Supporting information

Senior Lecturer in Electrical, Electronic and Power Engineering

Closing date 12 September 2013

Ref: R130277

School of Engineering & Applied Science

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) is well established as a major part of the University, a part that has existed since the foundation of the University in 1895. The School operates as a single unit but with groupings to reflect the disciplines in which the School specialises. The Executive Dean is supported by a Deputy Dean, Dr Trevor Oliver and four appointed Associate Deans with the following areas of overall responsibility: Research Dr Philip Davies Undergraduate Programmes Dr Trevor Oliver Postgraduate Programmes Dr Sudhir Jain External Relations Professor Alison Hodge Learning and Teaching Dr Robin Clark Underpinning this structure are six Subject Groups, with considerable discipline-specific responsibilities, each with a Subject Group Head: Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry (CEAC) Professor Sahar Al-Malaika Computer Science (CS) Professor Ian Nabney Electrical, Electronic and Power Engineering (EEPE) Professor David Webb Engineering Systems and Management (ESM) Dr Peter Hedges Mathematics (Maths) Professor Ian Nabney Mechanical Engineering and Design (MED) Dr Gareth Thomson

Each Subject Group has devolved responsibility for the design, delivery and operation of taught and research programmes.

Links with Industry and business

Since its foundation, the University and School has had strong links with industry and business. Increasingly such links are not only at the local level in Birmingham and the Midland Region of the UK, but throughout the UK and globally. Our Foundation Degrees are tailored to the needs of specific employers, usually taking two years to complete, and include work-based learning with a large proportion of the studies in the workplace. At the undergraduate, postgraduate and research stages many of our students gain a period of work experience prior to graduation. This, along with our emphasis on practical applications throughout our programmes, we believe, is one of

the key factors that makes our students some of the most employable in the country. The University is ranked 5th in the UK and 1st outside London for Graduate Employability - beating Oxbridge (2012 Sunday Times University Guide). At the postgraduate stage, taught masters programmes and doctoral level research projects are application oriented, many being directly focused on the interests of companies and business. This applied focus is also reflected in, for example, the number of KTP (knowledge Transfer Partnership) projects that are awarded to the School, as well as EPSRC CASE awards – both schemes being dependent on joint working between the School and a company. Aston University pioneered the development of the “Voucher scheme”, to enable SMEs to work with universities for the first time, and this demonstrates the understanding that EAS has of the business environment, both in small businesses as well as larger corporate entities. Based in the heart of the West Midlands, the School is well placed to develop links with local businesses but also the national and international markets. The emphasis on work-place based learning is increasing and the School offers programmes in part and full-time modes. Some specific programmes are such as Foundation degrees and professional courses, are directed explicitly at employees and the School intends to expand its engineering management programmes and CPD programmes, working in close collaboration with colleagues in Aston’s highly respected Business School.

Executive Education

MSc Professional Engineering

The philosophy of Aston University’s Professional Engineering programme is simple; engineering theory alone is useless and engineering practice alone can be dangerous.

World class companies in the 21st century need world class Professional Engineers who are able to support their practice with theoretical understanding, so that they can be innovative and pushing at the barriers of technical excellence safety and sustainably.

Undergraduate taught programmes EAS teaches a range of undergraduate programmes from Foundation to integrated masters levels, awarding BSc, BEng and MEng degrees in 3, 4 or 5 years. http://www1.aston.ac.uk/eas/undergraduate/our-courses/ The majority of these programmes are accredited by the appropriate professional institution. The facilities are excellent, many labs having been refurbished recently.

Undergraduate chemistry laboratories

We are proud that the strong majority of our courses are accredited by the appropriate governing institutions.

Over 2000 students are enrolled on EAS programmes at any time and plans are being put in place to expand this number through the opening of new programmes and increased student numbers on those already available with capacity. Reflecting the diverse cultural mix of the UKs second city, many students in EAS come from countries around the world, creating a vibrant environment for study and student projects.

