University of Bath : Job Specification
Job title:
Department:
Professor/Reader in
Aerospace Engineering
Mechanical Engineering
Location:
4 East
Responsible to:
Head of Department
Purpose of the job:
The Department of Mechanical Engineering wishes to recruit a Reader/Professor in Aerospace
Engineering. We are seeking an outstanding applicant who will provide leadership and help to
maintain and further develop our high levels of scholarship and research in this important area.
A broad specification for the post is given below:
Aerospace Engineering:
The post-holder will be expected to carry out and supervise research, lead research teams and
obtain funding with relevance to Aerospace Engineering and teach undergraduate and
postgraduate courses to support the different degree programmes in the Department of
Mechanical Engineering.
Duties and Responsibilities:
1. To conduct research, attract external funding and publish in appropriate peer-reviewed
and internationally-recognised academic journals.
2. To carry out the teaching of Mechanical Engineering units related to the field of
Aerospace Engineering, both at Masters and at undergraduate levels, co-ordinate
specific units, produce related unit outlines, unit/course reviews, and set and mark
associated examinations and coursework.
3. To supervise Research Officers and PhD students working in the relevant research
area to the successful applicant.
4. Collaborate with existing members of staff within the Department of Mechanical
Engineering and other Departments within the Faculty of Engineering and Design.
5. Provide design tutorial support for undergraduate design project work, and contribute to
the assessment process.
6. Supervise and assess undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations.
7. Deliver tutorial and pastoral support to students.
8. Contribute to departmental meetings and Boards of Examiners.
9. Undertake additional administrative roles as agreed with the Head of Department.
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Professor/Reader in Mechanical Engineering: Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
1. Undergraduate degree in Mechanical
Engineering or related field (2.1 or above)
Desirable
X
Assessed
by: AF / Int /
T*
AF
2. PhD in related discipline
X
Experience and Knowledge
Essential
1. Experience in teaching solid mechanics or
aerospace engineering and coordination of
units/modules.
AF
Desirable
X
2. Experience in supervision of UG, PG and
doctoral dissertations.
X
Assessed
by: AF / Int /
T*
AF/Int
AF/Int
3. A sustained record of published research.
X
AF/Int
4. Strong record of research funding.
X
AF/Int
6. Experience of administrative duties
commensurate with their stage of career
X
AF/Int
Skills
Essential
1. Good communication and inter-personal
skills
Desirable
X
Attributes
Essential
Assessed
by: AF / Int /
T*
Int
Desirable
Assessed
by: AF / Int /
T*
1. Ability to work with existing members of the
Department, and collaborate with industrial
and academic partners.
X
AF/Int
2. Ability to work effectively in a team
X
AF/Int
*(Application form, Interview, Testing)
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INFORMATION ABOUT DEPARTMENT OF MECHANICAL ENGINEERING
Introduction
The Department of Mechanical Engineering is one of four departments in the Faculty of Engineering
and Design and one of the largest in the University. The Department is committed to high-quality
research, teaching and learning. We were awarded an excellent rating in the HEFCE assessment of
teaching and the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise rated the majority of our research as being
“world-leading or internationally excellent”. We are consistently ranked in the top 10 Mechanical
Engineering departments in the UK. The University of Bath was named as “University of the Year” by
the Sunday Times and Mechanical Engineering at Bath was positioned in the top 3 for its discipline. All
the departments in the Faculty of Engineering & Design are currently ranked in the top 3 in the UK
www.bath.ac.uk
Our laboratory space extends to over 6,000 square metres and student and research facilities are
subject to constant upgrades as we seek to provide the best possible environment to carry out our
activities. The following provides details of the departmental staff profile, research activities, how the
post aligns with the department and other links within the university as well as details of the teaching
portfolio. The department has started a major project to upgrade and improve all of its student
laboratories to offer outstanding learning environments.
