At a Glance
- Tasks: Lead and teach innovative Bioinformatics modules, focusing on AI and Machine Learning.
- Company: Join the University of Birmingham's dynamic Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences.
- Benefits: Competitive salary, professional development, and opportunities for international travel.
- Other info: Be part of a diverse and inclusive community committed to innovation and sustainability.
- Why this job: Make a real impact in education while collaborating globally with students in China.
- Qualifications: PhD in Bioinformatics or related field, with strong teaching experience in Machine Learning.
The predicted salary is between 47389 - 56535 € per year.
Position Details
Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences, School of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine and Health
Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK
Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606
Grade: 8
Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to May 2029
Closing date: 9th April 2026
UK and International travel may be required for this role
Interviews Scheduled to take place between 5th and 8th May
The post is available immediately and is one of four to support our Masters education at Jinan-Birmingham Joint Institute.
Background
An opportunity has arisen to become part of the University of Birmingham (UoB) and to join our mission to deliver a world-class University education as part of the Jinan-Birmingham Joint Institute (JBJI) MSc Bioinformatics. We are looking for an academic to join our education team to create and disseminate knowledge through developing and delivering postgraduate programmes; and to contribute to the activities of UoB through management, leadership and enterprise activities, as appropriate.
The University has a large and successful portfolio of Bioinformatics Masters programmes, which includes courses at the University of Birmingham campuses in Birmingham and in Dubai and 100% online in our Distance Learning programme. We are now extending our portfolio to deliver the MSc Bioinformatics programme in collaboration with Jinan University in Guangzhou, China, and are seeking to recruit an Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics Education to support teaching across our portfolio. It is expected that the post-holder will support teaching in Machine Learning related modules.
The post-holder will be expected to contribute towards administration in the Bioinformatics and Health Data Science section within the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences in the School of Medical Sciences. Management and administration are likely to involve contributions at the Department level, and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities e.g. working groups within the University.
Role Summary
The post-holder will be based within the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences in the School of Medical Sciences on the main University of Birmingham campus in Edgbaston, Birmingham but will primarily coordinate and deliver teaching in our joint institute (JBJI) in Guangzhou, China. We anticipate that the post-holder will travel to China twice per year and spend approximately one month in China each time. The post-holder will organise and coordinate key modules and deliver teaching, particularly in the area of Machine Learning.
In addition, the post-holder will be expected to contribute to the whole range of teaching and administration across the University’s data science programmes, including management of programmes and supervision of individual research projects. Teaching also includes a substantial contribution to:
- (a) the management, development (including programme/module review) and delivery of teaching and assessment; and
- (b) enhancement of the student experience or employability.
The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including:
- (a) providing expert advice to staff and students,
- (b) supervising and examining PhD students, and
- (c) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.
Given the education-focused nature of this role, all candidates must include details of the level and nature of their teaching experience (including topics taught, teaching and assessment strategies) at undergraduate and/or postgraduate levels, both listed in their CV and described in a cover letter limited to 500 words.
Main Duties
Learning and Teaching
The post-holder will:
- Lead key modules in the Bioinformatics JBJI programme – specifically modules related to AI and Machine Learning
- Provide substantial contributions to other teaching duties, as assigned by the Head of Education and/or Head of Department
- Teach and examine courses
- Develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are innovative to the subject area or institution
- Undertake and develop a full range of responsibilities in relation to research supervision, marking and examining
- Advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment
- Deliver (where appropriate to the discipline) specific professional programmes
- Advance the practice of teaching in their modules, and play an important role in student academic support
- Inform their teaching practice by discipline-based research
- Frequently update their own subject expertise, and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes
- Typically carry a higher teaching load than the staff who carry out both education and research
In addition, they will play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students.
