Senior Lecturer in Forensic Psychology

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 the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home 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 Science

The School of Science brings together three key subject areas; Environmental Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Science and Psychology. The School has strong links with key external agencies including the University Hospitals for Derby and Burton NHS Trust who support the Biomedical Sciences IBMS provision as well as research collaborations. The School also works with regional forensic science agencies including the police and private forensic science labs as well as numerous environmental agencies locally, nationally and internationally focusing on conservation, habitat management and environmental regeneration. 

About the Role

The Psychology subject area is home to the University's Psychology and Counselling and Psychotherapy provision, delivered at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. As a TEF Gold institution, we are proud to contribute high quality programmes grounded in psychological and behavioural science with a significant focus on applied psychology and professional practice. We host a large accredited provision across several Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (including the BABCP, BACP, BPS, CIEHF, HCPC and NCPS). Programmes range from undergraduate underpinnings and initial postgraduate training for some psychological professions, to delivery that supports careers in sectors such as marketing, business, management and leadership (and many more). Furthermore we offer training in a range of therapeutic modalities across the counselling and psychotherapy courses and contribute to the development of the wider psychological workforce through our NHS based commissioned programmes. In Psychology our provision is underpinned by excellent student support to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students and high quality progression opportunities into a range of careers. Our delivery is further underpinned by high quality scientific research and scholarly activity, with industry informed and based research informing and leading the development of curriculum to ensure programmes are meeting the needs of employers to foster the success of our graduates from across the subject.

We are excited to be able to advertise this role for a forensic psychologist who will lead our innovative and growing team who are at the forefront of influencing the next generation of forensic psychology students, researchers and practitioners through our stage 1 MSc Forensic Psychology programme. The role holder will contribute to the academic leadership and delivery of our MSc Forensic Psychology programmes and to the research profile of the Psychology Subject area, including applied forensic psychology research. We are home to the first wholly online PG Diploma in Forensic Psychology Practice and there will be opportunities to work in our growing forensic psychology team, which included both Chartered Psychologists and HCPC registered Forensic Psychologists (and other domains).

As we grow our forensic psychology provision, this role will include oversight, leadership and development of our campus and online programmes, working with the Subject lead, senior academics and the wider teaching team to ensure continuation of excellent student experience and outcomes. We are passionate about inspiring and empowering our graduates in their future careers in forensic psychology (or other destinations), within practice, academia or other progression routes. The role will include leading and supporting our marketing events (e.g., open days) which occasionally take place into evenings and at weekends.

The Psychology subject area has an active research agenda, and the role holder will be expected to engage with and support financially sustainable research and/or other appropriate academic activity. Our provision spans campus and online delivery there will be opportunity for working from home as agreed with the Subject Lead. We do support hybrid working as business needs permit. There is currently no requirement for line management in this role.  This is a part time position (0.5TE) which may be attractive to candidates who wish to continue practice based work and develop their academic practice alongside this. 

About You

We are seeking a HCPC registered Practitioner Psychologist (forensic domain) to join our team and lead our MSc Forensic Psychology programmes. We would welcome applications from candidates with experience of teaching / training and leadership, and experience of relevant transferable skills in these areas from beyond higher education. You should also have experience of undertaking research, and be passionate about supporting the development and growth of evidence in their field. Excellence in communication, team and collaborative working are essential, both internally and externally.

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 Amy Baraniak, Subject Lead for Psychology via [email protected] 

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via [email protected]

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 (£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 Skills ListYou’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional trainingYou have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your jobYou 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: 19 Feb 2026

Area: Teaching and Research

Salary: £47,389 to £56,535 per annum pro rata