UCL Mechanical Engineering

Candidate Briefing:
Associate Professor or
Lecturer in Marine Engineering
About UCL

UCL is a global top 10 University founded in 1826 to

open higher education to students from a wider range of
backgrounds and to change the way we create and
share knowledge. In 1878, we became the first
university in England to welcome women onequal terms
with men. That radical and disruptive spirit is alive and
nurtured today across our university.

Our staff and students are taking on some of the

biggest challenges of our time and making vital
contributions for the good of humanity.

Recent examples include: our pioneering research on

dementia and various forms of
cancer, leading on three European Space Agency
missions to study comets and habitable planets outside
of our solar system, advising policy makers globally on
innovation led inclusive economic growth and future
public services, ensuring that artificial intelligence is
developed and used ethically for the benefit of society,
science and industry and researching how early life
experiences shape the human brain.

Vision

UCL is one of the world’s leading multidisciplinary

universities. We operate in a global context and are
committed to excellence, innovation and the promotion
of global understanding in all our activities: research,
teaching, learning, enterprise, and community
engagement.

We aspire to provide a supportive environment for staff

and students where academic insight and pioneering
thinking can thrive, deepening knowledge and
developing solutions to problems worldwide.

For more about UCL please visit

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/about/
The Faculty of Engineering Sciences

About the Faculty

The Faculty of Engineering Sciences currently comprises eleven academic
departments that undertake research and training across a broad range of
disciplines on a global scale. These are

• UCL Biochemical Engineering

• UCL Chemical Engineering
• UCL Civil, Environmental and Geomatic Engineering
• UCL Computer Science
• UCL Electronic and Electrical Engineering
• UCL Mechanical Engineering
• UCL Medical Physics and Biomedical Engineering
• UCL Science, Technology, Engineering and Public Policy (STEAPP)
• UCL Security and Crime Science
• UCL School of Management

Our teaching programmes are focused on

subjects that have the greatest impact on the
world around us, and their content is informed
by internationally leading research. Further
information is available at
www.ucl.ac.uk/engineering.

UCL is host to a flourishing community of

engineers and scientists, conducting world-
leading research, and supported by
exceptionally strong links with governmental
organisations and industry.

Our scientists and engineers take discoveries

from life sciences, pure maths, psychology and
many other areas, mix them together, add their
own innovations and produce technical
solutions the world needs.

The products, processes and students we produce change the world we live in, and
with our teaching, we aim to take bright, thoughtful, creative people and give them
the knowledge, skills, and experience they need to engineer a better world through
innovative undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes.
Our department: UCL Mechanical Engineering

UCL Mechanical Engineering has been pioneering the development of engineering

education, having taught the core discipline for over 170 years.

UCL was home to the UK’s first ever Professor of the Mechanical Principles of
Engineering, Eaton Hodgkinson, in 1847. It was also where Sir Alexander Blackie
William Kennedy introduced organized laboratory practicals in university education
training; a world-leading educational innovation at the
time.

Today our students, some 1200 students from over 70

countries, are taught core engineering disciplines and
supervised in individual and group research projects by
academics that are recognised research world-leaders
in their fields.

In the latest UK Research Excellence Framework (REF

2021) 93% of our faculty’s research submitted was
judged “world leading” or “internationally excellent”.

The UCL Mechanical Engineering is a large multi- Kennedy Chair of Mechanical

specialisation department. The diversity of our research Engineering and Head of Department
Professor Richard Bucknall
is one of our strengths, leading to many interdisciplinary
research opportunities. Our main research groups are:

• Biomechanical
• Energy and Environment
• Marine
• Materials, Structures and Manufacturing

More about UCL Mechanical Engineering

For more about our department please visit

https://www.ucl.ac.uk/mechanical-engineering/

• Meet our People

• Explore our Research
• See our Programmes of Study
The Marine Research Group

The Marine Research Group actively supports the marine and naval sector through
research and consultancy focusing on:

• Naval architecture
• Marine engineering including offshore energy technologies
• High-performance computations applied to challenges in the marine sector
• Monitoring and integrity of large-scale structures
• Power systems within the marine sector

The Department is committed to an inclusive and supportive culture for all.

In recruiting, we welcome the unique contributions that everyone can bring in terms
of their education, opinions, culture, ethnicity, race, sex, gender identity and
expression, nation of origin, age, languages spoken, religion, disability, sexual
orientation and beliefs.

We continually strive to have the systems in place to ensure that all members of the
department have equal access to opportunities, reach their full potential and
maintain a work-life balance.
About the Role: Associate Professor or Lecturer in Marine
Engineering

The Department of Mechanical Engineering is seeking to fill a research focused

position in Marine Engineering at either the Lecturer level (equivalent of a U.S.
tenure-track Assistant Professor position) or the Associate Professor level.

Appointment at Lecturer (Grade 8) or Associate Professor (Grade 9) will be

determined by depth of experience and track record. For Associate Professor, the
appointee would be expected to demonstrate sustained excellence in all aspects of
academic life.

Main purpose of the job

You will be expected to work collaboratively with colleagues within the Marine
Research Group and the rest of the department as well as within UCL more widely.

