Appointment details Chair in Chemical Engineering Closing date st 31 January 2015 Ref: R140386 Contents About Aston University Welcome from Professor Bjorn Birgisson, Executive Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science School of Engineering & Applied Science Job description Person specification Salary and benefits How to apply and the selection process Outline terms and conditions About Aston University At a time of significant change within the Higher Education sector, with more emphasis being placed on widening participation, graduate employment, the student experience and the impact of research on society, Aston looks forward to the future with confidence. Aston’s vision is to be the UK’s leading University for business, enterprise and the professions, where original research has a positive impact on the world around us. Aston’s strategy ‘Forward to 2020’ describes Aston as a top research-led international University renowned for developing future leaders of business and the professions. We already ‘punch above our weight’ and have high, yet realistic, aspirations for 2020 that include: Ranked within the top 1% of universities in the world, and consistently in the Top 20 in the UK In the Top 10 for Graduate Employability in the UK and Top 40 worldwide Focussed on the needs of business and the professions, with all Aston undergraduate students taking part in integrated work experience Carrying out world class research that leads to the creation of practical and applicable solutions for the challenges of the future, and contributes to the development of research leaders and entrepreneurs Providing an inspiring, challenge-based education for students, equipping them to develop into global citizens, with the skills, knowledge and confidence they will need to achieve their goals and reach their full life potential Engaging with our community and city, recruiting students with talent regardless of income and background, and partnering with business, the professions and the public sector Putting sustainability at the centre of all we do, ensuring that Aston is one of the greenest and most sustainable of all UK universities, in the Top 5 of the People and Planet League. Students are at the heart of everything we do within Aston’s small and friendly community – in the way we think and in the way we act. The student experience is distinctive and unique at Aston because it is built and lived by students and staff as equal partners in the relationship. Our students are engaged in all aspects of their academic and social lives at Aston; our staff are genuinely interested in their students, their success and their welfare, and are universally approachable and friendly. Welcome from Professor Bjorn Birgisson Dear applicant I am delighted that you are considering applying for this position at what is a particularly exciting time for Aston University, and in particular for the School of Engineering and Applied Science. The School’s tradition of quality and innovative teaching, and its reputation for cutting edge research that is relevant to industry, business and society, offers our staff and students excellent opportunities to join in the process of discovery and creativity, and prepare for an increasingly diverse and technological world. Our scientists and engineers work together with a variety of other professionals in their quest to find solutions to complex problems. Our research income has grown dramatically over the past five years with awards growth trebling and now at a level of over £9M / year and still growing. A particularly important development is the establishment of new substantive Research institutes in photonics (Aston Institute for Photonics Technology) and in bioenergy (European Bioenergy Research Institute). Teaching innovation and quality are a vitally important focus. In the School of Engineering and Applied Science we are inspired by the challenges of providing a vibrant, fulfilling and effective student experience, and this is reflected in our attention to teaching innovation; we are particularly proud of our innovation in introducing “active engineering” across our curriculum. We encourage our students to learn by doing – e.g., in multidisciplinary project groups. It is a very exciting time to be a part of Aston and I look forward to receiving your application and learning more about how you would contribute the schools continuing success. Professor Bjorn Birgisson Executive Dean, School of Engineering and Applied Science The School of Engineering and Applied Science Structure The School of Engineering and Applied Science was formed in 1998 as part of a University-wide academic reorganisation from a departmental and faculty structure to a School structure. The internal structure of SEAS is set up as a matrix, which is intended to encourage the formation of new research and/or teaching links between previously unrelated areas. A member of staff may therefore choose to join a research group whose composition is markedly different from that of the Subject Group through which other professional activities are arranged. SEAS is led by the appointed Executive Dean, Professor Bjorn Birgisson, The Executive Dean is supported by a Deputy Dean (Dr Trevor Oliver) and four appointed Associate Deans with the following areas of overall responsibility: Research: Prof Alison Hodge Undergraduate Programmes: Dr Trevor Oliver Learning and Teaching: Dr Robin Clark Postgraduate Programmes: Dr Sudhir Jain External Relations: Prof Alison Hodge Underpinning this structure are six Subject Groups, with considerable discipline-specific responsibilities, each with a Subject Group Head; and two research institutes as listed below: Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (CEAC) Professor Sahar Al-Malaika Computer Science (CS) Professor Ian Nabney Electrical, Electronic and Power Engineering (EEPE) Engineering Systems and Management (ESM) Professor Ed Sweeney