Online Module Lecturer Computer Science

We are seeking independent freelance contractors with expertise for either of two role pathways supporting postgraduate students studying with the University of Liverpool Online:

• Online module teaching in multi-agent systems, robotics, cloud computing, cyber forensics, or applied cryptography; or
• Dissertation advising across the broad field of Computer Science.

Applicants may apply for one or both pathways, where they meet the relevant criteria. For cloud computing teaching, applicants must hold current AWS Academy Educator status. Successful candidates will also receive Honorary Recognised Teacher (Online) status from the University.

Depending on the pathway, you will either deliver engaging online teaching informed by current research and/or industry practice or guide postgraduate students through independent dissertation research across a broad range of Computer Science topics. Depending on experience and programme requirements, there may also be opportunities to contribute module content development.

Role Pathways and Subject Areas:

• Teaching pathway - specialist expertise in one or more of the following areas:
• Multi-agent systems, including agent architectures, coordination, collaboration, distributed decision-making, and responsible agentic AI
• Robotics, including autonomous systems, sensing and perception, localisation, planning, control, simulation, and human-robot interaction
• Cloud computing with AWS, including cloud architecture, compute, storage, networking, security, serverless technologies, containers, DevOps, and solution design
• Cyber forensics, including digital evidence acquisition and preservation, forensic investigation methods, file systems and operating-system artefacts, network and cloud forensics, malware analysis, incident response, forensic tooling, legal and ethical considerations, and evidential reporting
• Applied cryptography, including symmetric and asymmetric cryptography, hashing and message authentication, digital signatures, key exchange and management, public key infrastructure, secure protocols, cryptographic implementation, post-quantum considerations, and analysis of practical vulnerabilities
• Dissertation advisor pathway: ability to supervise postgraduate dissertations across the broad field of Computer Science, aligned with the advisor’s academic and/or professional expertise.

Role Responsibilities:

• Module Lecturer - As a freelance module lecturer, you will:
• Deliver online teaching sessions
• Facilitate discussion forums and student engagement
• Hold virtual office hours
• Respond to academic queries and student communications
• Mark and moderate formative and summative assessments
• Provide constructive, high-quality feedback
• Support students in achieving their learning outcomes
• Integrate relevant research, professional practice, practical demonstrations, case studies, datasets, laboratory activities, and appropriate cloud, robotics, cyber-forensics, or cryptographic tools into online teaching
• Dissertation Advisor - Advise postgraduate students throughout the dissertation lifecycle, from topic refinement and research planning to final submission. Guide research design, methodology, ethical approval, academic writing, and project management, and mark or second-mark dissertations as required.
• Content Development (where applicable) - Create or review lecture materials (e.g. lecturecasts), design or review assessments and learning activities, develop or review formative tasks (e.g. multiple-choice questions).

Requirements:

Essential Criteria

• For teaching applicants: PhD in Computer Science, Artificial Intelligence, Robotics, Cloud Computing, Cyber Security, Digital Forensics, Cryptography, or a closely related discipline
• HE teaching qualification and/or Advance HE Fellowship (FHEA/SFHEA/PFHEA) and/or PGCE (or equivalent) with substantial teaching in higher education
• Demonstrable specialist expertise in multi-agent systems, robotics, cloud computing, cyber forensics, or applied cryptography, supported by relevant teaching, research, or industry practice
• For cloud computing teaching applicants: current AWS Academy Educator status, with the ability to support delivery using AWS Academy learning resources and environments
• For dissertation advisor applicants: Experience supervising postgraduate dissertations or substantial experience supporting independent Computer Science research projects, including relevant ethics processes
• PhD in Computer Science or a closely related discipline
• Experience Teaching in Higher Education (e.g. seminars/tutorials)
• Online teaching using platforms such as Zoom or Teams
• Use of virtual learning environments (VLEs)
• Assessment marking and moderation in HE
• Providing constructive, relevant feedback to support student learning
• Assessing ethical approval applications (for postgraduate dissertation supervision only)
• Developing HE content and assessment materials that enhance learning and employability (for content development only)

Desirable Criteria

• A strong record of research, scholarly activity, or industry experience in multi-agent systems, robotics, cloud computing, cyber forensics, or applied cryptography
• Relevant professional certifications or recognised practitioner credentials, such as AWS Certifications, robotics platform credentials, digital-forensics or incident-response certifications, cyber security certifications, or comparable specialist recognition
• For dissertation advisor applicants: experience supervising postgraduate projects or dissertations across one or more areas of Computer Science

Eligibility and Requirements:

• Applicants must be UK residents (typically residing in the UK for at least 183 days per tax year)
• We cannot accept applications from candidates on a student visa
• You must have:
• A reliable internet connection
• A personal laptop/PC (compatible with MS Edge)
• A smartphone/device for system authentication

Application Process

To apply, please send an up-to-date CV and provide answers to the application questions by 11pm on 21 September 2026. Both a CV and answers to the questions are required for us to consider your application. A cover letter is not needed and would not be considered if submitted.

Within your CV, please include details of the following:

• Academic qualifications
• Teaching qualifications / Advance HE status
• Higher Education teaching experience
• Research, scholarly, or industry experience relevant to the pathway applied for
• For cloud computing teaching applicants, confirmation of current AWS Academy Educator status
• For dissertation advisor applicants, details of dissertation supervision and the broad Computer Science areas in which you can provide subject guidance

There are two stages to the recruitment process:

• An application stage to assess qualifications and experience
• An interview to discuss skills and experience in learning and teaching activities, within both online and synchronous contexts, and to learn more about the expectations of the role.

Teaching applicants will be assessed on specialist subject expertise, the ability to explain advanced concepts clearly, approaches to practical online delivery, and the responsible use of relevant technical tools and laboratory activities. Dissertation advisor applicants will be assessed on research supervision, academic guidance, ethics awareness, and support for postgraduate students across Computer Science. Interviews are expected to take place week commencing 12 October 2026.

Onboarding Information

Successful candidates will complete a two-week information and training module starting: W/C 26th October 2026. This can be completed flexibly within the two weeks and must be successfully completed before starting any teaching or related activity.

Please note following an unsuccessful application, you are unable to re-apply for this role within a 12-month period.

Application Support

If you require support completing your application please email the Recruitment Team at kaplanstaff.recruitment@kaplan.com.

Disability Confident Scheme and Reasonable Adjustments

At Kaplan International, we are committed to working in a diverse organisation and strive to provide equality of opportunity for all. We encourage and welcome applications from individuals, regardless of age, disability, sex, sexual orientation, gender reassignment or identity, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief and marriage and civil partnership.

Following the submission of an application, applicants will receive details of how to request their application be considered under our Disability Confident Scheme. Applicants will also be given information on how to request reasonable adjustments if selected for interview.