If you’re an experienced chemical engineering lecturer or researcher, you might be considering Senior-Level academic jobs in Chemical Engineering.
This section of our engineering and technology series looks at a range of senior-level academic chemical engineering jobs, the experience you’ll need and what to expect at this stage of your career.
Senior chemical engineering academics contribute to and lead ground-breaking research while shaping the curricula of degree programmes in this high-demand subject.
Chemical engineering is a multi-disciplinary area focusing on some of the world’s most pressing issues, from the transformation of the global energy system to how we produce food for a growing population.
Senior academics in this area come from a multitude of academic and industry backgrounds and will already have an established portfolio of published research and teaching experience.
Job Descriptions
- Professor of Chemical Engineering
- Assistant Teaching Professor – Chemical Engineering
- Head of Department – Chemical Engineering
Professor of Chemical Engineering
Professors of chemical engineering are at the top of their academic field. They are responsible for shaping the delivery and quality of teaching as well as leading research projects in their area of expertise.
Duties:
- Leading research activities in a specific area of chemical engineering
- Collaborating with researchers, scientists and organisations globally
- Spearheading new research activities, procuring funding and publication in peer-reviewed journals and papers
- Teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- Supervision of doctoral students and junior academic research staff
- Developing university strategy with the senior leadership team
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in chemical engineering (or related area) along with a track record of published research activity and collaboration would be essential for a professorship.
Most professors have completed many years in academia, working their way up from lecturer to senior lecturer, visiting professor and Reader before applying for a professorship.
You would also need to demonstrate leadership and management skills and the ability to enhance the reputation of the institution on the global stage.
Professional membership with the Institution of Chemical Engineers (IChemE) would also be essential.
What’s the pay?
Most professor salaries are not disclosed in job ads and are usually negotiated at the appointment stage. However, salaries for chemical engineering can be in the region of £65,000 plus p.a., and above.
What can it lead to?
A professorship is considered the pinnacle of an academic career. However, many professors choose to move into a management role, such as Head of Department or Dean.
The majority of chemical engineering professors also work in advisory/director roles with funding bodies, in industry or as part of international research groups, clusters and foundations.
Where can I find jobs?
Most professorships are offered on a permanent basis and opportunities are selective. Professors are appointed if their research portfolio aligns with the research focus and strategy of the institution.
These are senior roles, so they are advertised for longer, with 85% offered on a permanent basis (almost double the jobs.ac.uk academic average).
Find professor of chemical engineering jobs here.
Assistant Teaching Professor – Chemical Engineering
A teaching professor (or senior teaching fellow) is a high-ranking lecturer who has followed a teaching-oriented pathway through their academic career. This role is primarily a teaching role, with less scope for research activity.
Duties:
- Design, development and delivery of chemical engineering education at BEng/MEng level
- Training and managing junior lecturers and other teaching staff
- Design and delivery of laboratory-based practical classes
- Setting, marking and quality assessment of examinations
- Supervision of work-based learning placements
- Providing tutor and pastoral support
What qualifications and experience do you need?
As this is a teaching-only role, a PhD and research experience is not always necessary. Candidates for teaching-only positions must have a first degree in chemical engineering and substantial experience in teaching core topics.
Universities actively encourage applications from specialists who have professional experience in the chemical engineering industry (including pharmaceuticals). Whatever your background, you must be able to demonstrate a commitment to high-quality, innovative teaching at HE level.
Having a recognised HE teaching qualification or willingness to complete while on-the-job would be highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
Assistant teaching professors in chemical engineering can expect a salary in the region of £43,414 to £54,949 p.a., depending on teaching experience and qualifications.
What can it lead to?
Higher Education institutions strive for excellence in their teaching offering as well as in their research profile and activities. Teaching-only academics now make up a large part of staff in UK higher education.
If you wish to pursue a teaching-oriented route you will find universities offer career development pathways parallel to their research and teaching routes.
Where can I find jobs?
As these types of roles increase in popularity, competition for teaching-only positions in universities can be intense. They are of particular interest to those looking transition from a professional career to academia.
Teaching-only opportunities have very high average views and application rates.
Find assistant teaching professor jobs in chemical engineering here.
Head of Department – Chemical Engineering
The Head of a chemical engineering department works with the Dean of School or Faculty to lead, manage and promote the activities of the department globally, while fostering strong collaborative partnerships.
Duties:
- Providing leadership in teaching and research activities of the department
- Management of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
- Initiating and developing strategic links with external organisations and other universities
- Managing and supporting staff within the department
- Representing the chemical engineering department’s interests in the formulation of university policy
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A Head of Department would generally be a professor, Reader or senior lecturer with an established academic career, who is looking to move into a senior management role in a university. They may also have an advisory/directorial role within a variety of research groups and in industry.
A PhD in chemical engineering (or related area) and a strong track record in education, teaching and research would be essential criteria for a Head of Department job.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for Heads of Department start in the range of £56,587 to £71,638 p.a., depending on qualifications, research and leadership experience.
What can it lead to?
The next move up the career ladder for a Head of Department would be Dean of an engineering and technology faculty or school.
Where can I find jobs?
Head of Department opportunities tend to be offered on a permanent basis, with the incumbents staying in the role for the rest of their careers. Therefore, availability of opportunities are highly selective.
Find head of department jobs here.
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Chemical Engineering
- Lecturing jobs in Chemical Engineering
- Research jobs in Chemical Engineering
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