Job Description

Assistant/Associate Professor in Computer Science

(

Job Number:

25001363

)

Department of Computer Science
Grade 8/9: - Grade 8: 47,389 - 56,535 per annum, Grade 9: 59,966 - 67,468 per annum
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time

Contracted Hours per Week

35

Closing Date

20-Nov-2025, 5:59:00 PM

Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement

Not Applicable.

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.


As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.


We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.


Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.


Our Purpose and Values


We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.


Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Durham? information page.

The Department

The Department is one of the UK's leading Computer Science departments, with an outstanding reputation in research, teaching, and student employability. Our internationally recognised research covers Algorithms and Complexity, Artificial Intelligence and Human Systems, Networks, Scientific Computing and Vision, Imaging and Visualisation. There is a lively research culture with many visitors and events, and active and rewarding collaborations with other departments in Durham and with other scientists in the UK and internationally. In the assessment exercise REF2021 we improved by six places in the ranking. We aim to provide an encouraging and friendly environment with a strong sense of community. The Department has recently grown rapidly, and now has more than 55 permanent members of academic staff. In 2021, we moved to a newly constructed building, which we share with Mathematics.


The Department has a proud tradition of delivering excellence in its undergraduate programmes through research-led teaching. Attracting some of the best students in the UK, the Department is consistently ranked in the top 10 departments in the country. As part of the expansion of the Department, new MSc programmes in Advanced Computer Science, Business Analytics, Scientific Computing and Data Analysis, and in Data Science launched within the past five years.


The Department holds an Athena SWAN Silver award. Athena SWAN is a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression and success for all in academia.

The Position

The Department of Computer Science at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented researcher and scholar to the role of Assistant or Associate Professor. This is a permanent position. We welcome applications from those with research interests in decision-making inherent to areas such as climate, environmental, economic, and policy pathways, supported by Digital Twins (Modelling, Simulations and Infrastructures), and applied AI and uncertainty quantification.


This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research while allowing you unrivalled opportunities to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution. For more information, please visit our Department pages at https://www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/computer-science/

A strategic investment in Just Transitions to a Net Zero World (JusTN0W)

Your research in our Department and University will contribute to strategically important research objectives as part of Durham's internationally leading JusTN0W initiative ('Just Transitions to a Net Zero World'.


The ambitious and interdisciplinary initiative JusTN0W is funded by a 5 million investment that will see seven academic staff appointed to lead Durham's commitment to a better and fairer world in the face of climate change, biodiversity loss and environmental degradation. Our initiative brings together academic colleagues across Law, Economics, Computer Science and Natural Sciences to advance the knowledge and the implementation of just transitions to net zero at international, national and local levels. The work programme comprises four strands of work. Each strand sets forth a range of objectives, including grant capture activity and engagement with different partners. More information on JusTN0W can be found here (https://www.durham.ac.uk/research/institutes-and-centres/csdlp/justn0w/).


You will be joining an interdisciplinary team of colleagues at an exciting moment, as we shape and develop a cutting-edge research and impact agenda to attract sustainable funding and strengthen research capacity. By combining expertise across disciplines, the JusTN0W initiative supports the development of innovative approaches to tackle the climate crisis and drive long-term sustainability. This includes advancing environmental modelling, simulation, and the use of digital twins to explore just transition pathways, inform policy decisions, and deliver practical, evidence-based solutions. We also connect with emerging large-scale digital twin infrastructures--such as climate and biodiversity twins being developed in Europe and internationally--and work closely with environmental scientists to ensure these tools are grounded in real-world data. In doing so, we aim to generate high-fidelity simulations and actionable insights that accelerate sustainable transitions for people, economies, and ecosystems.


The successful candidate will play a significant role in the founding of the SRF JusTN0W and it is expected that this will be the focus of their activity for an initial period of four years. Therefore, they will enjoy (1) a significantly reduced teaching load and (2) a startup travel budget and support to write research proposals. These will allow them to conduct high-quality research and bid for research grants, as well as to lead initiatives to involve the wider Computer Science and JusTN0W staff in research opportunities arising from. They will join and be supported by jusTN0W. After four years and periodically thereafter, the appointment will be reviewed, and depending on grant income, will either be predominantly research or convert to an Education and Research Track position with a normal teaching load

Assistant

and Associate Professors at Durham

The University is committed to enabling all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive. Academic colleagues are supported to publish world-class research in their area of interest with a focus on quality in high impact journals, rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical, help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activity, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor. All our Assistant and Associate Professors are encouraged to focus on research, but also to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, to support their department and wider discipline.


