrate strong research leadership and to develop your own professional network through interaction with a multi-disciplinary team of researchers, as well as industrial partners.
At WMG we are committed to supporting staff to achieve their potential. We currently hold the Athena SWAN Bronze Award and the University of Warwick holds an Institutional Silver Award: a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia. We are supportive of staff with caring responsibilities including a generous maternity/paternity/adoption/parental leave policy, onsite childcare facilities and the childcare vouchers scheme. We will consider applications for employment on a part-time or other flexible working basis, even where a position is advertised as full-time, unless there are operational or other objective reasons why it is not possible to do so.
JOB DESCRIPTION
Job Purpose
This is an exciting opportunity for you to develop your own career and profile by supporting the work of WMG and its partners in the area of Connected and Autonomous vehicles. You will lead research, teaching and administration in addition to providing innovative solutions to complex industrial problems by creating a bridge between WMG and interested parties.
Duties and Responsibilities
Research and scholarship
- Identify, develop and manage research and act as principal investigator and project leader making a full contribution to the departmental objective of obtaining four 3 star minimum papers in the forthcoming REF.
- Work with senior executives to translate their complex industrial problems into academically robust programmes of research.
- Contribute to the research activities of the department by developing own research programme, planning and co-ordinating a broad research activity or programme, sustaining an extensive track record of published research findings, maintaining an expert reputation in own subject area at least at national, and usually international level, and providing guidance to staff and students on own specialist area.
- Apply for, negotiate and manage research funds to the benefit of the individual’s or others’ research activity and the research standing of the University as measured by, for example, the REF.
- In managing research projects, manage and develop research staff and students, technical and other support staff engaged in research.
- Publish research outcomes in appropriate refereed journals of international standing, and publish and disseminate the results of research and scholarship in other outlets.
- Engage in external academic activities in accordance with the department’s research strategy and which enhance the Department’s national/international research profile. Such activities may include, for example, delivery of research papers at conferences, membership of committees of academic bodies, external examining, participation in knowledge transfer, development of industrial links and other related activities, and journal editorships.
Teaching and Learning Support
- Engage in teaching at all levels using relevant teaching methods, e.g. lectures, seminars, tutorials, etc, working as part of the teaching team.
- Develop and apply appropriate teaching techniques and materials, which may be novel or innovative, which create interest, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students. This will include contribution to regular reflection on the enhancement of departmental curricula.
- Undertake curriculum design and deliver material across a range of programmes of study at various levels, using appropriate teaching, learning support and assessment methods, reviewing and improving as required.
- Supervise research students (PhD, M Phil, MSc).
- Supervise UG student projects and, where appropriate, placements and field trips.
- Take responsibility for academic duties (i.e. setting examination questions, marking, invigilation and pastoral support of students) required to sustain the delivery of high quality teaching. Coordinate and undertake pastoral support for students within the programme, course or modules for which the post holder is responsible, liaising where necessary with other University agencies such as the Senior Tutor’s Office. Provide first line support for colleagues, referring them to sources of further help if required.
Administration and Other Activities
- Contribute to the efficient management and administration of the department by performing administrative duties as allocated by the Chair and by taking on appropriate departmental responsibilities. Such duties may include, for example, Head of Teaching Programme, Admissions Officer or Year Head.
- Provide leadership to those working within programme areas, as course leader or equivalent, by for example co-ordinating the work of others to ensure that courses are delivered effectively or organising the work of a team by agreeing objectives and work plans.
- Likely to contribute to the management or monitoring of budgets (either project-based or departmental) and/or may contribute to the establishment and management of programme/departmental financial plans and budgets, in collaboration as appropriate.
- Contribute to the development of teams and individuals through the appraisal system and by providing advice on personal development.
- Act as a personal mentor to peers and colleagues.
PERSON SPECIFICATION
POST TITLE: Assistant or Associate Professor
DEPARTMENT: WMG
REQUIREMENTS The postholder must be able to demonstrate: | ESSENTIAL (E) OR DESIRABLE (D) REQUIREMENTS (please indicate) | MEASURED BY: a) application form b) Test/Exercise c) Interview d) Presentation
|
Honours degree (2.1 or above) in a relevant subject | E | a |
A PhD in a relevant area (e.g. computer science, electrical engineering, mechanical engineering) | E | a |
Postdoctoral experience of researching some aspects of connected autonomous driving systems (for example, Artificial Intelligence, Machine Learning, Computer Vision, Robotics, Navigation Systems, Mobile Edge Could Computing) | E | a, c, d |
At least nationally, and usually internationally recognised authority in the subject area with major achievements in research and scholarship | E | a, c, d |
Excellence in published work at national and international, with the ability to initiate, develop and deliver high quality research, combining qualitative and quantitative methods | E | a, c, d |
Ability to identify and liaise with external collaborators to turn their complex issues into academically robust programmes of research | E | a, c, d |
Ability to initiate and develop relationships with external contacts in order to achieve successful funding applications | E | a, c |
Proven ability in teaching, and able to use a range of innovative delivery techniques to engage the interest and enthusiasm of students and inspire them to learn | E | a, c, d |
Ability to work as a strong team member using leadership and excellent communication skills (both verbal and written) with the aim to encourage the next generation of talent | E | a, c |
Understanding of equal opportunity issues | E | a, c |
Engagement in continuous professional development | E | a, c |
Record in attracting grant income (for Associate Professor a track record of substantial external funding) | E | a, c |
Possession of a teaching qualification or HEA accreditation, or willingness to complete Warwick APPTE or seek HEA accreditation when in post | E | a, c |
Ability to develop the curriculum and take responsibility for effective and efficient delivery of MSc, Executive Education and other teaching programmes, and industry workshops using appropriate assessment techniques | D | a, c |
Further Particulars
For further information about WMG, please visit our website:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg
Full details of the work of the Intelligent Vehicles Research Group and the research facilities available to support this role can be found via the following link:
https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/sci/wmg/research/cav/
WMG has engaged the services of Search Higher to manage this recruitment. If you wish to apply for this role, please submit a CV and covering letter directly by email to Kaye Matthews, Search Higher Recruitment Manager (k.matthews.1@warwick.ac.uk) as soon as possible. Please do not submit an on-line application for this role.
Advert closing: 3rd July 2019
Interview Date: Interviews are schedule to be held during w/c 22nd July