The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

The School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering seeks to appoint a Lecturer in Aerospace Engineering to support teaching on the programme and advance the school’s Aerospace research.

The School’s Aerospace programme is recognised as one of the top programmes in the UK. As a Lecturer you will strengthen our capability in this domain through world-leading teaching and research, supporting both academic excellence and industry collaboration. We are particularly interested to hear from potential candidates with expertise in the following areas:

• Propulsion and launch systems, with a particular interest in rocketry / in-space propulsion

• Space systems engineering, resilient technologies and in-space servicing, assembly, and manufacturing (ISAM)

We also welcome applications from strong candidates working in complementary and closely related areas of Aerospace Engineering, where there is a clear fit with the School’s existing strengths and strategic priorities.

Main duties and responsibilities

• Contribute fully as a teacher, researcher and leader, fulfilling the appropriate requirements of the University’s Academic Career Pathway Framework (ACP). 

High Quality Outputs (Core)

• Disseminate research findings through, for example high-quality publications and conference presentations. Ensure that at least one item in a rolling three-year period is judged through peer review as being internationally excellent or better in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
  
  

Research Income and Supervision (additional)

• Conduct a programme of high-quality personal research by identifying and securing varied sources of funding. Appropriate levels of research income are determined by the disciplinary or sub disciplinary norms for your department.

• Manage or co-manage external research funding over a period of grants.

• Attract high-quality research staff to support the delivery of research. Provide effective leadership and line management to research staff, including a proactive approach to training and development.

• Attract high-quality research students and provide them with effective supervision. Aim to complete one internal and one external PhD student every three years.

Research Impact (additional)

• Ensure research impact through activities that demonstrate an effect on, change or benefit to the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment, or quality of life beyond academia. Activity that supports this includes undertaking meaningful public engagement activity, patent applications, consultancy contracts for institutional benefit, two-way engagement with policy makers in your own research area, etc.

• Contribute to, and build cross-research group activity.

High Quality Teaching Practice (Core)

• Demonstrate high-quality teaching practice through the effective design, delivery, assessment and evaluation research-led teaching programmes to enable effective learning. This includes identifying learning objectives, selecting appropriate curricula, teaching methods, and resources, and determining, designing and producing appropriate study material. You will also prepare and implement student assessments, ensuring effective moderation and timely feedback. 

• Undertake personal tutor/pastoral responsibilities for undergraduate and postgraduate students, directing them, as required, to University support services appropriate to their needs.

Curriculum Enhancement (additional)

• Contribute to the design and development of programmes of study that are accessible, inclusive and contribute to the University’s Learning and Teaching Strategy. This includes developing, revising and updating programme content and delivery, and ensuring compliance with quality standards, regulations and accreditation requirements.

• Plan teaching up to one year ahead unless there are significant teaching programme changes or new courses then plan for up to two years ahead of their introduction.

Improving Teaching Practice (additional)

• Demonstrate continuing professional development in teaching by developing and implementing ideas for improving own teaching design, delivery and assessment, in order to build pedagogic knowledge and demonstrate impact.

Academic Citizenship (Core)

• Actively contribute to the collective vision, mission and values of the University through individual action and inclusive, collaborative working.

• Contribute to the life of the School of Mechanical, Civil and Aerospace Engineering, the Faculty of Engineering and the wider University community through administration responsibilities and committee membership as required. 

Change and Innovation (additional)

• Demonstrate leadership by constructively challenging established practice, structure and process in order to bring about positive change and improved outcomes.

Accountable Decision Making (additional)

• Through a leadership role, consistently make accountable, creative and considered decisions in response to a range of emerging issues and opportunities.

Professional Standing and Wider Engagement (Core)

• Participate in and develop links with external contacts (within academic, professions or with industry) to foster collaboration, at a regional and national level.

• Be actively involved in professional activities such as refereeing papers, editing journals, refereeing research grants, external examining, organising conferences, committee membership and involvement with professional bodies. 

Additional Duties

• Plan and prioritise own work, and forward plan up to five years for some tasks. 

• You will make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in applied teaching and research, and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole.

• As a member of staff you will be encouraged to make ethical decisions in your role, embedding the University sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible.

• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post. 

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and is respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Further Information

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage on the week commencing 10th August. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact Katie Bell (kathrine.bell@sheffield.ac.uk).

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.

• A range of generous family-friendly policies

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 23/07/2026 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.