THE UNIVERSITY OF NOTTINGHAM
Recruitment Role Profile Form

Job Title:Assistant Professor in Sensory Science

School/Department:Biosciences/Food sciences

Salary:£34,576 - £46,414per annum, depending on skills and experience. Salary progression beyond this scale is subject to performance

Job Family and Level:R&T Extended Level 5

Contract Status:Permanent

Hours of Work:Full time (Job-share may be available)

Location:Sutton Bonington Campus, Brewing and Biotechnology Building

Reporting to:Head of School,Head of Food Sciences & Prof Joanne Hort

Purpose of the New Role:

The purpose of this role will be to lead and deliver teaching and individual and collaborative research in the area of Sensory Science in the School of Biosciences.The Division delivers a range of taught courses including an undergraduate programme in Food Science and post graduate programmes in Sensory Science, Brewing Science and Food Production Management, in addition to a range of short courses for industry. The post holder will play a significant role in the delivery of sensory science tuition across these different programmes, alongside general tasks associated with a Level 5 Assistant Professor.

The School is renowned for its excellence in Sensory Science research and the appointee will be expected to contribute to and help further develop this internationally recognised research programme leading to high quality publications and grant income.The successful applicant will be responsible for generating new intellectual understanding/knowledge through the application of knowledge and for developing ideas for application of research and teaching outcomes. The post holder will develop new concepts and ideas and will be expected, where appropriate, to develop and win support for innovative sensory science research and teaching development proposals/funding bids.

The post holder will also contribute tothe School via leadership, administrative management and co-ordination of specific initiatives.

Main Responsibilities / % time per year
1. /
  • To plan, convene and deliver high quality taught modules for the postgraduate course in sensory science and undergraduate program enhancing the School’s reputations for excellence in teaching.
  • Where appropriate identify the need for developing the content or structure of existing modules and make proposals on how this should be achieved.
  • Be responsible for and comply with The University of Nottingham Teaching Quality assurance standards and procedures. Ensure teaching quality assessment and assessment of progress and other information is maintained and supplied to the University as required
/ 40%
2. /
  • To take the lead on, plan, develop and conduct individual and collaborative research objectives, projects and proposals related to Sensory Science either as an individual or as part of a broader programme.
  • To establish a national reputation and regularly disseminate and explain research findings through leading peer-reviewed national publications (on a sustained basis), conferences and other appropriate media.
  • To generate income by developing and winning support for innovative research proposals and funding bids. Where appropriate, undertake consultancy projects where there is a demonstrable benefit to the University and academic unit.
  • To build relationships and collaborate actively with internal and external contacts, nationally and if appropriate internationally to complete research projects and to advance the discipline.
/ 30%
3. /
  • To supervise and examine Post graduate, Masters and PhD students.
/ 20%
4. /
  • Supervision of final year undergraduates conducting final year research projects.
/ 5%
5. /
  • To coach and support tutorial groups, developing their knowledge and their learning skills, and be responsible for the pastoral care of students within a specified area, dealing with sensitive issues.
/ 5%
6 /
  • Be responsible for and comply with The University of Nottingham Teaching Quality assurance standards and procedures. Ensure teaching quality assessment and assessment of progress and other information is maintained and supplied to the University as required

7 /
  • Be responsible for the safe conduct of work within work area and teaching responsibilities ensuring that the School's arrangements for compliance with the University Safety Policy are implemented.

Knowledge, Skills, Qualifications & Experience

Essential / Desirable
Qualifications/ Education /
  • PhD in Sensory or a related Science or equivalent substantial research experience in Industry
/
  • Completion of teaching related training courses

Skills/Training /
  • Extensive knowledge and understanding of the field of Sensory Science
  • Creativity and analytic thinking skills to carry out innovative and high quality research.
  • Skills in a wide range of statistical and other research techniques.
  • Skills in teaching small and large groups of students.
  • Communications skills for dissemination of research findings (in print and orally).
  • Skills in time and project management.
/
  • Wider knowledge of related areas e.g statistics, psychology, food science, modelling
  • Administrative capability

Experience /
  • Some research and teaching experience.
  • Publications in peer reviewed journals appropriate to level
/
  • Experience of lecturing in an Higher Education environment

Personal Skills /
  • Good interpersonal skills and ability to work in a team.
  • Self motivation and flexibility.

Please note that as part of its commitment to maintaining the highest academic standards in teaching and learning, the University expects all newly appointed or promoted Assistant Professors (unless exempt) to complete 30 credits of the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PGCHE) Course.

