Reader/Professor in Human Physiology (Teaching & Research)

at  Bangor University

Bangor University
North Wales Medical School
Reader/Professor in Human Physiology (Teaching & Research)
Grade 9: £56,021 - £64,914 p.a. or Professorial Band 1: £68,859 - £83,946 p.a.
(Ref: BU03659)
The North Wales Medical School and the School of Psychology & Sport Science are seeking to further develop its world-leading teaching and research profile by the joint-appointment of a Professor of Human Physiology. We seek to appoint an outstanding candidate with applied human physiology research expertise, including, but not limited to, cardiovascular physiology, cellular and molecular physiology, immunology, neurology, and anatomy. The successful candidate will have a profile commensurate with a Reader or Professorial role, including an international reputation in their field with output in well-respected, peer-reviewed journals and evidence of successful grant capture. They will build critical mass in areas of existing research strength and extend those to new areas. The research programme will address applied physiology in improving human performance, health and/or well-being. The research should ideally align to the current research themes including preventative and rehabilitative health, human behaviour and the environment, sport and human performance, physiology and technology, seeking to generate real-world impact and extending links between the university, practitioners and clinicians and the wider community. The successful candidate will also contribute to the development, leadership and delivery of teaching within the newly formed North Wales Medical School undergraduate programme, with an average 0.2 FTE commitment for which the postholder will be responsible to the Dean of Medicine. The post-holder will also contribute to driving the success of other undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, including formal taught modules, small study groups and co-ordination/delivery of Masters research projects as well as PhD supervision across both schools. They will promote the Schools through outreach and public engagement activity. Candidates should ideally possess relevant teaching qualifications and / or experience. Candidates will possess a PhD or equivalent, have an analytical background gained in an applied human physiology related discipline with extensive research experience (including high impact publications, grant income and collaborations), and be an experienced educator.
RESPONSIBLE TO: Jointly to the Dean of Medicine and the Head of the School of Psychology &; Sport Science.
The successful candidate will be expected to commence as soon as possible. This role will be located on campus at Bangor.
This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
This role will be located on campus at Bangor. Through our Dynamic Working framework, there will also be the option to spend some time working remotely (although remaining in the UK) to support work life balance, which will be discussed further with candidates at interview.
Applications will also be considered to carry out this role on a part-time or job share basis. Applications will only be accepted via our on-line recruitment website, jobs.bangor.ac.uk. However, in cases of access issues due to disability, paper application forms are available by telephoning 01248 383865.
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment.
Closing date for applications: 9 March 2025
Committed To Equal Opportunities
Overview
Founded in 1884, as a result of fundraising by local quarrymen and farmers, Bangor University has a long tradition of academic excellence and a strong focus on the student experience. Our mission is for a research-led University of and for North Wales, providing transformative learning experiences and nurturing a positive impact on society regionally, nationally, and internationally driven by our ‘Strategy 2030’. Around 10,000 students currently study at the University, with teaching staff based within 11 Academic Schools across 3 Colleges. Our research has been ranked highly in the Government’s most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), with 85% judged to be world-leading (4) or internationally excellent (3). Bangor’s research in Allied Health Professions, Dentistry, Nursing and Pharmacy is ranked 15th overall in the UK in REF2021. This academic year Bangor University was named Welsh University of the Year in the Daily Mail’s first ever University Guide, also being placed in their top 50 amongst UK Universities. The University has also been consistently successful in the National Student Survey results and is regularly amongst the UK’s top 10 Universities for student satisfaction. In the 2024 National Student Survey, eight of 10 of our students were satisfied with their course quality, an increase of 10% from last year. Overall satisfaction increased across all themes, including 86% for teaching satisfaction and 85% for academic support. Biomedical Science students from the North Wales Medical School reported 100% satisfaction. In the 2024 ‘Student Crowd’ University Awards, based solely on student reviews, the University was top 10 ranked for Personal Tutors, also featuring in the top 20 for Value for Money, Teaching Quality, Clubs and Societies, and Course Content. The University’s reputation for sustainability featured in the QS World Rankings, placing it in the top 10% of the most sustainable universities worldwide. The University was ranked 44th out of 134 UK Universities in the 2024 Sunday Times Good University Guide. Bangor was placed 54th of 122 UK universities in the Guardian University Guide 2024, a rise of 28 places from the previous year. Unifresher’s ‘Alternative University League Table’, which considers factors such as the cost of living, student social life, crime rates and sustainability, placed Bangor University top of 94 UK universities. The ‘WhatUni’ Student Choice Awards placed Bangor University first in Wales and 15th of 92 UK Universities.
