Senior Lecturer/CL, MSc/MRes Data Science, AI and Creative Computing Research

The opportunity

We are seeking a motivated individual to lead two new Masters-level courses within the recently formed UAL Creative Computing Institute.

1) MSc Data Science and AI for the Creative Industries Course

Is a post-graduate conversion masters offering BA arts and humanities graduates the opportunity to re-orient their studies to an applied STEM discipline in a creative industries context. Designed in collaboration with the creative industries, this course will give students applied computer science skills, data science training, and an introduction to functional approaches to AI across multiple use cases.

2) MRes Creative Computing course

Introduces students to creative computing research methods and domain knowledge. This course supports progression to MPhill/PhD both within the Creative Computing Institute and elsewhere. Students will engage with the core Creative Computing Institute research themes of Creativity, Machine Learning, and AI; Human-Computer Interaction, and Platforms, Big Data, and Digital Citizenship.

If you are an interdisciplinary academic with skills in data science and creative AI and excited by research in the creative computing field, this role offers a fantastic platform to develop your career. 

About you

You will have a relevant and interesting track record of professional and/or academic practice across teaching and research and will lead this course from its first year of operation and beyond. You have a strong interest in shaping the education of the next generation of interdisciplinary creative computing students, specifically students with an interest in data science for the creative industries and/or in creative computing research.

A PhD in a relevant field (e.g., including but not limited to creative computing, computer science, data science, computational arts, human-computer interaction) is essential. You will also need a demonstrable understanding of data science as it relates to the creative industries and of research in creative computing.

Having experience of creative practice at the intersection of art, design and computing will be an advantage in establishing your credibility to work within the UAL Creative Computing Institute.

UAL and the Creative Computing Institute highly values the diversity of all our staff and the enrichment this brings to our community. We are committed to an inclusive and supportive environment for all who come to work with us, and are actively working to promote equality and diversity for all staff regardless of age, caring responsibilities, disability, gender, gender identity, nationality, race, religious belief (or no belief) and sexual orientation. You can find out more about staff diversity at UAL on our website, including support for staff with caring responsibilities, flexible working arrangements, valuing disabled colleagues, schemes for staff from under-represented Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, and staff with faith observance requirements. UAL’s LGBTQ+ Network at UAL is open to UAL staff who identify as Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer, Questioning and other identities. The group aims to progress an LGBTQ+ agenda at UAL as well as organising social events for its members and other ‘ally’ staff members who wish to support the community.

We are keen to consider applicants with diverse experience and backgrounds so please do apply if you feel you could bring direction and purpose to this exciting new provision.

Duties and responsibilities include:

• Leading the delivery of associated Masters-level course provision within the Creative Computing Institute. 

• The academic leadership and management of the Course, including the maintenance and enhancement of standards and responsibility for the design, development and delivery of the curriculum.
• The day to day management of the Course including all areas of learning, teaching and assessment of students as well as resources allocated.
• Providing a vision for the Course, setting the agenda for its development and maintaining and enhancing its quality.
• Contributing to, and where appropriate leading on the process of course development, minor modifications, major changes, validation, revalidation and review by the University, external agencies and professional bodies in liaison with relevant Deans/Associate Deans.
• Ensuring that the curriculum is relevant, diverse, current and consistent with the mission of the Institute and the vision for the course.
• Ensuring that the learning (teaching and assessment) methods employed on the Course are appropriate to the academic award, resources allocated and the demands of the subject and the learning styles and developmental stages of the students.
• Contributing to University committees, such as Assessment Panels, Boards of Examiners and their sub-boards, as appropriate.
• Undertaking such teaching duties as are appropriate to the requirements of the course and consistent with your areas of expertise.
• Ensuring that students enrolled on the Course are appropriately supported and provided with timely and constructive guidance for their academic development and pastoral care, fulfilling the policies and procedures of the University and the College and utilising appropriate channels and media.

Essential skills include:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in related disciplines or subject fields. 
• PhD in relevant field essential 
• Be an authority in a field of specialism both by internal and external peers, through a track record of research and/or professional practice. 
• Relevant teaching qualification and / or recognition within the field or HE environment for skills, experience or excellent practices in teaching and learning (HEA recognition, Academic Practice Qualifications, etc.) For suitable candidates these can be also gained in role within the first years of employment. 
• Knowledge of current developments and emerging concerns in the field of creative computing. In particular, familiarity with data science as it relates to the creative industries, and with creative computing research. 
• Experience of course or curriculum leadership and management in an area of practice or study related to creative computing at HE level. 
• Experience of shaping and influencing developments and curriculum content through personal contribution. 
• Experience of structuring and ensuring timetables and resources effectively and with efficiency in mind. 
• Experience of continuous curriculum review and development; identifying areas for improvement and enhancement in relation to content and delivery methods, learning support and assessment mechanisms. 

In your application you will be asked to complete a personal statement. Applications will only be considered from those who outline how they meet the criteria within the formal job description.

Posting date – 16 July 2020

Closing date – 14 August 2020

If you have any queries you may contact Melisa Simpson, Staffing Administrator vie email melisa.simpson@arts.ac.uk (working days: Thursday & Friday) or ADS Recruitment Team via email ADSstaffRecruitment@arts.ac.uk or telephone: 020 7514 2965