1) To provide leadership (grade 9), support (grade 8), for the delivery and
development of research promoting the future of marine engineering in an area
that ideally complements areas of strategic focus of the group such as:
• advanced marine propulsion systems,
• autonomous marine vehicles,
• digitisation of marine systems,
• blue growth,
• decarbonisation of shipping,
• marine engineering as applied to commercial ships or military vessels.

2) Support postdoctoral research staff and PhD students.

3) Contribute to the education of students on the MSc Marine Engineering and other
Postgraduate and Undergraduate programmes as required.
4) Contribute to the efficient running of the department.

Duties and Responsibilities

• To be engaged in research activities of international quality and to contribute to
the advancement of knowledge and scholarship, in the broad area of marine
engineering evidenced through publications and other research activities at a
level of international significance.
• To seek out, engage in, and lead (grade 9) contribute to (grade 8) funded
research projects in accordance with UCL Financial Regulations and the
conditions of funding bodies.
• Develop national and international
partnerships with industry, academic
institutions and other relevant organisations
to maximise research impact.
• To help maintain and enhance the research
culture of the Marine Research Group and
Department and to contribute to the
development, coordination and leadership
of research activities.
• To contribute to the delivery of high-quality
education, development of teaching
programmes and academic quality
assurance.
• To offer specialist supervision to PhD
students.
• To provide pastoral care and support to
students.
• Participate in departmental administrative,
outreach, and enterprise activities.
• To keep accurate student records on
progress, achievement and attendance.
• To maintain your own continuing
professional development.
• To maintain an awareness and observation
of fire and health and safety regulations.
• Follow and actively promote the UCL Ways
of Working.
• Carry out any other duties within the scope,
spirit and purpose of the job as requested
by the Head of Department.

This job description may be reviewed and be

subject to amendment in consultation with the
post holder.
General Information

Terms & Conditions of Employment

• For the Grade 8 Lecturer post the salary range is £51,474 – 60,521 (including
£4,500 London allowance) per annum.
• At the Grade 9 Associate Professor position, the salary range is £65,698 –
71,357 (including £4,500 London allowance) per annum.
• Progression through the salary scale is incremental. Cost of living pay awards
are negotiated nationally and are normally effective from 1st August each year.
UCL’s non-clinical pay and grading structure is at https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-
resources/pay-benefits/salary-scales.

Relocation Supplement
In addition to removal expenses a relocation supplement of £10,000 may be payable
where it is necessary to relocate to take up an appointment at UCL:
https://www.ucl.ac.uk/human-resources/relocation-scheme.

Equal Opportunities

We particularly welcome female applicants and those from an ethnic minority, as

they are under-represented within UCL at this level.
www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/docs/equal_opportunity.pdf

How to Apply

All applications should be submitted via UCL online recruitment system at the
following link: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/hr/jobs
Job reference: B04-04443

Please make it clear whether you applying for Grade 8 or Grade 9. You can upload
two documents with your application, which should include ALL the following:

• Full CV.
• Publication list. This must include a list of top five publications together with a
short description (100 words max) for each outlining their significance.
• Teaching experience to date (1,000 word max).
• A research and funding strategy for next 5 years (1k word max).
• Summary of how you satisfy the selection criteria listed below. (1,000 word
max).
Informal enquiries

Enquiries should be addressed to Professor Alistair Greig (Deputy Head of

Department) a.greig@ucl.ac.uk. Any queries on the application process can be
directed to Taneta Darko (Senior Recruiter) t.darko@ucl.ac.uk.

UCL Terms and Conditions

This appointment is subject to the UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for
Academic Staff.
Person Specification
Essential /
Criteria Assessment method
Desirable
Qualifications, experience and knowledge
EITHER
PhD/EngD in marine engineering, mechanical engineering or other
relevant discipline
Essential Application
OR
MSc in marine engineering, mechanical engineering or other
relevant discipline and significant relevant industrial experience.
An appropriate background and research expertise to make
Application, interview
significant contributions at the forefront of international research in Essential
and presentation
marine engineering.
Interview and
Knowledge of the fundamental principles of marine engineering. Essential
presentation
Undergraduate and/or postgraduate teaching experience and
pedagogical knowledge in mechanical or marine engineering or a Essential Application and interview
relevant discipline.
Experience supporting the development of students / early career
researchers / direct reports, through mentoring, sponsorship or Essential Application and interview
personal tutoring.
Experience of leading positive culture change, or culture creation,
Desirable Interview
within a discipline or organisation.
Experience working with commercial shipping and/or military navies. Desirable Application and interview
Skills and abilities
Proven excellent skills to conduct research work in the broader
Application, interview
area of marine engineering with emphasis on the areas of Essential
and presentation
relevance to the post.
Proven skills of designing and delivering excellent, and inclusive
Application, interview
undergraduate and postgraduate education at an international Essential
and presentation
level.
Ability to secure research funding. Essential Application and interview
Ability to produce quality publications relevant to the discipline. Essential Application
Application, interview
Excellent, interpersonal, verbal and written communication skills. Essential
and presentation
Application, interview
Excellent attention to detail. Essential
and presentation
Personal attributes
An effective advocate for equality, diversity and inclusion. Essential Interview
Presentation and
Able to manage time and work to strict deadlines. Essential
interview

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