Higher education lecturer

You would use your high-level knowledge of an academic subject or profession to teach students and help them with research projects.

You’d do your own research which you’d present at conferences and publish as articles or books.

You’d teach an academic or vocational subject to students aged 18 years or older in universities and some further education colleges. You’d help them study for undergraduate degrees and postgraduate qualifications.

You would:

• Create teaching materials and prepare for sessions

• Give lectures, seminars and practical demonstrations, and lead fieldwork

• Upload materials to your university’s virtual learning environment (VLE)

• Lead and respond to discussions with students on the VLE

• Assess students’ work and progress

• Set and mark assignments, essays and exams

• Act as personal tutor to a number of students

• Supervise students’ research

• Attend and contribute to professional conferences and seminars

• Carry out administrative tasks such as student admissions

You’d also contribute to your department’s research activities – often paid for by sponsors – and publish your work in journals and books.

The time spent on teaching and research will vary with the university. In a college, it’s likely that the focus of your work will be on teaching.

Your enthusiasm for your subject will help to motivate and inspire your students. You’d need to be confident enough to lecture and present to large groups of people.

Universities are usually large organisations with a lot of staff so it would be useful to have good negotiation skills.

• Research Council UK - Careers in research

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