Professor of Carbonomics

Head of Derby International Business School Hybrid. This role will be based on site, primarily in the named location with the opportunity to work remotely available in line with our Adaptive Working Framework. 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.

Based at our state‑of‑the‑art, £75 million Cavendish Building in the heart of Derby, at Derby International Business School, we are not just educating future business leaders - we’re shaping innovators, disruptors, and pioneers ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Our diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spans dynamic disciplines including accounting, business management, international business, economics and finance, marketing, event management, and tourism management. Each programme is expertly crafted to equip you with the cutting‑edge skills, real‑world experience, and strategic mindset you need to excel in today’s global marketplace.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance. Our curriculum is designed in partnership with leading organisations such as PwC, Rolls‑Royce, and local enterprise hubs, ensuring our graduates meet the demands of a competitive business environment. With strong ties to local and national businesses, our students gain access to invaluable opportunities for placements, networking, and hands‑on projects that bridge the gap between theory and practice. Our programmes are accredited by top professional bodies, including CIMA, ACCA, CIM, and CIPD, setting the gold standard for quality and credibility in business education.

The School is now looking to appoint the inaugural McDonald’s Professor of Carbonomics, supported by McDonald’s, a global leader similarly committed to sustainable business and creating transformative opportunities for young people. This is a world‑first position at the intersection of academia, industry and sustainability which builds on our commitment to Better Business, Better Society, Better Future.

The McDonald’s Professor will play a critical role in driving cutting‑edge research at the nexus of sustainable business, carbon economics, lean and sustainable value chains - supporting transition strategies that are financially viable, scalable, and societally impactful. They will help to build the Institute of Carbonomics, further positioning the University of Derby as an international hub for research innovation in carbon economics and sustainable value chains.

The successful candidate will bring an internationally recognised track record as a researcher in sustainable business, lean supply chains or a closely aligned field with experience of cross‑sector industry collaborations. They will also demonstrate a record of success in securing competitive research funding and in publishing their research in leading international journals.

This role closes at 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 8th February 2026. Perrett Laver has been exclusively retained for this appointment. For more information or to apply, please contact Lucy Roper at Lucy.Roper@perrettlaver.com.

We’re looking for a visionary academic with a track record in sustainable business, lean supply chains or a closely aligned field. You’ll have the leadership to build cross‑sector collaborations, the academic credibility to elevate our global profile, and the passion to turn research into impact. You will hold a good degree and PhD in a relevant discipline, and extensive expertise in Carbonomics. The successful candidate will demonstrate the depth and breadth of knowledge required to advance research and innovation in this evolving field.

You will have a proven record of research excellence, evidenced by high‑quality outputs in leading international journals and conferences, alongside clear evidence of international recognition — such as invited keynote lectures, editorial roles, collaboration with industry partners, and contributions to global research networks.

Lead high‑impact research programmes focused on reducing carbon emissions in business supply chains, driving innovation, and securing significant external funding to enhance research capacity and the University’s reputation. Publish research in top‑tier outputs and foster collaborations within the University and with external academic, industry, and government partners, with a strong emphasis on delivering high returns in the Research Excellence Framework (REF).

Provide intellectual leadership and mentor academic staff, ultimately leading a research team and supervising postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers and thereby strengthening the research capacity of the wider School. Contribute significantly to the strategic direction of both the School and the wider University’s innovation and research strategy and the needs of corporate partners.

Publish pedagogic research in high‑quality publications and contribute to a very strong REF return, mentoring colleagues and fostering research capacity within the School.

Industry & Government Policy: Develop and lead a world‑class research programme in Carbonomics, addressing sustainability challenges and collaborating with McDonald’s UK&I and industry partners. Advise industry stakeholders and engage with government bodies to shape policies related to carbon emissions, sustainable supply chains, and environmental regulations. Advocate for evidence‑based policies using social impact return on investment models and proactively contribute to public debates and discussions on climate change, sustainability, and social mobility. Represent the University at industry forums, consultations, and international conferences, supporting regulatory frameworks for sustainable business practices. Build high‑profile partnerships with educational bodies, industry, and government to enhance income generation. Secure major external grants and deliver projects to successful completion.

Public Engagement & Research Dissemination: Champion the dissemination of research findings to industry, government, and the public, making sustainability insights accessible and actionable. Promote public access to research to support the University’s social mobility and public engagement goals. Engage with the University’s civic role through public and societal engagement activities, actively contributing to the role of the University in its civic setting.

Contribute to the Learning and Teaching Environment: Contribute to teaching curriculum at various levels, as appropriate, and be responsible for the quality assurance of learning and teaching within your discipline.

Other Activities: Produce highly impactful outputs supporting REF/KEF/TEF objectives. Contribute to achieving Institutional Success Measures at a senior leadership level. Undertake specific roles for the School / University as needed, including chairing committees. Adhere to and implement University policies and procedures.

Experience: Experience of leading, winning and managing major external grants/projects to successful completion. Experience of producing high quality outputs and generating impact beyond academia. Experience of supervising the successful completion of doctoral students. Experience of successful supervision of post‑doctoral researchers.

Skills, knowledge & abilities: Relevant depth and breadth of knowledge in Carbonomics to enable the furthering of new knowledge and understanding in their field. External evidence of research excellence, as demonstrated by a track record of outputs in top international journals and conferences. Ability to evidence a strong track record of international recognition and esteem, such as international reviewing, work with key industry partners, journal editorships and keynote lectures. Ability to lead and motivate academics, acting as a mentor to relevant staff. An appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of applications.

Business requirements: In addition to usual University structures, the Professor in Carbonomics will report on a quarterly basis to a specialist steering group chaired by the Deputy Vice‑Chancellor, and with senior representation from the partner business. Following an initial proposal from the appointee based on their expertise and area of research interest, this steering group will co‑create the specific research focus and associated programme of work for this post.

Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata). 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. Holiday purchase. Cycle to Work scheme. A flexible working environment. A commitment to personal and professional development.

How to apply: For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Lucy Roper, Principal Research Associate via Lucy.Roper@perrettlaver.com. For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk. 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.

Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage. The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation. We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non‑binary‑inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training. When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender‑neutral title ‘Mx’. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non‑binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias. However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

At the University of Derby, we are passionate about embedding sustainability into everything that we do. We aim to bring environmental sustainability into all aspects of the University, including teaching, research and operational activities. In line with the University’s strategic framework, we expect all our staff to embed sustainability into their working practices and support the University’s objective to reach net zero carbon by 2050. Achieve your academic ambitions, apply today at University of Derby. The University of Derby is committed to safeguarding and promoting the welfare of all our staff, students and children. At the University of Derby, safeguarding is everybody's concern.