Are you a qualified aerospace engineer looking to make the move into academia?
Universities look to hire visionary aerospace engineering lecturers, trainers and teachers who have the knowledge, qualifications and industry experience to train and nurture the next generation of experts.
You might be just finishing a PhD, or you could already be working as an aerospace engineer in industry. Whatever stage of your career you’re at, you’ll find a broad range of aerospace engineering lecturing and teaching jobs to suit every specialism.
In this post, we take a detailed look at some of the jobs available to aspiring aerospace engineering lecturers, the experience and qualifications you’ll need, where to look for jobs and how to move your academic career to the next level.
Job Descriptions
- Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering
- Lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Flight Control
- Lecturer in Engineering Management
Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering
The primary focus of an aerospace engineering lecturer is the delivery of teaching and practical training to undergraduate and postgraduate students across a range of related disciplines.
Aerospace engineering lecturers are also expected to engage in research activities linked to their specialist areas.
Duties:
- Delivery of lectures, seminars and practical classes
- Designing specialist, inter-disciplinary modules
- Supervision of student placement schemes
- Undertaking individual and collaborative research activities
- Applying for research funding and publishing research outcomes
- Creating collaborative links with industry
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in aerospace engineering or closely related discipline would be essential for a lectureship. However, equivalent professional experience/qualifications working as an aerospace engineer in industry may also be acceptable, depending on the role.
You would be expected to have in-depth knowledge of your specialist field of aerospace engineering, such as systems integration, aircraft manufacture or flight control. Practical knowledge of using MATLAB/Simulink technology may also be required.
A recognised HE teaching qualification or Advance HE Fellowship would be desirable.
What’s the pay?
Aerospace engineering lecturers can expect a starting salary of around £35,333 to £42,155 p.a., depending on qualifications and experience.
What can it lead to?
After around 3-5 years as an aerospace engineering lecturer, you could apply for a senior lecturer position. Promotion would depend on the quality of your teaching and research and your ability to help students into a career in aerospace engineering.
Alternatively, you may wish to pursue a research-only route as a senior fellow or associate.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
- Lecturer in Avionics
- Lecturer in Aeronautical Engineering
Where can I find jobs?
Universities work closely with aerospace industries in the UK and around the world. Therefore, it’s a good idea to look for jobs in universities located close to industry, such as in the Midlands in the UK.
Competition for lecturing roles in aerospace engineering is high and jobs are usually advertised on a permanent full-time basis, so turnover is low.
Find lecturer in aerospace engineering jobs here.
Lecturer in Flight Dynamics and Flight Control
Flight dynamics and flight control are concerned with how aircraft move through the air and the control systems that allow them to maintain flight.
Lecturers in this field teach highly specialised interdisciplinary modules and short programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
Duties:
- Planning, design and delivery of specialised modules across a range of programmes
- Supervising student projects, placements and field trips
- Marking and assessment
- Undertaking individual and collaborative research projects
- Identifying external sources of research funding
- Presenting at conferences worldwide
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in a relevant area or equivalent industrial or professional experience in an area related to flight dynamics and control would be essential. Specialised knowledge of flight dynamics and control and their integration into aircraft design is a must.
Although teaching experience at HE level would be desirable for this role, universities are willing to consider candidates with a wide range of professional experience in industry. However, you would be expected to complete a recognised HE teaching qualification on-the-job.
What’s the pay?
These roles require specialist qualifications and experience, so salaries tend to be slightly higher when compared with other engineering lecturing posts. A lecturer in flight dynamics and flight control can expect a starting salary in the region of £43,513 to £51,799 p.a.
What can it lead to?
On gaining teaching and research experience, your next career move would be to apply for a senior lecturer or associate professor role in flight dynamics and control.
Promotion would depend on the quality of your teaching practice and research activities.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering
- Lecturer in Avionics
- Lecturer in Mechanics and Design
Where can I find jobs?
Flight dynamics and control is a highly specialised area of aeronautical engineering, so the pool of available positions can be small. A good start would be to focus your job search on universities offering specialised flight dynamics/aerodynamics/aeronautical engineering programmes, particularly at Master’s level.
Find lecturer in flight dynamics and control jobs here.
Lecturer in Engineering Management
Engineering management is embedded in curricula across all engineering disciplines, particularly at postgraduate level. Engineering management combines the development of industrial engineering skills with building knowledge of business and management within the sector.
Lecturers in engineering management contribute to teaching across engineering disciplines and supervise Master’s level projects.
Duties:
- Planning and delivery of specialist modules within aerospace engineering and related disciplines
- Supervising postgraduate projects and placements
- Conducting research into engineering management and education
- Attracting funding for project-led teaching and initiatives
- Working closely with industry and higher education partners globally
- Advising graduates about management careers and opportunities
What qualifications and experience do you need?
These types of jobs are aimed at engineers who have significant professional experience in an engineering management role, therefore a PhD is not always required. A good first degree in aerospace engineering would be essential.
You would need to have considerable experience and knowledge of management practices within the aerospace industry, as well as having Chartered membership with a relevant professional body.
As this is a mainly teaching-focused role, experience of teaching in a HE context – particularly at Master’s level – would be highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
Lecturers in engineering management can expect a starting salary in the region of £39,745 to £48,823 p.a.
What can it lead to?
Most lecturing roles are guided by the institution’s academic career pathway strategy. If a role is eligible for progression, the next level would be a senior lectureship or associate professor position.
Promotion would depend on the quality of your teaching practice.
Related roles:
- Teaching Fellow – Engineering Management
- Academic Mentor – Engineering graduate pathways
- Lecturer in Engineering Data Analysis
Where can I find jobs?
A good starting point would be to look for jobs in universities in the UK and around the world which offer MSc programmes in engineering management. Universities are keen to hire lecturers for these roles who have a background in industry so keep this in mind during your job search.
Find lecturer in engineering management jobs here.
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Aerospace Engineering
- Research jobs in Aerospace Engineering
- Senior-level jobs in Aerospace Engineering
- Institute of Mechanical Engineers (Aerospace Division)
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