Following consultation with colleagues, recognised Trade Unions and other stakeholders, the university has agreed on a revised approach to job titles within the Teaching and Research job families.

The review forms part of wider work to ensure our career frameworks support colleagues effectively, reflect the nature of their roles, and provide clarity and consistency across the university.

information

Changes to Teaching titles

A number of revised titles will be introduced for the Teaching job family. These changes are designed to:

  • better reflect the academic nature of teaching-focused careers
  • provide greater clarity and consistency in career pathways
  • strengthen external recognition of teaching-focused roles
  • align more closely with practice across the higher education sector

The revised titles will be implemented from February 2027 and will apply to future appointments and promotions. Current colleagues in the Teaching job family can choose to adopt the new title associated with their role or retain their existing title. No colleague will be required to change their title.

Teaching title mapping

Current title

New title

Assistant Teaching Fellow

No further appointments

Teaching Fellow

Associate Lecturer (Teaching)

Senior Teaching Fellow

Lecturer (Teaching)

Principal Teaching Fellow

Senior Lecturer (Teaching)

Principal Lecturer

Associate Professor of Teaching in [Discipline]

Professor of Teaching in [Discipline]

No change
Research titles

We have decided not to proceed with changes to titles within the Research job family at this time.

During consultation, colleagues and Trade Union representatives expressed a range of views and highlighted the importance of professional identity, career recognition and the external visibility associated with existing research titles. Having carefully considered this feedback, the university has decided to retain the current research title framework.

Continuing work to support research careers

Although research titles will remain unchanged, work continues to strengthen the wider support available to research staff. This includes:

  • developing and finalising role profiles
  • reviewing progression and promotion arrangements
  • supporting clearer career development pathways
  • establishing a Specialist job family for roles that are not well served by existing career structures
What happens next?

We will continue to work on implementation arrangements for the Teaching title changes and will provide further guidance in due course.