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Lecturer in Costume Construction and Making (2061)

Lecturer in Costume Construction and Making (2061)

Lecturer in Costume Construction and Making

Full Time - Permanent - High Wycombe

Salary - £38,784 - £43,482 per annum

 

 

Buckinghamshire New University is an ambitious, modern university that is always open to fresh ideas and thinking. We believe in the transformative power of education, and in doing the right thing by our students, people and local community. That’s why our BNU community is a special place to work and study, and where people who want to make a difference can contribute and succeed. 

 

 

Our University’s DRIVE values and are at the heart of all that we do.  We are united in being dynamic, responsible, inclusive, visionary and empowering to ensure that we provide the best experience to our learners and offer excellent service to our partners and to each other as colleagues. Our commitment to these values is unwavering and they are central to our mission.

 

 

This exciting role within the College of Creative Arts, Technology and Engineering is for a Lecturer Costume Construction and Making to teach on our BA (Hons) Costume Design and Making programme

 

This role requires versatile making skills across a range of materials and processes. We welcome applicants from diverse backgrounds and encourage you to apply even if you don’t meet every criterion. We are particularly looking for talented individuals with specialist knowledge and professional expertise in film and television costume making, including:

 

  • 2D and 3D costume garment development, characterisation, design concept development, and sketchbook-led processes.

  • Expertise in teaching pattern cutting, costume & garment construction and textiles techniques.

  • Expertise in costume construction using conventional and unconventional techniques, with expertise in technical fabrics, accurate tailoring, leatherwork, structural boning, and historical and contemporary construction methods.

  • Expertise in teaching pattern cutting, costume and garment construction, and textiles techniques across historical, contemporary, and performance contexts.

  • In-depth knowledge of a diverse range of construction techniques, including period and contemporary costume practices.

 

What we offer: 

  • a generous holiday entitlement (35 days per annum, plus bank holidays & closure days)  

  • Hybrid working (dependent on business needs)

  • training & development support opportunities  

  • contributory pension scheme 

  • discounted gym membership for our on-site gym  

  • a range of staff discounts with major retailers. 

 

Please click here to see our wide range of benefits available for employees.
Please click here for our behavioural based interview question bank.
Please click here to view our employee handbook.

 

 

If you have the qualities and attributes representative of the University’s values and ambition, we would be delighted to hear from you.

 

For further information about this role please contact Anca Albani on Anca.Albani@bnu.ac.uk  

 

All applications are to be made in full and online. Along with your CV, please also provide a portfolio demonstrating relevant work (digital, or online)

 

 

BNU is proud to have a diverse community and a strong track record of diversity, equity and inclusion.  We are committed to promoting an inclusive and diverse workplace and aim to continue building an environment where everyone thrives and can be themselves. We therefore particularly encourage applications from candidates who are likely to be underrepresented in BNU’s workforce. These include people from global majority backgrounds, people with disabilities, and LGBTQI+ people, particularly in more senior roles.

 

Please let us know if you require any adjustments or support during the recruitment process.   We are happy to discuss any reasonable adjustments that would enable you to perform to the best of your abilities in your role. Please reach out to people@bnu.ac.uk  if you have any specific needs or if you would like more information on how we can support you.

 

We ensure that our interview/shortlisting Chairs complete the relevant e-learning and/or inclusive recruitment training.

 

If you’re considering using AI to support your application, we encourage you to question the value it adds. The use of AI tools sometimes erodes authenticity and prevents us from being able to assess the real you. We strongly recommend you prepare your application using your own skills and knowledge and that AI is only used for the purpose of review.

 

 

Closing Date: Wednesday 8 July 2026

Interview Date: Monday 20th July 2026

 

 

If you are invited to interview for this role, you will need to provide evidence of your eligibility to work in the UK and if on a Visa, current visa and status.  Sponsorship is dependent on the salary level of the position.

 

 

BNU is a Disability Confident employer and as such you will be given the opportunity to declare a disability as part of the application process.

Location
High Wycombe
Contract Type
Permanent
Salary Range
£38,784 - £43,482
Hours per week
37
Closing Date
08/07/2026
Ref No
2061

Job Description

 

 

 

JOB DESCRIPTION

 

To be used in alignment with our Academic Charter and Career Pathways

 

 

 

Job Title:  Lecturer in Costume Construction and Making

 

College/Directorate:  Creative Arts, Technology & Engineering (CATE)

 

Grade: G

Location:  High Wycombe; Aylesbury, Uxbridge as appropriate, with travel to other campuses

 

Responsible to:   Dean / Associate Dean or designee

 

Job Purpose:   

  • Deliver a first-class student experience and undertake impactful research and knowledge exchange activities
  • Practice an inclusive approach and support building an inclusive university community where people can be themselves

 

 

 

 

Main Duties & Responsibilities:

 

 

 

Research and Knowledge Exchange:

 

  • Conduct research and scholarly activity, clearly plan to generate income and align own research with teaching and learning

  • Engage with relevant business and professional networks to promote teaching and learning and research in a professional context

  • Engage in doctoral supervision

  • Contribute to knowledge through refereed conference outputs and peer-reviewed (non-conference) outputs

  • Embed research within teaching and curriculum and contribute to research impact 

  • Contribute to the leadership of an inclusive and interdisciplinary research culture

  • Undertake research with external partners, communities, professional bodies and/or employers.

