Here we take an in-depth look at some of the academic jobs in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology, the qualifications you would need and opportunities for career progression.
Lecturers and teachers in Anatomy Physiology and Pathology come from a diverse range of scientific and medical backgrounds. You may be a qualified doctor who is interested in teaching anatomy, have a biomedicine PhD specialising in an area of physiology or a practising physiotherapist who is looking to share your experience with the future generation.
Bridging science and medicine, anatomy, physiology and pathology are core disciplines within the curricula of multiple degree programmes, from biology to sports science.
Job Descriptions
- Lecturer or Demonstrator in Anatomy
- Teaching Fellow/Associate – Physiotherapy
- Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Lecturer or Demonstrator in Anatomy
Anatomy lecturers teach and train medical, dental, life and health sciences undergraduate and postgraduate students. They also carry out research in their specialist area of human anatomy, such as neuroscience or cardiology.
Demonstrators of anatomy are medical professionals who provide practical demonstrations to students through dissection of cadaveric specimens in university hospitals. Anatomy lecturer and demonstrator can often be combined within one role.
Duties:
- Teaching across a wide range of medical/health/life sciences degree programmes
- Carrying out subject-specific research and publication of outcomes
- Curriculum development and international collaboration
- Demonstrating topographical and functional anatomy through small group practical classes (demonstrators)
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in an area related to anatomy would be essential for a university lectureship. Depending on the position, a primary medical degree or first degree in anatomy/biomedical sciences may also be required. A demonstrable track record in anatomical research and outcomes would also be essential.
Anatomy demonstrators would need to have a primary medical degree (MBBCh/MBBS) as well as a specialist postgraduate qualification in human anatomy.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for lecturers in anatomy start in the range of around £34,304 to £43,600 p.a., depending on qualifications and experience. Anatomy demonstrators can expect to start on around £33,299 p.a.
Demonstrator roles are often offered on a part-time or contracted basis to allow experts to combine the role with clinical practice as a doctor.
What can it lead to?
On gaining teaching and research experience, the next academic career moves would be senior lecturer and associate professor. Alternatively, you may wish to move into a research-only role as a senior research associate or fellow.
Anatomy demonstrators may choose to complete doctoral studies in their chosen field to move into full research or lecturing positions.
Related jobs
- Medical Sciences Lecturer
- Teaching Fellow/Associate in Anatomy
- Biology Lecturer
Where can I find jobs?
You will find lecturing and demonstrator roles related to anatomy within university faculties or schools of medicine, dentistry, life and health sciences.
Find lecturer/demonstrator in anatomy jobs here
Teaching Fellow/Associate – Physiotherapy
Careers in physiotherapy are becoming increasingly popular among biological sciences graduates, as well as physiotherapy undergraduates. As a result, universities want to hire qualified clinicians from a range of academic backgrounds to train the next generation of physiotherapists.
As a physiotherapy teaching fellow or associate, your main focus would be teaching undergraduate and postgraduate physiotherapy students.
Duties:
- Planning and delivery of lectures, seminars and practical education to physiotherapy students
- Supporting and monitoring students on placement as a link tutor
- Identifying student placement opportunities in the health and care sector
- Curriculum design and delivery
- Undertaking personal tutoring and pastoral care
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A first degree in a related subject and experience of working as a physiotherapist within the health and care sector would be essential criteria for a physiotherapy teaching fellow. Professional accreditation with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) would also be essential.
A recognised teaching qualification would be highly desirable.
What’s the pay?
The average salary for a teaching fellowship is in the range of £30,000 to £39,000 p.a. and can be higher for those with previous teaching experience.
What can it lead to?
On gaining teaching experience, you could move up to a senior teaching fellowship, where you would be responsible for the overall delivery of teaching programmes and managing junior staff.
Related jobs
- Lecturer/Senior Lecturer in Physiotherapy
- Lecturer in Sports Science/Rehabilitation/Therapy
- Lecturer/Teaching Fellow in Occupational Therapy
Where can I find jobs?
Availability of teaching fellowships is low when compared with lectureships. However, clinical teaching-only roles are increasing in the health and medical sector, as universities look to attract practising health professionals.
Find physiotherapy teaching jobs here
Lecturer in Biomedical Sciences
Biomedical sciences lecturers teach and carry out research across a variety of medical, health and life sciences disciplines, from biochemistry to nursing.
An in-depth knowledge of anatomy, physiology and pathology is essential for this multi-disciplinary role.
Duties:
- Teaching across a wide range of related undergraduate and postgraduate programmes
- Delivering practical and laboratory classes
- Carrying out subject-specific research
- Publishing research outcomes and applying for further funding
- Supervision of postgraduate and doctoral students in biomedical research
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in an area related to biomedical sciences and significant research experience as a biomedical scientist would be essential for lecturing posts.
Previous experience of teaching of core subject areas within biomedicine would also be essential. A recognised teaching qualification would be desirable.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for biomedical sciences lecturers start in the range of £38,833 – £43,685 p.a., depending on teaching experience and research output.
What can it lead to?
Your next move would be to apply for senior lecturer or associate professor roles in your field of biomedical sciences. You could also consider a research-only post in a university laboratory.
Related jobs
- Lecturer in Microbiology/Biology
- Lecturer in Epidemiology
- Life Sciences Tutor
- Lecturer in Health Sciences
Where can I find jobs?
Biomedical sciences is a highly diverse discipline which bridges scientific and medical research areas and study programmes. Therefore, lectureships in this area are more widely available. You will find roles in university schools or faculties of life, medicine and health sciences.
Find lecturer in biomedical sciences jobs here
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- Research jobs in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- Senior-level academic jobs in Anatomy, Physiology and Pathology
- Careers in anatomy
- The Physiological Society
- Royal College of Pathologists
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