Senior Lecturer - Software Engineering

About Us

The Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology is seeking to appoint a talented, dedicated, and passionate Senior Lecturer in the domain of Computer Science. In particular, we welcome applications from colleagues with expertise in Software Engineering, Application Development, Information Technology, or Machine Learning, to join our thriving academic establishment.

We are a uniquely structured Higher Education Institution with a bold vision to provide unrivalled world-class education that shapes the engineering leaders of the future. Through our dynamic partnership with Dyson, a global technology leader, we leverage state-of-the-art facilities, expert mentorship from seasoned engineers, and abundant resources to create an unparalleled learning environment.

Our rigorous academic programmes are a launchpad for accelerated careers at Dyson, offering small class sizes, international opportunities, a complementary professional development spine, and hands-on experience from the outset. Our curriculum immerses students in real-world responsibilities, empowering them to pioneer groundbreaking technologies and craft radical new designs.

In the Dyson Institute, we pride ourselves on cultivating a vibrant, collaborative work environment where support is the norm. Our academic community is deeply committed to fostering curiosity, sparking innovation, and encouraging unconventional problem-solving. Together, we push the boundaries of what's possible, not just for our students but for the future of engineering and higher education.

In 2023 we launched our 5-year strategy which lays out our aims in learning and teaching, internationalisation, research, and integration with Dyson. As a core element in this strategy, in September 2024 we are launching an MSc Software Engineering programme. This conversion course is designed to further build diversity of thought and background in Dyson’s workforce by attracting academically strong, passionate, and technologically curious postgraduates, who are committed to building their future as software experts and leaders.

All of our students are employees, making them highly invested in their learning and progress (as are we!). The Dyson Institute is not just a place of learning but a lifelong partner in professional development, and our portfolio spans undergraduate, postgraduate, and globalised qualifications for Dyson’s professional engineers.

For more information about our ambitious 5-year strategy and to see what you could be part of, please visit: www.dysoninstitute.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are

About the role

We are looking to enhance our academic team through the recruitment of a Senior Lecturer in Software Engineering. You may come from a high-impact teaching background, or you may come with a research vision that you could incubate and grow over the next 5 -10 years.  Regardless of the experience you bring, you will be expected to:

• Design and deliver high-quality modules that are informed by relevant research and practice, and to which you are committed to continuously improving.
• Be prepared to plan and develop learning in range of modes for diverse audiences (e.g. face-to-face, and online).
• Design and implement rigorous and robust student assessment and feedback in a timely manner
• Undertake pastoral/tutoring responsibilities for undergraduate and/or postgraduate students.

About you

 You will be enthusiastic, experimental, and open to new approaches. You will have a firm understanding of the importance of inspiring, nurturing and helping develop fellow academics, colleagues, and students. As a Senior Lecturer, you will not only have a track record of impactful practice, but you will be able to prioritise and multi-task an eclectic mix of tasks and be ready to strategically identify and craft a leadership role for yourself in amongst our ambitious plans.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute to the design and development of our Computer Science/Software Engineering provision, meeting appropriate QA standards, and ensuring that it remains relevant to the future of engineering.
• Identify, define, and undertake teaching, learning and assessment activities at the Undergraduate and/or Postgraduate levels, in line with our teaching delivery strategy. 
• Contribute to the planning of teaching related activities and initiatives.
• Undertake personal tutor/pastoral responsibilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Collaborate with Dyson Engineers; support with the development of training and projects that support and apply the learning from the academic programme.
• Support, define, and comply with The Dyson Institute’s quality assurance standards and procedures.
• Focus on our learners by providing an appropriate level of pastoral support for the undergraduate/postgraduate cohorts.
• Pursue high quality research and/or scholarship in a relevant area (including potentially supervising research students)
• Undertake personal tutor/pastoral responsibilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Engage with industry, subject and/or pedagogic research and continuing professional development.
• Contribute to the scholarship environment in the Institute.