We hold an Athena SWAN Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer. All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
College of Medicine and Health has a focus on mental and physical health education and science across three schools: Psychology & Sport Science, Health Sciences and the North Wales Medical School. We have has a strong track record of world-leading teaching and research excellence and high levels of student satisfaction, aiming to work across traditional boundaries between physical and mental health, illness and preventative medicine, and promote excellent teamwork by healthcare staff. We provide professional training across a growing range of medical and healthcare professions, in addition to a range of core foundational research activities which underpin strong contributions to medical, pharmaceutical and health research, research methods, translational science, psychology and neuroscience, preventive health, rehabilitation, clinical intervention, human performance and applied physiology.
The Project
North Wales Medical School The North Wales Medical School (NWMS) is the focus for medical, pharmaceutical, and biomedical research and teaching at Bangor University. The school comprises of over 90 staff, delivering a career-spanning portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes that continues to expand. These include existing programmes in Biomedical and Medical Sciences, Pharmacology, Physician’s Associate and the franchised Cardiff C21 North Wales medicine programme. From Autumn 2024 onwards, the University’s Welsh Government-backed North Wales Medical School will commence its new, independent Medicine programme, whilst a new Pharmacy MPharm programme is due to commence in 2025, subject to General Pharmaceutical Council approval. The School’s research centres are organised with partner schools within the Bangor Institute for Medical and Health Research (BIHMR), spanning medicines optimisation, primary care, clinical trials, health economics, ageing and dementia, public health and cancer biology and pharmacology.
The School’s overall mission is to champion and promote excellent interprofessional medical, health and social care, research, scholarship, teaching and learning, quality and values with people who use services, practitioners, and stakeholders; to promote language and cultural competence relevant to local, national and international partners, and to provide an inclusive culture and environment for staff and students within the School. Building on the strengths of Bangor University and Cardiff University higher education provision, the Cardiff C21 North Wales Medicine programme is delivered at Bangor University through a collaborative approach, creating an excellent medical educational environment that exploits the unique characteristics of the region. The programme benefits from state-of-the-art campus facilities for basic science, clinical simulation and skills training. Clinical exposure is gained across an extensive network of General Practices, primary, community and secondary care facilities across North Wales in close collaboration with Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board. Students gain a rich experience across urban, rural, and remote healthcare settings that reflect the spectacular geography of the region. The new independent North Wales Medical School programme will closely follow the current Cardiff C21 North Wales Medicine programme with Cardiff University School of Medicine acting as the contingency partner required by the GMC. Medical student intake consists of a mix of direct entry students who join Year 1, whilst graduate entrants complete a ‘catchup’ summer school before joining Year 2. During Years 1 and 2, students build a solid foundation of medical science using a case-based learning approach, along with clinical skills and simulation training and early patient contact sessions. This prepares students for Year 3, which consists of an innovative longitudinal integrated clerkship based in a General Practice, with students living within and contributing to a local community. Years 4 and 5 comprises clinical rotations in hospital and primary care, in preparation for initial employment as NHS employment as Foundation House Officers. The C21 North Wales Medicine programme commenced in 2019, and the first and second class completing their studies entirely in North Wales graduated in June 2023 and June 2024. The postholder will contribute to the development, leadership and delivery of teaching within the North Wales Medical School undergraduate programme, with an average 0.2 FTE commitment for which the postholder will be responsible to the Dean of Medicine.

