College of Science & Engineering / School of Informatics.
Open Ended Contract - Permanent.
Full Time - 35 Hours Per Week.
The School of Informatics at the University of Edinburgh has a faculty position for Databases in AI and Data Science. The database group within the School is world-class and one of the strongest in Europe with interests in all nearly all aspects of databases. It has strong links with other groups in the School including artificial Intelligence, machine learning, systems and theory. As is common in database research, most of the work of the group combines principles with practice. Interests of the database group currently include: the many connections between databases and machine learning; graph databases and query languages; compilation; incomplete information; data provenance.
The extraordinary recent successes that have resulted from combining AI with data are the reason for this position. Fortunately, most aspects of databases are relevant to this area, so anyone with a strong research background relevant to the principles and practice of database systems should consider applying.
Currently the group has interests in the following topics, all of which are relevant to the new position:
- All connections between databases and machine learning
- Graph databases and query languages
- Compilation
- Data management including integration, cleaning and provenance
- All aspects of systems and theory relevant to these topics
The School and University are committed to the advancement of women in computer science and to the support of diversity. We are open to considering requests for flexible working and you can find a comprehensive list of the University’s staff benefits linked below.
The salary for this post is:
- Lecturer £49,250 - £60,321 per annum
- Reader £62,098 - £76,398 per annum
Your skills and attributes for success:
- A PhD or equivalent that is relevant to database research
- Evidence of research impact through publications in the leading journals and conferences
- Understanding both the theory and practice of database systems
- Ability to communicate, teach and collaborate.
For readership, as above and including:
- Ability to generate independent research, to conduct PhD and postdoctoral supervision, to raise research funding and to design and teach new courses.
.*PhD must be completed for a Reader appointment
Click here for a copy of the full job description for position of Lecturer (opens in new browser window)
Click here for a copy of the full job description for position of Reader (opens in new browser window)
All applications must contain the following supporting documents:
- Cover letter
- Teaching statement (1-2 pages)
- Research statement (2-3 pages)
- Full CV and publication list, which should identify the applicant’s 3 most relevant/representative publications
- Ensure that a link to your publications link is also added in URL’s section of the application form
In the case of exceptional applicants, appointments may be available as a Reader (Grade UE09). Job descriptions for each level are outlined below. The level of appointment would be influenced by the selection panel following interview in Edinburgh.
Please note that two references will be sought for all shortlisted candidates. Please indicate on your application form if you are happy for your referees to be contacted prior to interview.
Feedback will only be provided to interviewed candidates.
General enquiries to be directed to Peter Buneman and other members of the Database group via InfHR: infhr@ed.ac.uk.
As a valued member of our team you can expect:
- A competitive salary
- An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
- To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community
- Comprehensive Staff Benefits, such as a generous holiday entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the total value of your pay and benefits
Championing equality, diversity and inclusion
The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality.
Prior to any employment commencing with the University you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)
Key dates to note
The closing date for applications is 27 January 2025.
Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm GMT. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.
The University is able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. If successful, an international applicant requiring sponsorship to work in the UK will need to satisfy the UK Home Office’s English Language requirements and apply for and secure a Skilled Worker Visa.
About Us
As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.
About the Team
Informatics is the study of how natural and artificial systems store, process and communicate information. Research in Informatics promises to take information technology to a new level, and to place information at the heart of 21st century science, technology and society. The School enjoys collaborations across many disciplines in the University, spanning all three College, and also participates as a strategic partner in the Alan Turing Institute and, with Heriot-Watt University, in the Edinburgh Centre for Robotics.
The School provides a fertile environment for a wide range of studies focused on understanding computation in both artificial and natural systems. It attracts students around the world to study in our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, and currently has approximately 1000 undergraduate students, 320 MSc students and 350 PhD students. Informatics is one of seven schools in the College of Science and Engineering, at the University of Edinburgh. It is recognised for the employability of its graduates (demand exceeds supply), its contributions to entrepreneurship, and the excellence of its research. Since the first Research Assessment Exercise in 1986, Informatics at Edinburgh has consistently been assessed to have more internationally excellent and world-class research than any other submission in Computer Science and Informatics. The latest REF 2014 results have again confirmed that ours is the largest concentration of internationally excellent research in the UK. This contributes to our ranking in the top 15 CS departments world-wide according to the latest Times Higher Education ranking.
We aim to ensure that our culture and systems support flexible and family-friendly working and recognise and value diversity across all our staff and students. The School has an active programme offering support and professional development for all staff; providing mentoring, training, and networking opportunities.
