Our Mission

Peoples Future Ltd (a sister company of Coventry University) provides a sector leading, dedicated inclusive service to Coventry University Group students supporting their successful global education experience and graduate employment outcomes. Tailoring our service to each students’ individual needs and career aspirations, we are an integral part of the student journey that starts at enrolment and continues beyond graduation.

The College of Arts & Society is a vibrant community of scholars, researchers, and practitioners with profile across the globe and a heritage of quality built up over 180 years.  Located in the new state-of-the-art Delia Derbyshire Building, we work in a dynamic environment which embraces innovation in teaching, research and professional practice and offers exciting undergraduate and postgraduate courses.  

One of two schools in the College, the School of Arts and Creative Industries, is home to subject disciplines including Film Production, Media Production, Popular Music, Music and Audio Production, Acting for Stage and Screen Animation, Architecture, Automotive & Transport Design, Design Management, Fashion, Fine Art, Games, Graphic Design, Illustration, Interior Architecture and Design, and Product Design.

The Role

We are seeking to appoint an ambitious and inspiring Assistant Professor (Teaching) in Product Design to join our thriving Design team. With a strong reputation for creative and industry-focused design education, our programmes combine rigorous academic study with practice-based learning, preparing graduates for diverse careers in design and design-related creative industries.

This role is central to teaching industry practices, imparting key design techniques and skills. You will be proactive in the use of both traditional and digital tools, reinforcing foundational drawing skills and exploring the potential offered by creative technologies, with opportunities to deliver transferrable skills and knowledge in our Automotive and Transport Design and Graphic Design provision.

You must be confident to engage with physical and online teaching methods, practices, tools, and an integrated and at times cross-disciplinary approach to studio teaching and learning. The achievement and satisfaction of our students is our top priority; candidates must be qualified (or be willing to become qualified) to teach and assess at undergraduate and postgraduate level. 

Main duties and responsibilities include:

• human centred design, inclusive design and/or sustainable design

• design theory and research methods including market trends and analysis

• creative industries and professional sectors for design/industrial design

• drawing and sketching (analogue and digital)

• 3D modelling and prototyping (analogue and digital)

• Creative technologies including collaborative design tools, HMI/UX/UI, and/or#

• Visualisation

• Industry standard design tools including CAD packages and visualisation software

You will motivate and support students to develop inclusive, innovative, and globally relevant portfolios of work. Collaboration will be key, both within the Performance and Production cluster and across interdisciplinary projects in the School.

Candidates must demonstrate up-to-date knowledge of contemporary product design practices and research, together with the ability to engage students through imaginative and experimental approaches. You will also contribute to raising the profile of the School through outreach, industry engagement, and promotional activity.

With the energy and drive to develop further the profile of this area for the School, you will bring critical thinking and an enthusiasm for imparting skills and knowledge, as well as a strong grasp of the external environment and industry. A professional interest and experience in working with emerging technologies, such as AI and AR, is desirable.

Qualifications Required

• A Masters degree in an appropriate subject OR (if from a professional practice background) a good Honors Degree and an appropriate professional qualification and/or membership

• A teaching qualification or acceptance of the requirement to acquire one if not already held

• A PhD and/or active membership of an appropriate professional body would be advantageous

Our Successful Candidate

Applicants should be qualified to at least Masters level (or of equivalent professional status). You will have a proven track record of leading and delivering a first-class student experience within Higher Education. Experience of education innovation would be advantageous.

Our successful candidate will be a dynamic practitioner able to demonstrate a high level of digital fluency, keen to continue/build an academic profile in creative arts education and with specific experience in the field of Product Design. Appropriate duties will be assigned according to academic / professional history, knowledge and skills. Those without a teaching qualification will be required to undertake Coventry University’s PGCHE or secure a HEA fellowship.

Innovation and collaboration are key to our success, therefore the ability to generate and follow through innovative ideas, work both independently and part of a wider team with the willingness to engage in flexible ways of working are key skills required for this role.

Within the context of our work as a global education provider, you will bring a high level of cultural awareness with experience of learners’ cultural differences and expectations. Conscientiousness and agility in your teaching style is essential, with the ability to effectively communicate with a wide range of people from diverse backgrounds.

The Benefits

Along with a competitive salary we offer an industry leading Rewards and Benefits package which includes:

• Excellent Employers Pension Contribution
• 30 days Annual leave plus Bank Holidays
• New Holiday Purchase Scheme up to 5 additional days
• Life Assurance 4x Salary
• BUPA Cash Plan
• 50% off Tuition Fees for staff dependants
• CU Reward Scheme – Discounts across a range of High Street/ Online Retailers
• Cycle To Work scheme

Our Culture

As a global Education Group, equality, diversity, and inclusion are embedded within the fabric of our organisation and are a key focus of our core values. We harness the power and potential of the diverse cultures, backgrounds, abilities, and experiences of our students, colleagues, and partners to create opportunities for all.

Full Job Description and Person Specification

Click here to view the full job description and person specification