Professor of Carbonomics

Location: Cavendish Building, Derby, DE1 1DZ

Are you ready to shape the future of sustainable business at the highest level? We are proud to offer a unique and prestigious opportunity for an outstanding academic leader to become Professor in Carbonomics - believed to be a world-first role at the intersection of academia, industry, and sustainability. 

This strategic appointment, created in partnership with McDonald’s, one of the most successful multinational businesses in the world, represents a bold step in our commitment to Better Business, Better Society, Better Future. It offers the chance to drive transformative research that directly addresses the climate and carbon challenges facing modern industry, while making a real-world difference.
 
We are delighted to partner with McDonald’s, a global leader similarly committed to sustainable business and creating transformative opportunities for young people. The partner shares our passion for social mobility and is working to enable 1 million people to gain access to skills, training and employment by 2030. A headline project, delivered together with a national charity partner, is funding safe community spaces, youth training, and sport and football activities for young people in need throughout the UK. In their business, the partner has committed to ensuring that 40% of all senior leadership roles are filled by individuals from underrepresented groups by 2030 and has a dedicated programme to support entry-level staff to progress to senior roles.  

Why This Role Matters 

Industry Impact - You’ll lead a pioneering research programme designed in collaboration with McDonald’s, shaping sustainable practices across sectors with scalable, actionable insights that reflect real business needs now and in the future. 

Research Excellence - One of the first Professorial roles in Carbonomics globally, this appointment will place you at the forefront of an emerging discipline, positioning the University of Derby as an international hub for research innovation in carbon economics and sustainable value chains. 

Social Purpose - As a civic institution committed to social mobility and public good, your work will extend beyond the academic realm, helping democratise access to sustainability research, ensuring its application the UK&I economy, and fostering inclusive impact in the communities we serve. 

Innovation and Research at the University of Derby - Our research is driven by purpose and impact. We are dedicated to tackling real-world challenges through innovation, and our work is structured around six cross-University Academic Research themes that align with critical local and global priorities. 

About You

We’re looking for a visionary academic with a track record in sustainable business, lean supply chains or a closely aligned field. You’ll have the leadership to build cross-sector collaborations, the academic credibility to elevate our global profile, and the passion to turn research into impact. 

The successful candidate will demonstrate the depth and breadth of knowledge required to advance research and innovation in this evolving field. You will have a proven record of research excellence, evidenced by high-quality outputs in leading international journals and conferences, alongside clear evidence of international recognition.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Alex Charles, Interim Head of International Derby Business School via a.charles@derby.ac.uk 

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

For more information and to apply on-line, please click the above “Apply” button.

Advert Closes: Wednesday 03 December 2025 

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