Lecturer in Environmental Science

College of Science and Engineering

You will be teaching on the BSc Environmental Sustainability programme, with your expertise in remote sensing, GIS and ecosystem services, you will lead these modules.

Job details

Responsible to

Head of Environmental Sciences

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Closing date

Monday 10 February 2025

Salary

£37,999 to £45,163 per annum

Job grade

HE Lecturer

Reference

0558-24

Contract type

Fixed term contract 12 months

Post type

Full-time

Adaptive working type

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.

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 Environmental Sciences incorporates Earth Sciences, GeoEnergy, Biological Sciences and Environmental Science and Sustainability. We work with colleagues across the College and University, including Mineral Products, Engineering, Computing, Maths and Business, particularly aligning to the University’s Research themes of Zero Carbon and Data Science. This is reflected in our high impact international research, collaboration with external companies and recognised excellence in teaching and learning. We are a future-focused and collaborative department, working together to make a significant positive impact for our world.

We are seeking an enthusiastic and versatile Lecturer in Environmental Science to teach across undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with expertise in remote sensing, Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and ecosystem services. 

You will be teaching on the BSc Environmental Sustainability programme, with your expertise in remote sensing, GIS and ecosystem services, you will lead these modules. You will support teaching within other modules at undergraduate and master’s level across Environmental Sciences. The role will involve interactive design and delivery of module materials and authentic assessment tasks. Our curriculum is research led and has applied ‘real-world’ learning at the heart, therefore the role requires experience of research and/or industry engagement, as well as pastoral duties and outreach.

We are seeking a candidate with a PhD and advanced expertise in remote sensing, GIS, and ecosystem services, capable of delivering high-quality teaching at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

The ideal candidate will have demonstrable experience in higher education, including module leadership, designing teaching materials, and planning sessions with practical elements. The ability to teach using digital tools and practical applications is vital to enhance student learning is essential.

Experience in research, enterprise activity, or industry engagement, with the ability to incorporate these insights into teaching, is highly valued. 

Learning / Teaching

  1. Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects / modules within the environmental science on undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, with particular emphasis on ecosystem services, GIS and remote sensing.
  2. Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
  3. Ensure that module / programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
  4. Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
  5. Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the ‘Derby Graduate’.
  6. Take on relevant module leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.

Research / Scholarship

  1. Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading edge practice in the University and contribution to the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
  2. Develop and maintain contacts and relationship with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
  3. Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.

Other

  1. Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
  2. Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
  3. Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
  4. Develop external links in order, for example, to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
  5. Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
  6. Contribute to effective cross College / University working.
  7. Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

  • Good Honours Undergraduate Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent
  • Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards
  • PhD or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement

Experience

Learning / Teaching
  • Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes
  • Experience or knowledge of Higher Education (HE) and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students
  • Demonstrable experience of module leadership in HE, including in design of teaching materials and planning of sessions including practical work
Research / Scholarship
  • Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field
  • Experience of research, enterprise activity and/or industry engagement, using insights to inform teaching
  • Evidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • High level skills in remote sensing, GIS and ecosystem services, sufficient to teach effectively at both undergraduate and postgraduate level
  • A high level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning
  • Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups
  • Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology-enhanced learning / teaching and research activities
  • Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally
  • Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working
  • Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines
  • Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values
  • Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE
  • A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience
  • A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum
  • A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum
  • Flexible to the needs of others
  • Innovative and creative
  • Committed to continual enhancement and a high quality student experience
  • Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality

Business requirements

  • Able to take a flexible approach to work
    • Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching
    • Some evening and occasional weekend teaching
    • Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc.
    • A commitment to own professional development

Desirable Criteria

Qualifications

  • Appropriate level of membership of a relevant professional body or working towards
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

Experience

Learning / Teaching
  • Demonstrable experience of delivering excellent and effective learning and teaching identified by peer review at undergraduate and postgraduate levels at a Higher Education provider
  • Experience of developing innovative module/programme content and delivery methods
  • Demonstrable experience of effectively designing and implementing a range of formative and summative assessments for undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
Research / Scholarship
  • Developing national and international profile of research and scholarly activity
  • Experience of bidding for and obtaining external research funding
  • Experience of successfully applying discipline to income generation activities, including consultancy, industry-based applied research and KTPs

Skills, knowledge and abilities

  • Able to identify potential sources of funding
  • A sound knowledge of the QAA Quality Code and HEFECE’s Operating Model for Quality Assurance
  • Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
  • Teacher’s Pension Scheme
  • 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
  • Discounted access to Devonshire Spa
  • Cycle to Work scheme
  • A flexible working environment
  • A commitment to personal and professional development

Find out more about rewards and benefitsFind out more about rewards and benefits

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Anne Danby, Head of Environmental Sciences via a.danby@derby.ac.uk

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

Visa Sponsorship Eligibility

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 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

  • The role you are applying for is a postdoctoral position

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 Applying from Overseas.

 

Equity, diversity and inclusion

The University of Derby is committed to promoting equity, diversity and inclusion, regardless of age, disability, trans status, marriage and civil partnership, pregnancy and maternity, race, religion or belief (or none), sex and sexual orientation.

We are Disability Confident Employers, demonstrating our commitment to disability inclusion, and invite applicants to highlight adjustments they may require to ensure equitable participation in our recruitment processes.

Further, we are committed to ensuring an environment which is trans and non-binary-inclusive for all our staff, students, partners, and visitors, and continuously review our policies, guidance and training.

When applying to join the University, you can choose your preferred title, including the gender-neutral title 'Mx'. We also ask our candidates if they would like to share their preferred pronouns. This is voluntary but demonstrates our commitment to inclusivity for trans and non-binary candidates. Once employed, you can add pronouns and preferred names onto our system.

The University of Derby undertakes anonymised shortlisting during the staff recruitment process. This means that, when shortlisting, panel members will not be able to see an applicant’s name and will see an applicant number instead. This demonstrates the practical steps we are taking to remove barriers to recruitment by minimising the possible impact of our unconscious bias.

However you identify, we actively celebrate the knowledge, experience and talents each person brings. Our students come from a wide range of backgrounds; therefore we are particularly interested to hear from applicants who will help our leaders and teams be more reflective of our student population.

For more information on equity, diversity and inclusion at the University of Derby, please visit our website.

 

A university that celebrates you

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 2040.

 

Environment and sustainability

Seize the opportunity to shape the future, apply now.

How to apply

You can apply by submitting an online application. Once you have signed in or registered with us you will be able to begin your application. If you are creating an account for the first time, please ensure you provide an email address that you access regularly as this will be our main means of contacting you regarding your application.

If you require any assistance, including the provision of any documentation in an alternative format, please contact the Recruitment team at recruitment@derby.ac.uk.

Please note all applications must be submitted online by Midnight GMT on the closing date of the vacancy.

 

Further details

Download Lecturer in Environmental Science job descriptionDownload Lecturer in Environmental Science job descriptionDownload Academic Pathway InformationDownload Academic Pathway Information

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.