The School’s research falls within five strategically-important themes, organised across four research centres, and aligned with the pillars of understanding human health, disease prevention, and treatment across the lifespan.

• Clinical trials. Our UKCRC registered clinical trials unit, the North Wales Organisation for Randomised Trials in Health & Social Care (NWORTH), collaborates on and delivers clinical trials and other rigorous studies from across the UK, with particular expertise in evaluations of complex interventions. Research excellence is achieved in clinical trial design, support and delivery and quantitative evaluations that exploit health data science.
• Health economics. The Centre for Health Economics and Medicines Evaluation (CHEME)’s Pharmaceutical Economics, Policy and Prescribing Research Group (PEPPER) is internationally renowned for its methodological research in economic evaluation and behavioural health economics; and applied research in the context of pharmaceuticals, health technologies and global health challenges.
• Medicines-related research. The Pharmaceutical Economics, Policy and Prescribing Research Group (PEPPER) conducts world-leading research to achieve a person-centred approach to prescribing. This focuses on improving medication adherence, personalising treatment through the application of pharmacogenomics, and utilising pharmacoeconomic and pharmacoepidemiologic evaluations to achieve safer,

more effective and cost-effective use of medicines. With developments in pharmacy and pharmacology, research across the translational continuum will be supported.

• Primary and community care. The North Wales Centre for Primary Care Research (NWCPCR) conducts internationally-leading research on the early diagnosis of cancer in primary care, and the provision of palliative care in the community. Using clinical trials and economic evaluations, specific areas of focus include general practice focussed interventions to diagnose cancer earlier, de-medicalisation of dying, role substitution and carer empowerment.
• Cancer biology and pharmacology. Research undertaken at the North West Cancer Research Institute (NWCRI) focuses on the molecular mechanisms underlying cancer and translational research to improve cancer detection and treatment. This includes the molecular basis of drug and radiation sensitivity, with an emphasis on epigenetic and oncogenic DNA damage-repair mechanisms; the identification, validation and preclinical development of novel cancer biomarkers; and the discovery of new anti-cancer drugs that target DNA repair, oncogenic developmental factors, and cancer metabolism.

Purpose of the Job:

• To conduct research of an international standard in a relevant field, with substantial evidence of quality and international peer recognition.
• To sustain and develop a portfolio of funded projects and maintain and develop collaborations with industry and other sectors.
• To teach at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including supervision of projects and students.
• To undertake School and College leadership roles including leadership of sustained research programmes.

Main Duties and Responsibilities

Teaching duties will include:

• Planning, preparing and delivering lectures and tutorials responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds, responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds and class sizes, and implementing a Universal Design for Learning.
• An ability to motivate students and provide meaningful and constructive feedback Significant and sustained contribution to teaching development plans, policies and activities that benefit others within the University/College/School.
• Acting as personal tutor to undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing advice, guidance and support.
• Contributing to the quality enhancement/validation of new and existing programmes, within the University and/or externally.
• Undertaking the role of module organiser and/or contribute to a range of module co-ordination procedures.

Research duties will include:

• Maintenance of portfolio of research activity including development of research proposals and management of research projects.
• Lead authorship of research in internationally significant referred journals, book chapters, monographs or other appropriate media for discipline Leadership of research groups and evidence of facilitating, improving and inspiring work colleagues.
• Supervision of PhDs to completion and contribution to staff mentoring.
• Significant contribution to the development of research strategy and/or research support and infrastructure within the University/College/School.
• Undertake lead role in initiatives to develop, enhance and support grant applications. Member of national and/or international committees and editorial boards as appropriate to the field.
• Significant and sustained evidence of applications to recognised research funding bodies with a success rate as appropriate for the field of discipline.
• Liaising with national research bodies to identify future research requirements.
• Undertake regular peer review duties for respected international journals and funding bodies.
• Engage in scholarly and other relevant professional activities.

Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:

• Significant and sustained high quality contribution to academic management, planning, governance and policy formation at University, College and School level.
• Contribution to the University’s/College’s/School’s management through undertaking key roles (e.g., Director of Teaching or Research, Senior Tutor), Significant and sustained contribution to addressing aspects of Student Experience, recruitment and retention.
• Leadership of University/College/School projects which may involve interdisciplinary groups. Undertake an active and sustained role in mentoring facilitating, developing and inspiring less experienced members of staff within the University/College/School.
• Significant and sustained contribution to the University’s mission (e.g. collaboration with other HEIs in the UK and further afield, promotion of equality and diversity, the Athena SWAN agenda and the Welsh language)
• Leadership and management of significant knowledge translation and impact activities including where appropriate third mission activities with the development of major projects with commercial impact Sustain a high profile through external roles (e.g., advisory capacity to government bodies).
• Significant and sustained leadership in knowledge transfer and impact activities, including the development of projects with commercial impact.
• Contribute to the promotion and external profile of the University/College/School through the marketing of programmes and participating in University/College/School link activities and other marketing initiatives.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as directed by the College PVC / Head of School.

