Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Motorsport/Automotive Engineering

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

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.  

About the Role

We have identified significant opportunities with regional businesses in the area of automotive and motorsport engineering, which aligns with the direction of our motorsport engineering degree. Hence we are seeking to appoint a motivated and knowledgeable individual to join our team as a Lecturer or Senior Lecturer in Motorsport/Automotive Engineering to help us fulfil our ambition. 

As Lecturer/Senior Lecturer you will develop and deliver 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. You will build on your growing international research reputation and knowledge exchange to influence leading edge practice, inform and inspire the research-led curriculum and teaching, and contribute to continuing subject expertise. 

Anticipated interview date: 21st July 2025

About You

The ideal candidate will hold a PhD (or be near completion) in a relevant subject, or have the equivalent professional achievement, with a commitment to ongoing development. You will have expertise in motorsport/automotive engineering, and will be able to contribute to both teaching and research in areas such as vehicle dynamics, powertrain, combustion processes, alternative fuels and composite materials. 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. 

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 gymCycle 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 Dr Martin Sole, Interim Head of Discipline of Engineering via m.sole@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.

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.

Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here.

Closing Date: 30 Jun 2025

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £38,249 to £55,755 per annum