Assistant Lecturer in Gemmology

Leadership and Collaboration

• Contribute to module delivery as appropriate and participate in the continued development of the programmes.
• Work collaboratively with academic colleagues, technical staff and professional services teams to provide an excellent student experience.
• Contribute constructively to course and School meetings, curriculum development and the continuous enhancement of learning and teaching.
• Share specialist professional and technical knowledge with colleagues and contribute positively to the wider academic community.

Student Support

• Act as a Personal Tutor, providing academic guidance and appropriate pastoral support to students.
• Support students throughout their learning journey and signpost them to specialist University services where required.
• Monitor and support student engagement and progress in collaboration with the course team.
• Foster an inclusive, respectful and supportive learning environment that recognises the strengths and needs of a diverse student body.

External Engagement

• Maintain and develop links with the local, national and international jewellery and gemmological industries to ensure teaching remains current and relevant.
• Develop relationships with employers, professional bodies, laboratories and other external organisations that can enhance student learning, employability and professional opportunities.
• Contribute to student recruitment, open days, outreach activity and wider School and University engagement.
• Support industry-facing and collaborative activities where appropriate, including guest engagement, live briefs, professional events and knowledge exchange.

Academic Administration

• Undertake appropriate academic administration associated with module and course delivery, including assessment, admissions activity, student records and monitoring engagement.
• Contribute to quality assurance, course review and programme enhancement activities.
• Work in accordance with University policies and procedures relating to Health and Safety, Wellbeing, Environment and Safeguarding.
• Uphold BCU Values and contribute positively to an inclusive and professional academic community.

Essential

Skills and Experience

• A degree (or equivalent qualification) in a relevant subject area, together with appropriate professional gemmological qualification(s).
• Strong current or recent professional experience in gemmology, supported by a portfolio of relevant industry practice.
• The ability to communicate and demonstrate specialist technical knowledge clearly and engagingly to others. Experience gained through professional training, mentoring, coaching, demonstrations, workshops or education is relevant.
• A strong understanding of the requirements and current practice of the jewellery and gemmological industries locally, nationally and globally.
• An understanding of the environmental, sustainability, geopolitical and economic issues affecting the industry and the approaches being taken to address them.
• Excellent written, verbal, interpersonal, demonstration and presentation skills.
• The ability to support, encourage and work effectively with students from a wide range of backgrounds and to apply equality, diversity and inclusion good practice.
• Strong organisational and planning skills, with the ability to work effectively both independently and as part of a collaborative team.
• Appropriate IT and digital skills, including confidence using Microsoft Office and relevant specialist or teaching technologies.
• A teaching qualification, or willingness to work towards the University's appropriate academic practice qualification where required.

Desirable

• Experience of teaching, training, assessment or learner support in Higher Education, Further Education, professional education or an industry setting.
• A PgCert in Higher Education, recognition through the UK Professional Standards Framework / Advance HE, or an equivalent teaching qualification.
• Experience of curriculum or training-material development, assessment design or quality enhancement.
• Evidence of scholarship, research, knowledge exchange, consultancy, enterprise or professional practice that could contribute to the academic environment.
• Established industry and professional networks relevant to gemmology, gemstones, jewellery, laboratories or associated sectors.
• The ability to use advanced laboratory equipment such as FTIR, Raman and UV-Vis, and to interpret and explain results accurately.

About You

You are a knowledgeable and credible gemmological practitioner with strong technical expertise, current awareness of the sector and a genuine enthusiasm for sharing your knowledge with others. You may be working in a gemmological laboratory, jewellery business, auction house, testing or certification environment, education or training, or another relevant part of the industry.

You do not need to be an established university lecturer to apply. We particularly welcome applications from experienced gemmologists and jewellery professionals who are considering a move into higher education. You may already have developed teaching skills through training colleagues, mentoring junior staff, delivering professional courses or workshops, demonstrating technical processes, presenting to clients or industry audiences, or supporting apprentices and trainees. What matters is that you can explain complex ideas clearly, engage people in learning and bring contemporary professional practice into the classroom and laboratory.

You will be collaborative, organised and student-focused, with the confidence to contribute your specialist expertise while continuing to develop as an educator. You will value inclusive practice and be committed to helping students develop the technical knowledge, professional judgement and confidence they need for careers in gemmology and the wider jewellery sector.

If you are currently working in industry and are considering the next step in your career, we would be pleased to hear from you. Where you are new to higher education teaching, you will be expected to develop your academic practice and work towards the appropriate teaching qualification or professional recognition where required.

Further Information

For an informal discussion about the role, please contact Miranda Wells, Head of Department at Miranda.wells@bcu.ac.uk

The two vacancies are permanent appointments: one full-time post (1.0 FTE) and one part-time post (0.6 FTE). Applicants may indicate in their application whether they wish to be considered for the full-time post, the part-time post, or both.

Why work for us

• Work-life balance - generous annual leave and hybrid working where appropriate to the duties of the role.
• Career development - opportunities to develop your teaching, scholarship, professional practice and wider academic career.
• Reward and wellbeing - competitive pay, pension provision, wellbeing support and a range of staff benefits.
• Inclusive culture - a diverse and supportive community committed to creating an environment in which colleagues and students can thrive.
• Specialist environment - access to the facilities, technical expertise and professional networks of the School of Jewellery and the wider University.

Further Details

Job Description - Assistant Lecturer
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