Research Fellow(UK visa sponsorship available)

Job Description

About Us

University College London, UCL, stands out as one of the top multidisciplinary universities around the world. It hosts over 16,000 staff members and 50,000 students from more than 150 countries. The teaching and research cover a wide array of disciplines. Those include Arts and Humanities, Built Environment, Brain Sciences, Engineering Sciences, Education, Laws, Life Sciences, Mathematical and Physical Sciences, Medical Sciences, Population Health Sciences, and Social and Historical Sciences.

UCL Engineering

The Faculty of Engineering Sciences at UCL brings together ten academic departments. They handle world-class research and teaching in all sorts of engineering fields. Our scientists and engineers team up to turn discoveries into actual real-world effects. They come up with fresh solutions for big global problems. The whole faculty feels dynamic and collaborative. They are all in on using their know-how to make a difference in the world.

Centre for Engineering Education, CEE

The Centre for Engineering Education, or CEE, works as a partnership between UCL Engineering and the UCL Institute of Education. It focuses on pushing engineering education forward on a global scale. They do this through solid research based on evidence, new ideas for curriculums, and team-based consultancy projects. The CEE sits right where research meets practice. It aims to boost how students learn and how professionals grow in engineering.

About the Role

This job is a fixed-term spot lasting 12 months. It kicks off on 1 February 2026.

The role gives a real chance to dive into research that links engineering, education, and social sciences. It zeros in on how engineering students build skills to tackle tough real-world issues. Those issues mix technical stuff with social sides.

The Research Fellow will take the lead on empirical studies. They will look at how students in the Integrated Engineering Programme, IEP, and or the Engineering Foundation Year, EFY, go about open-ended sociotechnical problems. That means approaching them, framing them, and solving them.

The right person will team up with academic staff from the IEP and EFY. They will help improve these programs using insights from research. This is mainly a research job. Still, it could influence the future of engineering education at UCL and even further out.

About You

The person we hire will show a few key things.

They need a doctoral qualification, or be close to finishing one, in something relevant. Fields like Engineering Education, Education, Social Sciences, Science and Technology Studies, STS, Philosophy, Humanities, or Engineering work.

They should have a solid grasp of research in the area. That covers designing empirical studies, gathering data, and digging into scholarly work critically.

They must be able to plan out, carry through, and wrap up original research that really adds to the field. It has to be rigorous.

Plus, they need a real commitment to equality, diversity, and inclusion. That applies to both research and how academics work day to day.

When applying, include a supporting statement. It has to spell out how you match the essential criteria from the job description. We will not look at applications missing that statement.

Hold off on attaching academic certificates or research papers right now. We might ask for them later if you make the shortlist.

This position qualifies for a Skilled Worker Visa or Global Talent Visa under UK Visas and Immigration rules. UCL is open to applications from folks overseas who need a visa.

You can learn more on the UK Visas and Immigration website..

What We Offer

UCL puts together a strong benefits package. It includes a few standout items.

You get 41 days of annual leave. That breaks down to 27 days of regular leave, 8 bank holidays, and 6 closure days.

There is an option to buy up to 5 extra annual leave days.

The pension is a defined benefit CARE scheme.

They offer a Cycle to Work scheme and a Season Ticket Loan.

For eligible roles, there is immigration loan and relocation help.

On-site, you have access to nursery and gym facilities.

Maternity, paternity, and adoption pay come enhanced.

The Employee Assistance Programme provides staff support.

Discounted private medical insurance is available too.

For full details, head to UCL Rewards and Benefits.

Our Commitment to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCL calls itself Londons Global University. It takes pride in its diverse community. The belief is that inclusion sparks creativity, innovation, and excellence. We work hard to be fair and inclusive. Everyone should feel like they belong.

We especially push for applications from groups not well represented in UCLs workforce. That includes Black, Asian, and minority ethnic candidates. Disabled candidates too. LGBTQI+ individuals. And women, especially at Grades 9 and 10.

UCL pushes an inclusive culture that helps all staff and students thrive. They can reach their potential that way.