Lecturer in Counselling and Psychotherapy ) - Derby, DE22 1GB
About the University
We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.
The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region.
We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.
Financially strong and seriously ambitious we offer our employees an inclusive culture that centres itself around staff wellbeing, where you can be confident you will receive all the help and encouragement you need to build a rewarding career with lots of opportunities to enhance your skills.
About the College/Department
Here at the University of Derby, the College of Science and Engineering is the home STEM, the skills that are essential to the UK’s Industrial Strategy. From digitisation to decarbonisation, we have an important role to play in shaping the future. And by researching or collaborating with us, you can too.
The College brings together a powerful combination of scientific expertise, technological innovation, and creative practice. With disciplines spanning computing, AI, Data Science, engineering, environmental sciences, built environments and Psychology. We are uniquely positioned to solve real-world challenges through interdisciplinary collaboration.
Our courses are designed with employability and future industry needs in mind, supported by cutting-edge facilities, strong employer partnerships, and a commitment to sustainability. Through applied research and hands-on learning, we equip students and staff to drive progress in areas that matter most; from smart technology to clean energy, advanced manufacturing to immersive design.
School of Science
The School of Science brings together three key subject areas; Environmental Sciences, Biomedical and Forensic Science and Psychology. The School has strong links with key external agencies including the University Hospitals for Derby and Burton NHS Trust who support the Biomedical Sciences IBMS provision as well as research collaborations. The School also works with regional forensic science agencies including the police and private forensic science labs as well as numerous environmental agencies locally, nationally and internationally focusing on conservation, habitat management and environmental regeneration.
About the Role
The Psychology subject area is home to the Universitys Psychology and Counselling and Psychotherapy provision, delivered at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. As a TEF Gold institution, we are proud to contribute high quality programmes grounded in psychological and behavioural science with a significant focus on applied psychology and professional practice. We host a large accredited provision across several Professional and Statutory Regulatory Bodies (including the BABCP, BACP, NCPS, BPS, CIEHF and HCPC). We offer training in a range of therapeutic modalities across the counselling and psychotherapy courses (e.g., CBT, Integrative Counselling and Psychotherapy) and contribute to the development of the wider psychological workforce through our NHS based commissioned programmes. Programmes in psychology range from undergraduate underpinnings and initial postgraduate training for some psychological professions, to delivery that supports careers in sectors such as marketing, business, management and leadership (and many more). Our provision is underpinned by excellent student support to achieve the best possible outcomes for our students and high quality progression opportunities into a range of careers. Our delivery is further underpinned by high quality scientific research and scholarly activity, with industry informed and based research informing and leading the development of curriculum to ensure programmes are meeting the needs of employers to foster the success of our graduates from across the subject.
We are delighted to be able to advertise this fixed term position for a counsellor to deliver teaching and academic supervision on our innovative and growing undergraduate Counselling and Psychotherapy programme (Humanistic Approaches). The team are at the forefront of influencing the next generation of registered counsellors through this programme which offers graduates eligibility to register as a counsellor in category A with the BACP. The role holder will contribute to the academic leadership and delivery of our counselling modules and may contribute to the research profile of the subject area, including applied counselling research.
As we grow our counselling provision, this role will include oversight, leadership and development of our campus based modules, working with the Subject Lead, senior academics and the wider teaching team to ensure continuation of excellent student experience and outcomes. We are passionate about inspiring and empowering our graduates in their future careers in counselling (or other destinations), within practice, academia or other progression routes. The role will include leading and supporting our marketing events (e.g., open days) which occasionally take place into evenings and at weekends.
The Psychology subject area has an active research agenda, and the role holder will be expected to engage with and support financially sustainable research and/or other appropriate academic activity. Our provision spans campus and online delivery there will be opportunity for working from home as agreed with the Subject Lead. We do support hybrid working as business needs permit. There is currently no requirement for line management in this role.
This role is a full-time position of 37 hours a week, however we will consider requests for fractional posts (minimum 0.4FTE) as this may be attractive to candidates who wish to continue practice based work and develop their academic practice alongside this.
This position is offered on a fixed-term basis to cover a period of maternity leave, with the contract due to end in April 2027. There may be the potential for the contract to be extended beyond this date, however this cannot be guaranteed.
About You
We are seeking an accredited member of BACP or NCPS (or working towards) and is practising or integrating humanistic/person centred counselling into their practice to join our Counselling and Psychotherapy team. We would welcome applications from candidates with experience of teaching / training and leadership, and experience of relevant transferable skills in these areas from beyond higher education. You should also have experience of undertaking research, and be passionate about supporting the development and growth of evidence in your field. Excellence in communication, team and collaborative working are essential, both internally and externally.
Benefits
* Generous annual leave entitlement of 47 days inclusive of bank holidays and concessionary days (pro rata)
* Teacher’s Pension Scheme
* Suite of holistic wellbeing benefits and support including family-friendly policies, generous sick pay provision and comprehensive Employee Assistance Programme
* Access to a variety of staff discounts at high street retailers
* Discounted onsite gym
* Cycle to Work scheme
* A flexible working environment
* A commitment to personal and professional development
Key Contact
For further information and informal enquiries regarding the role, please contact Dr Amy Baraniak, Subject Lead for Psychology via
For enquiries regarding your application and for sponsorship eligibility, please contact the recruitment team via
Important Information
This role may be eligible for sponsorship by the University.
The offered salary for this role is less than the going rate for the occupation and the minimum salary threshold for the Skilled Worker route (£41,700 per annum, as of 22nd July 2025). Therefore you will only be eligible to apply for a Skilled Worker visa subject to your individual circumstances which must meet one of the following criteria set out by UKVI :
* Your job is on the Immigration Skills List
* You’re under 26, studying or a recent graduate, or in professional training
* You have a PhD level qualification that’s relevant to your job
* You have a postdoctoral position in science or higher education
You must also meet the English Language requirement .
Please note that the University will assess your individual eligibility for sponsorship at the shortlisting stage.
For more information, visit our website .
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Please find our Safeguarding pages including our Safeguarding Policy here .
Closing Date: 12 Apr 2026
Area: Teaching and Research
Salary: £38,784 to £46,049 per annum