Lecturer in Environmental Design - China

The Institute of Creativity and Innovation (ICI) is a dual-degree institute established by the University for the Creative Arts in the UK and Xiamen University in China. Based on Xiamen University’s Zhangzhou campus, around 40 minutes from the city of Xiamen, ICI sits within a region that is both a cultural hub and an emerging centre for design and innovation in South-East China.

We are seeking a reflective, collaborative and well-organised educator with a background in a relevant design discipline and a minimum of two years’ experience in a teaching-focused role in higher education. You will contribute to the BA (Hons) Environmental Design course through studio-based teaching, curriculum development, assessment, student support and collaborative course delivery. You should be able to evidence effective team teaching, including the ability to share responsibilities, work flexibly with colleagues, and negotiate diverse viewpoints in a constructive manner.

You will join a supportive and internationally focused teaching team, with opportunities to contribute to the future direction of the course. We are interested in candidates who bring different forms of expertise, including academic research, professional practice, creative education, community engagement, digital practice, material investigation, or interdisciplinary design work. We value thoughtful teaching, curiosity, and a clear commitment to design as both an intellectual and practice-based endeavour.

The role requires initiative, strong organisational skills, and the ability to work effectively within a cross-cultural academic environment. A master’s degree is essential. Experience of teaching in UK Higher Education is desirable, but we welcome applications from candidates with equivalent teaching, professional or international experience. Fluency in English is required.

A PGCert in Higher Education, HEA Fellowship, or equivalent professional recognition is desirable. Where a successful candidate does not already hold this, they will be expected to complete the relevant qualification or recognition route within the first two years of appointment, with institutional support and funding provided.

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose backgrounds, experiences and perspectives are currently underrepresented in design education. We recognise that strong candidates may not meet every desirable criterion, and we encourage applications from those who can demonstrate the potential to make a thoughtful and distinctive contribution to the course.

UCA offers a competitive compensation package that includes:

• 35 days of personal holiday
• Enrolment in the Teacher’s pension scheme
• Medical Insurance coverage in China for self and family
• Visa application expenses for self and family
• Flight cost
• Settling-In Allowance
• Annual repatriation (home visit) allowance
• Free accommodation in China for self and family
• School or Nursery/ Pre-school allowance
• Tax advice

If you would like an informal discussion about the role before applying, please contact Samuel Penn via email (samuel.penn@uca.ac.uk).

HOW TO APPLY?

Please click on the link below. You will need to upload the following documents to complete the application process:

• Your updated CV.
• A cover letter addressing your suitability for the role
• Your portfolio and/or any other supporting documents that you believe would be beneficial

We would encourage you to submit a portfolio that evidences and demonstrates your teaching practice/outcomes and your own creative work. Academic publications may be desirable for evidence where it relates to creativity or innovation, but they would not be considered sufficient without evidence of teaching. Candidates must meet Chinese visa requirements; UCA will support the application process.

At the University for the Creative Arts (UCA), we’re committed to creating an inclusive community where every student and colleague feels respected, supported and able to belong. We celebrate the breadth of backgrounds, identities and lived experiences across our campuses and disciplines, and we recognise that creativity thrives when different perspectives are welcomed and valued. By promoting positive wellbeing and fair opportunities, we aim to remove barriers and enable everyone to flourish and reach their potential. We warmly encourage applications from people who are currently underrepresented in our workforce, and from anyone who shares our ambition to build a more equitable and inclusive UCA