Course Director (Academic) for Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology

University of East London

Founded in 1898, we at the University of East London (UEL) are proud to change lives through education. Our goal is to advance industry 5.0 careers-first education and provide a clear path to the jobs and opportunities of the future. We’re committed to driving diversity in the 5.0 talent pipeline, working in partnership to promote talent wherever it is found and creating a balanced, inclusive, and green future.

But we can't achieve this goal alone. We need forward-thinking, innovative, and curious individuals like you to join our community and help us craft our future. As part of our team, you'll have the opportunity to work with a diverse range of people who share your passion for creating positive change. We’re an inclusive and welcoming community that is constantly moving forward, never satisfied with the status quo.

About Us

The Department of Psychology and Human Development comprises a student-focused team of academics who provide professional doctoral training in Psychology and a suite of high-quality accredited masters and undergraduate degrees. Our breadth of provision complements a thriving research-based PhD programme. Alongside excellence in teaching, we also boast of an impressive research profile; in the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF) the school was one of only four submissions to secure 100% 4* rating for research impact. We recently celebrated the 50-year anniversary of Clinical Psychology programmes at UEL (2025).  This is a very exciting time to join an enthusiastic team of academics who can shape and influence the development of the UEL provision and as part of our trust network in London and we would want to appoint as soon as possible. We have a passion for student-focused teaching and commitment to inclusive, culturally competent training, and to embedding EDI principles in curriculum and practice -  and invite candidates who share these values.

About the Job

The Professional Doctorate in Clinical Psychology (DClinPsy) is an NHS-commissioned course training clinical psychologists to high standards and eligibility for the HCPC statutory register of practitioner psychologists.  The course is central to regional health and mental health workforce development and is delivered through high-profile partnerships between the University and London NHS Trusts.  The Academic Director role reflects and strengthens the University's position as a leading provider of postgraduate clinical psychology training, aligning with our strategic priorities in health innovation, community engagement, and interdisciplinary research.

Providing strategic, academic, and operational leadership for the university-based elements of the DClinPsy course, the Academic Director ensures the course fulfils HCPC Standards of Education and Training, BPS accreditation criteria, and current expectations for clinical practice, research, and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) within the profession. The role encompasses senior academic leadership, curriculum oversight, quality assurance, and close collaboration with NHS partners. The Academic Director embodies and advances the programme's commitment to delivering inclusive, equitable, and anti-discriminatory training in clinical psychology.

About you:
The successful applicant will have excellent knowledge of the professional and academic requirements of clinical training programmes in UK Higher Education and will contribute to the development of Clinical Psychology in the university through research and teaching.

Essential criteria include:

• HCPC-registered Practitioner Psychologist (clinical) with significant post-qualification clinical psychology practice and expertise in the NHS or closely related settings
• Extensive experience teaching and/or supervising clinical psychology trainees, or on equivalent clinical training programmes
• Demonstrated experience of managing quality assurance, academic governance, or accreditation processes
• Proven ability to provide leadership across University and/or NHS systems 
• Strong understanding of UK NHS structures, clinical psychology workforce needs, training pathways, and placement governance processes 
• Ability to contribute to applied health, mental health, or neurosciences research, including interdisciplinary or NHS-collaborative projects with an active and high research and/or knowledge exchange profile.

Benefits Package

Here at UEL we understand it’s about more than just a salary. It’s about the entire package on offer along with our outstanding work environment and inclusive culture. We know the market rates for this vacancy and will offer a genuinely competitive salary DOE.

We care deeply about your wellbeing and our benefits includes: 20% pension (4% from you, 16% from us), 35 days holiday (plus 3 days over Christmas) plus bank holidays, hybrid working for most positions, and we’re always open to consider flexible working arrangements. We have a subsidised gym membership, 3 times base salary life assurance, a cashback healthcare scheme and wide variety of other generous benefits including discounts on: Apple and Samsung products, holidays, clothing, fitness, lifestyle, dining out and weekly shopping.

Benefits for all academic positions | University of East London

Equal Opportunities

UEL is an inclusive equal opportunities employer and are proud of our Equality, Diversity, and Inclusivity achievements, including: as members of Stonewall and have won Athena Swan awards. We expect all employees of UEL to accept our EDI policy and will not tolerate discrimination in any form.

So, if you’d like to take your career to the next level with us here at the University of East London and are inspired by our environment and committed to success, we want you to apply today!

To contact the recruitment team please phone +44 20 8223 3000 x 4600 or e-mail jobs@uel.ac.uk

CVs without a completed application form will not be accepted.

At UEL we are committed to working together to build a community which values diversity in both our staff and student populations, is representative and inclusive, enabling all to progress and thrive.