Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering in Sheffield

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering seeks to appoint a Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering to support teaching on the programme and advance the school’s Aerospace research. The School’s Aerospace programme is recognised as one of the top programmes in the UK. As a Lecturer you will strengthen our capability in this domain through world‑leading teaching and research, supporting both academic excellence and industry collaboration.

Specialised Expertise

• Propulsion and launch systems, with a particular interest in rocketry / in‑space propulsion
• Space systems engineering, resilient technologies and in‑space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM)
• Strong candidates working in complementary and closely related areas of Aerospace Engineering, where there is a clear fit with the School’s existing strengths and strategic priorities

Main Duties and Responsibilities

• Contribute fully as a teacher, researcher and leader, fulfilling the appropriate requirements of the University’s Academic Career Pathway Framework (ACP).
• High‑Quality Outputs (Core): Disseminate research findings through high‑quality publications and conference presentations; ensure at least one item in a rolling three‑year period is judged as internationally excellent or better.
• Research Income and Supervision (additional): Conduct a programme of high‑quality personal research; identify and secure varied sources of funding; manage or co‑manage external research funding; attract high‑quality research staff and students; provide effective supervision to up to two PhD students each three years.
• Research Impact (additional): Demonstrate impact on economy, society, culture, policy, health or environment through engagement, patents, consultancy and partnership activities.
• High‑Quality Teaching Practice (Core): Design, deliver, assess and evaluate research‑led teaching programmes; develop and implement student assessments; undertake personal tutor responsibilities; contribute to program development and accreditation compliance; plan teaching up to one year ahead (or two years if new courses).
• Improving Teaching Practice (additional): Pursue professional development to enhance teaching design, delivery and assessment.
• Academic Citizenship (Core): Contribute to the collective vision, mission and values through committee membership and administration responsibilities.
• Change and Innovation (additional): Lead constructive challenges to established practice to bring positive change.
• Accountable Decision Making (additional): Make accountable, creative decisions in response to emerging issues.
• Professional Standing and Wider Engagement (Core): Develop links with external academic, professional and industry contacts; engage in refereeing, editing, examining, organising conferences and professional bodies.
• Additional Duties: Plan and prioritise work, forward‑plan up to five years for some tasks; contribute to the Sheffield Academic principles; make ethical decisions; embed sustainability strategy where possible; undertake other duties commensurate with grade.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

• Completed or near completion of a PhD (or equivalent) in a relevant research area related to Aerospace Engineering.
• Research experience and reputation commensurate with career stage; proven ability to publish high‑quality peer‑reviewed research.
• Experience preparing grant applications and securing research income from various funding streams.
• Ability to establish an independent and collaborative research programme that complements existing strengths and develops links with academia and industry.
• Experience training undergraduate and postgraduate students.
• Relevant teaching qualification for higher education.
• Experience in practical and project‑based teaching.
• Experience working in industry, ideally in an Aerospace field.
• Ability to develop, deliver and assess high‑quality teaching at a variety of levels.
• Strong communication skills, clear expression of ideas and high analytical capability.
• Good leadership skills and ability to work in a multidisciplinary team.
• Supportive, tolerant communication with colleagues, students and collaborators.

Benefits

• Competitive annual leave entitlement with option to purchase additional days.
• Generous pension scheme.
• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid arrangements for some roles.
• Professional development and mentoring programmes linked to the Academic Career Pathways.
• Family‑friendly policies, including paid time off for parenting, caring emergencies, menopause support and fertility treatment.
• Large network of staff organisations and support groups.

Contact

For informal enquiries about this job contact Alistair John, Programme Director (Aerospace): a.john@sheffield.ac.uk. The University of Sheffield, Western Bank, Sheffield, S10 2TN, Phone: +44 114 222 2000.