Lecturer in Forensic Psychology


Company:	University of Derby
Salary:	£39,560 to £46,970 a year
Hours:	Full-time
Location:	Derby, DE22 1GB
Working pattern:	Hybrid - 2 days remote
Job type:	Permanent
Posting date:	6 Nov 2026
Closing date:	30 Nov 2026

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Summary

The School of Science brings together three key subject areas; Environmental Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Science and Psychology. The School has strong links with key external agencies including the University Hospitals for Derby and Burton NHS Trust who support the Biomedical Sciences IBMS provision as well as research collaborations. The School also works with regional forensic science agencies including the police and private forensic science labs as well as numerous environmental agencies locally, nationally and internationally focusing on conservation, habitat management and environmental regeneration.

About the Discipline

Psychology is home to the University's Psychology and Counselling and Psychotherapy provision, delivered at undergraduate and postgraduate level. As a TEF Gold institution, we are proud to contribute high-quality programmes grounded in psychological and behavioural science with a significant focus on applied psychology and professional practice. We provide a large accredited provision across several Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (including the BPS, HCPC, BABCP, BACP, NCS and CIEHF).

Our programmes provide undergraduate underpinnings and initial postgraduate training for some psychological professions, and support progression into careers across sectors such as marketing, business, management and leadership (and many more).

Furthermore we offer training in a range of therapeutic modalities across the counselling and psychotherapy provision and contribute to the development of the wider psychological workforce through our NHS based commissioned programmes. In Psychology our provision is underpinned by excellent student support to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students and progression opportunities into a range of careers.

Our delivery is further underpinned by high-quality scientific research and scholarly activity, with industry informed and based research at the forefront of curriculum developments to ensure programmes are meeting the needs of employers to foster the success of our graduates from across the subject.

About the Role

We are excited to offer this permanent post to support the delivery of our growing British Psychological Society (BPS) accredited provision in Forensic Psychology and Psychology.

As a Lecturer in Forensic Psychology, you will contribute to the delivery of modules that form part of the undergraduate and postgraduate portfolio, including core areas recognised by the British Psychological Society and any specialist areas.

Our provision is delivered both on campus and online and this role will include delivery across both modes. You will contribute to the delivery of teaching across the portfolio, and contribute to the achievement of the highest outcomes for our students through excellent teaching and student support.

Psychology has an active research agenda and growing research profile. You will have the opportunity to engage with and/or support financially sustainable research and/or other appropriate academic and scholarly activity.

The role will include supporting our marketing events (e.g., open days) and outreach (e.g., school visits) which occasionally take place into evenings and at weekends. We support hybrid working as business needs permit and in agreement with the Head of Discipline.

This role is a full-time position of 37 hours a week, however we would welcome applications from candidates who wish to be considered for a job share. The role is required on a full -time basis therefore a job share could only be offered should a suitable arrangement be available with the days and/or hours of work to be agreed on appointment. Please indicate in your application your preference of days and/or hours you would be available to work.

The anticipated interview date is 10th December 2026.

About You

You will hold a good honours degree in Psychology (or a relevant subject) and an MSc in Forensic Psychology (BPS-accredited Stage 1 qualification). You will ideally have a PhD, or be nearing completion, although equivalent professional experience or a willingness to work towards a doctorate will also be considered. You will hold, or be willing to work towards, Fellowship of Advance HE.

You will have knowledge or experience of higher education teaching, learning and programme development, with the ability to use a range of teaching approaches and digital technologies to engage students. You will demonstrate expertise within your discipline, alongside experience of research, scholarship or enterprise and evidence of high-quality research outputs.

You will have excellent communication and relationship-building skills, with the ability to explain complex ideas, work collaboratively and independently, and manage competing priorities.

Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with expertise in forensic applications of psychology, and qualitative research methods, although other relevant specialisms will be considered.

Key Contact

For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Amy Baraniak, Head of Discipline for Psychology via a.baraniak@derby.ac.uk

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

Important Information

This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.

The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI:

Your job is on the Immigration Skills List

You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training

You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job

You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education

You must also meet the English Language requirement.

Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage.

For more information, visit our website.

Essential requirements

Essential Criteria Qualifications Good Honours Degree in Psychology or a relevant subject discipline MSc Forensic Psychology (BPS Accredited Stage 1 qualification) Fellowship of the Advanced HE (HEA) or willingness to work towards PhD (or submitted and awaiting examination) or equivalence accepted in a relevant subject area, for example by publication or through appropriate professional achievement or willingness to work towards within an agreed timeframe Experience Learning / Teaching Experience or knowledge of quality assurance and validation of HE modules / programmes Experience or knowledge of higher education and ability to use a range of delivery techniques to inspire and engage students Research / Scholarship Demonstrable experience of own discipline to enable the development of new knowledge and understanding within the field Experience of research / enterprise activity Evidence of active publishing in high quality journals or other outputs in research or practice that will contribute to the REF or other areas identified in the College / University Research Strategy Skills, knowledge & abilities An appropriate level of digital capability and aptitude with practical experience of applications which aid student learning Ability to communicate complex and conceptual ideas to a range of groups Proficient in using IT to support own work and for application to technology-enhanced learning / teaching and research activities Excellent written and oral communication skills including networking and relationship building skills, both across the University and externally Able to demonstrate both independent self-management and team working Able to work with competing priorities and to tight deadlines Demonstrates competences, core behaviours and supplementary behaviours that support and promote the University’s core values Demonstrates professionalism in learning / teaching and the values of the UK Professional Standards Framework for HE A sound understanding of the current higher education environment and its implications for the student learning experience A sound understanding of the employability agenda and its relevance to learners and the curriculum A sound understanding of internationalisation and its relevance for learners and the curriculum Flexible to the needs of others Innovative and creative Committed to continual enhancement and a high-quality student experience Committed to a high-performance culture, fostering continuous improvement and driving quality Business requirements Able to take a flexible approach to work Travel between sites and occasionally overseas for research or teaching Some evening and occasional weekend teaching Attendance at Open Days, Graduation events etc. A commitment to own professional development

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