Assistant Professor in Urban Planning and Data Analytics (Education) (Dubai) - School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences - 105665 - Grade 8

Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

University of Birmingham, Dubai campus

Salary: Competitive 

Grade: 8

No. of positions: 1

Full time

Location: Dubai, UAE

Closing date: 12th May 2025

UK and International travel may be required for this post

University of Birmingham Dubai

Having established ourselves in Dubai International Academic City in 2018 we have now moved to our new state-of-the-art campus which opened in Sept 2021. These posts represent an excellent opportunity to join an ambitious World Top 100 University as we continue to grow our long-term strategic mission in Dubai, the UAE and the wider region. Our campus reflects the very best of Birmingham through our presence in Dubai.

Background

We are currently recruiting an Assistant Professor in Urban Planning and Data Analytics, who will join the highly interdisciplinary School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) at the University of Birmingham Dubai campus. The position offers an exciting opportunity to support the teaching and leadership of the MSc Urban Analytics and AI for Planner, a pioneering programme integrating urban planning, data science, and AI, as well as supporting the MSc Urban Planning and MSc Sustainable Urban Design programmes. 

We are keen to attract candidates whose work engages with contemporary urban planning issues, particularly the application of AI, data analytics, urban and mobility modelling and digital technologies to planning and urban design. The post holder will contribute to the development and delivery of modules related to urban analytics, transport modelling, spatial data science, and smart city planning. They will also support our MSc Urban Planning and MSc Sustainable Urban Design programmes.

The University of Birmingham is an equal-opportunity employer wishing to recruit talented individuals from anywhere around the world. We encourage applicants from all sections of the community.

Successful applications will receive a competitive package and play a key role in our ambitious University’s expansion as we enhance our international reputation and global footprint. 

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.

Role Summary

You will contribute to a range of education-related activities, primarily in support of our MSc Urban Analytics and AI for Planners. In addition, you will be expected to demonstrate academic citizenship, developing and maintaining mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.

Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment, and (b) enhancement of the student experience and employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, and (b) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods with a particular focus on approaches suitable for urban planning data science and AI applications.

You will be expected to deliver excellent teaching that inspires students and is informed by discipline-based research or professional experience in urban analytics and data-driven planning, ensuring alignment with industry and accreditation standards, while delivering high-quality teaching across all programmes including MSc Urban Analytics, the MSc Urban Planning and MSc Sustainable Urban Design and BSc Sustainability. 

Develop and teach as part of modules in urban data analytics, AI for planning, GIS and spatial modelling, smart cities, and urban systems design, while supervising postgraduate dissertations and research projects focused on data-driven urban solutions. Innovate teaching methods such as through AI-driven tools, computational approaches, or urban simulation models, and enhance the curriculum by integrating industry-led case studies and practitioner engagement.

Main Duties

Education, Research and Knowledge Exchange

You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities: 

• Contribute to curriculum development and/or renewal for urban analytics and AI in planning.
• Develop and manage approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in data-driven urbanism.
• Advise others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment.
• Play an important role in student academic support.
• Inform your teaching practice from discipline-based research and/or professional practice in urban analytics, GIS, and AI for planning.
• Update your subject expertise and undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection using student and peer review feedback.
• You may play an important role in the recruitment and admission of students.
• Contribute to research-led teaching.

Using a variety of methods in teaching and advising individuals and groups of undergraduates and postgraduates (contact and online settings), including (as appropriate):

• Teaching and examining modules at a range of levels, with teaching activities also taking place during weekends and evening.
• Planning and reviewing your own teaching approaches and encouraging others to do the same.
• Designing contemporary, inclusive, engaging and academically challenging curriculum content.
• Working collaboratively with colleagues to design and deliver teaching, learning, and assessment.
• Competent in using digital resources; for example AI-driven spatial analysis and transport modelling including Autodesk Forma, UNA, UMI, Space Syntax; effectively to support learning and assessment.
• Undertaking and developing the full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining.
• Developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.
• Devising and supervising student dissertations, and practical work.

Academic Leadership, Management and Administration

To contribute to programme and School administration. This may include:

• Contributing to the administration/management of teaching within the School.
• Leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g., new MSc programme or a recruitment drive).
• Advising on personal development of colleagues and students.
• Making a contribution to administrative activities within the University (e.g., accreditation processes, programme committees).
• Developing and making contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, public engagement, and collaboration with industry professionals.
• Promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring, evaluation, and active engagement.
• Collaborate with faculty in the UK and Dubai campuses to enhance interdisciplinary teaching and research.

Industry and Professional Engagement

• Strengthen links with local and international urban planning consultancies, smart city initiatives, AI and tech firms, and government agencies.
• Promote student employability by integrating real-world projects, internships, and applied research opportunities.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:

• pursuing your activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently;
• demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduations, School committees);
• demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; 
• willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School projects);
• positively engaging in School strategic initiatives;
• proactively supporting and engaging in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

• Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications and/or professional experience in Urban Analytics, Urban Planning, Urban Design, Data Science, GIS, or a related field. 
• Teaching experience and scholarship and/or training within subject specialism.
• Proven ability to devise, advise on and manage learning.
• Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to work effectively in a team environment, collaborate with colleagues, and communicate ideas clearly to others. 

Teaching

• Experience of delivering teaching align with the programme aims. The post holders must be able to create and contribute to/lead on modules including AI and Big Data in Urban Analytics - Theory and Practice, Research Skills for Urban Scientists, and Urban Lab: Data Modelling and Transport Systems..
• Experience in curriculum design, assessment of student work and organisation (leadership) of modules.
• Experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues. 
• Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.
• Experience using innovative teaching methods.
• Experience or understanding of teaching diverse student cohorts.

Management Administration

• Ability to contribute to School management processes.
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area.
• Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. 
• Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.
• Experience managing projects, including planning, scheduling, and coordination of resources.

For informal enquiries, please contact Mohammad Radfar, email: m.radfar@bham.ac.uk (Dubai Campus), or John Round, email: j.round@bham.ac.uk (Edgbaston Campus)

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.