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• The post holder will be expected to participate, and lead as appropriate, in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions.
• The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.
• These and other duties and responsibilities in discussion with and as directed by the College PVC / Head of School

Person Specification
Qualifications/Training

Essential:

• Educated to PhD level in a relevant subject area Formal teaching qualifications (e.g., HEA Fellowship or PGCert HE or equivalent), and / or 3 years substantial teaching experience for conversion to HEA Fellowship ideally within the first 3 years of appointment.

Experience/Knowledge Teaching

Essential:

• Experience of teaching at higher education level with evidence of successful student learning outcomes.
• Experience of innovative approaches to course design, module development, learning and teaching and assessment practice.
• Evidence of excellence in teaching (e.g., teaching profile, peer observation, student feedback, teaching award)

Desirable:

• Experience in online/blended/hybrid teaching delivery Experience in administrative duties associated with teaching and learning (e.g., module organiser, exam board experience).
• Experience of working with external partners including public health organisations

Research

Essential:

• Evidence of a sustained record of lead authorship of internationally (and for Band 3 Professor’s, World leading) significant research published in referred journals, as book chapters or monographs.
• Significant (for Prof) record of management of research groups and a portfolio of research activity, development of research proposals and management of research projects.
• Extensive and sustained evidence of having supervised PhD students to completion.
• Evidence of success in securing external funding, as appropriate to the subject area, from recognised research funding bodies.
• Contributor to academic conferences.
• Evidence of recognition as an authority and leader in discipline (e.g. through conference participation as invited speaker with national and/or international reach)
• Membership of editorial boards.
• Reviewer and/or referee for national and international journals.
• Reviewer and board/panel member for funding bodies

Desirable:

• Evidence of research with societal impact.

Skills/Abilities

Essential:

• Ability to lead research groups and facilitate, improve and inspire the work of colleagues.
• Ability to prioritise workload and work to deadlines
• Excellent verbal and written skills
• Demonstrable IT Skills as required (e.g., VLE techniques and other forms of learning technologies).
• Evidence of external networking and profile-raising (e.g. advisor to government bodies).
• Demonstrate an understanding and affinity with the bilingual nature of the geographical area and the institution.

Desirable:

• Ability to develop and use online teaching materials

Other

Desirable:

• The ability, or willingness to learn, to communicate through the medium of Welsh Note: There are many opportunities to learn Welsh if the successful candidate wishes to do so.

General
The University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds. We strive to develop a workforce from all sections of the community regardless of sex, gender identity, ethnicity, disability, sexual orientation, trans identity, relationship status, religion or belief, caring responsibilities, or age. We promote and facilitate the use of the Welsh language through our progressive Welsh Language Policy. We comply with the Welsh Language Standards and are committed to equality of opportunity. You are welcome to apply for any job in English or Welsh and all applications submitted will be treated equally.
We are a member of Advance HE’s Athena SWAN Gender Equality charter and hold a Silver award in recognition of our commitment to and progress towards gender equality within the University’s policies, practices, and culture. We are proud to be a Disability Confident employer.
All members of staff have a duty to ensure their actions are in line with the overall environmental aims of the University and minimise their environmental impact.
All offers are made subject to proof of eligibility to work in the UK and receipt of satisfactory references.
We have a legal responsibility to ensure that you have the right to work in the UK before you can start working for us. When you apply for this post you will be required to explain the basis upon which you believe you will able to live and work in the UK legally on the commencement date of the role should your application be successful. If you do not have the right to work freely in any position in the UK already, any offer of employment we will make to you will be subject to you obtaining a right to work visa. The following link provides information on the various visa routes into employment and the eligibility requirements (including switching visa status where permissible) https://www.gov.uk/browse/visas-immigration/work-visas. If you are successful in your application we will discuss visa options with you at the time of making the offer of employment.
Candidates should also note that they may be required to apply for an ATAS certificate (Academic Approval Technology Scheme) from the Counter-Proliferation and Arms Control Centre of the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office before being able to apply for a visa - https://www.gov.uk/guidance/academic-technology-approval-scheme
Please note that, in the event of applications being received from candidates on the University’s Redeployment Register with a reasonable skills match to the post specification, these applicants will be given prior consideration.
Disclosure & Barring Service
This post is subject to a satisfactory enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service check.
As Bangor University meets the requirements in respect of exempted questions under the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act 1974, all applicants who are offered employment will be subject to a criminal record check from the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) before the appointment is confirmed. This will include details of cautions, reprimands or final warnings as well as convictions. DBS checks will be updated every 3 years.
Candidates should note that the University uses an external Umbrella body to process DBS checks. As such you should be aware that, if successful in your application, your name and e-mail contact details will be shared with the Umbrella body in order that they may contact you to start the application process

