Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering (0091-25) - Derby, DE22 1GB

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 University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of Science, Technology, Engineering and Maths: the STEM 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. Engineering at Derby has a bold vision to deliver an outstanding learning experience to our students, further develop and expand our research capacity and increase our industry engagement in the region and beyond to fulfil targets for Research Excellence Framework (REF) and Knowledge Excellence Framework (KEF) as well as provide the best opportunities to our graduates. 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 has a bold vision to deliver an outstanding learning experience to our students, further develop and expand our research capacity and increase our industry engagement in the region and beyond to fulfil targets for REF and KEF as well as providing the best opportunities to our graduates. 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 motorsport workshop, 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 an active applied research agenda. We have identified significant opportunities with regional businesses in the area of mechanical engineering, which aligns with the direction of our mechanical engineering degree and are hence strategically investing into a new post at lecturer level in the discipline. The recruitment drive is focused on evidenced and emerging potential in the candidates to help us fulfil our ambition. The post will further increase our research and teaching capacity in applied mathematics, thermofluids, engineering science and structural mechanics. You will actively engage and build on your growing international research reputation in research and knowledge exchange which influences leading edge practice, informs and inspires the research-led curriculum and teaching and contributes to continuing subject expertise and contribution to the REF.

About You

You will be an emerging academic or experienced professional with a passion for teaching, research, and knowledge exchange in mechanical engineering. With expertise in areas such as applied mathematics, thermofluids, engineering science, or structural mechanics, you will bring insight and enthusiasm to both the classroom and the research environment. You are committed to delivering an exceptional student experience, developing innovative teaching materials, and engaging learners through real-world applications. Alongside this, you will be actively developing your research profile, contributing to high-quality publications, and seeking opportunities for external funding and collaboration. Whether already publishing or building your research potential, you are ready to contribute to our REF and KEF ambitions and are excited by the opportunity to work in a supportive, forward-thinking environment with access to state-of-the-art facilities. You will value interdisciplinary collaboration, industry engagement, and be keen to work with regional partners to drive applied research and knowledge exchange. Flexible, motivated, and aligned with the University’s values, you are ready to help shape the future of engineering at Derby.

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, Interim Head of Discipline.

Important Information

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.

Closing Date: 31 Jul 2025

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £38,249 to £45,413 per annum