Associate Professors of Biomedical Engineering (Technologies for Mental Health and Cognition)

Out in Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics; Oxford; On-site; GBP 55,000 - 75,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading academic department seeks an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering specializing in technologies for mental health within sports medicine. The role involves substantial research and teaching responsibilities, with a competitive salary and opportunity for advancement. The successful candidate will have a strong academic background, leading research projects, and contributing to the development of young researchers.

Benefits

Reduced teaching and administrative duties

Access to substantial equipment and resources

Funding for post-doctoral resources

Qualifications

• Proven research in biomedical engineering and applications.
• Experience with computer vision and machine learning technologies.
• Ability to attract and manage research funding.

Responsibilities

• Devote majority of time to research in mental health tech.
• Lead the Podium Institute and serve as its Director post-award.
• Contribute to undergraduate teaching in Engineering Science.

Skills

Research track record

Communication skills

Interpersonal skills

Leadership

Teaching ability

Education

Doctorate in biomedical engineering

Doctorate in information engineering

Doctorate in electrical engineering

Doctorate in computer science

Job description

The Department of Engineering Science, in collaboration with the Department of Experimental Psychology, intends to appoint an Associate Professor in Biomedical Engineering (Technology for Mental Health and Cognition) with effect from 1st October 2025, or as soon as possible thereafter. This is one of four new academic appointments underpinning the recently established £25m Podium Analytics Institute in Sports Medicine and Technology. The successful candidate will be based at the Institute of Biomedical Engineering (OX3 7DQ) and will be offered a (non-tutorial) Fellowship at St Catherine’s College under arrangements described in the Job Description. The appointee will benefit from working with researchers in experimental psychology whose expertise is in adolescent mental health, and there is potential for joint working with the Department of Experimental Psychology. The salary will be on a scale currently from £55,755 p.a. to £74,867 p.a. plus additional benefits as indicated in the Job Description. Appointments at a more senior level with the title of Professor will also be considered, subject to relevant qualifications and experience of the successful applicant. The appointment will be initially for five years at which point, upon completion of a successful review, the post-holder will be eligible for reappointment to the retiring age.

The successful candidate will be expected to devote the majority of their time to research in the field of technologies for mental health and cognition in the context of sports medicine and will benefit from reduced teaching and administrative duties for no less than the initial 3-year period of their appointment. As an integral part of the founding academic team of the Podium Institute, they will also have access to substantial equipment, post-doctoral resource and funded studentships that form part of the Podium Institute budget. Upon award of the title of Professor, the appointee will also have the opportunity to lead the Podium Institute and serve as its Director.

The successful candidate will hold a doctorate in the general area biomedical engineering, information engineering, electrical engineering, computer science or in a cognate discipline relevant to the requirements of the post. They will have a proven research track record in the general field of biomedical engineering or its applications, in the general area of computer vision, wearable, neuroimaging and machine learning technologies for mental health and cognition. They will contribute to research in biomedical engineering and experimental psychology, supervise research students and research assistants, and obtain external funding to enable development of new and independent research and ensure the longer-term sustainability of the Podium Institute. They will contribute to the teaching of core undergraduate courses in the Department of Engineering Science, which may include lectures, taught classes, practical laboratories, and the supervision of undergraduate design and project work. The appointee may also tutor, supervise or co-supervise advanced undergraduate students in Experimental Psychology.

Qualifications and Research

• A doctorate in the field of biomedical engineering, information engineering, electrical engineering, computer science or in a cognate discipline relevant to the requirements of the post
• An internationally recognised academic and research record, or on a trajectory to achieve this, within the field of biomedical engineering or its applications, in the general area of computer vision, wearable, neuroimaging and machine learning technologies for mental health and cognition, demonstrated by previous achievements, e.g. publications in recognised journals and conferences;
• A publication record that demonstrates impact within the field appropriate to your career stage, and accounting for career breaks or personal circumstances.
• The ability to develop and lead an independent programme of research, promote ethical and safe research practise, and attract and manage research funding
• Significant research potential in sports medicine and technology with an emphasis on sport safety and lifelong health, evidenced by a written coherent research plan of high standard and appropriate to the Department’s research standing.
• Prior experience of working with athletes in either the community or professional sport
• Excellent track record of obtaining research grants.
• Experience of research collaborations at national and international level. Including with clinicians and experimental psychologists, as well as seeding multi-disciplinary collaborations with other engineers and biomedical scientists
• Experience of or an interest in clinical translational research studies, including for example in the real-world deployment of sports technologies

Teaching

• Commitment to teaching and ability to educate and inspire high-achieving undergraduate students from all backgrounds to help them reach their full potential.
• Experience of and ability to teach effectively, both at undergraduate and graduate levels, a wide range of topics within the fields of biomedical engineering, mathematics, and other topics in the context of our general Engineering Science course.
• The ability to supervise postgraduate research students.
• A creative approach to teaching.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching.

Personal effectiveness

• The ability to support and guide a research group of postdoctoral staff and research students helping them to develop into successful independent researchers.
• Communication and interpersonal skills enabling the formation of good working relationships with colleagues, students and collaborators.
• The ability and commitment to provide pastoral and academic support for students and researchers at all stages in their University career.
• Good citizenship and a willingness to undertake administrative duties (within reason) to support the smooth running of the Department and the college. A commitment to advocating for equality, diversity and inclusion in research, teaching and/or the broader community.
• Commitment to promoting a culture of equality, diversity and inclusion amongst students and in the workplace, including the undertaking of appropriate training as and when asked to do.
• Achievement of impact of research beyond academia and a readiness to communicate to a wider public the central interest and importance of the field.
• Experience of supervising research students.
• Experience of or an interest in developing links with industry and/or other non-academic partners.
• Evidence of a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion in research, teaching and/or the broader community.