King's College London

About us 

We are a vibrant, diverse Department that looks to lead innovation in education and research at one of the world’s leading universities. To support our ambition, King’s has invested in new multi-million-pound teaching and research laboratories of more than 3000 sqm for the Department at heart of its Strand campus, which opened in August 2022. We celebrate diversity and actively promote an inclusive environment and encourage applicants from underrepresented groups. In moving our ambitions forward, we are continuing to appoint academics to join us in shaping the future of education and research for King’s Engineering. We offer undergraduate and postgraduate education, with a distinctive approach, combining traditional teaching methods with modern, project-based learning, catering for the needs of our students and the industries in which they will work.  It is essential that applicants have the enthusiasm and commitment needed to ensure the success of these programmes. 

About the role 

We are seeking an enthusiastic individual with appropriate disciplinary experience for the post of Lecturer on the King’s Academic Education Pathway (AEP), with a focus on Engineering Makerspace Education. This is intended to be a strategic and distinctive role that connects our award-winning pedagogies with innovative approaches to the use of our workshop and makerspace facilities.

The post-holder will design, deliver and coordinate teaching and learning in design engineering, alongside undertaking action-based pedagogic research to enhance the student experience within our engineering makerspaces. The role places particular emphasis on leading learning in these environments to support the delivery of key engineering and design principles. These include human factors and inclusive design, sustainability and resilience in engineering practice, and widening access to professional and practical manufacturing skills.

We are a general Engineering department offering undergraduate programmes in Electronic and General Engineering. The role-holder will ideally be an experienced makerspace practitioner capable of developing and delivering design engineering education for large student cohorts across areas such as computer-aided design, design thinking, manufacturing processes and project-based learning.

The successful candidate will work in partnership with the Deputy Head of Department (Education), Design Module Leads and Makerspace Managers, while also engaging students through co-creation activities. The role will contribute to teaching and learning within our new student learning spaces at the heart of the Strand Campus and support the ongoing development of these facilities.

As well as the delivered teaching, the role-holder will build scholarship which enhances the student experience across the department: identifying and leading initiatives to enhance our education offering beyond the curriculum including areas such as employability, wellbeing, undergraduate research, student competitions, exchanges and citizenship. The Academic Education Pathway offers a framework for recognition, reward and opportunities for advancement for exceptional educators.

Responsibilities include:

•                     To lead engineering makerspace education for design and build student projects

•                     Contribute to the ongoing development and utilisation of our makerspaces

•                     Develop and coordinate multi-disciplinary design and build projects embedded throughout our degrees

•                     Carry out research activity which enhances Engineering Makerspace Education in the department and contribute to national and international Makerspace Education pedagogy

•                     Lead initiatives to evaluate and improve student experience within the makerspaces and act as a member of departmental committees, working groups and through internal and external networks.

In addition,

•                     To contribute to the development of the Department’s Educational strategy and take a lead role in curriculum development with emphasis on problem-based and project-led learning.

•                     To be a demonstrator and practitioner for innovation in academic practice in engineering education and learning, including curriculum development, teaching, learning and assessment and student experience

•                     To deliver teaching of the highest quality, which is motivating, engaging and memorable. The postholder will be expected to achieve consistently high levels of positive feedback on their module(s) and/or sessions

•                     To work in partnership with colleagues to develop activities that align with the Department’s vision and strategies in education

•                     To encourage and support the development of innovative approaches to teaching supporting through your own scholarship and experience.

•                     To run workshops, training sessions and discussion groups on developing teaching and learning practice in Design Engineering Practice open for all staff and teaching assistants.

•                     To demonstrate a proven commitment to equality and diversity.

Information on the Department of Engineering and the Faculty of Natural and Mathematical Sciences can be found at the following links:

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/engineering

https://www.kcl.ac.uk/nms

This is a full time post (35 hours per week ), and you will be offered an indefinite  contract.

About you

To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:

Essential criteria

1. A minimum of an MEng degree (or equivalent) in a relevant engineering or design discipline, with subject-specific knowledge across one or more engineering areas applicable to design and manufacturing education. 

2. Experience managing or working within educational makerspaces, including supporting student design projects across a range of manufacturing processes and technologies. 

3. Experience of delivering effective teaching in Engineering and Design, including problem-based and/or practice-based learning, supported by knowledge of diverse teaching and learning approaches. 

4. Experience working across academic and technical teams to integrate facilities, resources and curriculum delivery, contributing to a positive and collaborative learning environment and enhancing makerspace education. 

5. Strong organisational and task management skills, with the ability to manage priorities effectively. A collaborative, approachable working style with a clear commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and improving the student experience. 

Desirable criteria

1. Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA) and/or Chartered Engineer status (CEng) or eligibility to obtain professional registration. 

2. Detailed knowledge of one or more areas of design engineering education, alongside familiarity with relevant UK safety standards in workshop and makerspace environments. 

3. Demonstrated ability to connect effectively with students, enhancing engagement, motivation and learning experience in design and engineering contexts. 

4. Ability to build and sustain effective professional networks with colleagues across the University and with external academic, industry and professional stakeholders. 

Downloading a copy of our Job Description

Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.

Further information

At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.

The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.

We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.

When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.

We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.

Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.

We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.

We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.

To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘ How we Recruit’ pages.