Lecturing jobs in Production Engineering and Manufacturing is one of the top engineering categories for academic jobs at jobs.ac.uk as it offers a diverse range of opportunities for aspiring lecturers, teachers and trainers.
Production engineering and manufacturing has its foundations in mechanical engineering but reaches across electrical, civil, chemical and industrial engineering. Therefore, you’ll find lecturing jobs in both Higher and Further Education to suit every engineering specialism.
Universities look to lecturers and experts who are passionate about combining cutting-edge research into progressive manufacturing technologies with inspirational teaching.
Here we look at some typical lecturing roles available in production engineering and manufacturing, where to find jobs and opportunities for career progression.
Job Descriptions
- Lecturer in Manufacturing
- Assistant Teaching Fellow in Engineering Design and Manufacture<
- Further Education Engineering Lecturer
Lecturer in Manufacturing
Lecturers in manufacturing deliver multi-disciplinary teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate students and undertake subject specialist research.
Duties:
- Delivery of high-quality teaching and practical/laboratory classes
- Curriculum and module design
- Engaging in individual and collaborative research into manufacturing and industrial processes
- Writing grant proposals and securing research funding
- Working closely with manufacturing industries on joint research initiatives and student work placements
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in manufacturing processes, mechanical engineering or related area would be essential criteria for this role. Equivalent experience as a senior engineer in industry may also be acceptable.
You should also be able to demonstrate evidence of research in an area which aligns with the focus of the department (such as solid mechanics, composites manufacturing or additive manufacturing/3D printing).
The ability to deliver high-quality, research-led teaching programmes and a recognised Higher Education teaching qualification would be highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
A lecturer in manufacturing can expect a starting salary in the range of £41,737 – £52,353 p.a., depending on qualifications and experience.
What can it lead to?
Most higher education institutions have an established career progression framework to ensure promotion of academic staff. Following 3-5 years as a lecturer, you could apply for a senior lecturer or associate professor role. Promotion would depend on the quality of your teaching practice and research outcomes.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
- Lecturer in Electrical Engineering
- Lecturer in Industrial Design
Where can I find jobs?
You will generally find lecturing jobs in production engineering and manufacturing in higher education mechanical engineering departments or schools.
It’s a good idea to keep an eye on job availability in universities located near major manufacturing hubs (such as in the Midlands in the UK). These institutions have strong partnerships with local industry and wider availability of specialised degree programmes and work-based training for students. For more information about manufacturing industries in the UK, visit MAKEUK.org.
Find lecturing jobs in manufacturing here.
Assistant Teaching Fellow – Engineering Design and Manufacture
An assistant teaching fellow supports teaching in specific engineering design and manufacture modules.
Duties:
- Assisting teaching of relevant modules to undergraduate students
- Contributing to curriculum design and development
- Assisting in practical classes according to your engineering design subject specialism
- Assessment and marking activities
- Providing student feedback and pastoral and tutor support
What qualifications and experience do you need?
This is a teaching-only role, so having a PhD – although advantageous – would not be essential. However, a good first degree and Master’s level qualification in an area related to engineering design and manufacture would be a must.
You would need to demonstrate experience in engineering design processes, most likely gained through working in industry. Experience of using CAD/CAM and digital design tools and techniques would be essential for this position.
Previous teaching experience at higher education level would give your application the edge.
What’s the pay?
An assistant teaching fellow can expect a starting salary in the region of £26,992 – £31,651 p.a., depending on qualifications and teaching experience.
What can it lead to?
On gaining teaching experience, you could move up to a teaching fellow or associate role, where you would be given more responsibility for overall course delivery.
The delivery of high-quality teaching and learning is a priority in higher education, and most universities have teaching-focused pathways available to those who wish to pursue this academic route.
A teaching fellowship or associate role is a great way to gain invaluable teaching experience, helping your CV to stand out should you wish to apply for a lectureship or research post in the future.
Related roles:
- Teaching Fellow – Mechanical Engineering
- Lecturer in Engineering Design
- Postdoctoral Fellow – Mechanical Engineering
Where can I find jobs?
Teaching fellow or associate jobs are popular among postgraduate and doctoral students, as they can act as a springboard to a lectureship.
Therefore, these opportunities have very high average views and application rates. Assistant teaching fellowships are mostly offered on a fixed-term contract basis according to a university’s teaching need.
Find engineering design and manufacture teaching fellow jobs here.
Engineering Lecturer (Further Education)
Further Education (FE) lecturers deliver teaching and training to students aged 16-19, adults and apprentices in colleges and other training facilities. They train students looking towards a career in manufacturing industries.
Duties:
- Delivering teaching to students following Level 2 and Level 3 qualifications across a range of engineering programmes
- Curriculum design, marking and assessment
- Providing practical workshops and work-based training (apprentices)
- Liaising with employers and supervising work placements
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A degree is not always necessary for FE lecturing jobs. However, education to a minimum Level 3 in an area related to engineering would be essential. You would also need to hold Level 2 qualifications (GCSE or equivalent) in English and maths.
Further Education engineering courses are vocational, so colleges look for lecturers who have extensive professional experience working in engineering industries (such as manufacturing, automotive or aerospace).
Although a teaching qualification is not always necessary in FE, you would be expected to complete a minimum level 4/5 teaching qualification on-the-job.
To search for jobs and find out more about the qualifications, experience and training you will need to teach in FE, take a look at our sister site: colleges.jobs.ac.uk.
What’s the pay?
Further Education lecturers who do not have a recognised FE teaching qualification can expect a starting salary in the range of £20,758 to £23,325 p.a. FE lecturers who hold a teaching qualification can expect a salary in the range of £26,702 to £37,258 p.a.
Some FE lectureships are offered on a casual basis, where you can expect to earn around £21.90 per hour.
What can it lead to?
On gaining experience and completion of further qualifications (teaching and/or assessor award), you could move up to curriculum lead or head of department within a college or other training provider.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Operations Management
- Lecturer in Electrical Installation (FE)
Where can I find jobs?
Expert trainers in vocational engineering and manufacturing are in high demand. You will find there is wide availability of jobs in the FE sector in colleges and training facilities in every area of the UK.
Find engineering lecturer jobs in FE here.
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Production Engineering and Manufacturing
- Research jobs in Production Engineering and Manufacturing
- Senior-level academic jobs in Production Engineering and Manufacturing
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