Purpose of the Job:

• To conduct research of an international standard in a relevant field, with substantial evidence of quality and international peer recognition.
• To sustain and develop a portfolio of funded projects and maintain and develop collaborations with industry and other sectors.
• To teach at the undergraduate and postgraduate levels, including supervision of projects and students.
• To undertake School and College leadership roles including leadership of sustained research programmes

Teaching duties will include:

• Planning, preparing and delivering lectures and tutorials responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds, responding effectively to a variety of student backgrounds and class sizes, and implementing a Universal Design for Learning.
• An ability to motivate students and provide meaningful and constructive feedback Significant and sustained contribution to teaching development plans, policies and activities that benefit others within the University/College/School.
• Acting as personal tutor to undergraduate and postgraduate students, providing advice, guidance and support.
• Contributing to the quality enhancement/validation of new and existing programmes, within the University and/or externally.
• Undertaking the role of module organiser and/or contribute to a range of module co-ordination procedures

Research duties will include:

• Maintenance of portfolio of research activity including development of research proposals and management of research projects.
• Lead authorship of research in internationally significant referred journals, book chapters, monographs or other appropriate media for discipline Leadership of research groups and evidence of facilitating, improving and inspiring work colleagues.
• Supervision of PhDs to completion and contribution to staff mentoring.
• Significant contribution to the development of research strategy and/or research support and infrastructure within the University/College/School.
• Undertake lead role in initiatives to develop, enhance and support grant applications. Member of national and/or international committees and editorial boards as appropriate to the field.
• Significant and sustained evidence of applications to recognised research funding bodies with a success rate as appropriate for the field of discipline.
• Liaising with national research bodies to identify future research requirements.
• Undertake regular peer review duties for respected international journals and funding bodies.
• Engage in scholarly and other relevant professional activities

Administrative and Wider Contribution duties will include:

• Significant and sustained high quality contribution to academic management, planning, governance and policy formation at University, College and School level.
• Contribution to the University’s/College’s/School’s management through undertaking key roles (e.g., Director of Teaching or Research, Senior Tutor), Significant and sustained contribution to addressing aspects of Student Experience, recruitment and retention.
• Leadership of University/College/School projects which may involve interdisciplinary groups. Undertake an active and sustained role in mentoring facilitating, developing and inspiring less experienced members of staff within the University/College/School.
• Significant and sustained contribution to the University’s mission (e.g. collaboration with other HEIs in the UK and further afield, promotion of equality and diversity, the Athena SWAN agenda and the Welsh language)
• Leadership and management of significant knowledge translation and impact activities including where appropriate third mission activities with the development of major projects with commercial impact Sustain a high profile through external roles (e.g., advisory capacity to government bodies).
• Significant and sustained leadership in knowledge transfer and impact activities, including the development of projects with commercial impact.
• Contribute to the promotion and external profile of the University/College/School through the marketing of programmes and participating in University/College/School link activities and other marketing initiatives.
• Undertake other duties and responsibilities as directed by the College PVC / Head of School

Other Duties and Responsibilities:

• The post holder will be expected to participate, and lead as appropriate, in performance review and developmental activities.
• The post holder will be expected to comply with the University’s equality policies and statements, Dignity at Work and Study Policy and the University’s Welsh Language Scheme.
• The post holder has a general and legal duty of care in relation to health, safety and wellbeing and must take all reasonable steps to ensure a safe and healthy working environment for him/her self and for other members of staff, students and visitors affected by his/her actions or inactions.
• The post holder is also required to comply with all applicable health and safety policies, procedures and risk assessments.
• The post holder must comply with relevant legal and financial policies and procedures and be aware of their responsibilities in terms of the legal requirements of their posts.
• These and other duties and responsibilities in discussion with and as directed by the College PVC / Head of Schoo