Assistant Professor in Applied Nuclear Physics (Research and Education) - School of Physics and AstronomyGrade 8

Position Details

School of Physics and Astronomy

Location: University of Birmingham Edgbaston Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range 46735 to 55755 with potential progression once in post to 62728

As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 8 salary 55755

Full Time Permanent

Closing date: 30th June 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this role

Academic Development Programme new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5year development programme at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.

Background

The School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor with strong expertise and a demonstrated scientific track record in applied nuclear physics. We are seeking an ambitious physicist to exploit the Schools accelerator facilities in the applied areas of fission and fusion research. The accelerators comprise the Birmingham MC40 Cyclotron; and the High Flux AcceleratorDriven Neutron Facility (HFADNeF) a new national facility that is part of the National Nuclear User Facility (NNUF) project an important Government investment in the UKs nuclear future to provide stateoftheart experimental facilities for research and development in nuclear science and technology. The successful applicant will open up new research into fission and fusion in the School strengthening the physics interface to colleagues working on materials for fission and fusion in the School of Metallurgy & Materials and working closely with external partners (e.g. from industry). The goal is to fully capitalize on the unique opportunities afforded in this area by the Birmingham ecosystem i.e. its facilities and expertise.

Based in the School of Physics and Astronomy the accelerators support a broad range of research across many disciplines including fission and fusionrelated studies fundamental nuclear physics medical isotopes dosimetry for radiotherapy radiobiology materials damage as well as detector and highpower target development.

The successful applicant will sit within the Nuclear Physics Group in the School of Physics and Astronomy as part of a dynamic team utilising the unique combination of nuclear facilities based in the School and at national and international laboratories. They will require the necessary background and expertise to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate education programmes in the School in particular in nuclear technologies and nuclear physics.

Role specifications include the following:

• PhD in relevant area of applied nuclear physics or similar
• Strong background in nuclear applications
• Background in performing acceleratorbased measurements relevant to applied nuclear physics studies or neutronbased measurements
• Significant experience of working on nuclear applications relevant to one or more EPSRCfunded areas i.e. fission and fusion reactors nuclear data and advanced nuclear technologies
• Evidence of effectively engaging with academic and wider user communities
• Demonstrated publication and scientific track record in a field relevant to the Applied Nuclear Physics

For further information about this post please contact: Professor David Evans () and/or Professor Carl Wheldon (). You should make sure to attach the following to your application: a CV including full publication list; a statement of future research plans and objectives; a statement on your teaching experience; and contact details for three referees.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is a worldleading physics department excelling in both research and teaching. Our physics research was recently ranked top in the UK for 4starcategory research and 4th by GPA by the Research Excellence Framework 2021. The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics was awarded to Professor Mike Kosterlitz and Professor David Thouless jointly for their work into the discoveries of the properties of matter work which started when they were at Birmingham together. The 2017 Prize was awarded for the detection of gravitational waves in which Birmingham staff played a key role. The School is an excellent environment for an upcoming academic.

The Schools research portfolio is wideranging and covers three principal themes: Quantum Matter; Particle and Nuclear Physics; and Astronomy and Experimental Gravity. It has over 120 academic and research staff together with 120 graduate students with around 50 technical and clerical support staff.

The School of Physics and Astronomy is an Institute of Physics Juno Champion since 2014 and holder of the Athena SWAN Silver Award. Both initiatives recognise the Schools commitment to promote diversity and equality and to encourage better practice for all members of the community whilst also working towards developing an equitable working culture in which all students and staff can achieve their full potential. We welcome applications from all qualified applicants and encourage applications from traditionally underrepresented groups in Physics and Astronomy including but not limited to women and Black Asian and Minority Ethnic Groups.

Role Summary

You will contribute to a range of research teaching and administration. In addition you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship developing and maintaining generous mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others can carry out theirs.

Teaching is likely to include 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 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.

Research is likely to involve initiating conducting and disseminating original research. Your research will have measurable outcomes reflect in your growing national (and ideally international) reputation.

Management and administration is likely to involve contributions at Departmental and School level and/or making an important contribution to some managerial/leadership activities (e.g. working groups) within the may include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer enterprise business engagement public engagement widening participation schools outreach or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates postgraduates or CPD students including (as appropriate):

• teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
• planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• designing contemporary inclusive engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;
• working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching learning and assessment;
• using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
• where appropriate undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision marking and examining;
• developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer enterprise business engagementpublic engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
• devising and supervising projects student dissertations and practical work.

Research

Planning and carrying out research including (as appropriate):

• planning and publishing high quality research including winning financial support;
• project managing research activities and/or supervising other research staff;
• presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;
• effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;
• providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
• participating in researchrelated enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;
• applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer and enterprise (including business engagement public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.

Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration including:

• contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
• leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
• advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels working groups);
• managing enterprise business development and public engagement activities;
• developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer enterprise business engagement public engagement widening participation schools outreach;
• actively manages equality diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g. participation in graduation Departmental/School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues such as sharing resources providing advice;
• willingness to volunteer for oneoff duties (such as supporting School Institute and Departmental projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• PhD in relevant area of applied nuclear physics or similar
• Strong background in nuclear science and applications
• Background in acceleratorbased measurements relevant to applied nuclear physics studies or neutronbased measurements
• Significant experience of working on nuclear applications relevant to one or more EPSRCfunded areas such as fission and fusion reactors medical isotopes nuclear data and advanced nuclear technologies
• Evidence of effectively engaging with academic and wider user communities
• Demonstrated impact
• Established publication and scientific track record in a field relevant to the Applied Nuclear Physics
• An understanding of nuclear interactions and experience in planning and implementing acceleratorbased measurements including MonteCarlo simulations reaction calculations spectroscopy (i.e. charged particle gamma or neutron detection) and awareness of material activation mechanism and radioactive waste minimisation
• Skills in managing motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels

Teaching

• Ability to design deliver assess and revise teaching programmes
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues
• Experience and success in knowledge transfer enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability

Research

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation
• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results
• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models techniques and methods
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer enterprise and similar activity

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental 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

You should make sure to attach the following to your application: a CV including full publication list; a statement of future research plans and objectives; a statement on your teaching experience; and contact details for three referees.

Informal enquiries to Professor David Evans email: and/or Professor Carl Wheldon email:

View our staff values and behaviourshere

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 everyoneon our website.