Assistant Professor in Mechanical/Biomedical Engineering

Grade and Salary: Grade 7 (£37,694 - £47,389 per annum) or Grade 8 (£47,389 - £58,335 per annum)

FTE and Working Pattern: Full-time (35hrs per week) Fixed-term for 12 months

Reward and Benefits: 33 days annual leave, plus 9 building closed days for all full‑time staff.

About our Team: We are looking to recruit a Biomedical or Mechanical Engineer (Assistant Professor) to join the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences (EPS) at the Edinburgh campus for maternity cover. Applicants will ideally have expertise in biomaterials, as well as design and manufacture.

Purpose of Role: The role holder will be expected to lead and contribute to the delivery and assessment of several courses which could include Biomaterials (postgraduate), Biomanufacture in Bioengineering (postgraduate), Design and Manufacture (undergraduate) and project supervision. Exact teaching may change based on the expertise of the successful candidate. Teaching will involve the delivery of existing lectures, tutorials and practical classes and may involve organising external expert speakers and field trips. The successful candidate will have opportunities to demonstrate innovation in teaching and deliver research‑led teaching. The role holder will also act as a personal tutor to undergraduate students.

Key Duties and Responsibilities: The successful applicant will be responsible for the following:

• Delivery of existing teaching (e.g. lectures, tutorials, and practical classes).
• Invite external experts to deliver teaching.
• Ensure students are engaged with the learning materials.
• Assess courses (e.g. designing and marking coursework and exams).
• Carry out course‑related administrative tasks (e.g. contributing to exam boards and participating in relevant committees).
• Act as a personal tutor for assigned undergraduate students.
• Supervise student projects.
• Deliver research‑led teaching.
• Demonstrate innovation in teaching.
• Liaise with colleagues at Heriot‑Watt University and externally to support teaching delivery.

Note that this is not an exhaustive list of activities 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.

Person Specification: These are the criteria on which the short‑listing and recruitment selection will be made.

Essential:

• A degree (PhD level or equivalent) in a relevant discipline such as Mechanical Engineering, Biomaterials or Biomedical Engineering.
• Willingness and capability to deliver teaching for other engineering programmes relevant to the expertise of the role holder.
• Excellent oral and written communication, team‑working and organisational skills.
• Ability to work collaboratively with colleagues.
• Willingness to demonstrate versatility and flexibility.

Desirable (Learning, Teaching and Scholarship):

• Experience of developing and delivering training or teaching material.
• Ideas for innovation in teaching.
• Familiarity with online communication tools such as Teams, Canvas or Blackboard.

Desirable (Research or Professional Experience):

• Chartered Engineer and Member of the IMechE – or equivalent engineering institution.
• Commitment to adopting principles of diversity, equity and inclusion in the workplace.
• A postgraduate certificate in teaching in higher education.
• Experience of supervision or mentoring of students or colleagues.

EEO Statement: 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. Applications from members of underrepresented groups are especially encouraged.