Researcher in Technical and Vocational Education and Training

College of Arts, Humanities and Education

Contribute to our College’s mission by advancing research in this critical field!

Job details

Responsible to

Associate Professor (Research) in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) and Post-14

Location

Kedleston Road, Derby Campus

Closing date

Thursday 27 March 2025

Salary

£28,879 to £43,878 per annum, pro rata

Job grade

Researcher

Reference

0562-24

Contract type

Fixed term contract 6 Months

Post type

Part-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.

The College of Arts, Humanities and Education at the University of Derby aims to become a leading institution for education, research, and knowledge sharing in arts, humanities and education. We will strive to provide exceptional teaching and learning experiences for our students, and our research and knowledge exchange programmes will be globally recognised. We are committed to fostering positive change in society by working collaboratively with our partners and communities and inspiring our students and staff to make a meaningful impact. Through the provision of excellent teaching and learning, and world-leading research and knowledge exchange we seek to make a positive contribution to the world through innovation, discovery and creativity about thought and expression and by cultivating intellectual breadth and critical thinking, working ethically, developing a clear identity, being inclusive and embracing difference. 

The Researcher in Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET) will contribute to the College’s mission by advancing research in this critical field. The primary purpose of the role is to support and develop international research initiatives, including the preparation of an application for a major European grant. The postholder will take an active role in structuring funding proposals, organizing workshops and conferences, and contributing to the work of the TVET Research Cluster. This is a unique opportunity to manage and lead your own research activities while collaborating on significant team projects. The successful candidate will support undergraduate and postgraduate research, contribute to collaborative and individual funding bids, and work closely with colleagues to foster academic and professional networks. This role will also provide the postholder with the chance to develop expertise in grant applications and project management, with the support of an experienced and dynamic team.  

Please note, this is a part-time position working 29.6 hours per week.

Proposed Interview Date - 4th April 2025

We are seeking a candidate in a relevant discipline or equivalent professional experience. You will have proven experience in supporting research funding applications and a strong familiarity with digital tools and methodologies. Excellent written and oral communication skills, analytical thinking, and the ability to collaborate with internal and external stakeholders are essential. The ideal candidate will have a track record of engaging in high-quality research, a proactive and team-oriented mindset, and a commitment to professional development. While not essential, experience in publishing research, presenting at conferences, and generating research or knowledge exchange income would be highly advantageous.

  1. Under the direction of the main project applicant, contribute to the development of new research project(s).
  2. Assist with the preparation of proposals and applications to both external and/or internal bodies for funding, contractual or accreditation purposes.
  3. Plan and manage own research activity and initiate research relevant to the discipline or research project(s).
  4. Contribute to the writing of collective bids for funding, and, where funders permit, write individual bids for funding with appropriate support.
  5. Undertake appropriate training and staff development.
  6. Provide guidance as required to other colleagues working on related research project(s).
  7. Develop internal and external contacts with other academic staff to form collaborative relationships and assist with their research project(s).
  8. Understand own development needs and formulate a personal development plan.
  9. Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria

Qualifications

  • PhD or equivalent (pending or awarded) in a relevant discipline

Experience

  • Experience of assisting with grant applications
  • An appropriate level of digital capability with practical experience of applications
  • Evidence of sufficient breadth or depth of research methodologies and techniques to work in research area
  • Evidence of engagement in high-quality research activity

Skills, knowledge & abilities

  • Developing research skills, with the ability to creatively apply relevant research approaches, models, techniques and methods
  • Ability to communicate complex information clearly both in writing and presentations
  • Analytical ability to facilitate conceptual thinking, innovation and creativity
  • Ability to build relationships and work collaboratively with colleagues, internally and externally
  • Ability to use initiative and creativity to solve problems in a research context
  • Self-motivated and able to work independently and as part of a team

Business requirements

  • Demonstrate competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core value
  • Flexible to the needs of others
  • Committed to ensuring a high-quality student experience
  • Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality
  • Able to take a flexible approach to work
    • Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for work
    • Some evening and occasional weekend work
  • 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 Johannes Karl Schmees, Associate Professor (Research) in Technical & Vocational Education & Training via j.schmees@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

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit Applying from Overseas for more information.

 

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

Apply today to invest in your career with University of Derby.

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.

The University reserves the right to close this vacancy early if we receive a high volume of applications. We encourage you to submit your application as soon as possible to avoid disappointment.

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

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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.