Lecturer in Fashion Design


Company:	University of Derby
Salary:	£39,560 to £46,970 a year, pro rata
Hours:	Part-time
Location:	Derby, DE22 3AW
Working pattern:	On-site
Job type:	Contract
Posting date:	7 Oct 2026
Closing date:	25 Oct 2026

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Summary

Celebrating creativity, critical thinking, and cultural exploration. This school nurtures writers, performers, thinkers and artists, offering opportunities to grow intellectually and creatively across subjects like English, History, Creative Writing, Fine Art, and Media.

The School brings together a wide range of subjects, including:

Humanities

Law

Journalism and Media

Policing, Criminology and Social Sciences

Creative Arts

Whether exploring the past, shaping future policy, telling powerful stories, or creating inspiring work, our students develop the skills and confidence to contribute meaningfully to society and the creative industries.

Together, the College of Health and Humanities delivers a rich, interdisciplinary environment where students gain the skills, experience, and inspiration to make a meaningful impact in society.

About the Role

We are seeking a highly skilled, forward-thinking Lecturer in Fashion Design who also holds specialist skills in CAD to join our team and inspire the next generation of creative professionals across our Fashion and Textiles and Fashion Communication and Promotion programmes.

You will develop and deliver innovative, inclusive and industry-relevant learning and teaching, equipping students with the creative, technical and digital skills, confidence and contextual understanding needed to succeed in a rapidly evolving fashion industry. With employability and real-world learning at the heart of the curriculum, you will bring contemporary industry practice, digital innovation and professional insight into the student experience.

A key focus of the role will be supporting students to develop their expertise in CAD (such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Gerber, XD, Express, Procreate, Fresco, O3D, Style3D Browzwear, Blender, and Daz3D) and other digital design technologies. Alongside strong knowledge of core CAD tools, you will demonstrate an awareness of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI solutions for ideation and visualisation in textiles), and understand how these can be integrated appropriately, creatively and ethically into design workflows. You will help students explore the opportunities and challenges presented by digital innovation, ensuring they develop future-ready skills that support professional success, creativity and the sustainable development of the fashion and textiles industry.

You will contribute to module and programme development, assessment and quality assurance, using innovative pedagogic approaches and learning environments to engage and challenge students and develop the skills and attributes of the ‘Derby Graduate’. You may also undertake module or programme leadership responsibilities, contributing to programme development, marketing, recruitment and delivery.

Research and scholarly activity will be an important part of the role. You will engage in research that informs and enhances your teaching, influences leading-edge practice and contributes to the University's research profile and REF activity. You will have opportunities to collaborate with internal and external partners, publish and present your work, contribute to research bids and develop relationships with professional, research and industry organisations.

Alongside teaching and research, you will support students as a personal tutor, providing academic guidance and pastoral support throughout their studies. You will also contribute to student recruitment, outreach, placements and the development of external partnerships that create valuable opportunities for students and strengthen the University's links with industry.

This is an exciting opportunity for a Fashion Design and CAD specialist who is passionate about creative education, digital innovation, research and industry engagement, and who wants to help shape a future-focused curriculum that prepares students to lead with creativity, sustainability and technical excellence.

Please note that this role is a 0.5FTE; 24 month Fixed Term Contract.

Working Pattern

Semester 1 Friday 10-12, 1-3pm,

Semester 2 Thursday 2-6pm.

Further working hours to be discussed at interview.

The anticipated interview date is 11th November.

About You

We are looking for an innovative, creative and forward-thinking academic with expertise in textiles, fashion or a closely related discipline, who is passionate about inspiring the next generation of students and preparing them for a rapidly evolving industry. You will have a good Honours degree or equivalent professional experience, alongside relevant subject-specific knowledge and experience.

Digital innovation will be central to your approach. You will have practical experience of using digital technologies to enhance learning, teaching and research, with knowledge of relevant creative and CAD software such as Adobe Creative Suite, Gerber, CLO3D, Style3D Browzwear, Blender, Procreate, Fresco and related digital design and visualisation platforms. You will also have experience or an interest in using AI for ideation and visualisation within textiles, alongside an appreciation of both traditional and immersive approaches to visualisation.

You will be an excellent communicator and relationship builder, able to explain complex and conceptual ideas clearly to a diverse range of audiences. You will be comfortable working independently and collaboratively, managing competing priorities and meeting deadlines, while building effective relationships across the University and with external partners.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Ben Harbisher, Subject Lead for Creative Arts, via (b.harbisher@derby.ac.uk).

For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via recruitment@derby.ac.uk

Important Information

The University is unable to sponsor the employment of international workers under the Skilled Worker route for this role; however, applications are welcome from candidates who are able to demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Please visit our website for more information.

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