Senior Lecturer in Dietetics in Northampton

The Faculty of Health, Sport and Behavioural Sciences at the University of Northampton has an exciting opportunity for a Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and British Dietetic Association (BDA) registered Dietitian to work with senior leadership to develop and lead a brand‑new BSc (Hons) Dietetics programme. This is a rare opportunity to shape the profession both locally and nationally, influencing how future Dietitians are educated and prepared for contemporary practice.

You will draw directly on your clinical experience to shape a robust, practice‑focused curriculum that supports the development of a future‑ready, employable Dietetic workforce. The University is entering a significant phase of growth within the School of Health, with several new health programmes planned to launch from September 2027. This creates a supportive community of course leaders, offering opportunities for collaboration, shared learning and collective innovation.

As Course Leader, you will work alongside established course leaders across the wider Allied Health Professions, setting the vision, identity and expectations for the programme. Through effective course leadership, a commitment to continuous enhancement, and engagement with key clinical and practice partners, you will play an important part in strengthening the profile of Dietetics within the region and beyond.

You will be joining a forward‑thinking and supportive School, where creativity, professional identity and academic growth are actively encouraged. With a committed leadership team alongside you, you will have both the autonomy and the backing to bring your ideas to life and to shape an outstanding student experience that reflects the values and standards of the profession.

If you are passionate about Dietetics education, excited by course design and leadership, and motivated by the opportunity to make a lasting contribution to the profession, we would be delighted to hear from you.

We want you to be able to carry out your work in a way that best supports UON and our students, but also you as an individual. We understand this may vary between different areas of the university as well as from one person to another. With Smarter Working you can work with increased flexibility, if you would like to, which can facilitate greater freedom and autonomy.

This post is subject to a background disclosure check by the Disclosure and Barring Service before any appointment can be confirmed.

About you

You will be a registered Dietitian (HCPC and BDA) with a professional identity and a clear commitment to the future of dietetic education. You will bring substantial clinical experience, ideally within the NHS or related practice settings, alongside a genuine enthusiasm for developing students and supporting others to succeed.

You will have experience of contributing to education and learning, for example through supervising students on placement, supporting colleagues, delivering teaching or training, or playing a part in service development. You will be motivated by the opportunity to shape how future Dietitians are prepared for contemporary practice and professional registration.

You will bring a clear and informed vision for how a Dietetics course should be designed and delivered to produce confident, compassionate and employable graduates, grounded in real‑world clinical practice and responsive to the evolving needs of health and care services.

You will be comfortable working collaboratively, engaging colleagues, practice partners and students, and contributing to a shared academic vision. With the support of School and Faculty leadership, and alongside an established community of course leaders, you will play a central position in shaping and developing this new BSc (Hons) Dietetics programme.

Using your communication skills, organisational ability and professional judgement, you will provide leadership for this exciting innovation and contribute positively to the wider academic and professional community.

Qualifications

• Essential: Degree qualification or equivalent in relevant subject area of Dietetics; Registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the British Dietetic Association (BDA); Professional Recognition as HEA Fellow (D2) or teaching qualification recognised by HESA, or willingness to obtain within an agreed timescale.
• Desirable: Master’s degree in relevant subject; Doctorate in relevant subject, completed or within 12 months of completion.

Right to work

All candidates will be required to provide proof of their eligibility to work in the UK during the interview process. The University is open to considering Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, provided that the eligibility criteria of the points‑based immigration system are met.

Equality

We welcome applications from individuals from underrepresented groups. The University of Northampton is committed to providing a vibrant, ethical, and sustainable environment that values equality, diversity, and inclusion. Our commitment ensures an inclusive atmosphere for staff, students, and the public. We manage equality and diversity through key committees and formal policies, extending our responsibility to subsidiary companies and partnerships.

Commitments Include

• Creating an Inclusive Environment: Adopting a zero‑tolerance approach to discrimination and ensuring all activities are inclusive.
• Supporting Students and Staff: Strengthening mental health support, enhancing disability confidence, and ensuring academic and professional support.
• Tackling Inequalities: Involving students in recruitment, integrating forums for equality data analysis, and supporting networks for protected characteristics.

UON’s Major Commitments

• Disability Confident Standalone Pledge
• IHRA Working Definition