Role: Assistant/Associate Professor in Engineering Management
Grade and Salary: Grade 8 - £47,389 - £58,225 / Grade 9 - £58,225 - £69,488 (depending on the experience of the candidate)
FTE and working pattern: Full Time (1FTE), Open Ended
Annual Leave: 33 days, plus 9 buildings closed days (and Christmas Eve when it falls on a weekday).
The Role
We are seeking an Assistant or Associate Professor in Management, with a focus on Leadership and Strategy, to join Edinburgh Business School and contribute to the delivery of our new MSc in Engineering Management. This role is ideal for an academic who aspires to work in an environment that enables them to combine professional experience within an engineering context with contemporary approaches to management theory, bringing applied, practice-focused learning to our students.
We are interested in applicants with a PhD in a relevant discipline, alongside professional experience in an engineering or engineering-related environment. Experience of postgraduate and undergraduate teaching, as well as programme leadership, is essential.
In terms of teaching, the successful candidate will be required to contribute to and lead a range of postgraduate (PG) and undergraduate (UG) teaching, learning and assessment activities across our various delivery modes, including our global campuses, approved learning partners and online provision. Courses to be delivered include but are not limited to Engineering Organisational Strategy, Effective Leadership in Engineering as well as Applied Research Skills and Dissertation, with possible contributions to related management programmes. Experience of working with MSc students, international cohorts, and online or distance-learning programmes would be an advantage.
This role will be offered as either Teaching and Scholarship (T&S) or Teaching and Research (T&R), at Grade 8 or Grade 9 depending on the candidate profile. The criteria for appointment at Grade 8 or Grade 9 for T&S and T&R roles will apply accordingly.
Key Duties and Responsibilities
1. Undertake teaching and assessment duties and if required leadership on academic programmes.
2. Contribute to the content, design and delivery of the teaching curriculum, and the quality of teaching and learning, in consultation with colleagues and within the international structures and mechanisms established by the University.
3. Review teaching design and delivery by obtaining and analysing feedback from students and peers.
4. Mentor and supervise students both UG and PG, providing effective, well-documented and timely feedback, both formative and summative.
5. Provide pastoral support, recognising when to refer a student for further support.
6. Play a key role in the delivery and support of an excellent student learning and living experience at HWU.
7. Develop the level of subject expertise in line with latest development in research, and ensure these developments are reflected in teaching materials and methods.
8. Develop and maintain strong links with business and industry, external organisations, and the education sector.
9. Work collaboratively with colleagues in the UK, at other campuses, and with external networks both for the exchange of information, to share learning, and to form relationships for future collaboration.
10. Undertake a proactive role in promoting and marketing the University, ensuring the effective recruitment of students and the achievement of recruitment targets. Play a full role in Open Days and other student recruitment events.
11. Undertake leadership and administrative tasks associated with teaching, including preparation for examination boards and progression boards, etc, as instructed.
12. Participate in relevant committees and departmental meetings
Teaching and Scholarship
13. Design, deliver, assess and evaluate a range of teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities across undergraduate, postgraduate including online/digital programmes, where required
14. Contribute to curriculum review and enhancement, in a manner that supports student learning and is underpinned by evidence based scholarly activity
15. Enhance the quality of teaching provision and programme development, drawing on leading practices from the HE sector
16. Design and deliver a range of teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities across undergraduate, postgraduate including online/digital programmes where required
17. Contribute to enhancement of the student experience and employability
18. Mentor, support and advise colleagues, as appropriate, to assist in their academic career development in teaching and learning
19. Engage in individual and collaborative pedagogical research and scholarly activity, which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, and disseminate results through regular publication in a manner appropriate to the work
20. Independently, and in collaboration with colleagues, contribute to attract external funding/income for scholarship activities
21. Work to influence the higher education agenda in a specific disciplinary area or teaching and learning more generally
22. Participate in the Schools international engagement activities as required e.g. delivering teaching, contributing to joint programmes and recruitment of students
23. Lead in the effective administration of specific areas of activity within the Division/Schools /University to help shape the future strategy in conjunction with other senior staff
24. Evidence of successful co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of research students and staff
25. Evidence of developing effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance to enhance the student experience
26. Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post
Person Specification
These are the criteria on which the short-listing and recruitment selection will be made.
Education, Qualifications and Experience
Essential
Qualifications
27. PhD in business management
28. Higher Education teaching qualification or hold an Associate Fellow of Higher Education Academy (HEA)
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
29. Experience of designing and delivering excellent learning activities and assessment at undergraduate and postgraduate level preferably including online/digital programmes; in particular within the field of leadership and strategy
30. Track record teaching leadership and strategy at a postgraduate level
31. Experience of delivering executive education programmes
32. Enthusiastic about putting management theory into practice, particularly within engineering contexts.
33. Demonstrates strong cross-disciplinary awareness and the ability to work across subject boundaries.
34. Evidence of developing effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance
35. Experience or knowledge of approaches to enhance the student experience
36. Evidence of engaging in networks, locally, nationally and internationally
37. Ability and willingness to learn new digital skills and capabilities appropriate to your role and how it evolves
38. Understand and adhere to information security practices particularly as it relates to personal or sensitive information
39. Maintain awareness of my own digital wellbeing by being mindful of the length of time spent at a screen and the impact on mental and physical health in using digital technologies
Desirable
Knowledge, Skills & Experience
40. Professional experience within an engineering environment.
41. Evidence of successful incorporation of subject and pedagogic research and/or scholarship within design and delivery of learning activities and programme development as part of an integrated approach to academic practice
42. Evidence of programme innovation and development
43. Evidence of knowledge to support international activities
44. A track record of high quality general or subject specific pedagogical work published in appropriate outlets/media
45. Experience of accreditation processes, in particular, AACSB
46. A record of involvement in developing teaching and scholarship proposals to bid for external funding
47. Evidence of good knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework
About our School/Directorate and Team
The School of Social Sciences at Heriot-Watt University comprises of Edinburgh Business School, the Department of Languages and Intercultural Studies and the Department of Psychology.
We specialise in industry-focused degree programmes which embrace a truly international outlook. Our degrees are taught by experienced professionals and highly regarded academics, and we are proud to produce high-calibre, career-ready graduates and offer a full range of degree choices at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Social Sciences is the largest of five academic schools at Heriot-Watt University and we provide teaching and research across our core disciplines:
48. The Edinburgh Business School:
o Accountancy, Economics, and Finance
o Management
o Marketing and Operations
49. Languages and Intercultural Studies
50. Psychology
About Our Team
Our Management Department is home to a dedicated team of academic, research, and professional services staff who are passionate about high-quality teaching, meaningful student engagement, and fostering a strong sense of belonging. We believe our diversity is our strength—enabling us to lead authentically in shaping inclusive, innovative, and sustainable approaches to business education.
Our teaching is practice-led and underpinned by a deep commitment to responsible management and intercultural understanding. We empower future leaders to engage critically with global challenges across international business, strategy, leadership, and change. Our flagship Graduate Apprenticeship programme exemplifies this ethos, supporting students to develop creative, work-based solutions that drive real-world impact.
We value community, respect, and kindness, and work in close partnership with students, alumni, and employers to ensure learning is continuous, relevant, and accessible. Our pedagogical approach is grounded in active learning and engaging, research-informed practice.
Joining our department means contributing to the development of future business leaders through teaching, research, and potential industry collaboration—within a dynamic and supportive academic environment.