Position Details

School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £35,880 to £45,163 with potential progression once in post to £47,874

Grade: 7

Full Time, Permanent

Closing date: 25th November 2024

*Please note interviews for this post will take place on the 29th November 2024

Our offer to you

People are at the heart of what we are and do.

The University of Birmingham is proud to have been a part of the City of Birmingham and the wider region for over 100 years, and we are equally proud to be recognised as a leading global university. We want to attract talented people from across the city and beyond, support them to succeed, and celebrate their success.

We are committed to helping the people who work here to develop through our sector-leading Birmingham Professional programme which provides all professional services staff with development opportunities and the encouragement to reach their full potential. With almost 5,000 professional services jobs in a wide-range of functions in Edgbaston and in our campus in Dubai, there are plenty of opportunities for you to be able to develop your career at the University.

We believe there is no such thing as a typical member of staff and that diversity is a source of strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation, and debate. We warmly welcome people from all backgrounds and are committed to fostering an inclusive environment where diversity is at the heart of who and what we are, and how we work.

Supporting our people to achieve a healthy work/life balance is important both to our employees and to the success of the University and, depending on the role, we offer a variety of flexible working arrangements. We therefore welcome discussions on all forms of flexible working. In addition, you will receive a generous package of benefits including 40 days paid holiday a year, one paid day a year for volunteering, occupational sick pay, and a pension scheme. We also have three high quality subsidised day nurseries.

The University is situated in leafy Edgbaston and there are excellent transport links to our beautiful campus, including main bus routes and a train station on site. On campus we have a state-of-the-art sports centre with pool, shops, places to eat and drink, our own art gallery, museum and botanical gardens.

Find out more about the benefits of working for the University of Birmingham

Background

The Lapworth Museum of Geology at the University of Birmingham, established in 1880, is one of the UK's leading geological museums and houses the largest geological collection in the Midlands. The museum plays a key role in engaging the public with important themes such as fossils, evolution, biodiversity, natural hazards, natural resources, and environmental change. In 2016, the Lapworth underwent a £3 million transformational redevelopment, which earned it recognition as a runner-up for the Art Fund Museum of the Year 2017. Currently, the Lapworth Museum is an Arts Council England (ACE) National Portfolio Organisation (NPO), working on a project that integrates arts and science to enhance public engagement.

The Museum is an integral part of the University’s School of Geography, Earth and Environmental Sciences (GEES) and College of Life & Environmental Sciences. It provides considerable support for teaching and research within both the School and College, and more broadly across the University.

The Lapworth Museum is located in the heart of the University of Birmingham’s Edgbaston campus and is open to the public seven days a week with free admission. It is a key part of the University’s portfolio of cultural resources, which also includes the Barber Institute of Fine Arts, Winterbourne House & Gardens, Research & Cultural Collections, the Cadbury Research Library, the Elgar Concert Hall, the Shakespeare Institute, and the Ironbridge Institute, all largely set within an outstanding green urban campus. The Museum houses a collection of around 300,000 objects, including significant material from many of the most influential geologists, scientists, and collectors of the 19th and early 20th centuries. It features outstanding specimens, object-based collections, and a historic archive that represent classic geological sites of international importance in the Midlands, the UK, and beyond.

Role Summary

The Lapworth Museum of Geology is seeking a specialist Data Scientist- Revenue Optimisation Manager (DS-ROM) to play a pivotal role in its strategic development and management. The (DS-ROM) will provide high-level management support and work closely with the Museum Director to shape the Museum’s strategic direction.

The role involves utilising advanced data modelling to increase revenue through the museum’s retail offerings, innovative venue hire, paid events programs, and the development of a commercial image library. 

The DS-ROM will utilise specialist skills in data science, AI, and machine learning to lead data-driven initiatives that support research, teaching, public engagement, and financial growth. Key responsibilities include implementing cutting-edge AI solutions, management of the full data cycle (collection, storage, processing, analysis, visualization, utilisation, and security), to inform the development of major public events programmes, and driving revenue generation. The role includes managing the Visitor Services team, reception, and retail outlet through data driven initiatives to ensure high-performance operations while contributing to the museum's strategic planning and reporting.

Main Duties

Revenue Optimisation

Utilising Data modelling and insights to:

• Optimise retail profitability through data driven innovation, decisive leadership, creativity, monitoring and evaluation.
• Utilise market research insights to develop comprehensive growth strategies for the retail business, encompassing product design, product selection, range expansion, supplier partnerships, and branded product development by leveraging collections, archives, and digital resources.
• Oversee the development and management of an online shop.
• Develop, market and manage public events, to enhance visibility, engagement and revenue.
• Develop strategies and manage the Lapworth’s revenue generation from venue hire.
• Development of an image and digital resources library for revenue generation. 
• Manage data generated through retail, events, venue hire and digital resource library to further inform and develop future strategies to increase revenue generation.

Advanced Data Analysis and AI Implementation

• Provide specialist expertise to research projects that aids Lapworth Museum’s technological advancement by implementing cutting-edge AI & Machine Learning solutions. 
• Analyse trends and visualise data related to visitor engagement and performance using software such as PowerBI, Python, and SQL.
• Application of AI & Machine Learning specialist knowledge for significant problem-solving projects within the Museum, research and teaching applications.
• Conduct detailed mapping of visitor footfall and flow using AI-informed technologies, collaborating with ongoing GEES research.

