Lecturer in Art

Part time: 17.5 hours per week

Fixed term: 24 months

This role may be eligible at this time for visa sponsorship under the Skilled Worker visa route. If requiring visa sponsorship, it is the successful candidate's responsibility to ensure they meet the individual criteria to satisfy Home Office visa sponsorship requirements. If the role is offered on a part-time basis, this might also affect eligibility. More information on eligibility can be found on the Government website.

Please note that the information provided in this advert is correct at the time of writing. The University cannot guarantee sponsorship, and we encourage you to keep up to date with any changes that the Home Office may introduce.

THE POST – Lecturer in Art

We are seeking an experienced individual with a track record of professional practice and teaching within Higher Education in the field of contemporary illustration, painting and drawing practice, with established expertise in the creative processes involved in producing artworks for different platforms and audiences.

The post offers an excellent opportunity for an individual to contribute to a rich interdisciplinary academic environment that recognises quality in education, research/creative practice, and international engagement. They will be engaged in developing research-informed curriculum design, learning, teaching, and assessment. They will be knowledgeable in and able to evidence positive practice around contemporary pedagogies, particularly in relation to co-creation, active learning, and online/digital learning environments.

Candidates should have a strong practitioner profile in illustration, painting and drawing, and professional creative processes, encompassing narrative, expressive, and editorial illustration across a range of applicable contexts. The postholder will have a professional profile within painting, drawing, illustration with technical knowledge and skills in related platforms, including but not limited to Adobe Photoshop, Illustrator and InDesign. In addition, the post requires the successful candidate to demonstrate inclusive and innovative approaches to teaching the subject that address its contemporary and complex needs while aligning with UK higher education frameworks.

Creative Arts, Business & Social Sciences is a multi-discipline Faculty, and the successful candidate will have the opportunity to engage in cross/interdisciplinary working and collaborative programme design across our undergraduate portfolio (including Art, Music, Filmmaking & Screenwriting, and Drama). Our faculty is focused on passion for creative practice, positive student success (retention, progression and completion), excellent student experience rooted in industry expectations, and strong graduate destinations. The successful candidate will bring their industry and teaching experience to bear in supporting students to achieve the highest professional standards in all areas of responsibility.

Candidates for the role of Lecturer in Art will be able to evidence working practices that exemplify the UWS Values of integrity, respect, inclusivity and accountability.

The successful candidate should have the following:

• Candidates should have an Honours degree and postgraduate qualification in Illustration or a relevant discipline (or significant equivalent industry experience in illustration or related creative practice)
• Candidates must be able to demonstrate that they have a strong network of professional contacts within the illustration and wider creative industries in Scotland and the UK.
• Evidence of extensive experience in professional illustration practice, including traditional and digital illustration and related creative processes
• Evidence of experience of teaching and research in a higher education institution or external training body at a level commensurate with career stage
• Evidence of experience of working as a practitioner in an appropriate illustration or creative industry context
• Evidence of experience in module/programme administration
• Evidence of research and/or professional track record (including creative practice) commensurate with career stage

About us

University of the West of Scotland is a placemaking institution that is proud to be an integral part of its local communities, with a national and international reach: the University has four campuses in Scotland in Ayr, Dumfries, Lanarkshire and Paisley, as well as a campus in London Docklands. UWS has almost 100 international partnerships and its student community comprises more than 100 nationalities.

UWS is committed to providing education opportunities for all, empowering individuals to reach their full potential. The University creates meaningful impact locally, nationally and globally through innovative learning and teaching, pioneering research, and transformative partnerships. UWS is committed to the UNSDGs and was ranked joint 1st in Scotland and joint 4th in the UK for quality education (SDG4); and 1st in the UK and 39th globally for our contribution to decent work and economic growth (SDG8) in the Times Higher Education Sustainability Impact Ratings 2026.

90% of UWS research was classed as world-leading, internationally excellent, or recognised internationally in the REF (Research Excellence Framework) 2021.

The Faculty of Creative Arts, Business & Social Sciences at UWS is a vibrant and collaborative community, delivering innovative learning and teaching alongside a rapidly growing research and enterprise profile. Bringing together expertise across the creative arts, business and the social sciences, the Faculty is committed to producing world-class research and education that addresses contemporary challenges and promotes social justice locally, nationally and internationally.

You will join a supportive, multidisciplinary and multicultural community of scholars and students, where you will play a key role in inspiring the next generation of graduates and contributing to impactful research and knowledge exchange. Our students benefit from strong industry and community partnerships, research-informed teaching, and opportunities to engage with organisations across the public, private and third sectors, both in the west of Scotland and through our global network of partners.

We offer our staff a caring and supportive environment, across five campuses, and a competitive benefits package which includes:

• 35 days of annual leave, plus a further 12 days for public/university holidays
• An additional days leave on your birthday
• Defined benefit contribution pension scheme (including death in service benefits upon joining the scheme
• A flexible approach to working pattern and work-life balance
• Employee discount scheme across 3,500 retailers
• Fitness facilities across our campuses
• Access to a range of health and wellbeing resources, including occupational health, physiotherapy and access to our Employee Assistance Programme
• Professional, career and research development opportunities.

Interview date: Friday 30th October

Please note that the appointment will be made on the first point of the salary scale (unless by exception, where evidence would need to be provided)

The University reserves the right to shorten/extend the closing date of any position where a high/low volume of suitable applications are received. Therefore, if you are interested in this role, an early application would be encouraged.

You can find out more about how the University uses your personal data as part of the recruitment process by looking at the UWS HR Applicant Privacy Notice at www.uws.ac.uk

UWS are committed signatories to the Armed Forces Covenant.

UWS is committed to equality and diversity and welcomes applications from underrepresented groups.

UWS is a "Disability Confident" employer.

University of the West of Scotland is a registered Scottish charity, no. SC002520.

Advert Details

• Location: Ayr
• Salary: £50,253 to £56,535 per annum (pro-rata) (AC3)
• Hours: Part Time
• Contract Type: Fixed-Term/Contract
• Placed On: 24th September 2026
• Closes: 11th October 2026
• Job Ref: REQ000631