Lecturer (MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care)

The Post

Psychology, Faculty of Natural Sciences is offering a Lecturer (Teaching & Scholarship) position to join the teaching and development team supporting the MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care.

Applications are invited for this employed position at Stirling University, from psychologists with a specific interest in clinical research methodology and expertise in cognitive-behaviour therapy for common mental health disorders in adults.

This taught postgraduate degree was developed in partnership with the University of Dundee, NHS Education Scotland (NES) and local NHS Scotland Health Boards. The course is jointly co-ordinated by Dr Stephanie Chan and Dr Leeanne Nicklas and there are five other part-time academic staff (some of whom have fractional contracts and also holding clinical NHS posts) who contribute to the formal teaching programme, complemented by a number of visiting lecturers. It also has a part-time course administrator with support from the wider Psychology Department team.

The MSc was developed around a number of Scottish Government priorities, including the need to improve access to evidence-based psychological interventions for adults, including elderly people, presenting with common mental health disorders of mild to moderate severity in primary care. In response to emerging pressures faced by health boards, a new focus of the programme is providing training in psychological therapy for people with long-term physical conditions.

The strengths of the Masters programme include particularly close links with the commissioners, NES, NHS clinical psychology services, and related applied psychology training programmes in Scotland. The core purpose and philosophy for the Universities of Dundee and Stirling/ NHS (Scotland) MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care is to train psychology graduates to Masters level and to impart the range of competencies essential for the graduates from this programme to deliver cognitive behavioural treatments as part of a stepped or matched-care delivery of psychological therapy services for patients with anxiety, depression, interpersonal and behavioural disorders of mild to moderate severity across the adult age spectrum, in tandem with clinical psychology services.

Informal enquiries can be made to Dr Stephanie Chan ).

Description of Duties

Teaching responsibilities will be to the MSc in Psychological Therapy in Primary Care and the successful candidate will be a practising Cognitive Behavioural Therapist with experience of supervising trainees undergoing CBT based training. They would be expected to have a commitment to high quality training and in evaluating evidence-based practice.

Teaching alternates monthly between Dundee and Stirling and the course team must have a strong commitment to working flexibly ensuring availability during university based teaching blocks and supporting students.

The successful candidate will be expected to undertake the following tasks:

• Design, deliver, assess and evaluate clinical research methodology teaching and learning, supervision and assessment activities on the Research, Evaluation and Outcome module
• Clinical supervision after being given appropriate training
• Contribute to curriculum review and enhancement, in a manner that supports student learning and is underpinned by evidence based scholarly activity
• Enhance the quality of teaching provision and programme development, drawing on leading practices from the Higher Education sector
• Develop and apply new, effective and appropriate teaching and learning techniques and material, which create interest, understanding and enthusiasm amongst students
• Contribute to enhancement of the student experience and employability
• Mentor students and staff as required, providing direction, support and guidance
• Engage in individual and collaborative pedagogical research and scholarly activity, which aligns to the strategic direction of the University, and disseminate results through regular publication in a manner appropriate to the work
• Work to influence the higher education agenda in this specific disciplinary area
• Lead, participate and develop networks and collaborations both internally and externally to the Division/Faculty/University
• Participate in the administrative processes for this course including quality assurance procedures and attending relevant meetings
• Evaluate own practice, continue to maintain professional practice and undertake continuous professional development appropriate to the role
• Any other duties, commensurate with the grade of the post

Essential Criteria

• HCPC registered Clinical Psychologist or Clinical Associate in Applied Psychology (CAAP) (Graduate of the adult MSc PTPC programme)
• Demonstrable track record in cognitive-behaviour therapy for common mental health disorders in adults (with relevant experience in teaching, practice and research)
• Have (or a commitment to obtain and maintain) BABCP CBT therapist accreditation and BPS registration
• Experience and competence in training and supervising others in CBT
• Experience of designing and delivering excellent learning activities and assessment at Higher Education level or in equivalent professional or commercial settings, including use of e-learning technology and platforms
• Experience in developing and implementing evidence-based curriculum, ensuring content is current and appropriate to funders needs
• Evidence of developing effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance
• Experience or knowledge of approaches to enhance the student experience
• Evidence of engaging in networks, locally, nationally and internationally
• Ability to comply fully with all relevant professional and ethical guidelines and policies
• Satisfactory Disclosure Scotland check

Desirable Criteria

• Doctoral qualification in clinical psychology and currently registered with HCPC
• BABCP accredited or eligible for and in process of seeking BABCP accreditation
• Experience of different forms of CBT delivery
• Evidence of successful incorporation of subject and pedagogic research and/or scholarship within design and delivery of learning activities and programme development as part of an integrated approach to academic practice
• Evidence of programme innovation and development
• Evidence of good knowledge of the Higher Education context and regulatory framework

Additional Information

Part time (60%FTE)

Open ended

Grade 8: £47,389 - £56,535 p.a. pro-rata

The closing date for applications is midnight on Sunday 18 January 2026.

Interviews are expected to take place on Thursday 05 February 2026.

There is an expectation that work will be undertaken in the UK.

