Associate professor in Computing Science with a focus on distributed systems - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Computing Science is hiring up to two associate professors in distributed systems. Application deadline 2023-10-30.

The department of Computing Science has around 180 employees and affiliated staff from more than 20 countries, and is expanding rapidly. The department hosts one of the largest European research groups in Distributed Systems. Current research focuses on how to design (semi-)autonomous management systems to provide or enhance reliability, availability, performance, and cost- and energy-efficiency for ICT infrastructures and their applications. The infrastructures span from individual servers, clusters, and large-scale datacenters to federated datacenter infrastructures and highly distributed mobile edge clouds (or Fog) infrastructures.

Duties

Your duties include teaching and research in the field of distributed systems, as well as supervision primarily within distributed systems and related areas at all levels. Teaching duties also include course development and course responsibility with associated administration. Planning and management of research projects (including applications for research funding) are included as needed. Administrative tasks and management assignments within Umeå University may also occur, as well as research dissemination.

The nature of the tasks, as well as the distribution between research and teaching, may change over time depending on needs and available resources.    

Eligibility requirements

According to Chapter 4, Section 4 of the Higher Education Ordinance, a person shall be qualified for appointment as Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor if he or she within an area has demonstrated educational expertise and holds a doctorate or has attained equivalent academic competence or other professional skills relevant with regard to the subject area of the appointment.

The ability to teach in English is a requirement.

The ability and flexibility to teach a wide range of courses in data communications and computer networks, operating systems, systems programming, distributed systems and Cloud computing are required.

Assessment criteria and their weight

The assessment criteria for appointment as an associate professor/senior lecturer shall be the degree of the expertise required as a qualification for employment. As much attention shall be given to the assessment of teaching expertise as to the assessment of scientific expertise.

The primary evaluation criteria shall be pedagogical and scientific expertise, with slightly greater emphasis on pedagogical skills. Additionally, the degree of expertise in developing and leading activities and personnel at the university, as well as the degree of administrative and other relevant skills related to the subject matter and the tasks included in the position, shall be considered.

Scientific expertise

Scientific expertise shall be demonstrated through independent scientific productivity. The criteria for assessment are:

• breadth and depth of research – quality and scope
• originality of research
• productivity
• contributions to the international research community
• assignments within the research community
• the ability to competitively obtain external research funding
• collaboration with the surrounding society

The candidate's scientific expertise should pertain to the field of computer science with a focus on distributed systems. Fundamental research into systems is expected to be central to the candidate's experience and research direction. The scientific expertise should also be assessed based on the research plan that the applicant submits with their application. The plan will be evaluated based on the proposed research's significance, the chosen research area's relevance to the advertised position, and the degree of innovation. Academic or industrial experience in the development of large-scale distributed systems is seen as a merit for this position.

It is valuable, but not a requirement, for the candidate's research to relate to the department's existing research in distributed systems.

Pedagogical expertise

The pedagogical expertise for employment as associate professor should be demonstrated by documented experience of teaching with a scientific foundation at university level. The criteria for evaluation are:

• an ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and an ability to supervise and examine students at every level of education
• an ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to anticipated study results and the nature of the subject
• experience of collaboration with the surrounding society in planning and implementation of education
• participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
• a reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher

Pedagogical expertise can be attained through education in university pedagogy, other education of relevance for teaching at a university level or documented and proven experience teaching at the university level.   

Pedagogical expertise should pertain to the field of computer science, with a focus on areas relevant to the department's current teaching in courses such as Cloud Computing, Operating Systems, Distributed Systems, and Computer Networks.

Documented experience of teaching at basic level as well as advanced level and postgraduate level is an advantage.

Experience in supervising degree projects is advantageous.

Experience in pedagogical development and leadership roles is advantageous.

Further qualifications

A general basis for assessment for all teaching categories is a demonstrated ability to communicate and cooperate with both faculty and students, and an ability in general to complete work duties to a satisfactory standard.

Further details

As an employee at Umeå University, you're offered a wide variety of benefits that promote a good work- life balance, read more about benefits here.

Application

When you apply, we ask you to answer questions in our e-recruitment system Varbi. These questions replace a cover letter from you. The application should preferably be written in English, and include the following items:

Attachments

1. CV/Umu Application template. Fill in the required application template (word). Submit it attached to your application in the Varbi system as your CV. The following information must be provided in the application template:
   • basic information (contact details, employment and education history)
   • an account of research experience (including a list of articles published and a brief research plan)
   • an account of pedagogical experience and activities
   • an account of experiences of developing and managing activities and staff
   • an account of experiences regarding interacting with the surrounding society and popularizing science
   • references, including contact details
2. Copies of relevant university degrees and diplomas
3. Copies of five research publications relevant to the position, numbered according to the publication list
4. Attachments to a pedagogical portfolio (see p. 3.5 in Umu Application template)

See instructions for what to include in the application, as well as how to describe scientific or artistic and educational activities (pdf)

Applications should be made via e-recruitment system Varbi and be received no later than 2023-10-30.