We are looking for a number of academics with expertise in visual computing to lead research, teach and help with the running of the Department. We are particularly looking for up to three Lecturers (Assistant Professors), and one Professor; for which we would welcome applications from established Professors and from Readers, Senior Lecturers and Associate Professors or equivalent who can demonstrate a significant upward trajectory and readiness to take the next step.

You will be part of the visual computing group within the department of computer science. Your research interests might also engage with and cross-over into the other research groups in the department: human computer interaction, artificial intelligence and machine learning, and mathematical foundations.

This is an excellent opportunity to join our rapidly expanding and celebrated department. If you are excited by this prospect then we would be delighted to hear from you.

Visual Computing

We have a long and successful research record in visual computing, in particular combining computer vision and graphics approaches with a human centric focus.

Our research also crosses over into artificial intelligence, machine learning, education, healthcare, human-computer interaction and entertainment applications. This opens up a wide range of exciting opportunities for the technologies we develop to be translated into new fields with high impact applications. The Centre for the Analysis of Motion, Entertainment Research and Applications (CAMERA) embodies this focus and provides unique, state of the art facilities and equipment that underpin fundamental visual computing research and our engagement with many external partners including industry, international research institutes and charitable organisations. Our facilities centre around two state-of-the-art motion capture studios. Other facilities include our photogrammetry rig for avatar and more general shape capture, a 4D volumetric capture system as well as a number of smaller bespoke systems. We are also establishing a new virtual production system in our new studio as part of a significant national research and impact collaboration.

Further research links across the University, include:

• EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Digital Entertainment (CDE)
• UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Accountable, Responsible and Transparent AI (ART-AI)
• Centre for Mathematics and Algorithms for Data (MAD)
• REal and Virtual Environments Augmentation Labs (REVEAL)

What you will do

As an expert in your field, you will help to build on our current success and strengths to ensure that the department plays a key role in supporting the University’s strategic ambitions including driving high impact research, and delivering excellent teaching. You will be encouraged to collaborate with the researchers in our department and the wider University, while continuing to develop and enhance your existing industrial and academic relationships.

Research
You will work with colleagues, students and researchers to develop and publish papers. You’ll apply to bring in research grant funding. You will also find ways of opening up your research to the public, for example, by delivering talks or holding demonstration days.

Teaching
You will have a few courses to run. This includes designing the content and delivering the course through lectures, tutorials, and technical labs. You’ll be educating and inspiring some of the brightest students in the country.

Helping with the running of the Department
You’ll have a few internal roles to help the Department run smoothly. You might help with student placements, contribute to the administration around admissions, or lead a team of researchers.

How we will support you

Opportunities for continuous professional development and training are promoted for all colleagues, to develop and nurture a world class academic team.

You’ll be assigned a mentor, who will support you in your day-to-day job, and help you progress. You will join one of our four research groups with opportunities to collaborate and develop projects that enhance the research profile of the group.

We enrol all early career staff into the the Pathway to HEA Fellowship, which will give you the skills and support you need for teaching. The course lasts three years, after which you will become a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. We also run regular Early Career lunches at the department level to facilitate networking and share good practice between our early career research staff.

As well as the partners mentioned below, we have developed strong networks across sectors such as entertainment, sport, healthcare and technologies. You will be able to work with and build on these networks to help with your research and to attract more funding.

We're a growing team and there are always lots of opportunities to progress, manage, lead and grow with us.

Our Department

The Department of Computer Science sits within the Faculty of Science and has grown rapidly over the last few years.

The Department of Computer Science has a large funding portfolio, with a net worth of £17 million in directly managed grant income, with a further £30 million in partner funding. We are well connected, with many external partners. Of these, over 20 are industry facing, including: Foundry, Bristol Old Vic Theatre School, Sony, The Ministry of Defence, Qualisys, Lawn Tennis Association, British Athletics, British Bobsleigh & Skeleton Association. We also have partnerships with international research institutes including Max Planck Institute for Informatics, Saarbrucken; Zhejiang Lab, Tsinghua University; University of Auckland; National Institute of Informatics, Tokyo; and VISTA (York University, Toronto).

Our staff research systems wide issues in computer science ranging from mathematical foundations through visual and cognitive processes to artificial intelligence, human centred design and collaborative systems. The globally recognized research carried out within our four research groups is reinforced by three interdisciplinary and industry facing Research Centres hosted within the department. We have research groups in:

• Artificial intelligence
  
• Human-computer interaction
  
• Mathematical foundations of computation
  
• Visual computing

Highly rated, the Department is ranked 7th for student experience for computer science in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and top 10 for course satisfaction for computer science & information systems in the Guardian University Guide 2022. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF2021), 98% of our submitted research activity was ranked as 'world leading' or 'internationally excellent'. With state of the art facilities and equipment and links with some of the industry’s leading companies, the Department offers a supportive and creative environment.

Our Teaching

The Department offers undergraduate and postgraduate degrees covering a range of computer science specialisms.

We are ranked 7th for student experience for computer science in the Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2022 and are in the Top 10 for course satisfaction for computer science & information systems in the Guardian University Guide 2022.

Our Directors of Studies were awarded the ‘Best Team in Support of Student Learning’ in 2021. The team’s ethos is to empower students to co-create a positive experience in a collaborative learning environment. Described as ‘the students’ anchor’ during the pandemic, our lecturers are well known across the University for the exceptional care they dedicate to Computer Science students.

Our Commitment to you

Our thriving community of students and staff encompasses a wide range of individuals with a rich diversity of experiences, perspectives, and backgrounds.

We positively encourage applications from suitably qualified and eligible candidates regardless of sex, race, disability, age, sexual orientation, gender, religion or belief, marital status, or pregnancy and maternity. We have made a positive commitment towards gender equality and intersectionality receiving a Bronze Athena SWAN departmental award.

We encourage you to promote your individuality and are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments you may require.

Current vacancies

The following opportunities are now available

• Professor of Visual Computing
  
• Lecturer, Senior Lecturer or Reader in Visual Computing, up to three positions available