Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellowships
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
Are you ready to shape the future of engineering? The James Watt School of Engineering at the University of Glasgow is thrilled to announce the launch of the Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellowships (GEFF). GEFF is a five-year fellowship program dedicated to advancing the careers of underrepresented groups in engineering. This round of recruitment is focused on female early-career academics.
Your Path to Independent Research Excellence
We are looking to support up to 3 female academics commencing their independent academic careers. As a Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellow, you will:
- Lead cutting-edge research in one of our priority areas:
- Quantum and Nanotechnology
- Healthcare Technologies
- Connecting People/Communication
- Net Zero
- Educate the next generation of Engineers through a phased introduction to undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
- Access mentoring, career development support and resources tailored to you.
- It is anticipated that following a successful interview at the end of year three, Fellows will be in a strong position to transition to an open-ended post
A Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellowship is a platform to launch your career in a world-class, inclusive environment that values equity, diversity, and inclusion.
What We Offer
A Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellowship includes:
- A five-year appointment at Grade 8
- Salary: Grade 8/9: £49,250 - £56,921 / £58,596 - £65,814 per annum
- £75,000 of research funds over five years.
- A PhD studentship
- Personalised career development, including leadership training, mentorship, and support for balancing career and life commitments.
Who Are We Looking For
We invite applications from female early career academics who:
- Hold a PhD in a relevant field with at least two years of postdoctoral (or equivalent) research experience.
Can demonstrate their potential:
- For independent research leadership through an emerging track record of research outputs
- To deliver an independent research programme including research projects, supervision and income capture
- For teaching excellence
And will:
- Deliver a research program that complements and extends current research within the James Watt School of Engineering, explore our research themes and five research divisions.
To find out more on eligibility to apply, please visit our FAQ page.
James Watt School of Engineering
The James Watt School of Engineering (JWSE) at the University of Glasgow is an energetic and growing international centre of excellence for Engineering research and teaching. The School undertakes research in Autonomous Systems & Connectivity; Biomedical Engineering; Electronics & Nanoscale Engineering; Infrastructure & Environment; and Systems, Power & Energy. We have 172 academics and 176 postdoctoral researchers supported by 62 technicians and 33 professional services staff. We also have more than 500 research students working towards doctorates.
To support the growth of the schools in an equitable manner we are launching Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellows, a five-year fellowship scheme to support early career academics from underrepresented backgrounds in engineering with an initial focus on female identifying academics. The fellowship will initially be research focused gradually building towards a full range of academic activities, including teaching and leadership roles, as the fellowship progresses.
Our School hosts fundamental research leading to industrial and academic impact. We expect the successful Glasgow Engineering Futures Fellows to complement and synergise with existing activities (JWSE Research Areas).
We are one of the most research-intensive Engineering Schools in the UK with an annual research income of more than £30M. In the 2021 Research Excellence Framework, we were ranked top in Scotland for engineering research excellence and joint 12th in the UK. The dissemination of our research results ranked 5th in the UK. The School has a collegiate and interdisciplinary vision to tackle societal challenges in Healthcare technologies, Quantum and Nanotechnologies, Net Zero and Connecting People. It operates the James Watt Nanofabrication Centre, a £50M research asset; major capabilities for the UK National Wind Tunnel Facility; the Centre for Advanced Electronics (CAE); the Centre for Medical and Industrial Ultrasonics (CMIU); the Scottish Government Centre for 5G technology; the Centre for the Cellular Microenvironment (CeMI), the Glasgow Computational Engineering Centre (GCEC) and the Glasgow Centre for Sustainable Energy. All our Research Divisions support a broad range of research, led by our world-leading academics. All our research is carried out in our extensive laboratory and computing facilities.
The School offers 20 undergraduate programmes in Aeronautical, Biomedical, Civil, Electrical and Mechanical disciplines leading to B.Eng. and M.Eng. degrees. Our programmes provide for both single discipline and interdisciplinary studies to meet the needs of employers, and most are in the top-10 of UK league tables. The School also offers a range of taught postgraduate Masters’ programmes together with interdisciplinary studies with Computing Science, Earth Sciences, Physics and Life Sciences. The School leads two Centres for Doctoral Training and is a partner in two more. Opportunities to study for a Ph.D. are available in every Division.