European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) Professor Tony Bridgwater Mathematics (Maths) Professor Ian Nabney Mechanical Engineering and Design (MED) Dr Gareth Thomson Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT) Professor Sergei Turitsin Each Subject Group has devolved responsibility for the design, delivery and operation of particular programmes through the Programme Management Committees. The bodies report through three key committees - Management Committee, Teaching Committee and Research Committee, ensuring that the individual disciplines are sustained and developed within the single integrated structure of the School. Research The School of Engineering and Applied Science specialises in research that addresses future societal needs: sustainability, bio-energy, knowledge engineering, complex systems studies, superfast high bandwidth communications and assistive technologies in biomedicine. We want to address basic questions with high human impact: How can we simulate model, predict and control uncertain complex systems with partial knowledge? How do we engineer superior optically based communication and sensing technologies? Professor Lin Zhang How can we apply chemistry to construct materials and products for use in biotechnology, nanotechnology and medicine? How can we harness biosciences as a source of renewable energy and raw materials for industry? How can we create a more sustainable future? How can we engineer improved health systems and technologies? From new hardware technologies to developments in algorithms for smart data processing, our Engineering research is at the core of modern society developments. Photonics research focuses on ultrafast optical transmission and processing in fibre designed optic components. Flexible and powerful principles of fibre optic sensing are also being used to detect physical and chemical properties of living cells. Synthetic chemistry is being utilised to construct novel ‘designer’ materials that interact with biological molecules, cells and more complex biological systems. Biomedical engineering research is investigating smart systems for monitoring and diagnosis. Sophisticated cross-disciplinary mathematical and computational approaches are being developed for transportation, environmental, eHealth and communication domains, and work on thermal biomass conversion applies chemical engineering science and technology to the design and development of new products and processes that will enable society to have less harmful environmental impacts. Research groups RAE 2008 In the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise the School was praised for its substantial submission (86 % of the academic staff) with a well-articulated strategy. Over 40 % of the research outputs were in the internationally excellent to world leading range (3* and 4*). Overall, EAS placed 12th out of 49 institutions in the General Engineering category on a volumeweighted quality ranking. RESEARCH FACILITIES There are a number of primary research groups (see www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups) in the School, with some that are long established and are internationally renowned, organised as follows: Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry Polymer and Advanced Materials Catalysis and Materials Biomaterials Computer Science Computer Science Non-linearity and Complexity Mathematics) ALICE: The Aston Lab for Intelligent Collectives Engineering Electronic, Electrical and Power Engineering Adaptive Communication Networks Research Nanoscience Power Engineering & Power Electronics Engineering Systems and Management European Bioenergy Research Institute Thermal processing Catalysis Algal cultivation Bioenergy markets Institute of Systems Analytics Mathematics Non-linearity and Complexity Research Group (with Computer Science) Mechanical Engineering and Design Biomedical Engineering Sustainable Environment Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies Across the School there are facilities dedicated for student use, and all students are supplied with individual computers and working space. In addition to local computing infrastructure, all staff and students have access to the School's existing 144-processor Cray XD1 and a 256 node SGI cluster computer. There have been significant enhancements to the research infrastructure in the School with a total value in excess of £15M. (with The European Bioenergy Research Institute benefitted from a £17 million investment jointly funded by the ERDF and the University. This has established a brand new state of the art research facility with laboratory and pilot plant facilities in thermal biomass processing and catalysis. partnership with industry. This is reflected by the fact that Aston is the UK’s number one university-provider of Knowledge Transfer Partnerships per capita. The Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies (AIPT) was created in 2012 in recognition of the world leading status of the photonics at Aston University over past 20 years, and has benefited from over £4 million of strategic investments in staff and infrastructure over the past decade 2 including a 100 m clean room constructed and equipped through AWM and SRIF funding (£400k); SRIF2 funding (£1.2M) was also used to create a new suite of laboratories for micro/nano fabrication technologies for application at multiple scales: the whole body, tissues, and cells; £670k of SRIF funds was invested to purchase an X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and an electron spectrometer; Over £1.5M, primarily from HEFCE and AWM, has supported the creation of a state-of-the-art analytical laboratory for CEAC; The School is investing heavily with £2M of SRIF3 funding to upgrade the infrastructure of the Electronics Research Group and support its diversification into nanoscale and health applications of photonics IP is exploited in partnership with the Business Partnership Unit (set up in 