Senior Research Fellow - School Of Engineering - 107170 - Grade 9

Senior Lecturer Position at University of Birmingham

School of Engineering

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £58,225 to £67,468 with potential progression once in post to £87,974

Grade: 9

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to March 2027

Closing date: 23rd March 2026

Background

To create and disseminate knowledge through initiating, leading and conducting original research and through publication as appropriate to the disciplinary area.

To deliver research related to the project "AI enabled Satellite Morphological Inference from multidimensional Inverse Synthetic Aperture (ISAR) Data- Aemelia", funded by NSIP2/UKSA, maximize impact and pave way for the follow on projects on dual use technologies for SDA and space autonomy the position holder will be instrumental in (i) early user engagement to ensure a good understanding of mission goals, requirements, constraints and risks, (ii) bridging operations, concept, design, and requirements to the main project outcome – holistic Digital Twin; (iii) monitoring progress and addressing challenges (iii) implementation of a multi-layered approach to design and testing, engaging with subject matter experts; (iv) sharing of code with users/testers to ensure rigorous validation/testing and assessment of TRL, including mapping progress towards: (a) Software as a Service, (b) commercial product development, and (c) industry use e.g. tracking GitHub repository pull requests, and (v) continuous documentation and rigorous risk management.

Role Summary

Contributing at a senior level on a sustained basis to the whole range of research and administration.

Research is likely to involve an established national and developing international reputation through significant original research work and a clear record of impact, and/or designing and developing innovative underpinning technologies.

Management and administration is likely to include Departmental/School leadership and management activity with University-wide involvement, and may include sustained high value impact knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, and similar activities that are of manifest benefit the College and University.

The post holder will implement a multi-layered approach to design and testing, requiring them to engage technically and strategically with subject matter experts and industrial primes to ensure rigorous validation/testing and assessment of TRL, including mapping progress towards: (a) Software as a Service, (b) commercial product development; (c) industry use; (d) continuous documentation and rigorous risk management.

They will also need to leverage existing and bring new connections to solicit feedback and design the work for optimal pull through, in the following ways: (i) alignment to Defence applications – through engagement, UK space command and NATO (ii) similar alignment to civil applications – through existing projects (iii) operational implementation & outreach through a project advisory board and Women in Space AI Research workshop, and (iv) collaborations for follow-on research with academic institutions/government research organisations (see Fraunhofer LOS), and (v) commercial uptake and TRL acceleration. consultancy, (b) the ATI's founding role in

Main Duties

Research

Pursue sustained research activity through original research, including other research-related contributions through conference papers and presentations and/or consultancy projects and advice. Where appropriate for the discipline this may include some but not all of the responsibilities listed below.

• Make a major contribution to the management of research activities
• Lead successful funding bids which develop and sustain research support for the specialist area (in disciplines where this is possible
• Publish leading research that results in a sustained, highly respected reputation of international quality in the subject area and/or designing and developing innovative underpinning technologies
• Provide expert advice internally and externally
• Provide leadership of research that contributes to the progression of the discipline (in disciplines where this is possible)
• Referee and peer review articles for peer reviewed academic journals and grant applications by research councils and/or other major funding bodies

Lead sustained high value impact activity in knowledge transfer and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) that is of manifest benefit to the College and University and: (a) makes a significant contribution to policy development at national and international level; and/or (b) involves development of industrial links and comparable networks and initiatives

In addition, research responsibilities will include some but not all the indicative responsibilities from grade 8 listed below.

• Project manage research activities, and/or supervising other research staff
• Develop novel methodologies and techniques appropriate to the type of research being pursued
• Supervise and examine PhD students, both within the institution and externally

Management/administration

Chair and/or lead activities in the Department/School and representation on University committees or working groups. Where appropriate to the discipline, this may include some but not all of the responsibilities listed below.

• Contribute significantly to the development and running of the Department or School, for example, leading activity on research
• Develop and manage staff and resources in support of major research activities
• Make significant contributions to the development of the Department/ School's research strategy
• Contribute significantly to the development and delivery of knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement and public engagement activities with a sustained high value impact of manifest benefit to the College and the University
• Develops and implements a culture (including policies and procedures) that promotes Equality and values diversity and inclusion.

In addition, management/administration responsibilities will include some but not necessarily all the indicative responsibilities from grade 8 listed below.

• Contribute to the administration/management of research across the Department/School
• Lead/project manage a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive)
• Advise on personal development
• Contribute to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups).
• Develop and manage staff and resources in support of major research activities

Person Specification

Demonstrated excellence at the level of accomplishment expected to meet the promotion criteria for Senior Lecturer in both Research, and Management and Administration, as outlined below. In addition, : (i) a higher volume of excellent outputs/inputs in Research, and in research-related Management and Administration than would be expected for a Senior Lecturer in a similar field; and/or (ii) an exceptional quality of outputs in Research and in research-related Management and Administration.

Research requirements

An excellent national reputation and a developing international profile through original research work and a clear record of impact. Evidence of success under the following headings, as appropriate to the discipline:

• High level peer esteem as evidenced by

• Excellent reputation in the UK and often internationally, reflected in sustained high quality output, level of innovation, impact on subject and recognition.
• An excellent and sustained record of peer reviewed research publications.

Knowledge and Skills

• Expert knowledge of the operation of bespoke Pervasive Sensing Group radar at the level of the SAR-capable hardware developer and expert in radar signal processing for SAR/ISAR imagery.
• Experience and proficiency in hardware and software development
• Industrial experience at a leadership level, with ability to engage with industrial partners and end-users for the technology uptake and decision-making.

Management and administration-related requirements

Demonstrated significant achievement in management and administration-related activities, which may include leadership of activities/initiatives. Evidence of success under the following headings.

• Successful and sustained performance in significant administrative/managerial role (s) (e.g. exams officer).</