Senior Lecturer in Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health

Buckinghamshire New University; High Wycombe; Hybrid; GBP 45,000; Part time

Job summary

A modern university is seeking a Senior Lecturer in Spirituality, Ecology, and Mental Health. This part-time role involves leading a unique postgraduate course and conducting impactful research. The university values diverse applications and offers a supportive environment with flexible working. Candidates should have a doctoral qualification and relevant teaching experience.

Benefits

Generous holiday entitlement

Hybrid working

Training & development support

Contributory pension scheme

Discounted gym membership

Staff discounts with major retailers

Qualifications

• Expert knowledge and research in Spirituality and/or Ecology and/or Mental Health.
• Track record of delivering quality learning and teaching.
• Experience of generating income or securing external project funding.

Responsibilities

• Deliver a first-class student experience and undertake impactful research.
• Lead curriculum development and professional practice.
• Engage in effective doctoral supervision and develop early career research.

Skills

Excellent presentation and teaching delivery skills

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools

Highly effective customer service skills

Education

First degree in a relevant field

Doctoral level qualification

Job description

Overview

Part Time (15 hrs per week) - Fixed Term Contract (1 year) - High Wycombe/Remote

Salary - £44,736 pro rata

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That's why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed.

Our University\'s DRIVE values are at the heart of all that we do. We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.

Role Opportunity

The position within the College of Health & Society for a Senior Lecturer presents an exciting opportunity for a dedicated individual to become a valued member of our seasoned team. The MA Spirituality, Ecology & Mental Health is a unique postgraduate blended learning course in which students explore the three areas from perspectives such as transpersonal, humanistic and existential psychology, as well as ecopsychology, parapsychology, counselling and coaching, complementary and alternative medicine and items from the wider physical and social sciences categories. The successful candidate will take on the role of Programme Leader for the MA. This role not only allows you to learn from accomplished psychology, social science and mental health colleagues but also encourages your active contribution as we drive forward our ongoing evolution and growth.

What we offer:

• a generous holiday entitlement (35 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)
• Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)
• training & development support opportunities
• contributory pension scheme
• discounted gym membership for our on-site gym
• a range of staff discounts with major retailers.

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.

Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.

Please click here to view our employee handbook.

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University\'s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

Role Details

For further information about this role please contact Associate Professor, Dr. Ciarán O\'Keeffe (Associate Dean for Education, College of Health & Society) - Email: [e-mail] , Phone: [phone] (extension 3285)

All applications are to be made in full and online.

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion. We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU\'s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process. We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to [e-mail] if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.

We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

Closing Date: 9 th October 2025

Interview Date: 17 th October 2025

If you are successful in securing an interview for the role, you will be required to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK.

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process. The University is also committed to achieving the Race Equality Charter.

Job Description

To be used in alignment with our Academic Charter and Career Pathways

Job Title: Senior Lecturer in Spirituality, Ecology and Mental Health

College/Directorate: College of Health & Society

Grade: H

Location: High Wycombe

Responsible to: Dean / Associate Dean or designee

Job Purpose:

• Deliver a first-class student experience and undertake impactful research and knowledge exchange activities
• Lead and undertake curriculum development, professional practice, enterprise activity, research and other forms of scholarly activity, contributing to the wider work of the College or wider University
  • Practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves

Main Duties & Responsibilities

Research and Knowledge Exchange:

• Conduct effective research and scholarly activity, generate income and align own research with teaching and learning to generate excelled student outcomes
• Collaborate and engage with relevant business and professional networks to promote teaching and learning and research in a professional context
• Engage in effective doctoral supervision and develop early career research
• Contribute significantly to knowledge through refereed conference outputs and peer-reviewed (non-conference) outputs
• Embed research within teaching and curriculum and contribute to research impact and student outcomes
• Contribute to the leadership of an inclusive and interdisciplinary research culture
• Undertake collaborative research with external partners, communities, professional bodies and/or employers.

• Significantly contribute to the REF and KEF and to internal and external research and enterprise strategies

Learning, Teaching & Scholarship:

• Undertake research-informed teaching in the subject discipline managing all aspects of curriculum delivery, development, and quality
• Deliver educational knowledge and practice through generation of peer-reviewed pedagogical outputs
• Contribute to the development and leadership of an inclusive teaching and learning culture and ensuring delivery of excellent student experience and outcomes
• Make significant contribution to research informed innovative pedagogy, curriculum and programme planning, design, and development including use of innovative digital technology to enhance learning
• Deliver successful and impactful tutoring and pastoral support to students including the support of placements and internships
• Regularly engage with professional bodies, employers and other organisations to enhance professional practice and student outcomes
• Provide effective feedback, support and guidance to students, which promotes improvement of performance and enhances student outcomes
• Secure external funding for educational projects

Leadership and Academic Citizenship:

• Achieve growth by increasing student recruitment
• Significant participation in business planning, strategy setting and key decision making within the College using relevant data and metrics
• Impactful development of others through mentoring, training and supporting CPD
• Engage with professional bodies, policy-makers, employers and other relevant groups including impactful participation in civic engagement and contribution to our regional community
• Contribute to knowledge and practice through engaging with peer review, external assessment or external examination ensuring the highest quality
• Lead income generation initiatives
• Foster a culture of inclusion, making a significant contribution towards reducing awarding gaps and improving diversity in teaching and learning

Other

• Engage in professional development activities (e.g., CPD, attendance at conferences)
• Contribute to Open Days, school, college and partnership links and the marketing and promotional work of the College
• Act as a valued commentator or contributor to media
• Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g., the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices
• Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

For roles with line management responsibilities:

• Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.

Person Specification

A = Application T = Test/Presentation I = Interview

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

• First degree in a relevant field
• Doctoral level qualification or equivalent relevant professional experience in field
• Recognised HE teaching qualification and/or Fellow by Advance HE or evidenced commitment to achieving within two years

Knowledge & Experience

• Expert knowledge and research in Spirituality and/or Ecology and/or Mental Health
• Track record of delivering quality learning and teaching to students/learners achieving excellent student outcomes
• Evidence as an active researcher and delivery of high-quality research and scholarship
• Significant contribution to research active communities
• Proven track record in delivering excellent student/customer experience
• Active contribution to subject association; learning society or professional body
• Experience of generating income or securing external project funding
• Experience of doctoral research supervision, personal tutoring, mentoring or supporting continuing professional development

Skills

• Excellent presentation and teaching delivery skills*
• Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools
• Highly effective customer service skills

Special Requirements

• A willingness and ability to work in off-site locations and across all University campuses, as required
• A willingness and ability to contribute to University Open Days (which may fall on Saturdays)

*you will be required to deliver a micro-teach as part of your interview

Behavioural INDICATORS

The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University. The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:

Delivering Excellent Service: Providing the best quality service to external and internal customers/students/stakeholders

Engaging with the wider context: Enhancing your contribution to the University through an understanding of organisational values, its students, customers and stakeholders

Working together: Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives; Recognising and valuing the different contributions people bring to this process