Are you an experienced civil engineering lecturer or researcher looking to move up to a senior-level academic role?
There is a wide range of roles available for senior-level civil engineering academics who already have an established research and teaching career and who may have also worked in industry. In this post, we take a look at some of the senior-level academic jobs in civil engineering, the experience you’ll need and opportunities for progression.
As well as training the next generation of civil engineers, senior academics and researchers lead and contribute to a vast range of pioneering research projects. From 3D modelling technology to flat-pack homes, academics at this level collaborate with scientists, engineers, industry and governments around the world to develop and improve our infrastructure.
Job Descriptions
Professor of Civil Engineering
Civil engineering professors lead national and international research projects within areas which complement the strategic research aims of a university. They are highly qualified and established academics with a track record of successful and published research outcomes.
Professors of civil engineering would also be involved in teaching students at all levels as well as promoting the reputation of the university globally.
Duties:
- Leading individual and collaborative civil engineering research on a national and international level
- Developing and submitting research funding applications to research councils, government agencies and international bodies
- Teaching and leading the development, management and delivery of courses within civil engineering and related programmes
- Providing leadership and management within the department
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in Civil Engineering or a related area and an outstanding record of achievement and leadership in international research projects, along with a track record of research, teaching and administration in higher education would be essential criteria for a professorship. Many civil engineering professors also have extensive industry experience in the sector.
Evidence of your ability to develop strong national and international links with academia and industry around the world would also be a must.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for professorships are often not disclosed in job ads and are negotiated following the selection process. However, professors can generally expect a starting salary of between £50,000 – £59,999 p.a.
What can it lead to?
Professor is the most senior academic role in the university and is considered to be the height of an academic career. The next step up would be to apply for a Head of Department role or a Deanship. These are senior management positions, however, most HoDs and Deans hold a professorship in their specialism.
Where can I find jobs?
These opportunities makeup 4.5% of academic roles on jobs.ac.uk. Most professorships are offered on a permanent basis and opportunities are selective. The most popular areas of the UK for professorships advertised are the Midlands and the South East of England.
Find professor of civil engineering jobs here.
Reader in Structural Engineering
Readers are senior academics with distinguished international reputations in research or scholarship. They can be roughly equivalent to a senior lecturer or can rank slightly higher (on par with an associate professor), depending on the academic structure of individual HE institutions.
Structural engineering Readers teach undergraduate and postgraduate civil/structural/environmental engineering students and lead independent and collaborative research projects.
Duties:
- Delivering high-quality teaching in lectures, seminars, practical classes and tutor groups
- Leading on curriculum and module development
- Providing supervision to Master’s level and doctoral students
- Managing independent research projects and publishing outcomes
- Developing high-quality research proposals for submission to external funding bodies
- Attending conferences worldwide and working closely with the Head of Department and senior academics to further the global reputation of the university
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in Civil or Structural Engineering (or related discipline) as well as an established track record in delivering high-quality teaching at all levels would be essential for Reader positions.
Readers are also expected to demonstrate evidence of a substantial national and international research profile and successful outcomes.
What’s the pay?
Readers can expect a starting salary of at least £50,000- £59,999 p.a., however, Readers in engineering disciplines can command much higher salaries, depending on experience and research profile.
What can it lead to?
After a few years in the role of Reader, you could apply for a professorship or a management role. Promotion would depend on the profile and success of internationally-published research and the quality of your teaching practice.
Where can I find jobs?
These are senior academic opportunities and competition for jobs can be high. The availability of opportunities depends on whether your research interests align with the aims of the university.
Reader roles have the highest permanent percentage out of all of the jobs.ac.uk academic higher education roles (94% compared to 42%), therefore turnover in these roles can be low. They are also advertised for the longest time.
Find Reader in structural engineering jobs here.
Head of Department – Civil Engineering
The Head of Department (HoD) leads, manages and develops the research and teaching activities of the civil and structural engineering department. They are responsible for seeking and securing external funding for research activities and building collaborative partnerships with universities around the world.
HoD is a senior management role and successful candidates would be expected to enhance the reputation of the department on an international level.
Duties:
- Shaping the academic strategy of the civil engineering department
- Managing staff and research teams/activities
- Ensuring success in teaching and learning, business and enterprise and global and academic partnerships
- Liaising with the university’s senior leadership team
- Hiring new professors and lecturers
- Conducting research within their own civil engineering specialism
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in a relevant field and significant teaching and research experience are essential for those aspiring to an HoD role in civil engineering. Most HoDs are senior academics who also hold a professorship.
You would also be required to demonstrate a strong track record in leadership and management.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for HoDs are often not disclosed in job adverts and most are agreed upon by negotiation. However, HoDs can expect a starting salary of £50,000 to £59,999 p.a., but salaries are often considerably more.
What can it lead to?
Head of Department is already a high-ranking position, and many HoDs choose to remain in the role for the rest of their careers. However, some choose to either move up to a Deanship or transfer to other senior roles in the university’s senior management team. Alternatively, an HoD may decide to return to a professorship for the remainder of their academic career.
Where can I find jobs?
Owing to the level of responsibility and need for long-term stability, HoD opportunities tend to be offered on a permanent basis. Therefore, the availability of jobs tends to be lower and are highly selective.
Find Head of Department jobs here
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Civil Engineering
- Lecturing jobs in Civil Engineering
- Research jobs in Civil Engineering
Leave a Reply