Looking for lecturing and teaching jobs in Mechanical Engineering?
Mechanical engineering is a broad discipline spanning the engineering, health and medical, sciences and computing sectors. There is high demand for qualified mechanical engineers in almost every industry. As a result, universities need to hire expert lecturers and trainers with the right combination of academic research and professional, hands-on expertise who can inspire the next generation.
Universities look for mechanical engineers who have a professional background in industries such as vehicle manufacturing, aeronautical design and environmental engineering. To meet the global demand for multi-skilled engineers, there is particular interest in mechanical engineering lecturers who have combined expertise in electrical engineering or biotechnology.
Here we look at the types of lecturing and teaching jobs available in mechanical engineering, related roles, the qualifications and experience you’ll need and opportunities for career progression.
Job Descriptions
- Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
- Lecturer in Automotive Engineering
- Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering
Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
Mechanical engineering lecturers deliver teaching, demonstrations and laboratory/workshop lessons to undergraduate and postgraduate students.
From manufacturing to motorsport, lecturers in this area provide training and expertise across a broad range of modules and engineering disciplines, as well as carry out individual and collaborative research.
Duties:
- Teaching across all areas of mechanical engineering and other engineering disciplines
- Project supervision and mentoring
- Curriculum and module design
- Contributing to new and ongoing research projects
- Liaising with fellow academics, external organisations and industry
- Publication of research and securing further funding
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A good first degree or MEng in mechanical engineering and a PhD in a related discipline would be essential for a lectureship.
Depending on the area of mechanical engineering, universities may also ask for professional experience in industry and/or research undertaken in a specific field, such as thermodynamics or design and simulation.
An appropriate level of professional membership with the Institution of Engineering and Technology or the Institution of Mechanical Engineers would be desirable.
What’s the pay?
Mechanical engineering lecturers can expect a starting salary of around £31,604 to £39,833 p.a., depending on qualifications and experience.
What can it lead to?
The next step on the academic ladder would be to apply for a senior lectureship or associate professor role in mechanical engineering. Promotion would depend on the quality of your teaching and research.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Engineering Management
- Lecturer in Electrical Engineering
- Teaching fellow – Mechanical Engineering
Where can I find jobs?
Mechanical engineering lecturing jobs are available in both Higher and Further Education. Job availability depends on your specialist area of research and whether this aligns with the activities of the engineering department, faculty or school.
You’ll find you can cast your net wider if you have expertise in both mechanical and electrical engineering or more focused research experience in a particular sector of mechanical engineering, such as biomedical or environmental engineering.
Find mechanical engineering lecturer jobs here.
Lecturer in Automotive Engineering
An increasingly popular specialism of mechanical engineering, automotive engineers design, develop and test vehicles. They also help to develop vehicles for motorsports.
Automotive engineering lecturers deliver multi-disciplinary teaching and training to undergraduate and postgraduate students following courses related to vehicle design and technology.
Duties:
- Delivering teaching and practical workshop classes across of a range of mechanical engineering specialist disciplines
- Supervising work-based placements and projects
- Contributing to the research activities of the faculty or school
- Collaborating with external partners in industry on research and student placements
- Curriculum and module design
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A first degree or MEng in mechanical engineering and a PhD or equivalent professional qualification in automotive engineering would be essential for this role.
Previous experience of working in the automotive industry and membership of a relevant professional body would be highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
A lecturer in automotive engineering can expect a starting salary in the range of £36,382 to £43,434 p.a., depending on qualifications, research and professional experience.
What can it lead to?
On gaining teaching and research experience, you could apply for senior lecturer or assistant professor in automotive engineering roles. Alternatively, you could move into a research and development-only role in a university, research institute or within the vehicle industry.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Motorsport Engineering
- Lecturer in Vehicle Dynamics
- Motor Vehicle Lecturer (Further Education)
Where can I find jobs?
Academic automotive engineering jobs have higher availability in universities situated close to major vehicle production hubs, such as in the Midlands and North East of the UK.
Find lecturer in automotive engineering here.
Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering
Biomedical engineers use their knowledge to find technical and engineering solutions to medical problems.
Biomedical and mechanical engineering are closely linked and universities look for lecturers who have chosen to specialise in the design and development of healthcare technology during their PhD and subsequent research activities.
Duties:
- Planning and delivery of teaching to undergraduate and postgraduate biomedical engineering and mechanical engineering students
- Contributing to and leading biomedical engineering research activities
- Attracting research funding from national and international sources
- Curriculum design and project supervision
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in biomedical engineering or a closely related subject would be essential for lecturing roles.
A strong track record of published research, plus previous experience of teaching at higher education level would also be essential.
What’s the pay?
Depending on the role, lecturers in biomedical engineering can expect a starting salary in the range of £35,326 to £48,835 p.a.
What can it lead to?
The next step up would be to apply for a senior lectureship or associate professor role in biomedical engineering.
Related roles:
- Lecturer in Biomechanics
- Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering
- Senior Lecturer in Surgical Robotics
Where can I find jobs?
Biomedical engineering programmes are increasing in popularity across the UK and internationally. You will find lecturing roles within university schools or faculties of engineering and health sciences.
Find lecturer in biomedical engineering jobs here.
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Mechanical Engineering
- Research jobs in Mechanical Engineering
- Senior-level academic jobs in Mechanical Engineering
- The Institution of Mechanical Engineers
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