Management/Administration
To contribute to the UoB administration or have a high level of responsibility for others. This may include:
- Contribute to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Data Science programmes
- Lead and manage a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or recruitment drive)
- Advise on personal development of colleagues and students
- Make a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups)
- Manage enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the Department, College and University
- Develop and make substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, school outreach
- Actively manage equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour
Person Specification
- PhD or equivalent experience in Bioinformatics, Machine Learning, Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a closely related discipline
- Depth of expertise in modern Machine Learning for biological data, covering supervised and unsupervised learning, and able to explain methods clearly to mixed background cohorts
- Demonstrable teaching expertise in several of the following areas:
- Bayesian learning and probabilistic modelling
- Multimodal and integrative analysis, including multi-omics settings
- Data visualisation and exploratory analysis for complex biological systems
- Explainable models and model interpretation in applied contexts
- Robust analysis of real-world data, including missingness, low quality samples, and noise
- Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning and research
- Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels
- Ability and willingness to travel twice per year to China for approximately 1 month per visit
Teaching
- Substantial teaching experience in Machine Learning and data analytics at postgraduate level, including curriculum design and delivery that connects computational methods to biological questions
- Proven ability to design authentic assessments that evaluate method choice, scientific reasoning, and real-world problem solving, not only technical recall
- Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability
- Experience leading or contributing to practice-based learning, for example project-led workshops, data challenges, group presentations, or similar formats
- Effective supervision and mentoring of students and staff, with evidence of positive outcomes and an inclusive approach to supporting diverse learners
Management/Administration
- Ability to contribute to Departmental/School management processes
- Ability to assess and organise resources effectively
- Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes
- Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area
- Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied
- Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action
OH & DBS required
The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and DBS clearance prior to appointment.
Use of AI in applications
We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.
We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone.
Informal enquiries to Richard Tuxworth, email: r.i.tuxworth@bham.ac.uk and Dr Anas Ahmad Rana, email: a.a.rana@bham.ac.uk
Assistant Professor (Education) in Bioinformatics Education - Department of Cancer and Genomic [...] in Birmingham employer: University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is an exceptional employer, offering a vibrant work culture that fosters innovation and collaboration within the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. With a strong commitment to employee development through tailored academic programmes and opportunities for international engagement, staff can expect to thrive in a supportive environment that values diversity and inclusion. Located in the heart of Edgbaston, Birmingham, the university provides a dynamic setting for meaningful contributions to education and research in bioinformatics.
StudySmarter Expert Advice🤫
We think this is how you could land Assistant Professor (Education) in Bioinformatics Education - Department of Cancer and Genomic [...] in Birmingham
✨Tip Number 1
Network like a pro! Reach out to current or former staff at the University of Birmingham, especially those in the Department of Cancer and Genomic Sciences. A friendly chat can give us insider info on the role and help us stand out.
✨Tip Number 2
Prepare for the interview by diving deep into the latest trends in Bioinformatics and Machine Learning. We want to show that we’re not just knowledgeable but also passionate about the field and ready to contribute to the MSc programme.
✨Tip Number 3
Practice our teaching demo! Since this role involves leading modules, we should be ready to showcase our teaching style. Let’s create an engaging presentation that highlights our expertise and connects with students.
✨Tip Number 4
Don’t forget to apply through our website! It’s the best way to ensure our application gets the attention it deserves. Plus, we can tailor our submission to highlight how we fit perfectly with the University’s mission.
We think you need these skills to ace Assistant Professor (Education) in Bioinformatics Education - Department of Cancer and Genomic [...] in Birmingham
Some tips for your application 🫡
Tailor Your Cover Letter:Make sure your cover letter speaks directly to the role of Assistant Professor in Bioinformatics Education. Highlight your teaching experience and how it aligns with the modules you'll be leading, especially in Machine Learning.
Showcase Your Teaching Experience:In your CV, detail your teaching experience at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Be specific about the topics you've taught and the strategies you've used to engage students, as this will help us see your fit for the role.
Be Authentic:We want to hear your voice! Avoid over-relying on AI tools for your application. Make sure your written elements reflect your genuine interest and unique communication style, as this is crucial for us to assess your suitability.
Apply Through Our Website:Don't forget to submit your application through our official website. This ensures that your application is processed correctly and gives you the best chance of being considered for this exciting opportunity!
How to prepare for a job interview at University of Birmingham
✨Know Your Stuff
Make sure you brush up on your knowledge of bioinformatics and machine learning. Be ready to discuss specific techniques and their applications in biological data. This will show that you're not just familiar with the theory but can also apply it practically.
✨Showcase Your Teaching Experience
Prepare to talk about your teaching philosophy and experiences. Highlight any innovative teaching methods you've used, especially in machine learning or data analytics. Be specific about how you've engaged students and enhanced their learning experience.
✨Demonstrate Leadership Skills
Since this role involves management and administration, think of examples where you've led a team or contributed to departmental initiatives. Discuss how you've motivated others and managed projects effectively, particularly in an educational context.
✨Be Ready for Travel Talk
As the role requires travel to China, be prepared to discuss your willingness and ability to travel. Share any previous international experiences and how they have shaped your perspective on education and collaboration in a global context.
