Assistant Professor in Psychology

About the role

Working on either a part-time or full-time basis in this role, you will draw on your proven track record as a forensic psychologist in a practitioner and/ or academic context. You will function as part of a team of psychologists and forensic psychologists, who will support the delivery of a new MSc Forensic Psychology programme within the School of Psychology, delivering teaching on a range of topics such as contemporary issues in forensic psychology, forensic psychology theory, and elements of forensic psychology practice. You will have responsibilities relating to module leadership and/ or programme leadership.

Working as part of multidisciplinary teams, you will assist the Head of School in maintaining, enhancing, and improving the national and international reputation of the School of Psychology. Demonstrating your continued practitioner and/ or academic attainment and achievement, you will contribute to your discipline and the life and work of the faculty.

We are seeking either an Academic Forensic Psychologist or Practitioner Forensic Psychologist.

Further information is available in the Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor (Practice) job descriptions.

This role is full time, but part time will also be considered.

About the team

The School of Psychology sits within the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing and plays a pivotal role in the development of Northumbria University. It boasts outstanding research, a strong and diverse student community, and highly engaged academic and professional staff. We have recently launched the MSc Forensic Psychology to begin in September 2026, which will add to our existing and well-respected portfolio of BPS Accredited programmes including MSc programmes in Health Psychology, Occupational Psychology, Sport and Exercise Psychology, MSc Psychology and undergraduate programmes in Psychology and Psychology with Criminology.

About you

To be successful in the role you will have demonstrable experience and knowledge in forensic psychology. You must have experience in and / or a desire to help shape education within forensic psychology.

You must possess excellent knowledge of the specified subject area, and you must have membership (or be eligible for membership) of relevant professional bodies, namely Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) registration as a Practitioner Psychologist and full membership of the British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Forensic Psychology and / or have or be eligible to have Chartered Membership of the BPS through the academic route with a PhD in a forensic psychology topic/first degree for practice route. A recognised teaching qualification of equivalent teaching experience (such as Fellowship of AdvanceHE) will be beneficial to your application.

We are particularly interested in appointing someone with experience of working in one or more of the following highly specialist forensic environments: forensic hospitals (including special hospitals, medium secure units and low secure units) with men and / or women, specialist prison-based services such as separation centres (housing radicalised extremists) and therapeutic communities, and / or the female prison estate. However, we are open to all areas of practice within the Forensic Psychology domain.

This post is advertised as an Assistant Professor role. Further information is available in the Assistant Professor and Assistant Professor (Practice) person specifications.

For an informal discussion about the post please contact Dr Kris McCarty, Head of Education in the School of Psychology , or Dr Faye Horsley , Programme Leader for the MSc Forensic Psychology programme.

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