Staff
The Department is headed by Professor Tony Miles and there are approximately 50 core academics
including 13 Professors,8 Readers, 11 Senior Lecturers, 13 lecturers, 4 Research Fellows and 3
Teaching Fellows. The department has over 50 post doctoral researchers and in excess of 140 PhD
students.
Research
Current research activities cover the full spectrum of fundamental investigations to applied research
through to knowledge transfer and enterprise activities. Many of these activities are carried out in
conjunction with industry and other universities, both in the UK and overseas. Although there are a
number of research centres and groupings within the department the main themes are listed below
and the main website provides more detail:www.bath.ac.uk/mech-eng/research
Aerospace with a focus on:
• Composite structures and materials
• Gas turbine cooling
• Aerodynamics and unmanned air vehicles
Design and manufacturing with a focus on:
• Advanced machining processes & systems
• Constraint-based design & optimisation
• Design information & knowledge
• Metrology &assembly systems & technologies
Energy and low carbon technologies with a focus on:
• Industrial energy demand reduction and efficiency improvements
• Biofuels
• Life cycle assessment
• Environmental footprinting
• Low carbon vehicles
• Fuel efficient internal combustion engines
Materials with a focus on:
• Mechanical behaviour of composite materials andlightweight structures
• Structural & functional ceramics including bioceramics
• Material characterisation and evaluation
Solid mechanics with a focus on:
• Experimental investigations and modelling of composities
• Structural optimisation and adaptive/smart structures
• Fracture mechanics
• Biomechanics
Systems with a focus on:
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• Development of mathematical modelling and numerical solution techniques for fluid systems
• Electro-magnetic systems and other technologies motivated particularly by challenges in automotive
and aerospace engineering.
• Fluid-borne noise
• Control of large flexible structures
• Synthesis and control of dynamic systems
• Advanced transmissions and powertrain systems
Further Information/excelwww.bath.ac.uk
The Department has extensive links to industry including Airbus, EADS, GKN, Rolls Royce, Renishaw,
Ford, Jaguar Landrover, BP, Shell, Lotus, EOn, Stryker and Siemens to name but a few. Research
grant and contract income is above £5M/year.Postgraduate research students numbers continue to
rise and numerous scholarships are available via our newly created Faculty of Engineering and
Design Graduate School. The Department has extensive multidisciplinary links across the entire
research base of the University and this is evident within its research profile. The potential candidate
for positions will be expected to link into one of the existing research areas in the Faculty and bring
new research expertise that aligns to one or more of the Departmental established research
groupings..
Teaching
The Department has an annual undergraduate intake of approximately 220 MEng students into the
following programmes:
Mechanical Engineering
Aerospace Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Mechanical Engineering with Advanced Design & Innovation
Mechanical Engineering with Manufacture & Management
Integrated Mechanical & Electrical Engineering
The Department also has a range of MSc programmes:
Aerospace Engineering
Automotive Engineering
Manufacturing Engineering
Mechatronics
Engineering Dynamics & Control
Fluid Power Engineering
Engineering Design
Innovation & Technology Management (delivered in partnership with our School of Management)
The Department is also a partner in the Bristol-Bath Industrial Doctorate Centre in ‘Systems’.
Work-based placements are a key focus for not only the engineering departments but also the
university. Approximately 60% of our students will take a year out in industry and those industrial
contacts serve to raise our profile throughout the UK.
The Department puts a great deal of emphasis on its design and student project activities and the
candidate will be expected to lead on multidisciplinary projects.
Informal enquiries about the post may be made to either Prof Tony Miles Head of Department (+44
(0)1225 386368, email: a.w.miles@bath.ac.uk), or Prof Patrick Keogh Deputy Head – Research (+44
(0)1225 385958, email: p.s.keogh@bath.ac.uk ) or Prof Chris McMahon Deputy Head- Academic.
(+44(0)1225 384026, email: c.a.mcmahon@bath.ac.uk
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