We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best international talent to Durham. We therefore offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Assistant and Associate Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent.


We strive to provide a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.


The role is full-time, but we will consider requests for flexible working arrangements including potential job shares.

Key responsibilities - Assistant Professor (Grade 8):

To make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of JusTN0W.To make a significant contribution to capacity building and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. To pursue interdisciplinary research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with the Department's continuing emphasis on international excellence; To play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development (reduced responsibility for four years). Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity. Demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the Department. To deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, as well as engaging in related activity such as assessment (reduced responsibility for four years). To fully engage in and enhance the values of the Department. To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the Department's commitment to its vibrant and inclusive postgraduate culture. Carry out other duties as specified by the Head of Department and Line Manager.

Key responsibilities - Associate Professor (Grade 9):

To make a significant contribution to achieving the objectives of JusTN0W. To make a significant contribution to capacity building and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) activities. To pursue research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with the Department's continuing emphasis on international excellence; To make a significant contribution to the development of successful research project/ fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement. Deliver excellent teaching offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels. Contribute significantly to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching, including the design of excellent learning environments and curricula (reduced responsibility for four years). Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond. Contribute to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the University, and engaging in the mentoring of early career researchers; To attract and provide excellent supervision to research students, and to enhance the Department's commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture. Contribute significantly to the administrative functioning and collegial environment of the Department and wider University, undertaking leadership activities which support the functioning of the Department and wider University. To fully engage in, champion and enhance the values of the Department; Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department and Line Manager.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

Equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University's Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It's important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.

If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.

The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Employer status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Person Specification

Candidates must demonstrate research excellence in the fields of decision-making under uncertainty, Digital Twins and Applied AI, with the ability to work in multi-disciplinary teams, teach and fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.

Research

Candidates must have the capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high-quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world-class or that has world-class potential. As noted above, the post is part of a significant and integrated University investment into the environmental and economic implications of 'Just Transitions' so we are particularly keen to hear from applicants with experience of macroecological modelling and interests in using theoretical or AI-based approaches to give biological focus to economic and legal instruments.

Essential Research Criteria - Associate Professor (Grade 8):

Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD (or close to completion at the time of application) in Computer Science or a related subject. Outputs - that are consistently recognised as internationally excellent, with at least one output regarded as world class. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs*
Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances JusTN0W and the Department's research strategy. The plan should be no more than two pages. Income Generation - evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals commensurate with career stage.

Essential Research Criteria - Associate Professor (Grade 9):

1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Computer Science or a related subject.


2. Outputs - that are consistently recognised as internationally excellent, with at least one output regarded as world class. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs


3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances JusTN0W and the Department's research strategy. The plan should be no more than two pages.


4. Income Generation - significant evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals commensurate with career stage.

Education

Candidates must demonstrate significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching with a demonstrable contribution to the design of excellent learning environments & curricula, including curriculum development, that enable students to achieve their potential.

Essential Education Criteria - Assistant Professor (Grade 8):

1. Quality - evidence of the development and delivery of effective and engaging teaching. (Candidates may choose to provide student evaluation scores and/or peer reviews of teaching).


2. Innovation - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate your contribution to new programme development and innovation in the design and delivery of high-quality teaching and assessment of learning. This can include lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.


3. Strategic - evidence of strategic teaching development, or achievements that demonstrate the potential to engage in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led.

Essential Education Criteria - Associate Professor (Grade 9):

1. Quality - making a significant contribution to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching at a nationally competitive level. Contribution to training, educating and mentoring other teachers in the department and/or the University in relationship to learning and teaching. (Candidates may choose to provide student evaluation scores and/or peer reviews of teaching).


