Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering

**Job details**

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**Responsible to**

Subject Lead for Engineering

**Location**

Markeaton Street, Derby Campus

**Closing date**

Monday 18 May 2026

**Salary**

£38,784 to £46,049 per annum

**Job grade**

HE Lecturer

**Reference**

0037-26-R

**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 the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home STEM, the 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.

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, Data Science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and Psychology. We are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

**School of Engineering and Built Environment**

The School of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Derby is a dynamic and future-focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation. It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design, preparing students to tackle global challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and the built environment.

The School is home to research-active academics with backgrounds in architecture, interior design, and construction. Our staff bring real-world experience and academic rigour to the classroom, supporting students in developing both creative portfolios and technical competencies.

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 is driving forward an ambitious vision to create an exceptional learning environment, expand our research excellence, and strengthen industry collaboration across the region and beyond. As part of this strategic growth, we are investing in a new Lecturer position in Mechanical Engineering, building on strong opportunities with regional industry and aligning with the future direction of our mechanical engineering programmes.

We are seeking a Lecturer with proven or emerging potential who can help us advance our goals in research, innovation, and outstanding teaching. You will enhance our capabilities in key specialist areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Thermofluids, Thermodynamics, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In this role, you will actively contribute to a vibrant research culture, develop a growing international reputation, and drive impactful knowledge exchange that informs cutting‑edge practice, enriches the research‑led curriculum, and supports our contributions to REF and KEF.

**About You**

We are seeking an exceptional candidate with a strong academic foundation and specialist expertise in Mechanical Engineering. You will hold a good honours degree in a relevant discipline and ideally a PhD (or be close to completion), or possess equivalent professional achievement such as published research. Fellowship of Advance HE is desirable, or you will be willing to work towards this recognition.

You will bring significant subject‑specific experience that enables the development of new knowledge and innovation within the mechanical engineering field. We are particularly interested in expertise for example in Renewable Energy - especially the modelling, design, development, and testing of heat pumps, thermal energy and systems modelling, thermal systems design, solar thermal technologies, thermal energy harvesting and storage, geothermal energy, and applied thermodynamics.

You will also bring knowledge or experience of higher education, with the ability to engage and inspire students through a variety of teaching and delivery approaches.

**Principal accountabilities**

### **Learning / Teaching**

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.

### **Research / Scholarship**

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.

### **Other**

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**

#### **Qualifications**

• Good Honours Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent
• Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
• 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
• Subject specific qualifications / knowledge

#### **Experience**

• Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of Higher Education (HE) modules / programmes
• Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
• Demonstrable experience in mechanical engineering discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
• Experience of research / enterprise activity the following area: Renewable Energy, specifically on the modelling, design, and development, and testing of heat pumps (air/ground/water-sourced), and have skills that include thermal energy modelling, thermal systems design and modelling, solar thermal systems, thermal energy harvesting, thermal storage, geothermal energy, and thermodynamics
• Experience of contribution to research and in particular experience of research of the decarbonisation of the built environment, including novel heating and cooling solutions, HVAC, heat grids and networks
• 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

#### **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

#### **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

**Key contact**

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Martin Sole, Assistant Head of Discipline/SL in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering 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 (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025). 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.

#### **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.

Read more about equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby.

#### **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.

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

**How to apply**

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You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

**The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.**

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.