Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Engineering

Team Derby; Derby; Hybrid; GBP 38,000 - 60,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Derby seeks a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Engineering to deliver innovative teaching and cutting-edge research. Candidates will contribute significantly to academic excellence and industry collaboration, aligning with apprenticeship delivery expectations. Join a forward-thinking institution committed to enriching student experiences and enhancing employability.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days

Access to staff discounts at high street retailers

Discounted onsite gym

Cycle to Work scheme

Flexible working environment

Qualifications

• PhD or near completion in a relevant subject.
• Experience in higher education, particularly in nuclear engineering.
• Commitment to ongoing development and effective teaching.

Responsibilities

• Develop and deliver high-quality teaching materials in Nuclear Engineering.
• Engage in individual research and collaborate on relevant projects.
• Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students.

Skills

Communication

Research Skills

Teaching

Education

PhD in Nuclear Engineering or related field

Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards

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 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.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and knowledgeable individual to join our team as a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Nuclear Engineering. You will contribute to innovative teaching and cutting-edge research in nuclear engineering. The role involves developing and delivering flexible, high-quality teaching materials that enhance student experience and employability, while actively engaging in research that informs practice and supports the University’s REF strategy.

Along with your research work this role offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the growth and success of our nuclear engineering programmes, particularly as part of higher degree apprenticeships. You will need to be aware of the expectations for apprenticeship delivery which link work-based learning with academic learning. You will need to engage with employers on your teaching to ensure it is aligned with the sector expectations. You will also be encouraged to work with Rolls Royce and the supply chain to build on existing research capabilities for the area.

Most of the scheduled teaching is currently based at our Markeaton Street campus. There may be a need to teach in other locations for some clients. Research labs and facilities are based around the same site.

Join our dynamic team and make a significant impact on the next generation of nuclear engineers!

Anticipated interview date:8th July 2025

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD (or near completion) in a relevant subject, or have the equivalent professional achievement, with a commitment to ongoing development. You will have expertise in nuclear engineering or related disciplines, who can contribute to both teaching and research in areas such as the nuclear life cycle, power generation systems, reactor safety, and emerging nuclear technologies. Experience in higher education and being confident using a variety of delivery methods, along with excellent communication skills, to engage and inspire students is essential.

You will demonstrate a strong foundation in your subject area, evidenced by active research or practice-based outputs contributing to the REF and aligned to the University’s research strategy.

• Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules (on-campus and online) 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 relevant subject discipline or equivalent
• 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
• Subject specific qualifications / knowledge

Experience

Learning / Teaching

• Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of Higher Education (HE) modules / programmes
• Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
• Experience or knowledge of higher education apprenticeships for this area of teaching, how they operate and what makes them different to a conventional HE offering

Research / Scholarship

• Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
• Experience of research / enterprise activity
• Evidence 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
• Experience and demonstrable knowledge / expertise in research in one or more of the following specialist areas: a) Nuclear life cycle, including design, manufacture, operation and decommissioning of nuclear plant; b) Nuclear power generation systems, including nuclear thermal hydraulics and advanced reactor concepts; c) Innovative nuclear technologies, with emphasis on economics, safety, efficiency and new markets; and d) Reactor safety, reliability and risk assessment

Skills, knowledge and 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
• Knowledge and understanding OFSTED compliance requirements
• 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 teaching and occasional weekend working
  • 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 Justin Steele-Davies, Course Director via [e-mail]

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

This role is eligible for sponsorship by the University, however, your individual circumstances must meet the criteria set out by UKVI ; this includes meeting the English Language requirement and earning a salary that meets the highest of either the going rate for the SOC code or the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£38,700 per annum).

If the role is eligible, but the offered salary is less that the going rate for the role, you may still be able to apply for a Skilled Worker visa if:

Your job is on the Immigration Salary 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

The role you are applying for is a postdoctoral position

Please note that the University cannot confirm your eligibility for sponsorship until an offer is made and your individual circumstances have been considered.

This post is exempt from the Rehabilitation of Offenders Act (ROA) 1974 and is therefore subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

Any information you provide will be treated in confidence and only used when considering your suitability for the post.

To enable us to process your DBS check please ensure you are able to supply the documentation listed on the DBS website at interview stage.

Equity, diversity and inclusion

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.

For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website .

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.

Seek academic excellence by applying now with University of Derby.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at [e-mail] .

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

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.