Lecturer in Forensic Psychology

University of Derby; East Midlands; On-site; GBP 38,000 - 46,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Derby invites applications for a permanent Lecturer in Forensic Psychology within the College of Science and Engineering. The role delivers modules across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including core areas recognised by the BPS, with hybrid delivery on campus and online.

You will contribute to teaching, student support, research activities, and engagement with external partners.

Job description

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.

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home of STEM: the 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.

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, data science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and psychology - we are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands‑on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.

School of Science

The School of Science brings together three key subject areas; Environmental Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Science and Psychology. The School has strong links with key external agencies including the University Hospitals for Derby and Burton NHS Trust who support the Biomedical Sciences IBMS provision as well as research collaborations. The School also works with regional forensic science agencies including the police and private forensic science labs as well as numerous environmental agencies locally, nationally and internationally focusing on conservation, habitat management and environmental regeneration.

About the Discipline

Psychology is home to the University's Psychology and Counselling and Psychotherapy provision, delivered at undergraduate and postgraduate level. As a TEF Gold institution, we are proud to contribute high-quality programmes grounded in psychological and behavioural science with a significant focus on applied psychology and professional practice. We provide a large accredited provision across several Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (including the BPS, HCPC, BABCP, BACP, NCS and CIEHF).

Our programmes provide undergraduate underpinnings and initial postgraduate training for some psychological professions, and support progression into careers across sectors such as marketing, business, management and leadership (and many more).

Furthermore we offer training in a range of therapeutic modalities across the counselling and psychotherapy provision and contribute to the development of the wider psychological workforce through our NHS based commissioned programmes. In Psychology our provision is underpinned by excellent student support to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students and progression opportunities into a range of careers.

Our delivery is further underpinned by high-quality scientific research and scholarly activity, with industry informed and based research at the forefront of curriculum developments to ensure programmes are meeting the needs of employers to foster the success of our graduates from across the subject.

We are excited to offer this permanent post to support the delivery of our growing British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited provision in Forensic Psychology and Psychology.

As a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, you will contribute to the delivery of modules that form part of the undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio, including core areas recognised by the British Psychological Society and any specialist areas.

Our provision is delivered both on campus and online and this role will include delivery across both modes. You will contribute to the delivery of teaching across the portfolio, and contribute to the achievement of the highest outcomes for our students through excellent teaching and student support.

Psychology has an active research agenda and growing research profile. You will have the opportunity to engage with and/or support financially sustainable research and/or other appropriate academic and scholarly activity.

The role will include supporting our marketing events (e.g., open days) and outreach (e.g., school visits) which occasionally take place into evenings and at weekends. We support hybrid working as business needs permit and in agreement with the Head of Discipline.

This role is a full-time position of 37 hours a week, however we would welcome applications from candidates who wish to be considered for a job share. The role is required on a full‑time basis therefore a job share could only be offered should a suitable arrangement be available with the days and/or hours of work to be agreed on appointment. Please indicate in your application your preference of days and/or hours you would be available to work.

The anticipated interview date is 10 th December 2026.

You will hold a good honours degree in Psychology (or a relevant subject) and an MSc in Forensic Psychology (BPS-accredited Stage 1 qualification). You will ideally have a PhD, or be nearing completion, although equivalent professional experience or a willingness to work towards a doctorate will also be considered. You will hold, or be willing to work towards, Fellowship of Advance HE.

You will have knowledge or experience of higher education teaching, learning and programme development, with the ability to use a range of teaching approaches and digital technologies to engage students. You will demonstrate expertise within your discipline, alongside experience of research, scholarship or enterprise and evidence of high-quality research outputs.

You will have excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas, work collaboratively and independently, and manage competing priorities.

Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with expertise in forensic applications of psychology, and qualitative research methods, although other relevant specialisms will be considered.

• Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post‑experience programmes.
• Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
• Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
• Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
• Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the ‘Derby Graduate’.
• Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.

Research / Scholarship

• Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.
• Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.
• Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
• Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.

Other

• Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
• Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
• Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
• Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
• Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
• Contribute to effective cross College / University working.
• Observe and implement University policies and procedures.
• Good Honours Degree in Psychology or a relevant subject discipline
• MSc Forensic Psychology (BPS Accredited Stage 1 qualification)
• Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
• PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe

Experience

Learning / Teaching

• Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes
• Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students

Research / Scholarship

• Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
• Experience of research / enterprise activityEvidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning
• Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
• Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology-enhanced learning / teaching and research activities
• Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally
• Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working
• Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
• Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values
• Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE
• A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience
• A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
• A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum
• Flexible to the needs of others
• Innovative and creative
• Committed to continual enhancement and a high-quality student experience
• Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality

Business requirements

• Able to take a flexible approach to work
  • Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
  • Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
  • Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
  • A commitment to own professional development
• 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
• Cycle to Work scheme
• A flexible working environment
• A commitment to personal and professional development

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Amy Baraniak, Head of Discipline for Psychology via [e-mail]

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [e-mail] .

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 fostering an open, inclusive and diverse community where everyone is treated with dignity, fairness and respect. We are committed to advancing equity, diversity and inclusion regardless of age, disability, gender identity, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex or sexual orientation.

As a Disability Confident employer, we are committed to inclusive recruitment and welcome requests for adjustments throughout the recruitment process. Applicants may choose their preferred title, including ‘Mx’, and may share preferred pronouns if they wish. We also use anonymised shortlisting to help reduce the potential impact of unconscious bias. For more information on equity,diversityand inclusion at the University of Derby, pleasevisitour website .

We are also committed to promoting academic freedom and freedom of speech and expression within the law, in line with our Code of Practice , and value diversity of thought alongside diversity of backgrounds and experiences.

However you identify, we welcome applications from people whose experiences, perspectives and talents will contribute to our inclusive, supportive and intellectually vibrant community.

Environmental Sustainability

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