Professor of Software Engineering

Derby; East Midlands; Hybrid; GBP 62,000 - 89,000; Full time

Job summary

The University of Derby invites applications for a Professor in Software Engineering within the College of Science and Engineering. You will provide strategic leadership for major research initiatives, drive externally funded projects, and shape the research agenda to deliver high-quality outputs and industry impact.

You will work with industry partners, supervise postgraduate research, and contribute to teaching and knowledge exchange while supporting sustainability and regional growth.

Job description

£62,100 to £77,625 per annum (for exceptional performers, there is scope for further progression up to £89,269 per annum)

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 Computing

This is an exciting time in Computing, Artificial Intelligence and Data Science at the University of Derby. Building on recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) success, our school has ambitions to become leaders in these areas. In the last ten years, we’ve invested heavily in our facilities, including a £13mSTEM centre. We aspire to be at the forefront of teaching and research around topics such as machine learning, artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things and complex networks. OurData Science Research Centrewill play a key role in this.

Our engagement with global industries based in the Derby region, for example through ourEast Midlands Institute of Technology, helps ensure that our research and teaching are at the forefront of emerging industry needs and opportunities. Our links with companies in our region includingBloc Digital,Rolls‑RoyceandAlstom, also mean our students benefit from placement years and live briefs.

We are seeking an exceptional academic leader with a proven ability to shape and deliver strategic research and innovation priorities through internationally recognised research excellence. The successful candidate will have an outstanding and sustained record of achievement, evidenced by original, significant and rigorous research outputs that have enhanced the reputation of their institution at both national and international levels.

As a Professor, you will provide strategic leadership for major research initiatives, driving the development, leadership and delivery of ambitious research programmes, including large-scale, externally funded and collaborative projects. You will have a strong track record of securing substantial external research income and of successfully leading high-performing research teams, centres or thematic areas to deliver impactful outcomes.

Working closely with industry, employers and external partners, you will play a pivotal role in strengthening collaboration and ensuring that research and innovation activities address current and emerging sector challenges. You will contribute to the growth and transformation of academic provision through innovative programme development, knowledge exchange and commercialisation activities that support organisational objectives and create sustainable impact.

The successful candidate will maintain a distinguished publication profile within their discipline, producing internationally recognised research of the highest quality and making a significant contribution to future research assessment exercises. Through your leadership, expertise and vision, you will help advance the University's research culture, influence future research directions, and enhance its reputation for excellence, innovation and real-world impact.

You will have an established specialism in the area of software engineering, with the ability and motivation to apply for individual and collaborative research funding and produce high quality academic outputs commensurate with a professorial post.

You will be qualified to doctorate level with a strong track record of securing research funding and generating external income through successful grant applications and collaborative projects. The successful candidate will have significant experience in developing and maintaining strategic partnerships with industry and external stakeholders, delivering impactful research, innovation, and commercial outcomes. You will bring recognised expertise in software engineering, with the ability to shape and advance the field's research agenda, driving new knowledge, understanding, and innovation while contributing to the University's reputation for excellence in research and industry engagement.

• Provide strategic academic leadership that shapes, influences and delivers the University’s Innovation and Research (I&R) Strategy, with accountability for research performance, impact and sustainability aligned with institutional priorities.
• Set and drive the strategic direction for research excellence, providing leadership for major individual and collaborative research programmes and fostering a vibrant, inclusive and open research culture across the University.
• In line with institutional targets, secure, lead and deliver substantial and sustained external research funding and wider income generation activity, including large-scale, multi-institutional and stakeholder-engaged projects, as well as commercial, consultancy and knowledge exchange opportunities, strengthening the University’s research capacity, profile and financial sustainability.
• Maintain an established and authoritative record of high-quality research outputs of national and international standing, with a sustained contribution to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) at a level commensurate with Professor, including outputs that are internationally excellent and, where appropriate, world leading.
• Build and sustain significant national and international research reputation and professional esteem, acting as an ambassador for the University and influencing research agendas within the discipline and wider academic community.
• Lead the dissemination of research through high-profile scholarly and professional activities, including keynote presentations, major publications, organisation of national and international conferences, and engagement with policy and practice communities, contributing to the University’s civic and public engagement agenda.
• Develop and sustain high-level internal and external research collaborations and partnerships, including with commercial, public-sector, third sector and international organisations, delivering academic, societal and economic impact.
• Identify and develop opportunities for translational research, enterprise and commercialisation, ensuring research outputs generate measurable economic, societal and financial value.
• Provide senior leadership that strengthens research culture and capability, including mentoring, supporting and developing colleagues and early career researchers, and contributing to talent development and succession.
• Create and lead networks and opportunities that support the development of researchers, associates and students, enhancing career progression, research capability and professional development.
• Provide high-quality supervision and academic leadership for postgraduate research students and, where appropriate, postgraduate taught students.
• Ensure that research activity informs and enhances learning and teaching across the University, contributing to a research-informed academic environment.
• Promote and embed appropriate Open Research practices that support research quality, integrity, transparency and impact.

