Senior Lecturer in Design Thinking

The role

Within our multi-award-winning team at the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship, we have a vacancy for a Senior Lecturer in Design Thinking.

The Centre is a flagship component of the University of Bristol's strategy to further strengthen the links between education, research, design thinking & innovation, and the leveraging of Bristol’s city and region as a unique asset on the international stage.

Innovation is the application of creative solutions to real-world problems – and we are looking for individuals with practical industry experience who can guide, influence & inspire our innovators of the future. You may be a successful design professional who is looking to give something back, or an innovator with a proven track record of contributing to successful businesses.  You could also be an educator with a higher education background looking for your next exciting, inspiring position.

The aim of our innovation programme is to produce a new kind of highly-skilled graduate whose training will enable them to change the world through new products, innovations & startups.

What will you be doing?

The role will involve supporting the development and delivery of design thinking education, and to undertake associated administrative duties as required.  A key element of the role is to develop practical applied learning approaches that utilise team and project-based studio learning.  The post holder will play a central role in helping students, both individually and in groups, develop innovative solutions to problems and enable change.

You will teach at a variety of levels and collaborate with academic colleagues to contribute to curriculum development.  We are constantly looking to evolve our teaching, learning and assessment strategies, and you will play a key role in that.

You will use your knowledge, experience, qualifications & skills to inspire your students and to help them think differently.  You will support the design and development of new or existing design thinking activities, initiatives and programmes, including specific projects, and non-accredited courses.

You should apply if

• You have the expertise in one or more of the following areas:
  • Design futures, regenerative design or service design, innovation and/or directing design research and strategy programmes.
  • A portfolio demonstrating design expertise utilising human-centred design thinking methodologies along with strong design and prototyping skills to solve complex organisational challenges.
• Significant experience of leading a relevant commercial/social environment. Teaching or training design leadership in a higher education institute or similar.
• Experience of current debates, trends and issues relating to the expanding fields of design, innovation or systems thinking.
• Evidence of excellent organisational and administrative skills.
• Evidence of ability to contribute effectively to the running of the University of Bristol’s Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship.
• Experience of fostering and developing creative cultures.

Benefits of working for the University include:

• 32 days of annual leave pro-rata per year (plus bank holidays).
• Automatic entry to an extremely generous pension scheme, with substantial employer contributions.
• Hybrid working environment.
• Inclusive culture, valuing the diversity of thought, beliefs and background.

Additional information

For more detailed information about the role: www.bristol.ac.uk/jobs

For more information about the Centre for Innovation and Entrepreneurship: www.bristol.ac.uk/innovation

For informal enquiries please contact:

Peter Bartlett, Centre Education Director: peter.bartlett@bristol.ac.uk

Contract type: Open ended from 01/04/2026

Work pattern: 1 FTE with possibility of part-time work for the right candidate

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