Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Computer Games

About the University

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.

About the College/Department

Our College of Science and Engineering is made up of the School of Science, School of Computing, School of Sport and Exercise Science, and School of Engineering. We are the University’s STEM College, in a city with a strong STEM heritage that hosts some of the world's leading STEM companies, and in a region with STEM at the centre of its economic growth plan.

The Discipline of Computing and Mathematics sits at the leading edge of teaching, research, and innovation, with a strong academic reputation in undergraduate and postgraduate education, research, and knowledge transfer.  The Discipline delivers an expanding range of programmes including undergraduate degrees in Computer Games, Computer Games Modelling and Animation, Computer Science, and Information Technology.  We offer traditional campus-based programmes at our modern campus in the heart of Derby including our new custom built Computer Games Laboratory located at the Institute of Technology.  The city of Derby is one of the historic heartlands of the Computer Games Industry with a number of world leading games companies in the region publishing some of the most famous titles.   Many of our colleagues are active in enterprise and research and have international profiles, maintaining close links with industry regionally, national, and internationally, as part of the Fourth Pillar of the University Strategy.

This is an exciting time in Computing and Mathematics at the University of Derby.  Building on recent REF, KEF and TEF success, we are investing in, and growing a number of key areas.  This includes the £13m Institute of Technology that opened in 2023, expanding our Data Sciences Research Centre, and further growing our areas of expertise in a number of areas including Computer Games & Immersive Technologies.

About the Role

To support this expansion we are investing in an appointment at Lecturer or Senior Lecturer level in Computer Games Programming or Computer Games Design. The successful candidate will have interests in areas such as Unity or Unreal, C#, 2D and 3D design tools, sound design tools, immersive technologies, game play, and other tools and best practice at the leading edge of the Computer Games Industry and/or applications of Computer Games technology to diverse sectors.

As a Lecturer, you will have potential to deliver a high quality student focussed student experience, a growing reputation and record of excellence which demonstrates an emerging contribution to the furtherance of knowledge in your discipline, potential to grow this reputation with the production of high quality outputs or enterprise activities, and potential to attract or contribute to external projects.

As a Senior Lecturer, you will be able to evidence the progression, development, and impact of this contribution both in teaching, and in research/enterprise.

In this role, with your teaching, innovation, enterprise, and emerging leadership skills, you will contribute to raising the national and international profile of our School and University. You will support the ongoing development and delivery of our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, mentor students and colleagues, and become a key member of our team. You will engage with a variety of responsibilities including teaching, education, research, enterprise, and administrative duties in alignment with the School strategy and goals.

Anticipated interview date: 14th May 2025. Interviews will be held on-site at our Markeaton Street campus.

About You

We are looking for a dedicated professional with a PhD in a relevant field or equivalent industry experience, ideally with published game titles. Candidates should demonstrate potential to secure external funding or lead enterprise activities and have a growing profile within academia or the games industry.

A strong commitment to enhancing the student experience, supporting attainment, and driving engagement is essential. The ideal candidate will possess exceptional communication skills, along with the ability to convey complex ideas effectively. 

A commitment to continuous academic and professional development, the ability to develop project proposals, and experience collaborating with regional, national, or international networks, and a desire to develop leadership and mentoring skills, will be key to success in this role.

Benefits

Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)Teacher’s Pension SchemeSuite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance ProgrammeAccess to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailersDiscounted onsite gymDiscounted access to Devonshire SpaCycle to Work schemeA flexible working environmentA commitment to personal and professional development

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alistair McEwan, Head of Discipline - Computing and Mathematics via a.mcewan@derby.ac.uk 

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Important Information

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 than 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 Skills ListYou’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional trainingYou 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.

For more information, visit our website.

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Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 27 Apr 2025

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £38,249 to £55,755 per annum