Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering

About the College/Department

Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home STEM, the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too. 

The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, Data Science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and Psychology. We are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.

School of Engineering and Built Environment 

The School of Engineering and Built Environment at the University of Derby is a dynamic and future-focused academic community that blends technical excellence with creative innovation. It offers a wide range of programmes across engineering, architecture, construction, and design, preparing students to tackle global challenges in sustainability, infrastructure, and the built environment. 

Key investments in the last few years include dedicated intelligent instrumentation and smart sensor technologies, robotics, renewable energy, power engineering and advanced materials and manufacturing. The discipline area is actively engaged in knowledge exchange projects and has an active applied research agenda.  

About the Role

Engineering at Derby is driving forward an ambitious vision to create an exceptional learning environment, expand our research excellence, and strengthen industry collaboration across the region and beyond. As part of this strategic growth, we are investing in a new Lecturer position in Mechanical Engineering, building on strong opportunities with regional industry and aligning with the future direction of our mechanical engineering programmes. 

We are seeking a Lecturer with proven or emerging potential who can help us advance our goals in research, innovation, and outstanding teaching. You will enhance our capabilities in key specialist areas including Artificial Intelligence (AI), Thermofluids, and Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD). In this role, you will actively contribute to a vibrant research culture, develop a growing international reputation, and drive impactful knowledge exchange that informs cutting‑edge practice, enriches the research‑led curriculum, and supports our contributions to REF and KEF.

Anticipated interview date: 28th April 2026

About You

We are seeking an exceptional candidate with a strong academic foundation and specialist expertise in Mechanical Engineering. You will hold a good honours degree in a relevant discipline and ideally a PhD (or be close to completion), or possess equivalent professional achievement such as published research. Fellowship of Advance HE is desirable, or you will be willing to work towards this recognition.

You will bring significant subject‑specific experience that enables the development of new knowledge and innovation within the mechanical engineering field. We are particularly interested in expertise related to Renewable Energy - especially the modelling, design, development, and testing of heat pumps (air, ground, or water source). Essential technical capabilities include thermal energy and systems modelling, thermal systems design, solar thermal technologies, thermal energy harvesting and storage, geothermal energy, and applied thermodynamics.

Experience contributing to research is important, including work focused on decarbonising the built environment. This may involve developing novel heating and cooling solutions, HVAC innovations, and work on heat grids and networks.

You will also bring knowledge or experience of higher education, with the ability to engage and inspire students through a variety of teaching and delivery approaches.

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