Are you a senior mechanical engineering academic considering your next career move?
Experienced mechanical engineering academics lead global research, teaching and learning in this progressive and fast-moving discipline. You’ll find top level academic opportunities in a wide range of specialisms, from energy resilience to transport modelling.
Mechanical engineering is one of the largest fields for degree applications, so universities look for academics with a track record of delivering high-quality teaching as well as an established portfolio of international research collaborations.
In this post we look at some of the senior-level academic jobs in mechanical engineering; the qualifications and experience you need and opportunities for progression.
Job Descriptions
- Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
- Senior Lecturer in Mechatronics
- Head of Department (HoD) – Mechanical Engineering
Associate Professor of Mechanical Engineering
Associate professor roles in the UK are roughly equivalent in academic ranking as a senior lecturer or Reader.
An associate professor of mechanical engineering would have a proven track record of successful research outcomes as well as being an experienced lecturer who has taught across multiple disciplines.
Duties:
- Delivery of teaching and practical classes to undergraduate and postgraduate mechanical engineering students
- Contributing to the research programmes of the school or faculty
- Leadership of research groups according to your subject specialism
- Applying for new research funding and driving the research agenda
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in a relevant area of mechanical engineering plus evidence of strong academic standing in research and teaching would be essential for an associate professorship.
Professional experience in industry and registration as a chartered engineer would be highly desirable. You would also need to demonstrate extensive national and international collaboration in industry and academia.
What’s the pay?
An associate professor of mechanical engineering can expect a starting salary in the region of £51,799 to £60,022 p.a., depending on research record and teaching experience.
What can it lead to?
On gaining experience and depending on your research portfolio, collaboration and teaching practice, your next move would be to apply for a professorship.
Where can I find jobs?
Availability of associate professor roles depends on whether your area of expertise aligns with a university’s active research programmes. These senior opportunities have the highest permanent percentage out of all of the jobs.ac.uk academic higher education roles (94% compared to 42%). You’ll find Spring is the busiest time for recruitment to associate professor or Reader roles in the UK.
Find associate professor/reader in mechanical engineering jobs here.
Senior Lecturer in Mechatronics
Mechatronics is a highly-specialised, multidisciplinary subcategory of mechanical engineering. It focuses on the design of robotics and electro-mechanical systems used in multiple sectors, from healthcare to vehicle manufacture.
As a senior mechatronics lecturer, you would be responsible for teaching modules across engineering disciplines as well as undertaking research.
Duties:
- Contributing to research in the field of robotics and mechatronics
- Publishing research outcomes and attending conferences worldwide
- Teaching undergraduate and postgraduate students across multiple disciplines
- Curriculum design and managing junior staff
- Applying for research funding and managing awarded funding
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in robotics, mechatronics, engineering or computer science would be essential for a senior lecturer role.
You would also need to demonstrate a track record of high-quality research in the area of robotics/mechatronics at national and international level.
A recognised teaching qualification would be desirable.
What’s the pay?
A senior lecturer in the field of mechatronics can expect a starting salary of £43,069 to £53,625 p.a., depending on research and teaching experience.
What can it lead to?
Following around 3-5 years as a senior lecturer, your next step would be to apply for an associate professor role or a professorship.
Where can I find jobs?
Mechatronics is a fast-moving research field and degree programmes and training which keep up with technological breakthroughs in this area have grown in recent years. If you’re specialised in this area of mechanical engineering, you’ll find there is a wide range of jobs on offer in universities, research facilities and industry worldwide.
Find senior lecturer in mechatronics jobs here.
Head of Department – Mechanical Engineering
Reporting to the Dean of a faculty or school of engineering, the Head of Department (HoD) leads, manages and develops the research and teaching activities of the mechanical engineering department.
As a key member of the university’s overall senior leadership team, the HoD works to further the activities of the department as well as contributing to the broader strategic plan of the institution.
Duties:
- Shaping the academic strategy of the mechanical 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 mechanical 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 mechanical 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, the highest percentage of these roles are marketed at £50,000 to £59,999 p.a.
What can it lead to?
Head of Department is already a high-ranking position, and many 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. 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 is highly selective.
Find head of department jobs here
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Mechanical Engineering
- Lecturing jobs in Mechanical Engineering
- Research jobs in Mechanical Engineering
- Institution of Mechanical Engineers
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