Lecturer in Ecology & Evolution

Newcastle University; Newcastle upon Tyne; On-site; GBP 40,000 - 50,000; Full time

Benefits offered by this job

Holiday package

Pension schemes

Health initiatives

Flexible working

Job summary

Newcastle University invites applications for a fixed-term Lecturer in Ecology and Evolution. The post focuses on delivering high-quality teaching across Biology and Zoology programmes, with opportunities for research.

The successful candidate will contribute to modules such as Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation, Evolution and Behaviour, and supervise dissertations. This teaching-focused role also offers potential for research development.

Qualifications

• PhD or equivalent research experience in ecology and evolution.
• Fellowship of HEA or equivalent teaching qualification or willingness to complete training.
• Ability to teach practical field and laboratory techniques in ecology, evolution and behaviour.
• Experience of developing innovative teaching practices at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Mentoring, academic guidance and pastoral support to students.

Responsibilities

• Deliver high quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in biological/zoology sciences as directed by the Head of School.
• Contribute to the delivery of residential field courses and lab-based teaching.
• Act collegiately, contributing to an inclusive working environment.
• Participate in management and administration of relevant modules and develop new initiatives.
• Provide mentoring and pastoral support to students.

Skills

Ecology

Evolution

Teaching

Curriculum development

Research mentoring

Education

PhD in relevant discipline

HEA Fellowship or teaching qualification

Job description

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Newcastle University is a great place to work, with excellent benefits . We have a generous holiday package; plus the opportunity to buy more, great pension schemes and a number of health and wellbeing initiatives to support you.

Closing Date: 13 October 2026

The Role

The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences is looking to appoint a fixed-term (12 months) Lecturer in Ecology and Evolution.

This is an exciting opportunity to join our Biological Sciences and Zoology teaching and research community and work in a collegiate environment to deliver high quality research-led teaching with opportunities for research.

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with expertise in ecology and evolution who can deliver high-quality teaching across our BSc Biology and BSc Zoology programmes. We are particularly interested in candidates able to contribute to teaching in population biology, evolutionary biology and/or behavioural ecology, alongside broader areas of ecology, zoology and conservation biology. The successful candidate will contribute to undergraduate teaching across a range of modules, including Biodiversity, Ecology and Conservation, Evolution and Behaviour, Field-Based Ecology, Genetics and Evolution, and Physiological Zoology, as well as tutorials and dissertation supervision.

You will be joining an ambitious and collegiate group of biologists, as well as interacting with colleagues from a wide range of disciplines within the School. While the position will be predominantly teaching focused their will be opportunities for you to develop your research.

For more information on The School of Natural and Environmental Sciences please click here

For more information on our Biology research and community please click here

We are committed to building and maintaining a fair and inclusive working environment and we would be happy to discuss arrangements for flexible and/or blended working.

The University has developed an Academic Job Summary Guidance document which summarises the range of activities that academic staff may be expected to perform.

Key Accountabilities

• Deliver high quality undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in biological/zoology sciences as directed by the Head of School.
• Contribute to the delivery of residential field courses and lab-based teaching.
• Act in a collegiate manner, making a positive contribution to maintaining and enhancing a working environment that upholds equality, diversity and inclusivity.
• Participate in the management and administration of relevant modules within the School and contribute to the development of new initiatives in these areas.
• Provide mentoring, academic guidance and pastoral support to students in support of their learning experience.
• To be a member of relevant academic and teaching groups supporting collective activity in research and teaching.
• Represent the School and University at national and international meetings and conferences to disseminate research and/or scholarship outputs.

Person Specification

Knowledge Skills and Experience

• In depth knowledge/expertise in ecology and evolution
• Emerging international research profile
• A track record in publishing in REF returnable journals for career stage
• Evidence of presentation of work to the national and international research community (e.g. conferences, seminars and similar high profile events)
• The ability to teach practical field and laboratory techniques in ecology, evolution and behaviour.
• Excellent interpersonal skills and ability to communicate effectively and exchange knowledge to develop research networks across disciplines and sectors
• Experience of developing innovative teaching practices at undergraduate and postgraduate levels
• Experience of leading curriculum development and programme administration
• Experience of providing mentoring, academic guidance and pastoral support to students

Attributes and Behaviours

• Support the University’s core values and demonstrate the ability to implement these within your role or department.
• Professionalism and Academic Excellence
• Ability to communicate complex oral and written information clearly.
• Ability to work as part of a team and on their own initiative.
• Ability to engage with and respond enthusiastically and positively to students.
• Ability to engage in pastoral care where appropriate.
• Ability to work collaboratively and constructively with both academic colleagues and support staff.
• An ability to advance equity and fairness in higher education through inclusive teaching, research, or professional practice, without compromising the legal protections for academic freedom and freedom of speech within the law.

Qualifications

• A PhD or equivalent research experience in a relevant discipline
• Hold a Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or have an equivalent teaching qualification or the willingness to complete and pass the Universities teaching and learning training programme

Newcastle University is a global University where everyone is treated with dignity and respect. As a University of Sanctuary, we aim to provide a welcoming place of safety for all, offering opportunities to people fleeing violence and persecution.

We are committed to being a fully inclusive university which actively recruits, supports and retains colleagues from all sectors of society. We value diversity as well as celebrate, support and thrive on the contributions of all of our employees and the communities they represent. We are proud to be an equal opportunities employer and encourage applications from individuals who can complement our existing teams, we believe that success is built on having teams whose backgrounds and experiences reflect the diversity of our university and student population.

At Newcastle University we hold a Gold Athena Swan award in recognition of our good employment practices for the advancement of gender equality. We also hold a Race Equality Charter Bronze award in recognition of our work towards tackling race inequality in higher education REC. We are a Disability Confident employer and will offer an interview to disabled applicants who meet the essential criteria for the role as part of the offer and interview scheme.

In addition, we are a member of the Euraxess initiative supporting researchers in Europe.