2. Innovation - evidence of successful new programme development and innovate in the teaching methods for the design/delivery of high-quality teaching at a nationally competitive level including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.


3. Strategic - Significant contribution to the design and delivery of excellent teaching activities and the creation of learning environments that enable students to achieve their potential.

Service, Citizenship and Values

Active engagement in the administrative and citizenship requirements of the Department. Positive contributions to the University's Purpose and Values and to fostering a respectful environment, as well as demonstrating a commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion.

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values Criteria - Assistant Professor (Grade 8):

1. Citizenship contribution - evidence of participation in the citizenship/administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, carrying out departmental and interdepartmental activities effectively. Being involved in departmental activities such as open days, employability events, departmental meetings and committees. Involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).


2. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Essential Service, Citizenship and Values criteria - Associate Professor (Grade 9):

1. Citizenship contribution - a significant contribution to the collegial work and environment of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, Faculty or University level committees or projects, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, proactive support of the work of professional services colleagues, contributions to departmental programme management and/or strategic development, contribution to equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).


2. Leadership - evidence of leadership roles or a significant contribution to leadership activities that support the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty or University and / or which support the development of the relevant discipline. (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).


3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Desirable Criteria

The desirable criteria for Assistant Professor (Grade 8) (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are

:

Qualification - candidates to hold or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence (or Equivalent). PhD Supervision - involvement in the provision of excellent supervision for PhD students. Research Impact - evidence of or the potential to demonstrate the impact of the Candidate's research beyond their institution, especially in the following research fields-decision-making inherent to areas such as climate, environmental, economic, and policy pathways, supported by Digital Twins (Modelling, Simulations and Infrastructures), and applied AI and uncertainty quantification Interdisciplinary outlook - evidence of a willingness to work with an interdisciplinary team and across disciplines (this could be included in your personal research plan). Income Generation - evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals.

The desirable criteria for for Associate Professor (Grade 9) (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are:

1. Research Leadership - a significant contribution to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the candidate's institution, a recognised contribution to the development of the relevant research fields -decision-making inherent to areas such as climate, environmental, economic, and policy pathways, supported by Digital Twins (Modelling, Simulations and Infrastructures), and applied AI and uncertainty quantification, and engagement in the mentoring of early career researchers. Significant contribution to the development of successful research project / fellowship proposals. (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).


2. PhD Supervision - the successful recruitment and excellent supervision of PhD students.


3. Research Impact - evidence of a significant contribution to the development of research that has a demonstrable impact beyond the Candidate's institution.


4. Income Generation - significant evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals.


5. Interdisciplinary outlook - evidence of a willingness to work with an interdisciplinary team and across disciplines (this could be included in your personal research plan).

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

For academic enquiries, please contact Dr Nelly Bencomo nelly.bencomo@durham.ac.uk

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you're experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk


Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online.


Please note that in submitting your application, we will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement https://www.dur.ac.uk/ig/dp/privacy/pnjobapplicants/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

A CV A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above; Personal research plan. Two of your most significant pieces of written work. Where possible your written work should have been published or submitted since 2021, however work prior to 2021 may be submitted where candidates have had career breaks.

Where possible we request that you provide accessible web links to your publications, which the hiring Department will use to access your work. The application form contains fields in which to enter each of the web links.


Please note we are unable to access publications behind a paywall.


In the event you are unable to provide accessible links to online hosting of your work, publications should be uploaded as PDFs as part of your application in our recruitment system.


Please ensure that your PDFs are not larger than 5mb. Your work may be read by colleagues from across the Department and evaluated against the current REF criteria;


All application documents should be uploaded with your name and document type as PDF files.

We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.

Referees

You should provide 3 academic referees they should not (if possible) include your PhD supervisor(s). The majority should be from a University other than your own (save for early career applicants applying for their first post).


References will be requested for candidates who have been shortlisted and will be made available to the panel during the interview process.


As part of your application, you will be asked whether you give your consent to your academic references being sought should you be invited to attend an interview. We will only request references where permission has been granted.

Next Steps

All applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.


Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days early in 2026, with a preferred starting date of 1st April for the new post..


In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.

Applicant Guidance

For further guidance on your application please see

HERE