This role will require a Level 1 Disclosure check. An offer of employment will be subject to a satisfactory outcome of this process.

This role may be eligible for sponsorship depending on candidate circumstances and is a postdoctoral role under SOC code 2311.

The University of Stirling recognises that a diverse workforce benefits and enriches the work, learning and research experiences of the entire campus and greater community. We are committed to removing barriers and welcome applications from those who would contribute to further diversification of our staff and ensure that equality, diversity and inclusion is woven into the substance of the role. We strongly encourage applications from people from diverse backgrounds including gender, identity, race, age, class, and ethnicity.

Behaviours and Competencies

The role holder will be required to evidence that they can meet the qualities associated with the following behavioural competencies, as detailed within the AUA Competency Framework.

• Managing self and personal skills
  
  Being aware of your own behaviour and mindful of how it impacts on others, enhancing personal skills to adapt professional practice accordingly.

• Delivering excellent service
  
  Providing the best quality service to external and internal clients. Building genuine and open long-term relationships in order to drive up service standards.

• Finding solutions
  
  Taking a holistic view and working enthusiastically to analyse problems and to develop workable solutions. Identifying opportunities for innovation.

• Embracing change
  
  Being open to and engaging with new ideas and ways of working. Adjusting to unfamiliar situations, shifting demands and changing roles.

• Using resources effectively
  
  Identifying and making the most productive use of resources including people, time, information, networks and budgets.

• Engaging with the wider context
  
  Enhancing your contribution to the organisation through an understanding of the bigger picture and showing commitment to organisational values.

• Developing self and others
  
  Showing commitment to own ongoing professional development. Supporting and encouraging others to develop their professional knowledge, skills and behaviours to enable them to reach their full potential.

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

• Achieving Results
  
  Consistently meeting agreed objectives and success criteria. Taking personal responsibility for getting things done.

About Us

Faculty of Natural Sciences

The Faculty of Natural Sciences (FNS) encompasses the Divisions of Biological and Environmental Sciences, Computing Science and Mathematics, Psychology and the Institute of Aquaculture. FNS is a distinctive academic arena where new fundamental understandings of the complex and challenging inter-relationships between human behaviours, technologies, biological and environmental systems are created, explored and tested. The most recent national assessment of research - REF2021 -confirmed that 80% of our research is classed as world leading and internationally excellent. It is supported through UK Research Councils, European Union and a range of research charities We work with businesses and public service organisations both at home and overseas to achieve direct and positive outcomes for society across a range of critical problems. Substantial investment aligned with the City, Region, and Growth deals is supporting major new infrastructure developments linked to the Faculty including Scotland's International Environment Centre and the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub.

Psychology

Stirling Psychology delivers world class scientific research, coupled with innovative and reflective research-led teaching. In REF2021, we were rated 2nd in Scotland for research impact. We aim to foster basic research in the science of mind and behaviour, linked to direct impacts for society. Our research strategy focuses on the development of inter-disciplinary multi-methods approaches and our academics work collaboratively across three research themes: Cognition in Complex Environments; Behaviour & Evolution; and Health and Behaviour Change. A common thread across our research projects is a desire to develop theoretical understanding of behaviour in complex real-world settings. Psychology has invested heavily in research infrastructure, including our own Kindergarten. Purpose built laboratories provide support for health, human electrophysiology, face and vision research, while recent investment in mobile technology and virtual/augmented reality provides novel approaches to the investigation of psychological questions.

The University

The University of Stirling is committed to providing education with a purpose and carrying out research which has a positive impact on communities across the globe. Driven by our mission to be the difference, we are addressing real issues, providing solutions, and helping to shape society.

The University has more than 17,500 students globally and employs 1,800 staff, with more than 140 nationalities represented within our community. Our campus environment is ranked first in the UK and top 10 in the world, and our sports facilities rank first in the UK and second in the world (International Student Barometer 2024, wave two), reflecting our long-standing designation as Scotland's University for Sporting Excellence.

We were shortlisted for University of the Year 2024 at the Times Higher Education Awards and are proud holders of a Silver institutional award from the Athena Swan Charter, in recognition of our commitment to advancing gender equality. We have an overall five-star rating in the QS Stars University Ratings and are ranked top 30 in the UK for postgraduate teaching and learning (Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey In recognition of our excellence in business education, we are accredited by AACSB International.

Eighty-seven per cent of our research has an outstanding or very considerable impact on society, with more than 80% rated either world leading or internationally excellent (Research Excellence Framework 2021), and we are ranked among the top 100 institutions in the world for our contribution to meeting 10 of the 17 UN Sustainable Development Goals. We have twice been recognised with a Queen's Anniversary Prize; for our Institute for Social Marketing and Health and our Institute of Aquaculture

Alongside partners, the University spearheads the £214 million Stirling and Clackmannanshire City Region Deal – which will deliver three major University-led projects: the National Aquaculture Technology and Innovation Hub, Scotland's International Environment Centre, and the Intergenerational Living Innovation Hub. We are also a central partner in the Forth Valley University College Health Partnership.

Job Reference: FAC02081