Specialist Educational Support

• Provide specialist AI (Machine Learning and Deep Learning) expertise to academics and final year student projects.
• Teach students aspects of popular Machine Learning and AI techniques such as Pandas, Scikit Learn, Keras, PyTorch, TensorFlow etc, as part of undergraduate degree programmes.
• Teach museum and heritage data analytical methods such as statistical process control, hypothesis testing, analysis of variance etc., for programmes including the International Heritage Management Masters programme. 
• Co-sponsor the ongoing Lapworth Museum- UoB Business School Data Analytics Projects, for master’s students in Business Studies.
• Develop and manage student bursaries/internships and work placements undertaking Data Science/Data Analysis themed projects at the Lapworth Museum.

Public Engagement and Event Management

• Utilise expertise in Deep Learning, Text Mining, and Sentiment Analysis from user feedback and evaluation data, to develop long-term strategies for events, diverse audience engagement and community engagement, to establish the Lapworth Museum as a venue for performing arts and entertainment, promoting local artists, ensuring inclusion and accessibility.
• Develop innovative, creative, and data informed marketing strategies and build partnerships/networks to engage diverse communities across Birmingham through novel event programming.
• Manage the Audience Development Strategy and Action Plan using data insights.

Staff and Museum Volunteer Management

• Management of the Museum’s Visitor Services Assistance team, reception and retail outlet to ensure implementation of museum’s data strategies.
• Recruit and train the Visitor Services Assistants, conducting PDRs and ensuring specific training and staff development is available.
• Recruit and manage a team of student and community-based volunteers to support the data strategies pertaining to marketing and delivery of the Lapworth’s public programmes.

Data Management and Compliance

• Management and responsibility of the data cycle (collection, storage, processing, analysis, visualization, utilization, and data security within the Museum in line UoB data protection policies.
• Manage the processing of diverse Lapworth Museum data for uploading to specialist Cultural Sector platforms (Illuminate).

Monitoring, Evaluation, and Reporting

• Present key audience data insights to the University Museums, Collections & Performance Group, which includes directors of cultural attractions, the Director of Public Engagement, and the Head of College of Arts & Law.
• Monitor and develop strategies for Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity, ensuring adherence to funding principles and best practice.
• Reporting to the Lapworth Museum ACE NPO Project Board, CoLES Lapworth Management Group, the College Board, and funding bodies as necessary.

Other Strategic Planning and Advisory

• Provide high-level management support working closely with the Museum Director, utilising data science and date insights to develop the Museum’s strategic direction and potential grant applications e.g. for major capital development projects for the museum.
• Provide specialist advice on AI & Data Science to the University of Birmingham - Museums, Collections & Performance Group.
• Assist the Director via data science and data insights with quarterly and annual reporting to funding bodies including Arts Council England (NPO Grant £424k) and Research England (HEMG £575k). 

Other Duties

• Active participation and leading of Lapworth Museum Team meetings.
• The post holder will occasionally be required to work outside normal office hours and at weekends.
• Any other duties commensurate with the grade.

Person Specification

Qualifications/Training: 

• A qualification at degree level in a quantitative field (preferably Maths & Statistics).
• A Masters degree in Artificial Intelligence & Machine Learning.

Knowledge/Experience:

• Experience of practical applications of data science, within the museum/heritage sector.
• Extensive experience in advanced data science techniques, including AI, Machine Learning, and Deep Learning.
• Proven experience in analysing and visualising large datasets using software such as Python, SQL, PowerBI, and Tableau.
• High levels of proficiency in using tools and libraries such as scikit-learn, pandas, PyTorch, TensorFlow, and GitHub.
• Proven ability to utilise advanced data insights to manage and expand retail business operations utilising advanced data insights.
• Expertise in developing and implementing data driven strategies for major public events and programmes, focusing on revenue generation, audience expansion and high-quality user experiences, linked to the museum and cultural sector. 
• Experience of fundraising within the cultural sector. 
• Strong knowledge of data storage, management, and protection in line with data protection policies.
• Proficiency in teaching and mentoring students in data analytical methods and machine learning techniques.
• Knowledge of Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Issues and committed to promoting inclusivity and accessibility.

Skills:

• Demonstrate the ability to communicate complex Scientific, Data Science, AI, Machine Learning & Deep Learning concepts effectively with a diverse range of individuals, groups and organisations. 
• Creative and innovative utilising data insights to develop public programs, temporary exhibitions, marketing, and revenue strategies.
• Strong problem-solving skills with the ability to develop innovative solutions to complex challenges across the breadth of Museum activities.
• Strong leadership skills with experience in managing and training staff.
• Excellent communication, organisational and project management skills 

Personal Qualities & Attributes:

• Excellent team worker.
• Strong Leadership qualities.
• Provide advocacy for the Lapworth Museum.
• Ability to work on own initiative and to strict deadlines.
• Recognise areas where the Museum can expand, obtain additional resources and exploit opportunities.
• Commitment to strong collaborative working as part of a senior management team.

Informal enquiries to Jon Clatworthy (Museum Director), email: j.c.clatworthy@bham.ac.uk 

View our staff values and behaviours here 

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.