Here we look at some of the more senior-level academic jobs available in electrical and electronic engineering, the qualifications and experience you need and opportunities for career progression.
From climate change to communications, senior-level academics in electrical and electronic engineering lead the way in global research and development of technologies which address some of the world’s most pressing issues.
Academics at this level would already have an established international profile for research and teaching in areas relating to electrical and electronic engineering. They may come from a purely academic background; however, many senior engineering academics have also worked in industry.
Senior-level electrical and electronic engineering academics would be expected to collaborate with companies, governments and research institutes globally to further the research and development aims of the university.
Job Descriptions
- Assistant Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Senior Lecturer in Wireless Communications
- Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering
Assistant Professor of Electrical and Electronic Engineering
Assistant professor is an academic job title mainly used in the US; however, it is becoming more common in the UK. An assistant professorship is roughly equivalent to a senior lectureship in academia.
An assistant professor of electrical and electronic engineering teaches undergraduate and postgraduate engineering students as well as contributing to or leading research activities.
Duties:
- Providing high-quality teaching and supervision across multiple specialisms
- Collaborating on international research activities and publication of results
- Identifying and obtaining significant levels of external funding through research grants
- Engaging with industry, professional bodies and external partners to further the research and commercial activities of the university
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in electrical and electronic engineering or related discipline would be essential for an assistant professorship, along with significant teaching and supervision experience.
These are highly specific roles in terms of research. Therefore, you would need an internationally recognised research portfolio that is in line with the research themes or clusters of the electrical and electronic engineering department or centre you’re applying to.
What’s the pay?
Assistant professors in the field of electrical and electronic engineering can expect a starting salary of between £40,927 to £58,279 p.a., depending on experience and research output.
What can it lead to?
As an assistant professor you would be enrolled on the university’s academic development programme, with each stage of your academic career taking around 3-5 years to complete. On gaining experience and research recognition, you could apply for a professorship or senior research role.
Where can I find jobs?
Assistant professorships (or senior lectureships) in electrical and electronic engineering are highly specialised and require candidates to have expertise in the research carried out by each university.
Therefore, job availability is low, and you will need to apply to institutions which specifically match your research skillset and experience.
Find assistant professor jobs in electrical and electronic engineering here.
Senior Lecturer in Wireless Communications
Advanced communications technologies are the fastest-growing areas of electrical and electronic engineering research and senior academics in this field have contributed to the technology we all use every day.
There has been an increase in the development of electrical engineering and wireless communication joint honours degrees in recent years. Therefore, universities are looking for highly qualified experts in wireless technologies to train the next generation of specialists in this field.
Duties:
- Delivery of teaching in lecture and laboratory environments at undergraduate and postgraduate level
- Conducting collaborative and individual research in the areas of wireless transmission and networks
- Engaging with researchers, universities and industry both in the UK and internationally
- Supervision of Master’s level projects and placements.
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in electrical and electronic engineering, wireless communications or a closely related discipline would be essential for a senior lectureship.
You would be expected to have a proven track record of research and publication in your area of wireless communications and experience of teaching within higher education.
What’s the pay?
A senior lecturer in wireless communications can expect a starting salary of between £53,348 to £60,022 p.a. depending on experience and research outcomes.
What can it lead to?
On gaining further teaching and research experience, your next step on a university’s academic pathway would be reader or professor. Promotion would be dependent on the quality of your teaching and research collaboration.
Where can I find jobs?
Senior lectureships have a high application rate. Senior lecturer roles in this field are more widely available in universities which lead the field in wireless communications research and development and offer these types of undergraduate degree programmes.
Find senior lecturer in wireless communications jobs here.
Professor of Sustainable Energy Engineering
Academics at this level are central to the international research and development of sustainable energy technologies dedicated to limiting the impact of climate change.
In the last decade, universities have begun to offer more programmes related to sustainable and renewable energy engineering to meet the need for trained specialists in this field.
Duties:
- Leadership of international research in sustainable energy engineering
- Delivery of teaching, lectures, classes and laboratory demonstrations
- Supervision of undergraduate and Masters’ projects and of doctoral students
- Chairing relevant committees and undertaking leadership roles across the university
- Engaging with research partners, governments and industry at national and international level
What qualifications and experience do you need?
A PhD in sustainable energy engineering as well as a substantial international reputation in research and scholarship would be essential for a professorship.
You would also need to have an outstanding publication record and a track record of successful international research collaboration.
What’s the pay?
Salaries for professorships are often not disclosed in job ads and are often negotiated following the selection process. However, professors can generally expect a starting salary of between £50,000 – £59,999 p.a.
What can it lead to?
Many consider a professorship to be the height of their academic careers. However, professors can be selected to become heads of their departments or move into a Deanship.
Where can I find jobs?
Most professorships are offered on a permanent basis and opportunities are selective. The most popular areas of the UK for professorships advertised are the Midlands and the South East of England.
Find professor of sustainable energy engineering jobs here.
Further Information:
- Academic jobs in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Lecturing jobs in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- Research jobs in Electrical and Electronic Engineering
- The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET)
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