Decision Making

i)taken independently by the role holder

  • Planning the content and delivery of teaching
  • Planning general research programme and direction
  • Making individual decisions about design and conduct of particular experiments
  • Devising applications for new research funding

ii)taken in collaboration with others

  • Collaborative research applications
  • Structure/content of joint modules

iii)referred to the appropriate line manager by the role holder

Any items implying changes to Sensory Science curriculum or Centre (Prof Hort)
Any items implying changes in School policy. (Head of Division & Head of School)

Additional Information

The appointee will be part of the sensory science team based in the BABS Building at Sutton Bonington Campus
Informal enquiries may be addressed to Prof Joanne Hort. Please note applications sent direct to this email address will not be accepted.

Please quote ref: SCI/018316.
Further Particulars

Assistant Professor in Sensory Science

School of Biosciences, Sutton Bonington Campus,

University of Nottingham

The University of Nottingham

At the University of Nottingham we are committed to providing a truly international education, inspiring our students, producing world-leading research and benefitting the communities around our campuses in the UK, China and Malaysia. Our purpose is to improve life for individuals and societies worldwide. By bold innovation and excellence in all that we do, we make both knowledge and discoveries matter.

Our vision is to be widely recognised as the first choice of:

  • students who want a top quality, international education
  • researchers who want the best opportunity to make a significant global impact
  • businesses that want innovative partners who give them an edge on their competition

By attracting ambitious and talented students, staff, and business partners, we will firmly establish ourselves among the top 10 UK universities by 2015, and both of our campuses in Asia will be recognised as leading higher education providers within their regions.

Our vision is to be recognised around the world for our signature contributions, especially in global food security, energy and sustainability, and health.

The School of Biosciences

The School of Biosciences is one of the largest Schools in the University and is part of the Faculty of Science. It is one of two Schools based on the Sutton Bonington Campus which has its own farm and animal research facilities. The School was awarded the Queen’s Anniversary prize on 24 February 2012 for Global Food Security and leads the Bioenergy agenda for the University. There is a collegiate approach to collaboration within the School and with other Schools and Faculties. Joint programmes of research are actively encouraged. The School attracts funding from BBSRC, EPSRC, EU, Defra, Charities and Industry and was ranked 1st in its Unit of Assessment for the last Research Assessment Exercise (2008).

Further information concerning the School of Biosciences can be found using the following link:

The Division of Food Sciences

In the Division of Food Sciences a range of scientific disciplines are applied to explore and improve understanding of food and beverage production. Research, teaching and industrial training programmes cover all levels of food production ranging from the quality of food raw materials, from the farm right though food and beverage processing, to consumer preference and food’s subsequent effects on the body. It is an internationally renowned Centre for both fundamental and industrial Biochemical, Microbiological, Food and Brewing Sciences, with well-established links to Industry. The National Centre for Macromolecular Hydrodynamics is also located within Food Sciences. Key research strengths are Bioenergy, Brewing Science, Flavour Science, Food Microbiology, Food Safety, Food Structure and Biomolecular properties, and Sensory Science.

Further information concerning the Division of Food Sciences can be found using the following link:

The Sensory Science Centre

The Sensory Science Centre currently aims to:

  • Conduct international quality research relating to sensory science, particularly in the areas of:

~Understanding sensory interactions and multimodal flavour perception

~Modelling sensory perception through an understanding of chemical and physical stimuli and brain processing

~Understanding individual differences in sensory perception

~Understanding consumer behaviour

~Evaluating sensory/consumer methodology

  • Provide a focus and facilitate collaboration for sensory research across Industry and across the University.
  • Provide top quality training for Industry and sensory researchers.
  • Promote the growth of Sensory Science research in UK.

Trained Sensory Scientists are scarce in the UK and at Nottingham we are committed to training individuals at all levels of proficiency. We offer formal qualifications at PhD, Masters and Undergraduate level but also short courses for industry.

The Centre has state of the art sensory facilities, including a suite of 10 booths designed to ISO Standards (ISO8589:1988), with controlled temperature, lighting and ventilation. A second room provides a flexible evaluation space with 10 further booths and a discussion area.

The spacious custom designed kitchen provides for the controlled production of samples and the lounge area creates a comfortable environment for panellists to relax between sessions. Our training rooms provide ideal facilities for panel briefing, training and profiling sessions.

The SSC has 2 external panelsof local men and women who have been rigorously screened for their sensory acuity, discrimination and descriptive ability. One panel is dedicated to the sensory evaluation of beer and related products. Based at a University we also have access to a wide range of volunteers, from a range of backgrounds, for sensory investigations requiring larger numbers of untrained panellists/consumers.

Further information concerning the School of Biosciences can be found using the following link:

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