"Associate Professor of Careers and Employability Education"

University of Derby

Placed On: 6th January 2026

Closes: 1st February 2026

Job Ref: 0247-25

Location: Kedleston Road, Derby

About the College/Department

The International Centre for Guidance Studies (iCeGS), established in 1998, is a leading international research centre focused on research on careers, careers education and guidance, employability and transitions. It works closely with key stakeholders to deliver research, consultancy and teaching that can influence careers policy and contribute to excellent, evidence-based practice. The Centre has a lifelong focus and addresses careers and employability learning from early years to older workers. iCeGS’ core focus areas include career education and guidance in schools; employability in higher education; and adult careers and employment services. Our work is informed by social justice and the desire to deliver high quality research and innovative new thinking that shapes policy and practice and contributes to enhanced opportunities for learners across the world.

About the Role

We are looking to recruit an experienced academic with considerable expertise and standing as a researcher and a significant international track record in the field. You will have a strong national reputation and be in the process of building an international reputation for your academic work.

You will drive forwards the field of careers and employability education through high quality research, knowledge transfer and teaching. You'll also contribute to the research strategy of the Institute of Education and Skills through academic leadership and appropriate research activity and lead research applications and income generation. You will also be publishing high quality (3* or above) research regularly and will be able to contribute to the Research Excellence Framework (REF) both through your own work and the mentoring of other staff.

You will conduct world-leading, internationally excellent and impactful research, win and manage major external grants/projects and support postdoctoral and doctoral researchers.

We are currently developing our growing research culture after receiving an excellent REF result in 2021 and the post holder will play a key role in developing and growing the excellence of the research and impact in the centre and the wider Institute of Education and Skills, to support our ambitions for REF 2029.

Advert Closes: Sunday 01 February 2026

Interview date: 16th February 2026

About You

We are looking for an outstanding, strategic, collaborative and collegiate Associate Professor to join us and contribute to the growth of the International Centre for Guidance Studies and the Institute of Education and Skills.

You will be expected to have an excellent track record in publishing, including world-leading and internationally excellent outputs for the Research Excellence Framework (REF); to have an outstanding international reputation and networks in your field; to have some leadership and management experience and to have experience of attracting research funding and leading research projects with real world impact.