Fellows research should align with strategic research areas JWSE Research Divisions and overarching research themes JWSE Research Themes. It is strongly encouraged that applicants contact relevant division heads prior to applying to discuss their research fit.
| Autonomous Systems and Connectivity | Professor David Flynn | eng-hord-asc@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Biomedical Engineering | Professor Huabing Yin | eng-hord-bme@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Electronics and Nanoscale Engineering | Professor Hadi Heidari | eng-hord-ene@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Infrastructure and Environment | Professor Sondipon Adhikari | eng-hord-ie@glasgow.ac.uk |
| Systems, Power and Energy | Professor Steven Neale | eng-hord-spe@glasgow.ac.uk |
Job Purpose
To lead and deliver an independent research programme in an area of strategic priority to the James Watt School of Engineering. Contribute to the delivery of an excellent student experience by delivering, organising and reviewing agreed teaching, assessment and administration processes to enhance learning and teaching in the James Watt School of Engineering.
Main Duties & Responsibilities
- Pursue and deliver independent research proposals and/or collaborative research projects, project managing research activities, supervising and taking responsibility for the research team. Securing external resources to support research individually and/or jointly, as appropriate to the subject area.
- Develop an expert reputation in the field by effective dissemination and publishing of research findings in leading journals and conferences, and where appropriate undertaking knowledge exchange activities.
- Make a substantial contribution to developing and enhancing the research profile of the School/College. Establishing and leading research collaborations with appropriate individuals and groups within the University, including multi-disciplinary links, and developing external research collaborations both nationally and internationally, to ensure that research activities are at the forefront of the field.
- Actively contribute to the effective management and administration of the College/School, assuming responsibility for the management of allocated resources and contributing to the wider organisation of the subject area.
- Carry out course administration within required timescales ensuring effective communication of information, in particular assessment requirements and criteria and timely and constructive feedback on assessment.
- Develop effective approaches which enhance intellectual understanding and innovation in the field and support and enhance course delivery, course organisation, feedback and assessment. This may involve blended and/or online provision.
- Ensure an inclusive and evidence-based approach to facilitating learning in a range of face to face and potentially online delivery formats such as tutorials, lectures, problem-based learning, that promotes student participation and learning outcome attainment.
- Develop effective working relationships with students and early career staff in the subject specialism, providing specialist advice, support and academic leadership. Work in partnership with relevant student services teams, respond appropriately to the diverse range of learning approaches and learner needs.
- To supervise project work at undergraduate and Masters levels and take forward the supervision and training of postgraduate research students.
- Take on administrative or management roles within the subject/School as assigned by the Head of School.
- Engage in continuing professional development activities as appropriate, including completion of the University of Glasgow’s Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice
- Undertake any other reasonable duties as required by the Head of School.
- To contribute to the enhancement of the University’s international profile in line with the University’s Strategic Plan, World Changers Together http://www.gla.ac.uk/about/strategy/
Knowledge and Qualifications
Essential
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A1 Scottish Credit Qualification Framework level 12 (PhD) in related discipline with a growing reputation in research within the subject area.
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A2 Extensive breadth and depth of knowledge in the specialist subject/discipline to develop research and teaching programmes/methodologies/learning support.
Desirable
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A3 Membership of a relevant professional body, where appropriate, or commitment to achieving professional status within the timeframe of the fellowship.
Skills
Essential
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C1 Ability to drive, influence, develop and sustain an international research profile.
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C2 Ability to communicate complex or conceptual ideas to those across a diverse group of staff and students.
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C3 Ability to contribute to broader leadership and management activities along with an awareness of current and future priorities of the University/College/School/Service.
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C4 Exceptional commitment to high quality teaching, and an ability to enthuse and engage students to inspire learning and to provide pastoral care to students.
Experience
Essential
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E1 A minimum of 2 years of post-doctoral experience (or industry equivalent).
