Lecturer, History of Art, Materials and Technology(UK Visa Sponsorship)

Job Description

About UCL

University College London (UCL) is a world-leading research university, internationally recognised for academic excellence, innovation, and public engagement. As London’s Global University, UCL brings together diverse disciplines to address cultural, social, and technological challenges through education and research.

UCL operates within the UK’s national higher-education and research framework, overseen by bodies such as the Office for Students

About UCL History of Art

UCL History of Art is a highly respected department with a strong international profile. Located within the Faculty of Social & Historical Sciences, the department is known for its broad geographical reach, methodological diversity, and distinctive strengths in image cultures, materiality, and visual technologies.

The department’s research was ranked 1st in London for Art and Design: History, Practice and Theory in REF 2021 (overall GPA), reflecting sustained excellence across scholarship and impact (REF information via UK government)

UCL History of Art supports a vibrant postgraduate research community, with typically 30–40 doctoral researchers at any one time, alongside a thriving MA History of Art programme. Teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate provision across Bloomsbury and UCL East at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park.

Materials, Technology and Practice

A distinctive feature of the department is its History of Art, Materials and Technology (MAT) pathway, which allows students to explore art history through hands-on, object-based and lab-oriented study. The MAT route integrates technical analysis, material experimentation, historical inquiry, and ethical reflection.

• Central to this work is the Material Studies Laboratory in Bloomsbury, comprising:
• A teaching and handling laboratory using artefacts from the departmental teaching collection and the Cabinet of Obsolete Technologies
• A laboratory dedicated to instrumental analysis of heritage materials

Facilities are complemented by resources at UCL East and by close connections with neighbouring institutes, including the Institute of Archaeology, Institute of Making, UCL Art Collections, and the Slade School of Fine Art. This work aligns closely with national interests in heritage science and conservation

The Role

UCL History of Art is seeking to appoint a Lecturer (Grade 8) in History of Art, Materials and Technology. This is a permanent, full-time academic role for an individual whose research and teaching sit at the intersection of art history, material culture, conservation, heritage science, or related fields.

You will join a collegial, research-active department with strong connections to London’s museums, galleries, and heritage organisations, and to a university with significant collections of its own.

Alongside teaching and research, the role includes responsibility for contributing to — and potentially overseeing — the operation of the Material Studies Laboratory, supporting both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

Key Responsibilities

In this role, you will:

• Deliver undergraduate and postgraduate teaching across History of Art and the MAT pathway
• Contribute to the design, delivery, and development of lab-based and object-focused teaching
• Support and help manage the Material Studies Laboratory and its teaching activities
• Supervise undergraduate and postgraduate research students
• Contribute to departmental administration and academic citizenship
• Maintain an active and internationally visible research profile
• Seek external research funding from appropriate bodies

UK public funding for arts, humanities and heritage research operates through frameworks such as UK Research and Innovation (UKRI)

• Teaching Contribution
• Current MAT modules include (among others):
• The Social Lives of Artworks
• Introduction to Art and Science
• Introduction to Media and Technologies
• History and Theory of Conservation
• Methodologies of Making
• Scientific Analysis of Artists’ Materials
• Art / Work / Space (work placement module)

The successful candidate will contribute to a selection of these modules and will be encouraged to develop new undergraduate and postgraduate options aligned with their expertise.

About You

We welcome applications from candidates with a PhD in a relevant area, including (but not limited to):

• Art history
• Conservation and heritage studies
• Visual and material culture
• Material science or technical art history
• Related interdisciplinary fields

You will demonstrate:

• A strong research track record appropriate to career stage
• Experience or clear interest in lab-based, workshop-oriented, or object-focused teaching
• Willingness to engage across disciplines and methodological traditions
• The ability to connect specialist expertise to broader debates in art history and visual culture
• Experience in museum collections, curatorial work, conservation practice, or studio-based contexts will be viewed positively.

Working at UCL

This role is offered on UCL Terms and Conditions of Service for Academic Staff and is eligible for hybrid working, combining on-campus presence with flexibility.

The post meets the requirements for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship, and UCL welcomes applications from international candidates

Pay and Benefits

UCL offers an excellent employment package, including:

• 41 days’ leave (27 annual leave, 8 bank holidays, 6 closure days)
• Defined benefit CARE pension scheme
• Cycle to Work scheme and season ticket loan
• On-site nursery and gym
• Enhanced maternity, paternity, and adoption pay
• Staff Support Service (Employee Assistance Programme)
• Discounted private medical insurance
• Full details are available via UCL Rewards and Benefits.

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion

UCL is committed to equality of opportunity and to building an inclusive academic community where everyone can thrive. We particularly encourage applications from individuals who are underrepresented in higher education, including candidates from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled applicants, LGBTQI+ applicants, and women (particularly at senior grades).

UCL History of Art holds an Athena SWAN Bronze Award, recognising its commitment to advancing gender equality. National guidance on equality legislation

How to Apply

Please submit:

• An academic CV
• A covering letter addressed to the Search Committee, clearly demonstrating how you meet the person specification