Lecturer in Digital Media and Creative AI

Are you a researcher and practitioner working at the intersection of creative AI and digital media? Do you bring both critical rigour and hands‑on creative engagement to questions about how AI is transforming creative work, media culture and digital practice? Birkbeck, University of London, is seeking a Lecturer in Digital Media and Creative AI to join us next Autumn 2026.

Joining the School of Creative Arts, Culture and Communication, the Lecturer in Digital Media and Creative AI post offers a rare opportunity to shape teaching and research in one of the UK's most intellectually distinctive media programmes, at a moment of significant new investment. As Lecturer you will become part of a collegial team within the Film, Media and Journalism subject group. This group has established strengths in critical AI, digital culture and media theory, and you will contribute to teaching across a growing portfolio that includes the BA Digital Media, the MA AI and Creative Media and the MA Digital Media Culture. You will also play a key role in developing new curriculum at the intersection of AI and media practice.

In addition, you will contribute to the activities of the Centre for Creative AI, Birkbeck’s Office for Students‑funded facility that supports critical reflection, innovation, industry collaboration and digital content production involving AI‑assisted creative and media technologies. Your research may address themes such as creative labour and authorship in the age of creative AI; the aesthetics, politics or ethics of AI models and outputs; AI tools in media and design workflows; or the relationships between AI, race, gender, postcolonial theory or digital inclusion. Your practice may involve working creatively and critically with image generation systems, large language models or AI‑integrated design environments, developed through professional experience, independent creative practice or academic research.

We are seeking someone who brings something genuinely new to the team: a scholar‑practitioner whose profile complements and extends existing expertise rather than replicating it. You will hold a PhD in a relevant field such as media studies, digital media, cultural studies, film studies, digital humanities, journalism studies, design or another discipline in which AI and creative practice feature substantially. Demonstrable research engagement with generative AI and its implications for creative work or media practice is essential, shown through publications, practice‑based outputs, conference presentations or doctoral research. Familiarity with commercial and/or open‑source AI tools and creative software is required, alongside a commitment to continued learning as the field evolves.

While prior higher education teaching experience is desirable rather than essential, we do expect demonstrable experience of teaching, training or facilitated learning in some context, whether in HE, further education, community settings, professional training, or workshop‑based practice. We particularly encourage candidates whose work addresses diversity, equity and inclusion in AI and digital media, and those whose backgrounds would contribute to the diversity of our team.

This opportunity would build on experience as:

• digital media researcher
• AI and creative practice researcher
• digital designer
• UX researcher
• media practitioner
• AI artist
• creative technologist
• digital media lecturer
• postdoctoral researcher in media or digital humanities

Apply now and take the next step in your academic career at Birkbeck, University of London. Remuneration £44,247 rising to £60,858 per annum. The salary is Grade LLEC on the College's London Pay Scale which includes a consolidated Weighting/Allowance which applies only to staff whose normal contractual place of work is in the London area.

Benefits of working at Birkbeck include a competitive salary and pension scheme, 31 days paid leave, flexible working arrangements, generous benefits in the HE sector, and being located in Euston, London.

Terms and Conditions: Open-ended, full-time (35 hours per week with flexibility, including the need to do evening teaching). Closing date: Friday 22 May 2026, Interview date: Tuesday 9 June 2026. Visa sponsorship available.

If you would like to know more about the role, please contact Dr Scott Rodgers, Subject Lead for Film, Media and Journalism, at s.rodgers@bbk.ac.uk or +44 (0) 203 926 2655. We welcome applicants from all sections of the community and background, and particularly encourage those from Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic communities to apply. The College is committed to improving the gender and cultural diversity of its workforce, holding a bronze Athena SWAN award and operating Disability Confident & Mindful Employer schemes.