2001), which manages patenting, licensing, and setting up of spin-out companies based on selected research innovations. In addition to this, the School has a range of specialised facilities which are resourced by each separate research or subject group through direct contract funds to support specific research activities in EAS. Funding for Research The School’s research income has increased significantly over the last 2 census periods and has averaged £9.6M per annum since the 2010/11 academic year, with continued growth planned in future years. Research income originates from diverse sources - including the UK Research Councils (in particular EPSRC), EU (FP 7, Horizon 2020) the Royal Society/Royal Academy of Engineering, Innovate UK and the Leverhulme Trust. A significant proportion of our research activity is either directly sponsored by, or undertaken in close Athena Swan The Athena SWAN Charter, funded by the Equality Challenge Unit and the UKRC, aims to encourage institutions to recruit, retain and promote women in SET in higher education and research. The School of Engineering and Applied Science recently received a Silver Award from the Athena SWAN Charter in recognition of its support for women in STEMM disciplines. Aston University also holds an Athena SWAN Bronze award and is in the process of applying for Silver status. These awards reflect the School and Aston’s excellent practice in, and on-going commitment to, the career progression of female academics and researchers in STEMM subjects. For more information, www.aston.ac.uk/seas visit our website European Bioenergy Research Institute - EBRI The bioenergy market is growing, driven by low carbon energy policy, security of supply issues, and by waste policies to divert waste materials from landfill. There is an enormous untapped resource for energy conversion from waste that goes unnecessarily into landfill or low efficiency incineration. The emerging technologies that form the research and demonstration facilities in EBRI offer the very exciting potential to deliver substantial savings and energy capacity with a net “carbon negative” outcome. EBRI provides a fully functioning demonstration facility to showcase bioenergy technologies to regional businesses, and also acts as a primary conduit for the transfer of knowledge about bioenergy between stakeholders and will embed skills to benefit the regional economy. The new building was opened in October 2013 with a total investment of approximately £19M. The Challenge and the EBRI Mission The UK Government has established aggressive targets for CO2 levels with reductions of 34 % by 2020 by 80 % by 2050. Regions across the UK have established programmes to reduce CO2 accordingly, and in some cases have been even more aggressive. For example, Birmingham City Council has committed a target of 60 % reduction of CO2 by 2026. EBRI aims to accelerate the adoption and exploitation of biomass thermal conversion technologies and catalysis. EBRI performs research and knowledge transfer in all aspects of bioenergy, by acting as a demonstrator of these technologies and by providing industrial research collaborators the opportunity to run process trials, evaluate feed materials and study combinations of processes prior to investment. The core technologies of pyrolysis and gasification provides a test bed at Aston University powering and heating the new EBRI building. Facilities include a 400 kWel fluidised bed gasifier and a 100 kg/h Pyroformer unit and a 400 kWe CHP engine with sufficient capacity to satisfy the needs of EBRI with a small surplus for export. EBRI is organising demonstration sites for its new pyrolysis/gasification based bioenergy technology in India, Hungary, Germany and the UK – EBRI application centres (EBRIAC). The strategy of the Birmingham City Council to reduce CO2 emission by 2026 by 60 % is strongly recommending the new EBRI technology. EBRI is already collaborating with Severn Trent Water to turn sewage sludge into heat and power, with Johnson Matthey to develop catalyst based tar reforming units, with Tenmat to develop new catalysis supported hot gas filtration units for tar removal from syngas, with Moser GmbH for hydrogen formation from biochar, with Harper Adams University College for the application of biochar to fields, with Konduit and Invigour for the development of a power plant franchise model and with IIT Delhi, IIT Ropar and IISc Bangalore in the field of bioenergy solutions for rural areas in India. Science Progress in biomass conversion The European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) has demonstrated that it is possible to produce clean fuels and sequestered carbon products as biochar. Pyrolysis is a core technology in EBRI with substantial laboratory and pilot plant units employing both intermediate pyrolysis and fast pyrolysis, with complementary work on slow pyrolysis and torrefaction. Intermediate pyrolysis allows the use of a very broad range of fuels of varying quality including wood waste, algae residue, general municipal waste, energy grasses, sewage sludge and agricultural residues. Materials that might otherwise be landfilled are used to produce fuel via pyrolysis and/or gasification for combined heat and power (CHP) systems. The overall process is not just carbon neutral, but substantially carbon negative as the charcoal can be sequestered in soil. Other products include heat and power, hydrogen, synthetic natural gas (SNG) and FT-diesel. Fast pyrolysis produces up to 75 wt% homogenous liquid bio-oil from biomass for either direct use in boilers and engines or upgrading to a wide variety of chemicals and fuels by thermal, chemical and catalytic processes. There is an accompanying comprehensive research programme covering all aspects of biomass processing from feed preparation to reactor design, liquids collection, liquids upgrading, process modelling and process optimisation. Biomass gasification is another area of growing