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BCU is recruiting

Associate Professor in Engineering Project Management

Birmingham City University

Department of Engineering

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff.

Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential.

By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

Role Summary

We are seeking an Associate Professor in Engineering Project Management to join our School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering, supporting the delivery of high-quality services across the University.

The primary purpose of this role is to provide academic leadership and specialist expertise in Project Management, Sustainability and Engineering Management, supporting the delivery, enhancement and future development of the Department's undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio.

The postholder will lead and contribute to teaching, curriculum development, module leadership, dissertation supervision and student support across project management, logistics, sustainability and associated engineering disciplines. A key responsibility will be to support the integration of sustainability, systems thinking and STEAM principles across the curriculum, ensuring alignment with the University's Education Strategy, the School Business Plan and the Re-imagining Engineering initiative.

The role will also support the Department's research, enterprise and external engagement ambitions through the development of activity in sustainability, energy transition, net zero engineering and responsible innovation. In particular, the School has identified a strategic need to strengthen capability in Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs), industry engagement and knowledge exchange. The postholder will play a leading role in supporting the identification, development and management of KTP opportunities, mentoring colleagues in enterprise activity and helping to expand the Department's contribution to innovation-led business engagement.

In addition, the successful candidate will provide academic leadership for transnational education (TNE) partnerships, quality assurance activities and curriculum enhancement initiatives, while fostering interdisciplinary collaboration across the School and with external stakeholders.

The Associate Professor will contribute to the development and mentoring of academic colleagues, strengthening capability across teaching, research and enterprise, and supporting succession planning within the Department. The role will therefore be instrumental in developing graduates equipped with the technical, managerial and sustainability competencies required to address future engineering, industrial and societal challenges, whilst supporting the Department's ambitions for growth, innovation and external impact.

Essential Requirements

  • A higher professional qualification, normally a doctoral degree.
  • Proven academic leadership.
  • Recognised achievement in scholarship, research and leading-edge practice at a national (and preferably international) level.
  • Evidence of a leadership and development role in high-quality teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
  • Evidence of high-quality, internationally recognised publications or other relevant outputs in research or leading-edge practice.
  • Demonstrable commitment to improving student experience.
  • Experience of successfully developing teaching curriculum and managing quality enhancement in a HE environment.
  • Experience of successfully leading high quality collaborative research projects.
  • In depth knowledge of specialism to enable the development of new knowledge, innovation and understanding in the field.
  • Strong record in attracting research and/ or scholarship funding or other income generation.
  • Senior Fellow status, and ready to upgrade to Principal Fellow status under the Higher Education Academy’s Professional Standards Framework.

Further Information

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of School of Architecture, Built Environment, Computing and Engineering, we would love to hear from you.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Abdullahi Ahmed, Professor and Head of Department of Engineering at Abdullahi.Ahmed@bcu.ac.uk

Why not explore our campuses using our interactive map: Interactive Map | Birmingham City University

Why work for us

  • Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
  • Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
  • Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
  • Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Visa Sponsorship 

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria. For further information, please visit: https://www.gov.uk/skilled-worker-visa

Further Details:
Job Description - Associate Professor

Use of AI in applications

At BCU, we welcome applications that clearly demonstrate how your skills and experience meet the requirements of the role. AI tools may be used to support you in preparing your application, but the information you provide must be accurate, authentic and based on your own experience. Applications that rely too heavily on AI, appear generic or do not provide specific evidence against the role criteria are less likely to progress to the next stage of the recruitment process. For more information, please refer to our candidate guidance; How to Apply - Jobs at Birmingham City University

Equality, Diversity & Inclusion

We are committed to equality, diversity and inclusion and to an environment that supports lawful free speech and academic freedom. We will continuously review and improve our policies, practices, and procedures to ensure that we are promoting these in all aspects of our operations. We believe that by working together, combining our many different backgrounds and life experiences, we will empower each other to reach our full potential.

Disability Confident Employer

Birmingham City University is proud to be a Disability Confident Committed Employer. We are committed to creating an inclusive and accessible recruitment process. Disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role will be guaranteed an interview.