Assistant or Associate Professor; Research and Education in Water Science - School of Geograph

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location:

University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Grade 8 Full time starting salary is normally in the range £47,389 to £56,535 with potential progression once in post to £63,606

Grade 9 Full time starting salary is normally in the range £58,225 to £67,468 with potential progression once in post to £87,974

Grade:8 or 9

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 1st February 2026

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.

We are seeking to appoint an Assistant or Associate Professor in Water Science in the School of Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences (GEES) at the University of Birmingham. Their expertise should address how freshwater and catchment systems respond to climate change, extreme events, human pressures, and/or environmental transitions. The post will strengthen our portfolio of water-related research across the School - ranging from catchment hydrology, river processes and water quality, to aquatic ecosystems, hazards, and water-society interactions.

The role is advertised as a three-legged contract with excellence in research, education and administration all expected, with candidates able to demonstrate a commitment to teaching and school service. We welcome applications from candidates undertaking innovative and impactful research across the physical, environmental, and interdisciplinary dimensions of water science, including but not limited to:

• Hydrological processes, extremes, and human–water interactions
• Freshwater biogeochemistry, water quality, emerging pollutants, and ecosystem responses
• Ecohydrology, land–water connectivity, water-cryosphere, and climate– aquatic ecosystem feedbacks
• Hydroinformatics (including novel AI), data assimilation, uncertainty analysis, and reflective approaches to model design and evaluation
• Hydrological processes linking water, disease, and health
• Earth observation and spatial analysis for monitoring, mapping, and diagnosing change to hydrological processes across scales.

Evidence of a developing track record in publishing work of high academic quality and impact is essential, as is an emerging portfolio (or clear potential) of external research funding. Applicants must have a commitment to delivering excellent, inclusive teaching and learning at undergraduate and postgraduate levels. Teaching may include a range of contributions, notably within our physical geography and environmental science programmes.

Applicants are also expected to have a commitment to postgraduate research supervision. Successful candidates will participate in School activities and take on administrative responsibilities appropriate to their appointment.

There are significant opportunities for interdisciplinary collaboration across campus, particularly via the Birmingham Institute for Forest Research (BIFoR), the Environmental Change Outdoor Laboratory (ECOLAB), the Birmingham Institute for Sustainability and Climate Action (BISCA) and the Institute for Data and AI (IDAI), as well as through global partnerships in Brazil, China, India, North America.

The role holder will be based in Edgbaston. The key duties and responsibilities will include but not be limited to: giving lectures and seminars and supervising undergraduate / post-graduate students, course development and innovation, taking an active part in examinations, carrying out innovative research and writing papers on topics relevant to the specialist subject area (this will include journals, books and other material), and obtaining research grant funding.

The successful applicant will have a PhD in a relevant specialist subject area, as well as postdoctoral experience. We are looking for candidates who will actively contribute to our portfolio and community, through pursuit of research that will bring new opportunities, synergies, and interdisciplinary collaboration. The successful candidate…