Lecturer in Gemmology - Permanent, part-time role for 29.6 hours per week (ARTS26012) - Birmingham in Highgate

About Birmingham City University

At Birmingham City University, we are a diverse and inclusive learning community of over 31,400 students from more than 120 countries. We aim to become an exemplar anchor institution, creating and sharing knowledge for a better and more inclusive society. We are committed to providing a transformational educational experience, supporting world-class research, and fostering a collaborative and supportive working environment for our staff. Recognised as one of the UK’s Top 250 employers (Financial Times & Statista), we pride ourselves on being a place where colleagues feel valued, supported, and able to grow their careers while contributing to the success of our students and communities.

Our student demographic reflects the rich cultural and ethnic diversity of Birmingham itself, with a significant proportion of students from minoritised ethnic backgrounds and the majority of our home students coming from the West Midlands. This diversity is a strength, and it calls for a workforce that is equipped to challenge deficit narratives and thinking — those assumptions that position students from underrepresented groups as lacking rather than recognising their assets, strengths and potential. By embracing this perspective, we aim to create an environment where all students and colleagues can thrive, and where our work contributes positively to the social, cultural and economic life of Birmingham and beyond.

Role Summary

Birmingham City University’s historic School of Jewellery is one of the world’s leading centres for the study of jewellery and associated disciplines. We are seeking a Lecturer in Gemmology to join our highly regarded BSc and MSc Gemmology programmes. This is an exciting opportunity for a knowledgeable and experienced gemmologist to bring current professional practice into an inspiring academic environment. You may already be teaching, or you may be working in a gemmological laboratory, jewellery business, auction house, testing or certification environment, or another relevant area of the industry and be considering a move into higher education. You do not need to be an established university lecturer to apply. We welcome applicants who have developed their ability to share specialist knowledge through professional training, mentoring, coaching, demonstrations, workshops, presentations or supporting colleagues and trainees.

Key Responsibilities

• Working collaboratively with the Gemmology course team, you will contribute to the delivery and continued development of our BSc and MSc programmes.
• Deliver engaging teaching and practical activity across gemmology and related jewellery studies.
• Demonstrate and support the use of standard and advanced gemmological equipment and techniques.
• Assess student work and provide constructive feedback.
• Support students as a Personal Tutor and throughout their academic journey.
• Help ensure our curriculum remains current, inclusive and closely connected to professional practice.
• Build and maintain relationships with employers, professional bodies, laboratories and the wider gemmological and jewellery industries.
• Contribute to scholarship, research, enterprise and knowledge-exchange activity appropriate to your experience and interests.

Essential Requirements

You will have a degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject alongside appropriate professional gemmological qualification(s), together with strong current or recent professional experience in gemmology. You will be able to communicate specialist technical knowledge clearly and engagingly, understand current developments and challenges across the jewellery and gemmological industries, and be committed to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Desirable Requirements

Experience of higher education teaching is desirable but not essential. A teaching qualification is welcomed; if you are new to higher education, you should be willing to develop your academic practice and work towards the appropriate University teaching qualification or professional recognition where required. Experience with advanced laboratory equipment such as FTIR, Raman and UV-Vis would also be advantageous.

Further Information

If you are excited by the opportunity to help shape the future of the School of Jewellery, we would love to hear from you. For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Miranda Wells, Head of Department.

Interviews for this role are envisioned to take place on 7 December 2026.

Why work for us

• Work–life balance – Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
• Career development – Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
• Reward and wellbeing – Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture – A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

Visa Sponsorship

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.

Closing Date: 25 Nov 2026

Department: Academic

Salary: £45,235 to £51,182 Per annum. This will be pro rated in line with your working arrangement of 29.6 hours per week.