competence with bench scale fluid bed and fixed bed units that complement the 400 kg/h air blown fluid bed gasifier in the pilot plant. This research is supported by physical and mathematical modelling. Catalysis underpins modern society, impacting upon energy, materials and health. The importance of catalysis in the areas of renewable energy production and biomass utilisation for fuels and chemicals, is reflected in the recent creation of a new £2.5 M catalysis, surfaces and materials group within EBRI, led by Professors Karen Wilson and Adam Lee. This houses state-of-the-art facilities for catalyst synthesis, characterisation and testing, including an X-ray suite housing high-throughput and in-situ X-ray photoelectron spectroscopy and powder X-ray diffraction, a suite of high pressure stirred batch and continuous flow gas/liquid phase microreactors supported by an array of GC, HPLC and GC-MS analysis, in-situ IR and UV-vis spectrometers, and multi-litre jacketed vessels for solvothermal materials preparation. Job description The School of Engineering and Applied Science is seeking a Chair in Chemical Engineering to provide academic leadership in the development of the European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI). The Chair will collaborate with existing EBRI research groups, whose interests span chemical engineering, catalysis and biochemistry, and across the wider University. The successful candidate must have an outstanding research portfolio, preferably in thermal conversion (e.g. pyrolysis, gasification or combustion) or related bioenergy production. The ability to develop and deliver a strong research plan which integrates into EBRI’s larger mission is essential. A strong commitment to successful delivery of the EBRI vision in conjunction with the EBRI Director, the EBRI Operational Director and the EBRI Research Director, is critical to ensure effective management of the pool of scientific and engineering projects. Candidates must have excellent experience of team dynamics, and the drive and enthusiasm to inspire and motivate others. The chair is also expected to contribute to teaching chemical engineering topics within the Chemical Engineering accredited programmes. The principal objective is to provide leadership in the development and enhancement of relevant research in the School with a particular focus on industrial and commercial activities, and engagement in the teaching of chemical engineering programmes. Responsibilities Research To be a leading authority in the field of bioenergy and biofuels, with an international reputation. To lead and develop internal and external networks such as with other research leaders, educational bodies, employers and professional bodies. To foster collaboration and share information and ideas and promote Chemical Engineering and the University. To lead and co-ordinate research activity in the subject. To lead bids for research, consultancy and other additional funds. To supervise the work of others (if appropriate) in research teams or projects or as PhD supervisor. To foster inter-disciplinary team working. Teaching To design, develop and deliver taught chemical engineering modules within Chemical Engineering programmes of study which inspire our students. To provide academic leadership in developing teaching and learning. This includes identifying opportunities for strategic development and contributing to opportunities for areas of activity. Community Engagement To be involved in activities to raise the local, regional, national and international profile of the activities of the European Bioenergy Research Institute. To support commercialisation activities and business partnerships including exploiting Intellectual Property. To support research collaborations with industry. General Professorial Responsibilities To exercise leadership for research activities across the University. To ensure the implementation of the University’s strategic plans within the area of work. To chair/take leading roles in committees and participate in institutional decision making and governance. To contribute to the enhancement of research quality and thinking in the field by being involved in quality assurance and other external decision making bodies. To contribute to the overall management of EBRI in areas such as budget management and business planning. To contribute to the design and delivery of taught modules in chemical engineering. To be involved in School level strategic planning and contribute to wider strategic planning processes in the institution. To ensure that an appropriate framework is developed and used for pastoral care issues within a specified area; give advice, guidance, coaching and feedback to research staff, act as a personal mentor to peers and colleagues. To contribute to the development of teams and individuals through the appraisal system and to provide advice on personal development. To demonstrate an active commitment in promoting equality and diversity. Person specification Education and qualifications Essential Method of assessment A good first degree in Chemical Engineering or strongly related subject. Application form A PhD in Chemical engineering or strongly related subject. Experience A well-established international reputation. Proven ability to secure large-scale and continued external research funding. Application form, interview and presentation Evidence of leadership and innovation. Supervision of research fellows and PhD students to successful completion. A strong track record of publications in peer-reviewed international journals of high standing (expected H-index >20). Evidence of successful team building, people management and mentoring. Experience within the UK Higher Education system. Aptitude and skills Ability to work with collaborators in the UK and abroad. Understanding of effective team dynamics. A willingness to undertake further training as appropriate and to adopt new procedures as and when