Additionally, a Senior Lecturer will:

• Carry out significant departmental and/or Institute administrative role to a high standard, showing evidence of creativity and innovation, to meet required objectives.
• Oversee measures to sustain the delivery of high-quality teaching.
• Be able to lead other members of the academic team in the delivery, development and quality assurance of modules/programmes.
• Maintain international recognition through an extensive range of professional activities.
• Act as an External Examiner at other Higher Education Institutions

Person specification and how to apply

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. At the Dyson Institute, we foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience does not match perfectly with the role’s criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply.

Applicants should ensure evidence against each of the following relevant criteria is clearly demonstrated in the covering letter and CV. Your application will be assessed against the evidence you provide in this section. Please include your CV as an attachment.

Essential Criteria

• A PhD in a relevant subject area or have equivalent experience and expertise in issues relating to Software Engineering. (Cover letter and CV)
• Hold a formally recognised teaching qualification (e.g., fellowship). (Cover letter and CV)
• Ability to design and deliver high quality, research-informed teaching modules to ensure effective learning at a variety of levels, using a range of technologies and pedagogical approaches. (CV, Presentation, Interview)
• Comprehend and be able to demonstrate the industrial application of software engineering and its meaningful integration into the learning environment. (Presentation, Interview)
• Experience of critically reviewing existing teaching programmes and own teaching practice with evidence of positive change/impact. (Interview)
• Demonstrated ability to design and implement rigorous, industry-aligned student assessments that are both pedagogically sound and robust in nature. (Cover letter and CV)
• Ability to lead the planning, design, and development of teaching - and research activities.
• Ability to collaborate effectively with others. (Interview)
• An excellent track record of evidencable impact, whether it be in teaching or research, with a clear vision of contribution to the Dyson Institute. (Cover letter and CV)
• A demonstrable commitment to promoting and embedding equality, diversity and inclusion principles and practices. (CV, Interview)

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of planning and developing distance/online learning and assessment materials for a diverse audience. (CV, Interview)
• Experience of supervising undergraduate, postgraduate and research students. (CV, Interview)

Our story and strategic plan

For further information about the Dyson Institute of Engineering and Technology and how we have evolved, please visit: www.dysoninstitute.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are/our-story

For more information about our ambitious 5-year strategy and to see what you could be part of, please visit: www.dysoninstitute.ac.uk/about-us/who-we-are

Safeguarding

The Dyson Institute is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of our learners. Successful candidates must be willing to undergo a full screening including DBS check. Issues relating to safeguarding and promoting welfare of students will be explored at interview.

Applications

This vacancy will close on the 30th September 2024. First stage interviews will be online w/c 7th October. Final stage in-person interviews in Malmesbury for this post are expected to take place between 28th October and 1st November 2024. Travel expenses are available for in-person interviews.

Informal enquiries may be addressed to Stuart Nicholson at stuart.nicholson@dyson.com

If you have any queries about the application process, please email James Fry at james.fry@dyson.com

Benefits

Financial

• Performance-related bonus scheme
• Competitive pension scheme
• Life assurance
• Discounts on Dyson machines and retail purchases
• Free bus travel to and from campus (from Bristol, Bath, Chippenham, and Swindon)

Lifestyle

• Generous holiday allowance of 27 days (plus bank holidays)
• Free on-site parking
• Free on-site lunches, fruit, and hot drinks
• Access to on-site sports centre, gym, hair salon, and lifestyle assistance
• Electric vehicle salary sacrifice scheme
• Option to purchase additional holiday days

Health

• Private medical insurance and dental insurance
• Employee assistance programme
• Digital GP services
• On-site physiotherapy and GP services
• Prescription service
• Fertility treatment support

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Dyson is an equal opportunity employer. We know that great minds don’t think alike, and it takes all kinds of minds to make our technology so unique. We welcome applications from all backgrounds and employment decisions are made without regard to race, colour, religion, national or ethnic origin, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, age, disability, protected veteran status or other any other dimension of diversity.