Lecturer in Interior and Spatial Design

Hours: Full Time (1.0 FTE)

Basis: Fixed term contract, 1 August 2026 to 31 July 2027 (with potential extension on an academic yearly basis) - you will be engaged on a consultancy basis

Renumeration: £32,465 per annum (pro-rata) + Benefits equivalent to £6,200

The University of Lancashire invites applications for a Lecturer in Interior & Spatial Design to teach on its BA Hons Degree and Masters Degree programmes at HBU-UCLan School of Media, Communication and Creative Industries for the 2026-27 academic year. This post will commence from 1 August 2026.

This post is primarily based in China and candidates considering making an application should take into account the requirement to spend 2 x 18-week sessions per year in country, teaching face to face.

HBU-UCLan School of Media, Communication and Creative Industries is a non-independent status Joint School partnership between Hebei University, China and the University of Lancashire, UK (approved by the Ministry of Education China). Located in the historic city of Baoding, approximately 40 minutes from Beijing by fast train, the city is growing fast and becoming a commuter base for Beijing and Northern Hebei Province. 

Established in 2014, the Joint School celebrated its 10^th Anniversary in 2024 and as of March 2026 HBU-UCLan currently has around 800 students which will increase to 1200 over the next few years. Students study the following University of Lancashire degree programmes: 

• BA (Hons) Animation
• BA (Hons) Creative Advertising
• BA (Hons) Film-making
• BA (Hons) Graphic Design
• BA (Hons) Interior Design
• BA (Hons) Media and Television Production
• International Foundation Year 

Two Masters level programmes have been delivered in China since 2022. A new MA in Animation is under development and is scheduled to start in September 2027. Masters programmes:

• MA Interior Design
• MA Music Industry Management & Promotion
• MA Animation (subject to validation) 

The Joint School moved into a new purpose designed Arts, Design and Media building on campus in Baoding in 2022. This provides professional level, state of the art facilities for teaching, research and practice. 

The highly successful University of Lancashire research initiative ‘Research Centre for Cultural Preservation through Creative Practice’ is now also based out in China with high level research facilities within the partnership. This provides exciting new opportunities for staff to build research profiles within a unique, dynamic and cross-cultural environment. 

THE ROLE

We are now seeking an enthusiastic and resourceful Lecturer in Interior and Spatial Design to join the team delivering undergraduate degree and post-graduate level Interior Design programmes at the Joint School. Subject to qualifications and experience, the successful applicant will be required to teach and contribute to the new MA Interior Design programme. There will also be some teaching required on the BA (Hons) Interior Design programme.

Working within a committed and enthusiastic team, you will contribute to the curriculum design, course development, teaching and assessment and research, as well as providing module leadership where required. We also require a forward-looking, research active subject specialist who is future orientated and has a good understanding of future trends and influences within this subject domain.

This is an outstanding opportunity to work as part of a global team to support a high-quality creative industries facility and to nurture new content development from their research, within a unique cross-cultural setting. 

This opportunity offers a support package for PhD study at the University of Lancashire (conditions apply). 

EDUCATION, QUALIFICATIONS & EXPERIENCE

• The successful applicant should have a good honours degree in Interior Design or other closely related discipline and a Masters level qualification in a related discipline.
• Experience in the operation of Interior Design studios and a good understanding of workshop processes across a range of materials is essential to this role.
• Two years’ relevant experience of teaching Interior Design or similar discipline in a higher education environment, is essential to obtaining a working visa in China.

SUMMARY OF BENEFITS

• £32,465 per annum (pro rata) renumeration
• £2000 – Travel allowance for two return flights per academic year (pro rata)
• £200 – Health Insurance contribution allowance per academic year
• £4000 - Accommodation allowance per annum / pro rata (assistance in arranging accommodation can be provided)
• Visa

VISA REGULATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS

Lecturing posts at HBU-UCLan are regulated by Chinese Labour Law and Hebei Provincial Government regulations. These regulations stipulate that the post holder must have a Master’s degree qualification (in a related discipline).

Two years’ relevant experience of teaching Interior Design or similar discipline in a higher education environment is essential to obtaining a working visa in China. 

The post holder must comply with Chinese Labour Laws and Hebei Provincial Government regulations to obtain a Chinese work permit and entry Z visa (restrictions apply) - this includes a Police/Criminal Records Check and Health Check. These regulations stipulate who is eligible for legal work with regards to obtaining work permits and visas. The regulations in this province may preclude people at or over the age of 60 from obtaining a PRC work visa. 

TO APPLY

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Professor Sion Hughes, Academic Head, at SHughes17@lancashire.ac.uk 

The specific requirements for the role are detailed in the job description and person specification. Applicants must meet all ‘essential criteria’ to be considered for interview.

Applications must be submitted in pdf format to HBUadmin@lancashire.ac.uk and include:

• Cover letter (demonstrating your suitability for the role)
• Current CV
• Contact details of two referees (with knowledge of your skills capabilities, and work performance. We will only take up references for the selected candidate.) 

This role is offered on a consultancy (independent contractor) basis and does not constitute employment with the University.