Leadership and Management

• Provide senior academic leadership, management and administration to shape institutional culture and drive transformational change across research, innovation and academic provision, enabling the delivery of high-quality, impactful and sustainable activity aligned with the University’s strategic priorities.
• Lead and champion change and innovation, including the transformation of academic programmes and delivery models to ensure they remain relevant, flexible and responsive to emerging technologies, industry needs and learner expectations.
• Provide sustained, strong, inspiring and collaborative leadership, fostering a positive academic culture that maximises the potential, engagement and performance of staff, and supports excellence, innovation and continuous improvement across the University.
• Utilise national and international professional networks to undertake sector horizon scanning and benchmarking, informing strategic decision making and enhancing the University’s performance, reputation and competitiveness.
• Lead the development of high performing teams and support the continuing professional development of colleagues, ensuring capability, capacity and succession to meet current and future strategic needs.
• Lead the Appraisal and performance management process within areas of responsibility, ensuring clear expectations, objective setting and development planning, and promoting a culture of reflection, accountability and professional growth.

Please see the Job Description for the full Principal Accountabilities.

• Subject specific qualifications / knowledge
• Professional qualification / registration as appropriate

Experience

• Experience of developing and sustaining effective strategic partnerships with industry or external stakeholders that deliver research, innovation or commercial outcomes
• Experience of leading or contributing to academic or organisational transformation, including programme innovation or redesign
• Significant and sustained leadership of researchers and research teams, shaping research direction, culture and performance
• Proven leadership of major, complex and multisite externally funded research projects, including originating, securing, leading and successfully delivering projects on time and within budget
• Demonstrable evidence of senior leadership in academic citizenship, contributing to governance, standards, reputation and the effective functioning of the academic community
• A sustained and authoritative record of high-quality research outputs that are internationally excellent and, where appropriate, world leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour
• Sustained leadership in doctoral supervision, including the successful completion of doctoral students and contribution to doctoral training, researcher development and progression
• Effective supervision and academic leadership for postgraduate research (PGR) and, where appropriate, postgraduate taught (PGT) students
• Significant experience of mentoring and supporting early career researchers, including leadership of their career and professional development
• Sustained evidence of undertaking peer review and advisory activity for external organisations, such as publishers, grant awarding bodies, editorial boards and professional or funding panels
• Significant evidence of leading research and scholarly practice at national and international level, influencing academic, professional, policy or societal agendas as appropriate to discipline

Skills, knowledge & abilities

• Excellent interpersonal and leadership skills, evidenced by effective academic leadership and collaborative working within complex research environments and with external partners nationally and internationally
• Commercial awareness and the ability to translate research and innovation into impactful, sustainable and income-generating activity
• Relevant and significant depth and breadth of expertise in own academic or professional discipline, enabling leadership in the advancement of knowledge, understanding and research direction within the field
• Demonstrated strong track record of international recognition and esteem, evidenced through activities such as international peer review, journal editorships, keynote lectures, leadership of major collaborations and engagement with key external partners
• Proven ability to lead, manage and motivate staff and students, fostering high performance, inclusion and excellence within research environments
• Significant high-level analytical and strategic capability, enabling conceptual leadership, innovation, creativity and the development of new research directions
• Ability to devise, advise on, lead and manage large-scale, collaborative and multi institutional research programmes delivering academic, societal and economic impact
• Ability to develop and sustain an impactful research profile and academic enterprise activity for self and others, aligned with institutional priorities and disciplinary strength
• Strong and sustained track record of successful research and/or commercial income generation, including securing and delivering significant external grants that support research activity, staffing and University on costs
• Comprehensive understanding of the higher education sector and external research environment, including the ability to identify and secure new funding streams, partnerships and enterprise opportunities, and a comprehensive understanding of policy drivers and international research trends
• Demonstrated leadership in the adoption and promotion of Open Research practices, enhancing research quality, integrity, transparency and impact
• Appropriate digital capability, with practical experience of applications and systems that support research leadership, collaboration and delivery
• Demonstrated flexibility and adaptability, with strong planning, prioritisation and time management skills, and a commitment to delivering outcomes in complex and fast changing environments

Please see the Job Description for the full Person Specification.

• 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

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Sophie Carr, Dean of the College of Science and Engineering 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 (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025).

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

You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

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

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

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.