Lecturer in Fashion Design

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 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.

Principal Accountabilities — Learning/Teaching:
- Effectively teach and facilitate learning on a range of subjects/modules within the subject area on undergraduate, postgraduate, professional and post-experience programmes.
- Ensure that knowledge from research and scholarly activities informs and enhances learning and teaching, as well as extending it to appropriate external activities such as knowledge transfer activities.
- Ensure that module/programme design and delivery comply with the quality standards and regulations of the University.
- Participate effectively in the assessment process, including the setting, marking and moderation of student work, providing constructive feedback and ensuring it is in accordance with quality assurance procedures.
- Participate in the continuing review and development of module/programme delivery, incorporating innovative study modes, learning environments and pedagogic practices to engage and stimulate students, deliver effective learning outcomes and develop the skills and attributes of the 'Derby Graduate'.
- Take on relevant module leader and/or programme leader responsibilities, including associated marketing, recruitment, delivery and ongoing programme development activities.

Principal Accountabilities — Research/Scholarship:
- Engage in individual research and collaborate both internally and externally on research projects that are consistent with the College, and contribute to influencing leading-edge practice in the University and contribution to the REF.
- Sustain and enhance the reputation of the University by publishing in appropriate quality journals and presenting at scholarly activities such as workshops, conferences and other similar events.
- Develop and maintain contacts and relationships with relevant professional, research and industrial organisations.
- Contribute to writing bids for externally funded research projects.

Other Accountabilities:
- Act as a personal tutor, supporting and mentoring students as appropriate.
- Provide pastoral care to students, referring when necessary to services that provide further support.
- Support marketing and student recruitment activities as required.
- Develop external links in order to support student recruitment, secure student placements, facilitate outreach work, generate income or build relationships for future activities.
- Be responsible for administrative duties in areas such as admissions, timetabling, examinations and assessment of progress and student attendance.
- Contribute to effective cross College/University working.
- Observe and implement University policies and procedures.

Essential Criteria — Qualifications:
- Good Honours Degree in relevant subject discipline or equivalent industry experience.
- 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.
- Subject specific qualifications/knowledge.

Essential Criteria — Experience:
- Experience of working with AI solutions for ideation and visualisation in textiles, plus an interest in both traditional and immersive visualisation strategies.
- 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.
- 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.

Essential Criteria — Skills, Knowledge and 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.
- A working knowledge of CAD packages such as the Adobe Creative Suite, Gerber, XD, Express, Procreate, Fresco, CLO3D, Style3D Browzwear, Blender, Daz3D, Adobe Substance, and Embodee for digital pattern-making, garment visualisation, and textile design.
- 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.

Benefits:
- Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata).
- Teacher's Pension Scheme.
- Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme.
- Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers.
- Discounted onsite gym.
- Cycle to Work scheme.
- A flexible working environment.
- A commitment to personal and professional development.