Assistant Professor in Statistics and Data Science (Research and Education) - School of Mathematics/JBJI Mathematics (China) - 107369 - Grade 8

Position Details

School of Mathematics

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade: 8

Full Time, Permanent 

Closing date: 8th June 2026

UK and International Travel may be required for this role

There are up to 2 positions available

Academic Development Programme - new Assistant Professors will undertake a 5-year development programme, at the end of which they are expected to be promoted to Associate Professor. The programme consists of a variety of development opportunities and the time to reflect and develop.

Role Summary

Applications are invited for one (or more) Assistant Professor post(s) in the School of Mathematics, in Statistics and Data Science.

The School consists of over 70 research active academic staff, around 20 postdoctoral researchers and around 50 postgraduates, with research themes in Algebraic and Combinatorial Structures; Analysis, Geometry and Mathematical Physics; Applied Mathematics and Statistics and Data Science. Information about the School is available at: http://www.birmingham.ac.uk/schools/mathematics/index.aspx

This year we will be launching three masters programmes at J-BJI: MSc Statistical Data Science; MSc Bioinformatics, and; MSc Healthcare Data Science. We are therefore looking to recruit up to two Assistant Professors to contribute to module delivery across our portfolio at J-BJI. The post holder(s) will be based in the School of Mathematics in Birmingham, UK, but will deliver the majority of their teaching during month-long trips to Guangzhou. Staff will be expected to undertake month-long teaching trips (typically two during the academic year), possibly with ad hoc shorter trips to support events such as orientation, graduation and invigilation. Travel, a modest living allowance and accommodation are all provided by the School. 

The post will be appointed on an Education and Research basis. The successful candidate will be expected to make a significant contribution to the J-BJI programmes through their teaching, and to the School more broadly by conducting high-quality research and by helping to develop the School’s modern, forward-looking education portfolio. In addition, the successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the school through management/leadership, and enterprise activities, as appropriate.

The minimum qualification is a PhD (or equivalent) in Mathematics, Statistics or a related area. Candidates are expected to have a solid commitment to teaching, mentoring and service. They should have or be clearly developing an internationally recognized record of research. Candidates working in any area of the mathematical sciences may apply. However, full consideration will be given to applicants who can teach and supervise masters projects in Statistics or Data Science.

The School of Mathematics aims to provide a supportive and friendly environment for staff to develop as researchers and lecturers. The School is a supportive and people-focused friendly environment, committed to equality, diversity and inclusivity. We encourage applications from the widest community and provide equal opportunities in our recruitment processes.

The School of Mathematics holds an Athena SWAN Silver award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.

The School also supports the London Mathematical Society Good Practice Scheme, whose aim is to support mathematics departments to embed equal opportunities for women within their working practices, and is a member of the Piscopia which forms a UK-community of women and non-binary students and mathematics researchers.

The University of Birmingham holds the Advance HE's Race Equality Charter award, a framework through which we are working to self-reflect, identify and remove barriers standing in the way of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. The University of Birmingham is an equal opportunity and a Disability Confident employer.

In addition to completing the application form, you should make sure to upload the following: a cover letter, a CV (including full publication list), a research statement (3 pages maximum), a teaching statement (including a list of teaching experience, 2 pages maximum) and names and emails of three contactable referees.

Main Duties

Education 

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates, postgraduates, or CPD students, including (as appropriate):

• Teaching and examining courses at a range of levels;
• Planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same;
• Designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content;

Working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning and assessment;

• Using digital resources/environments effectively to support learning and assessment;
• Developing programme proposals and making substantial contributions to the design of teaching programmes more widely;
• Where appropriate, undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining;
• Developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods;
• Developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement activities or similar on own specialism that enhances the student experience or employability and which benefits the College and University;
• Devising and supervising projects, student dissertations and practical work.

Research

Planning and carrying out research, including (as appropriate):

• Planning and publishing high quality research, including winning financial support;
• Project managing research activities, and/or supervising other research staff;
• Presenting findings in publications and conference proceedings;
• Effectively supervising and mentoring PhD students or early Career Researchers;
• Providing expert advice to staff and students within the discipline;
• Participating in research-related enabling activities such as adding value to a cross disciplinary network;
• Applying knowledge in a way which develops new intellectual understanding;
• Developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, and enterprise (including business engagement, public engagement) and similar activity that is of benefit to the College and the University, including ensuring that the impact of your activities is realised fully and the impact is documented.

Management/Administration

Contributing to Departmental/School administration, including:

• Contributing to the administration/management of research and/or teaching across the Department/School;
• Leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive);
• Advising on personal development of colleagues and students;
• Making a major contribution to some administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups);
• Managing enterprise, business development, and public engagement activities;
• Developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach;
• Actively manages equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship 

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• Demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees);
• Demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
• Willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects);
• Positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• Proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher degree relevant to the research/teaching area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications;

• Extensive research/teaching experience and scholarship within subject specialism;

• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning/research;

• Skills in managing, motivating and mentoring others successfully at all levels.

Teaching

• Ability to design, deliver, assess and revise teaching programmes;

• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching, and advising colleagues;

• Experience and success in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.

Research

• Experience and achievement reflected in a growing reputation;

• Extensive experience and demonstrated success in planning, undertaking and project managing research to deliver high quality results;

• Extensive experience of applying and/or developing and devising successful models, techniques and methods;

• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity.

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes;

• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively;

• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes;

• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area;

• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied;

• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

OH&DBS required

The University is committed to safeguarding and we promote safe recruitment practice, therefore all associated pre-employment checks will be undertaken before any appointment is confirmed. Due to the nature of the work undertaken in this role all successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory Occupational Health and DBS clearance prior to appointment.

Informal enquiries to Professor Jinglai Li, email j.li.10@bham.ac.uk and Panayiota Touloupou, email: P.touloupou@bham.ac.uk

View our staff values and behaviours here

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.