EAS is pioneering accelerated MEng programmes in which students gain their qualification in 4 years including an academically credited placement year in industry. Undergraduate students are strongly encouraged and supported to gain work experience or take an international academic placement during their programmes. The School and University enables this through national and international schemes as well as local contacts with industries and businesses. Extra-curricular activities such as participation in national and international competitions, are supported strongly and this is reflected in the success of EAS’ students in high positions achieved and awards.

Shell eco car - A hydrogen powered car designed by Aston University students has won a major award in the 2012 Shell Eco Marathon Europe challenge.

The School prides itself on providing practically relevant courses at all levels. The essence of training to become an engineer or designer is not only dependent on developing technical knowledge but also being able to combine this with practical engineering skills, social awareness, team and project management abilities, and competences in many other fields to solve engineering problems. As part of this, the School is increasingly using a practical, project-based approach to teaching and learning, moving from intense and assessment-heavy teaching to a culture where students have space and encouragement from tutors, while learning to learn for themselves. The School of Engineering and Applied Science is one of 50 of the world’s top technical institutions who are leading with the CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement & Operate) initiative.

Aston computing science student wins 2013 Undergraduate of the Year award and gains a place on Marks & Spencer’s 18 month Graduate programme. He beat over 100 applications from 30 UK Universities. At masters level, EAS offers a range of more specialist masters programmes, most of which are taught as full and part time options http://www1.aston.ac.uk/eas/postgraduate/programmes/ One masters programme, offered only to employed company staff and delivered by distance learning, is special - The MSc Professional Engineering – and provides the advanced engineering knowledge and understanding needed to qualify for full chartered engineer (CEng) status, and helps build the range of practical competences also needed for CEng. Research

The School of Engineering and Applied Science (EAS) specialises in applicable research addressing societal needs such as sustainable energy and water, understanding of complex data through mathematics and computer science, superfast high bandwidth communications and novel polymers compatible with the human body, the latter in collaboration in particular with the School of Life and Health Sciences. EAS addresses fundamental questions that will have high human and economic impact:

• How can we simulate model, predict and control uncertain complex systems with partial knowledge? • How do we engineer superior optically based communication and sensing technologies? • How can we apply chemistry to construct materials and products for use in biotechnology, nanotechnology

and medicine? • How can we harness bioenergy as a source of renewable energy and raw materials for industry? How can

we create a more sustainable future? • How can we engineer improved health systems and technologies?

From developments in algorithms for smart data processing, to technologies to provide power in rural areas of emerging economies, our Engineering research is at the core of modern society developments. Photonics research focuses on ultra fast optical transmission and processing in fibre designed optic components. Flexible and powerful principles of fibre optic sensing are also being used to detect physical and chemical properties of living cells. Synthetic chemistry is being utilised to construct novel ‘designer’ materials that interact with biological molecules, cells and more complex biological systems – for applications including contact lenses and joint replacements. Biomedical engineering research is investigating smart systems for monitoring and diagnosis of the condition of individual human cells . Sophisticated cross-disciplinary mathematical and computational approaches are being developed for transportation, environmental, eHealth and communication domains, and work on thermal biomass conversion applies chemical engineering science and technology to the design and development of new products and processes that will enable society to have less harmful environmental impact.

The Pyroformer has been named ‘Best Technological B reakthrough’ Climate Week awards – March 2013

Research groups

The School hosts a range of research groups (see www.aston.ac.uk/eas/research/groups), with some that are long established and internationally renowned, and others that are more recently established.

Chemical Engineering and Applied Chemistry

� European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI)

� Biomaterials and Biomolecular Sciences Research Group

� Polymer and Advanced Materials Research Group

Computer Science

� Computer Science Research Group

� Non-linearity and Complexity Research Group (jointly with Mathematics)

Mathematics

� Non-linearity and Complexity Research Group (jointly with Computer Science)

Electronic, Electrical and Power Engineering

� Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies

� Adaptive Communication Networks Research Group

� Nanoscience Research Group

Engineering Systems and Management

� Sustainable Environment Research Group (jointly with Mechanical Engineering and Design)

� Project and Supply Chain Management Research Group

� Engineering Education Research Group

Mechanical Engineering and Design

� Biomedical Engineering Research Group

� Sustainable Environment Research Group (jointly with Engineering Systems and Management)

Almost all Aston’s academic staff are both researchers and teachers. Researchers have a very high level of interaction with industry through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships and directly funded projects. The School also hosts a significant number of research fellows at the early career stage, many of them international, as well as more experienced visiting and honorary researchers who have perhaps gained expertise elsewhere in academia, industry and business. Over 150 PhD students are enrolled in the School currently.

