Lecturer in Gemmology - Permanent, part-time role for 29.6 hours per week

Birmingham City University's historic School of Jewellery is one of the world's leading centres for the study of jewellery and associated disciplines. We are seeking a Lecturer in Gemmology to join our highly regarded BSc and MSc Gemmology programmes.

This is an exciting opportunity for a knowledgeable and experienced gemmologist to bring current professional practice into an inspiring academic environment. You may already be teaching, or you may be working in a gemmological laboratory, jewellery business, auction house, testing or certification environment, or another relevant area of the industry and be considering a move into higher education.

You do not need to be an established university lecturer to apply. We welcome applicants who have developed their ability to share specialist knowledge through professional training, mentoring, coaching, demonstrations, workshops, presentations or supporting colleagues and trainees.

Key Responsibilities:

Working collaboratively with the Gemmology course team, you will contribute to the delivery and continued development of our BSc and MSc programmes. You will:

- Deliver engaging teaching and practical activity across gemmology and related jewellery studies.
- Demonstrate and support the use of standard and advanced gemmological equipment and techniques.
- Assess student work and provide constructive feedback.
- Support students as a Personal Tutor and throughout their academic journey.
- Help ensure our curriculum remains current, inclusive and closely connected to professional practice.
- Build and maintain relationships with employers, professional bodies, laboratories and the wider gemmological and jewellery industries.
- Contribute to scholarship, research, enterprise and knowledge-exchange activity appropriate to your experience and interests.

Essential Requirements:

- A degree or equivalent qualification in a relevant subject alongside appropriate professional gemmological qualification(s), together with strong current or recent professional experience in gemmology.
- Ability to communicate specialist technical knowledge clearly and engagingly.
- Understanding of current developments and challenges across the jewellery and gemmological industries.
- Commitment to supporting students from a wide range of backgrounds.

Desirable Requirements:

- Experience of higher education teaching is desirable but not essential.
- A teaching qualification is welcomed; if new to higher education, willingness to develop academic practice and work towards the appropriate University teaching qualification or professional recognition where required.
- Experience with advanced laboratory equipment such as FTIR, Raman and UV-Vis would be advantageous.

Why Work For Us:

- Work–life balance: Generous leave and hybrid working (role dependent).
- Career development: Opportunities to grow, develop and progress your career.
- Reward and wellbeing: Competitive pay, pension, wellbeing support and staff benefits.
- Inclusive culture: A supportive, diverse environment where everyone belongs.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route, subject to meeting the relevant criteria.

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Miranda Wells, Head of Department, at [email protected]. Interviews are envisioned to take place on 7 December 2026.