required. Commitment to observing the University’s Equal Opportunity policy at all times. Empathy with the objectives, priorities and culture of a research and teaching organisation. Application form, interview and presentation Experience Desirable Method of assessment Active involvement in a relevant professional body. Application form and Interview Provision of pastoral care to support staff and students. Experience of near market application of technologies. Salary & benefits This post is offered on a continuing basis. The starting salary at Professorial level is £54,687 per annum however this is negotiable and will be commensurate with the experience and expertise of the successful candidate. Holiday entitlement 31 days per annum, in addition to 13 days public and university holidays. Pension Eligible staff are offered a defined benefit pension with the University Superannuation Scheme. Contribution pay The University’s Performance Development and Reward Scheme provides for salary enhancement for staff who are considered to be performing at an exceptional level on a consistent basis. Relocation Aston University aims to recruit the most talented individuals. This policy is intended to support this aim by providing assistance to new employees who have to relocate to take up a position. This policy applies to staff appointed to a position from 1 January 2014 at grade 7 (salary point 25) or above on an open-ended contract or to a fixed term position of two years or more, and who have to relocate their place of residence in order to take up the appointment. Visit our website: aston.ac.uk/hr for full details of our salary scales and the benefits Aston University staff enjoy. How to apply and the selection process Please visit our website aston.ac.uk/jobs to apply online. If you do not have internet access, call 0121 204 4500 and leave your name and address quoting the job title and reference number. Closing date for applications 31 January 2015 Interview date To be confirmed For informal enquiries, please contact Professor Karen Wilson, Research Director, EBRI, [email protected], 0121204-5456. If you would like information on the progress of your application, advice on any aspect of the appointment process, or a conversation about our terms and conditions of service, please contact: Angela Thakur HR Advisor – School of Engineering & Applied Science +44 (0) 121 204 4230 [email protected] Anthony Madarani HR Administrator +44 (0) 121 204 4892 [email protected] Outline terms and conditions of the appointment Qualifications Successful candidates will be required to produce evidence of their qualifications upon joining the University Medical clearance It is a condition of appointment that newly-appointed staff receive medical clearance from the University’s Health Centre. Eligibility to work in the UK Candidates who are not citizens of the United Kingdom, or of another EEA member country, should ensure that they meet the requirements of one of the 5 tiers of the immigration points based system. Candidates should check their eligibility to enter or remain in the UK in advance of making any job application using the points-based calculator on the UK Visas and Immigration website. If you do not meet the minimum points requirement, you will not be able to work in the UK and any application for employment would be unsuccessful. Document checks As a result of the implementation of sections 15 to 26 of the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality 2006 Act on 29 February 2008, the University requires all prospective and, in some cases, current employees, to provide documentation to verify their eligibility to work in the UK. Further information about these requirements can be found on the UK Visas and Immigration website. Equal opportunities Aston University promotes equality and diversity in all aspects of its work. We aim to ensure, through our admissions policies for students, and our staff recruitment and selection processes, that we encourage applications from all groups represented in the wider community at a local, national and international level. The University will endeavour not to discriminate unfairly or illegally, directly or indirectly, against students or potential students, staff or potential staff. This commitment applies to all functions of the University and to any stage of an individual’s career at Aston. An Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form is included with the application form. Data Protection Act 1998 Your application will only be used to inform the selection process, unless you are successful, in which case it will form the basis of your personal record with the University which will be stored in manual and/or electronic files. Information in statistical form on present and former employees is given to appropriate outside bodies. Data you provide on the Equal Opportunities Monitoring Form will be included in a general database, for statistical monitoring purposes, enabling the University to monitor the effectiveness of its Policy, Code of Practice and Guidelines on Equal Opportunities in Employment. Individuals will not be identified by name. Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, a person with a criminal record is not required to disclose any spent convictions unless the position they are applying for is listed as an exception under the act. Teaching Qualifications It is the normal expectation that all teaching staff who are not able to satisfy the requirements of an advanced teaching qualification (such as the University’s PG Certificate in Professional Practice (PGCPP)) on appointment should be able to do so within two years of appointment. This may be extended to four years in exceptional circumstances or where staff hold part-time posts. Full details of our terms and conditions of service and associated policies and procedures are available online at www.aston.ac.uk/hr.
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