 

  • Contribute to the REF and KEF and to internal and external research and enterprise strategies

 

 

 

Learning, Teaching & Scholarship:

 

  • Undertake research-informed teaching in the subject discipline managing all aspects of curriculum delivery and quality

  • Deliver educational knowledge and practice through generation of peer-reviewed pedagogical outputs

  • Contribute to the leadership of an inclusive teaching and learning culture and ensuring delivery of excellent student experience and outcomes

  • Contribute to research informed innovative pedagogy, curriculum and programme design and planning including digital technology to enhance learning

  • Deliver successful and impactful tutoring and pastoral support to students including the support of placements and internships

  • Engage with professional bodies, employers and other organisations to enhance professional practice and student outcomes

  • Provide effective feedback, support and guidance to students, which promotes improvement of performance.

  • Participate in funded educational projects as required

 

 

 

Leadership and Academic Citizenship:

 

  • Contribute to growth by increasing student recruitment

  • Active participation in business planning, strategy setting and key decision making within the College using relevant data and metrics to improve student experience and outcomes

  • Develop others through mentoring, training and supporting CPD

  • Engage with professional bodies, policy-makers, employers and other relevant groups including participation in civic engagement and contribution to our regional community

  • Support and engage with peer review, external assessment or external examination ensuring the highest quality.

  • Contribute to income generation

  • Foster a culture of inclusion, making a positive contribution towards reducing awarding gaps and improving diversity in teaching and learning

 

 

 

Other

  • Engage in professional development activities (e.g. CPD, attendance at conferences)

  • Contribute to Open Days, school, college and partnership links and the marketing and promotional work of the College

  • Act as a commentator or contributor to media

  • Comply with relevant legislative and other requirements (e.g. the Data Protection Act 2018 and GDPR; Health and Safety; UKVI; and Equality and Diversity) in all working practices

  • Such other duties temporarily or on a continuing basis, as may reasonably be required.

 

 

 

For roles with line management responsibilities:

 

  • Line management responsibilities including recruitment and selection, performance management, professional development, motivation, health & safety and wellbeing.

 

 

 

PERSON SPECIFICATION

 

A = Application     T = Test/Presentation     I = Interview         

 

Education, Qualifications & Training

Means of Testing

First degree in a relevant field

A

Doctoral level qualification (or working towards) or relevant professional experience in field

A/I

Recognised HE teaching qualification and/or Fellow of the HEA or evidenced commitment to achieving within two years

A

Knowledge & Experience

 

Expert knowledge in 2D and 3D costume garment development, characterisation, design concept development, and sketchbook-led processes.

A/I

Expertise in teaching pattern cutting, costume & garment construction and textiles techniques.

A/I

Expertise in costume construction using conventional and unconventional techniques, with expertise in technical fabrics, accurate tailoring, leatherwork, structural boning, and historical and contemporary construction methods.

A/I

Expertise in teaching pattern cutting, costume and garment construction, and textiles techniques across historical, contemporary, and performance contexts.

A/I

In-depth knowledge of a diverse range of construction techniques, including period and contemporary costume practices.

A/I

Delivering quality learning and teaching to students/learners

A/I

Evidence as an active researcher and delivery of high-quality research and scholarship

A/I

Contribution to research active communities

A/I

Delivering excellent student/customer experience

A/I

Contribution to subject association; learning society or professional body

A/I

Knowledge/experience of income generation OR funded projects

A/I

Experience of research supervision, personal tutoring or personal development

A/I

Skills

 

Excellent presentation and teaching delivery skills*

I

Digitally able and proficient in Microsoft tools

A/I

Highly effective customer service skills

A/I

Special Requirements

 

A willingness and ability to work in off-site locations and across all University campuses, as required

A/I

A willingness and ability to contribute to University Open Days (which may fall on Saturdays)

A/I

 

 

*you will be required to deliver a micro-teach as part of your interview

 

 

Behavioural INDICATORS

 

 The BNU Behaviours Framework (BBF) is a framework for all University staff that sets out the key behaviours that exemplify the DRIVE values and ethos of the University.  The nine categories provide a clear steer on behavioural expectations that will help support a step change in the performance and culture of the University.  The three key behavioural indicators for this post are as follows:

 

 

 

Delivering excellent service

Making every contact count by providing the best quality service to all our customers (Internal Customers, Students and all our Stakeholders). Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to improve customer services.

 

Working Together

Working collaboratively and across boundaries with others in order to achieve objectives. Recognising a valuing the different contributions people bring to this process.

 

Engaging with the wider context

Enhancing your contribution to the University through an understanding of organisational values, its students, customers and stakeholders.

 

 

Classifications