RAE 2008 (the last for which results are announced)

In the Research Assessment Exercise 2008, the School was praised for its substantial submission (nearly 60 researchers: 86% of the academic staff) with a well-articulated strategy. Over 40% of the research outputs were in the internationally excellent to world leading range (3* and 4*).

The reviewers commented further: "There is good evidence for achievement of the objectives set out in RAE 2001, and steady growth since then, both in staff numbers and in research income. Development of new research areas was also to be commended. There have been significant enhancements in research infrastructure, and there was strong engagement with industry, and commercialisation of research, by all research groups. There was excellent training and support for research students, and evidence of prizes won by research students at international conferences."

The School is currently preparing its submission for REF 2014.

Research Facilities

The School invests significantly in its facilities for engineering and computing.

Recent additions include:

• European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) building and pyrolysis demonstrator facility (£15M investment) • a new suite of laboratories for micro/nano fabrication technologies for application at multiple scales: the whole

body, tissues, and cells; • X-ray photoelectron spectrometer and an electron spectrometer; • 100m2 clean room for photonics research; • analytical laboratories for chemistry anhd chemical engineering;

Research Institutes

European Bioenergy Research Institute - EBRI

The bioenergy market is growing, driven by low carbon energy policy, and by waste policy diverting waste materials from landfill. There is an enormous untapped biomass resource for energy conversion going unnecessarily into landfill or counter productively to incineration and in addition to the environmental impact this loads additional costs onto regional businesses and public sector organisations. The emerging technologies that will form the demonstration facilities in European Bioenergy Research Institute (EBRI) offer the very exciting potential to deliver substantial savings and energy capacity with a net “carbon negative” outcome. The EBRI project jointly funded by Aston University and ERDF will provide a fully functioning demonstration facility showcasing bioenergy technologies to regional businesses. EBRI will also act as a primary conduit for the transfer of knowledge about bioenergy between stakeholders and will embed skills to benefit the regional economy.

Professor Andreas Hornung, Director of the European Bioenergy Research Institute(EBRI) at Aston University is now combining his innovative work at Aston University alongside developing the Fraunhofer Center for Energy Storage in Sulzbach-Rosenberg, Germany.

Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies - AIPT

The Aston Institute of Photonic Technologies, with more than 50 active researchers, is the largest research group in the School of Engineering & Applied Science, and one of the largest in photonics research in the UK.

It has a world-recognised record of achievement in nonlinear photonics, high-speed optical transmission and processing, in fibre optic components and in fibre optic sensors. It is an acknowledged centre of excellence for experimental and theoretical research in optical soliton, high speed optical systems, fibre grating technology, fibre sensors, microwave photonics, bio-photonics, and all-optical networks. Photonics in sensing technologies

Funding for Research

The School is expanding its research activities and has successfully won approaching £10M pa in research grants and contract, from a range of sources. These include UK Research Councils, e.g. EPSRC, EU Framework Programme, National Government research funding, companies, and charities particularly Leverhulme Trust. Much of the research is collaborative within the School, across the University and with research institutions elsewhere in the UK and internationally. Increasingly, the School and University is working with internationally leading partner institutions in India, China, Australia and Vietnam. IP is exploited in partnership with the Business Partnership Unit, which manages patenting, licensing, and setting up of spin-out companies based on selected research innovations. We have secured industrial funding for much of our research. The School is on track to meet its ambitious strategy of attracting 9 KTP projects per annum or a rolling number of 18 active projects at any one time (worth £2.3M+). Evidence for EAS success in working with users comes from prizes. At regional level, EAS industrial research has been selected as a finalist in the Lord Stafford awards 5 times, winning it 3 times. EAS has received a national KTP award, and Aston is the only university in the UK to be a prize-winner twice in the EPSRC Knowledge Transfer Challenge.