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E2 Demonstrate the potential for independent research leadership through an emerging track record of high quality outputs, including publications and presentations at conferences.
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E3 Evidence an emerging international research profile in the subject area with potential for expansion, through applying for, and securing, external research funding aligned with School priorities and objectives.
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E4 Track record of development (personal and professional) to provide delivery of excellence in teaching and/or supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
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E5 Demonstrated commitment to research culture priority areas, including open research and research integrity.
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E6 Proven commitment, in line with the Researcher Concordat, to supporting the career development and professional development of colleagues.
For Appointment at Grade 9:
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E7 Evidence the above criteria to a higher degree, particularly generation or research, outputs, funding, supervision and knowledge exchange/impact.
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E8 Demonstrate a distinctive contribution to the academic community through a leading role nationally and internationally e.g. shaping the research agenda, advising review panels and funders.
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E9 Have a track record of successfully funded projects as principal investigator.
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E10 Have an excellent track record of development and delivery of teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
World-Changing Campus
We have delivered one of the most significant expansions of a UK university city campus for over a century.
Over the last decade, the University of Glasgow has invested in its estate to expand its world-class campus and facilities.
An area covering 14 acres of land next to our magnificent Gilmorehill campus has been redeveloped to build a mix of modern research, teaching and public spaces.
Our new buildings will mean the University remains a centre for world-changing research, as well as a vibrant community hub and centre for public engagement.
The development will transform our teaching, learning and research spaces. It will allow us to bring together the best minds of today and tomorrow within world-class interdisciplinary research spaces that offer flexibility and stimulate collaboration, and modern study spaces that will combine study and social learning space with technology enabled teaching.
- The Mazumdar-Shaw Advanced Research Centre (ARC) is changing the way research is conducted at Glasgow. The ARC is the creative and collaborative heart of research at the University of Glasgow, bridging the boundaries between research, cross-subject collaboration and true societal impact . The ARC brings more than 500 world-leading researchers from a range of disciplines together in a building specifically designed to break down organisational structure and facilitate collaboration and interdisciplinary work.
- The James McCune Smith Learning Hub is an inspirational and diverse learning space. The flagship building was the first to be completed as part of our campus development, and provides a creative environment, combining flexible study and social learning space with multi-styled and technology-enabled teaching. It can accommodate more than 2,500 students, and includes a lecture theatre with capacity for 500 students. State-of-the-art teaching facilities, with flexible study spaces and interactive teaching for students, help to create a more immersive learning experience.
Find out more
Living in Glasgow
A UNESCO City of Music, a vibrant arts and culture scene, a food-lover’s delight, and a shopper’s paradise. Just some of the highlights of the ‘friendliest city in the world’. As well as that accolade by the Rough Guides poll, Glasgow has also been named a must visit destination by publications including the New York Times, The Guardian, and Wanderlust.
Music
The city hosts an average of 130 music events a week catering for every taste; from rock to rap, and classical to country. Glasgow also has a world class club scene playing host to some of the world’s top DJs.
Shopping
Outside of London’s West End, Glasgow is frequently voted the best place for shopping in the UK. A must-visit destination for any shop-a-holic, it houses high street chains, international designers, and independent retailers. The West End, home to the University of Glasgow, is bustling with vintage fashion, vinyl stores, and second-hand bookshops.
Arts and Culture
Glasgow’s arts scene has gone from strength to strength, and is the base for five internationally renowned performing arts companies including the National Theatre of Scotland and Scottish Ballet. The city has several world-class museums, which are free to the public, and the city’s architecture is a work of art in itself.
Food and drink
You can be in Glasgow and taste the world with its many diverse restaurants, cafes, and bars. And if you’ve yet to sample the delights of haggis and whisky, Glasgow is the place to be.
The City and Beyond
Glasgow has all the opportunities and excitement of a big city but its compact size means you can quickly travel from one vibrant district to the next. You could be relaxing in one of its many parks, before shopping in the quirky West End, and then dancing until the wee small hours in the Merchant City.
