Lecturer (User Experience) - (9133)

The School of Digital Arts is a purpose built, interdisciplinary school at one of the UK's leading universities. Offering industry and research informed courses and specialist spaces with the latest technologies, SODA is a £35M investment into the workspaces, networks, teaching, and research that will drive the next generation of creative content. Our students study disciplines that span film, animation, UX, photography, games design, games art, music and sound design and more, often working on live projects with industry partners and frequently collaborating with fellow students and researchers. They choose from a flexible mix of courses: foundation year, undergraduate, postgraduate and research degrees that run alongside degree apprenticeships, summer schools and short courses.

SODA builds on the award-winning strengths of the Manchester School of Art, and brings together creative and craft disciplines, technical and scientific skills, industry partnerships and global research to teach the next generation of talent. Rated second in the UK for its research power, in art and design and with a history of generating ideas and innovation that stretches back 180 years, Manchester School of Art has pioneered the interdisciplinary approach that guides how we teach and work at SODA.

Opened in September 2021, SODA works closely with a diverse range of cultural and industry partners and is ideally placed in a global city that has transformed to be a leading powerhouse of the UK's digital creative industries. Industry connectivity and inclusion within the School is critical. 

Role Overview:

We are looking to appoint a Lecturer in UX.  The ideal candidate should have experience of a creative approach to designing and delivering HE curricula including professional apprenticeships taught in both subject-specific and interdisciplinary contexts with knowledge and experience of professional apprenticeships an advantage. We are seeking someone with a core focus on UX with a general knowledge of related coding (CSS, databases, 'vibe-coding') and relevant software (e.g., Figma), who can support students in developing and optimising user experience in relation to using digital products, services and experiences, while also demonstrating understanding of current issues in relation to accessibility, acceptability, trust and data management, and responsible and ethical approaches to the design and deployment of digital technologies.

The applicant should have demonstrable skills and experience in UX acquired in a professional or HE context. We are especially keen to recruit someone with experience of data driven, personalised and/or automated UX. Other areas of interest include design and evaluation of UX 'beyond the screen' i.e., in immersive and embodied experiences and modes of interaction enabled through IoT/wearables/VR/XR/AR; coding and near future UX.

The applicant should have an in-depth understanding of current industry trends within this field and be able to deliver education that is grounded in the present but offer space to explore the future - leading students to investigate what it means to be a creative media practitioner at the convergence of technology, innovation and human interaction.  The Education, Practice & Pedagogy (EPC) pathway offers the opportunity to develop and expand your educational practice alongside colleagues with outstanding expertise across a range of digital arts disciplines, within a supportive environment that encourages development.

To Apply:

• Please submit a CV and covering letter outlining, in particular, how your profile, experience and ambition make you the ideal candidate for the role.
• For full details of the role and responsibilities, refer to the job description and person specification provided.

For informal enquiries, please contact Christine Charnock, Programme Leader for BSc (Hons) User Experience Design, c.charnock@mmu.ac.uk

Manchester Metropolitan University fosters an inclusive culture of belonging that promotes equity and celebrates diversity. We value a diverse workforce for the innovation and diversity of thought it brings and welcome applications from all local and international communities, including Black, Asian, and Minority Ethnic backgrounds, disabled people, and LGBTQ+ individuals.      

We support a range of flexible working arrangements, including hybrid and tailored schedules, which can be discussed with your line manager. If you require reasonable adjustments during the recruitment process or in your role, please let us know so we can provide appropriate support.      

Our commitment to inclusivity includes mentoring programmes, accessibility resources, and professional development opportunities to empower and support underrepresented groups.      

Manchester Met is a Disability Confident Leader and, under this scheme, aims to offer an interview to disabled people who apply for the role and meet the essential criteria as listed in the attached Job Description for that vacancy.