Senior Lecturer - Dental Hygiene and Therapy

The University of Sunderland offers life-changing opportunities for more than 27,500 students across our campuses in Sunderland, London and Hong Kong, as well as through global partnerships in 19 countries.

We’re an inclusive, ambitious and forward-looking University in a vibrant city that’s constantly evolving. We’re also entering an exciting new phase with a refreshed vision and strategic ambitions shaped around the changing higher education landscape. As we move through 2026, we’re celebrating being recognised as:

• A top 30 UK university (Guardian University Guide 2026)
• 1st in the North-East for student support services (Daily Mail University Guide 2026)
• 1st in the North-East for teaching quality (The Times & Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026)

The University of Sunderland is launching an exciting new Dental Academy, welcoming its first students in September 2027. This significant investment will help address the growing demand for dental care across our region while creating outstanding opportunities for the next generation of dental professionals.

Our new academy will deliver programmes in Dental Hygiene, Dental Therapy and Dental Technology, combining innovative teaching with hands‑on clinical experience in state‑of‑the‑art facilities. As part of this ambitious development, you'll play a key role in shaping a brand‑new learning environment that will support students to graduate career‑ready and equipped to meet the needs of patients and communities.

By training skilled dental professionals locally, the Dental Academy will help improve access to care, strengthen the regional workforce and contribute to better oral health outcomes across the North-East. This is a unique opportunity to join a pioneering team and make a lasting impact on education, healthcare and the communities we serve.

Undergraduate Dental Care Professional (DCP) programmes are a growing subject area through our Dental Academy in the Faculty of Health Sciences and Wellbeing at the University. A multi‑million new investment in state‑of‑the‑art facilities and equipment alongside high‑quality teaching and the success of our other healthcare programmes positions the faculty well. We are seeking an ambitious, enthusiastic and student‑centred dental hygiene and therapist, with substantial teaching and learning experience, who will deliver an outstanding academic student experience for our undergraduate DCP programmes and any future provision.

You will contribute to the preparation, design and delivery of undergraduate programmes in Dental Technology, Dental Hygiene and Dental Therapy, as well as other undergraduate and postgraduate healthcare programmes across the Faculty where appropriate. You will be expected to teach on and off campus, as well as online.

The University offers academic and professional development opportunities and provides a Post Graduate Certificate Teaching Qualification leading to HEA accreditation for those not holding a teaching qualification.

As a Senior Lecturer in Dental Hygiene and Therapy, you will demonstrate expertise in your profession and be able to showcase your commitment to educating students. As well as your practice expertise you will be able to demonstrate leadership alongside excellent organisational, inter‑personal, and communication skills.

You will possess an excellent understanding of dental hygiene and therapy, research and evidence‑informed, sustainable practice. You should demonstrate a clear vision for research and knowledge‑exchange activities, as well as a commitment towards employability and continued professional development. The ability to provide research leadership and engagement with relevant internal and external agencies, at regional, national and international level, that enhance the research profile of the department, will also be welcomed.

Applications for this challenging and exciting role are welcome from those who are GDC registered.

Closing date:
Sunday 23 August 2026 (23:59 GMT)