And when you fancy getting out of the city you can reach the stunning Loch Lomond in just 30 minutes, climb one of our many breath-taking Munros, play golf at one of Scotland’s many world-class courses, visit one of our ancient castles, or go further North and search for Nessie! Scotland has also just been named the world’s most beautiful country by Rough Guides.
Relocating to Glasgow
Choosing to relocate to Glasgow is a big decision. There are numerous things to be considered, such as the costs of moving, the cost of living, and where exactly to relocate to. We have created two guides to aide you in the decision making process.
WORLD CHANGERS TOGETHER
WORLD CHANGING GLASGOW 2025
Our outstanding disciplinary breadth and expertise has enabled us to make world-changing advances in fields as diverse as medicine, physics, linguistics, public policy and global development.
The key to our success is our talented staff and students pushing back at the boundaries of knowledge and understanding together.
Our World Changers Together strategy recognises the fundamental importance of a culture of open cooperation: not just as colleagues and mentors or students and teachers, but as a community of discovery that reaches beyond its walls and draws inspiration and strength from its connections and partnerships worldwide: excellence that's part of something bigger. The strategy is articulated across three themes:
COMMUNITY
- People centred, globally engaged
CONNECTIVITY
- Collaboratively minded, digitally enhanced
CHALLENGES
- Solution focused, impact oriented
Find out more
How to apply
The closing date for applications is 23:45 on 9th February 2025
Terms & Conditions
Salary will be Grade 8/9, £49,250 - £56,921 / £58,596 - £65,814 per annum
This post is full time (35 hours per week) and is fixed term for 5 years.
As part of Team UofG you will be a member of a world changing, inclusive community, which values ambition, excellence, integrity and curiosity.
As a valued member of our team, you can expect:
1 A warm welcoming and engaging organisational culture, where your talents are developed and nurtured, and success is celebrated and shared.
2 An excellent employment package with generous terms and conditions including 41 days of leave for full time staff, pension - pensions handbook https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/payandpensions/pensions/, benefits and discount packages.
3 A flexible approach to working.
4 A commitment to support your health and wellbeing, including a free 6-month UofG Sport membership for all new staff joining the University https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/staff/healthwellbeing/.
We believe that we can only reach our full potential through the talents of all. Equality, diversity and inclusion are at the heart of our values. Applications are particularly welcome from across our communities and in particular people from the Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) community, and other protected characteristics who are under-represented within the University. Read more on how the University promotes and embeds all aspects of equality and diversity within our community https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/.
We endorse the principles of Athena Swan https://www.gla.ac.uk/myglasgow/humanresources/equalitydiversity/athenaswan/ and hold bronze, silver and gold awards across the University.
We are investing in our organisation, and we will invest in you too. Please visit our website https://www.gla.ac.uk/explore/jobs/ for more information.
It is the University of Glasgow’s mission to foster an inclusive climate, which ensures equality in our working, learning, research and teaching environment. We strongly endorse the principles of Athena SWAN, including a supportive and flexible working environment, with commitment from all levels of the organisation in promoting gender equity.
Our values
The future holds innumerable challenges for our sector, our society, and our world. We will have to adapt and change what we do and what we offer if we are to navigate these successfully. Our strategy and approach may evolve as the landscape changes, but our values will remain constant: a fixed point of certainty in uncertain times.
We have identified our values in consultation and partnership with our staff and student community. Living and upholding these values will ensure that we remain true to the spirit of our community and ourselves:
Ambition and Excellence
- We strive for excellence through our work
- We defend academic freedom globally
- We recognise and celebrate shared success
- We have an unrelenting focus on development
Curiosity and Discovery
- We innovate and solve problems together
- We lead by influence and example
- We engage with lifelong learning and personal development
- We learn from our mistakes
Integrity and Truth
- We uphold honesty, integrity and fairness
- We share our work widely and generously
- We do the right thing, not the easy thing - or we don’t do it
- We take responsibility
An Inclusive Community
- We are one Glasgow team, and we care for and respect one another
- We advocate for diversity and believe in variety as a vital part of a healthy university
- We champion education as an engine for social progress
- We practise and advance sustainability