University of Kent > Careers > Choosing a Career >I Want to Work in ...
I want to work in ... a university
Universities are large organisations and often rank amongst an area's top employers.The University of Kent, for example, employs over 2000 staff and Canterbury Christ Church University over 1500.
Universities offer career opportunities in many different fields, which can be divided into two main categories:
Academic careers
University lectureships usually combine the direct teaching of students with the opportunity to pursue your own research interests. Many positions also involve a significant amount of administration.
Academic staff are highly qualified, and a PhD is usually required by employers. University teaching jobs may be permanent or fixed-term, and many academics start their career on contract posts. See our pages on postgraduate study www.kent.ac.uk/careers/postgradmenu.htm
Most vacancies for academic staff will be advertised in the Guardian, Times Higher Education and jobs.ac.uk
PROFILE: Lecturer in Higher Education
INVOLVES: Administration, teaching, marking, research, writing for publication, attending conferences.
EMPLOYERS: Universities & Higher Education Colleges
RELATED JOBS: lecturer in Further Education & technical colleges, teaching in secondary schools.
SATISFACTIONS: Imparting information & interest to others; following personal subject interest through research.
NEGATIVES: Work overload, the pressure to publish.
SKILLS: written & spoken communication, leading, analysing, investigating,
ADVANCEMENT: PhD - lecturer - senior lecturer etc.
DEGREE: Good Honours degree & PhD in your subject.
POSTGRADUATE STUDY: PhD required.
VACANCY SOURCES: Times Higher Education Supplement. The Guardian - Tuesdays
TIPS: Get a PhD. & develop a track record in research. Get advice from academic staff in your department. Most postdocs are likely to spend several years on temporary contracts before obtaining a permanent post. While some postgraduates will obtain a position as a lecturer in a higher education institution immediately after completing their PhD, this is increasingly rare. More typically they will start out as a Teaching Assistant/Research Assistant/Research Fellow. These will generally be temporary contracts lasting one, two or three years and may lead on to a permanent academic post, although there is no guarantee of this. Some of these posts will be abroad and the PhD market is very much an international one with postdocs. moving between countries.
See www.prospects.ac.uk/links/helecture for a detailed job description |
Academic support 
Universities are like other major businesses in needing a variety of management and support roles to keep the organisation running smoothly. These roles include:
- Administration, including student registration and admissions, central services administration, departmental co-ordination,
- Library and information staff
- Scientific support, e.g. laboratory technicians
- Human resource management, including staff development and training
- IT and systems support
- Public relations and marketing posts, promoting universities to prospective students (in the UK and overseas), alumni, businesses and the community
- Student welfare and support: careers, counselling and advice services, disability support, international student support
- Accommodation, catering and conference services
- Arts, music and events
- Financial management
- Health & safety
Vacancies in these areas may be advertised at national level in the Guardian, Times Higher Education and jobs.ac.uk but, at entry-level grades, may only be advertised in local papers or on the individual university’s website.
Also see our pages on:
Vacancies and other useful links
Last fully updated 2011
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