Job Description

Job details

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Responsible to


Head of Discipline in Engineering


Location


Markeaton Street, Derby Campus


Closing date


Thursday 31 July 2025


Salary


38,249 to 45,413 per annum


Job grade


HE Lecturer


Reference


0091-25


Contract type


Permanent


Post type


Full-time


Adaptive working type


Hybrid

This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework.



About the University
We have one simple promise - to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.



The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.



We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 - making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.



Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.


About the College/Department
Here at University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths: the STEM skills that are essential to the UK's Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.



Engineering at Derby has a bold vision to deliver an outstanding learning experience to our students, further develop and expand our research capacity and increase our industry engagement in the region and beyond to fulfil targets for Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Excellence Framework (KEF) as well as provide the best opportunities to our graduates. The discipline area is located in the University's STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.


About the role
Engineering at Derby has a bold vision to deliver an outstanding learning experience to our students, further develop and expand our research capacity and increase our industry engagement in the region and beyond to fulfil targets for REF and KEF as well as providing the best opportunities to our graduates. The discipline area is located in the University's STEM annex in Markeaton Street, where staff offices and lab facilities are co-located. Key investments in the last few years include dedicated motorsport workshop, intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and an active applied research agenda. We have identified significant opportunities with regional businesses in the area of mechanical engineering, which aligns with the direction of our mechanical engineering degree and are hence strategically investing into a new post at lecturer level in the discipline. The recruitment drive is focused on evidenced and emerging potential in the candidates to help us fulfil our ambition. The post will further increase our research and teaching capacity in applied mathematics, thermofluids, engineering science and structural mechanics. You will actively engage and build on your growing international research reputation in research and knowledge exchange which influences leading edge practice, informs and inspires the research-led curriculum and teaching and contributes to continuing subject expertise and contribution to the REF.


About You
You will be an emerging academic or experienced professional with a passion for teaching, research, and knowledge exchange in mechanical engineering. With expertise in areas such as applied mathematics, thermofluids, engineering science, or structural mechanics, you will bring insight and enthusiasm to both the classroom and the research environment. You are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience, developing innovative teaching materials, and engaging learners through real-world applications. Alongside this, you will be actively developing your research profile, contributing to high-quality publications, and seeking opportunities for external funding and collaboration. Whether already publishing or building your research potential, you are ready to contribute to our REF and KEF ambitions and are excited by the opportunity to work in a supportive, forward-thinking environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities. You will value interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagement, and be keen to work with regional partners to drive applied research and knowledge exchange. Flexible, motivated, and aligned with the University's values, you are ready to help shape the future of engineering at Derby.


Principal accountabilities
Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes.

Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.

Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.

Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.

Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the 'Derby Graduate'.

Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.

Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.

Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.

Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.

Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.

Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.

Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.

Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.

Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.

Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.

Contribute to effective cross College / University working.

Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Person specification###

Essential Criteria

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Qualifications

Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards (within 24 months) PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe
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Experience

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Learning / Teaching

Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
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Research / Scholarship

Demonstrable experience in mechanical engineering discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field Experience of research / enterprise activity in one or more of the following areas: Applied mathematics (b) Thermofluids (c) Engineering Science (d) Structural mechanics. Evidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy



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Skills, knowledge and abilities

An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology-enhanced learning / teaching and research activities Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University's core values Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum Flexible to the needs of others Innovative and creative Committed to continual enhancement and a high-quality student experience Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality
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Business requirements

Able to take a flexible approach to work + Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
+ Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
+ Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
+ A commitment to own professional development
Benefits
Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata) Teacher's Pension Scheme Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers Discounted onsite gym Cycle to Work scheme A flexible working environment A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits


Key contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Martin Sole, Interim Head of Discipline via m.sole@derby.ac.uk


For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk.


Important information####

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.



The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (38,700 per annum). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI:


Your job is on the Immigration Skills List You're under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training You have a PhD level qualification that's relevant to your job You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

You must also meet the English Language requirement.



Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage.



For more information, visit Applying from Overseas.




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Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.



We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.



Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.



When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.



The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant's name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.



However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.



For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.





A university that celebrates you

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Environmental Sustainability

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University's strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University's objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050.





Environment and sustainability


Achieve your academic ambitions, apply today at University of Derby.