Professor of Carbonomics

Based at our state of the art, £75 million Cavendish Building in the heart of Derby, at Derby International Business School, we are not just educating future business leaders - we’re shaping innovators, disruptors, and pioneers ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world.  

Our diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spans dynamic disciplines including accounting, business management, international business, economics and finance, marketing, event management, and tourism management. Each programme is expertly crafted to equip you with the cutting-edge skills, real-world experience, and strategic mindset you need to excel in today’s global marketplace.  

We pride ourselves on our commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance. Our curriculum is designed in partnership with leading organisations such as PwC, Rolls-Royce, and local enterprise hubs, ensuring our graduates meet the demands of a competitive business environment. With strong ties to local and national businesses, our students gain access to invaluable opportunities for placements, networking, and hands-on projects that bridge the gap between theory and practice.  

Our programmes are accredited by top professional bodies, including CIMA, ACCA, CIM, and CIPD, setting the gold standard for quality and credibility in business education.  

The University of Derby is a modern university with a modern outlook. Everything we do is driven by delivering excellence and opportunities for our students, our staff and our region. We have one simple promise – to make a positive impact. Through our ground-breaking research, teaching excellence and commitment to sustainable living, we are changing lives for the better.

Located in the heart of England, the University of Derby is the only university in Derbyshire, and offers industry-relevant, expert teaching, from foundation and undergraduate degrees to postgraduate study and research. We have some of the best university facilities in the UK and achieve outstanding results for our teaching and research and have been awarded Gold in the prestigious Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023 – making it one of the top universities in the country recognised for its outstanding student experience and student outcomes.

At Derby International Business School, we are not just educating future business leaders – we’re shaping innovators, disruptors, and pioneers ready to thrive in a rapidly evolving world. Our diverse portfolio of undergraduate and postgraduate courses spans dynamic disciplines, with programmes expertly crafted to equip students with the cutting-edge skills, real-world experience, and strategic mindset needed to excel in today’s global marketplace.

We pride ourselves on our commitment to academic excellence and industry relevance. Our curriculum is designed in partnership with leading organisations such as PwC, Rolls-Royce, and local enterprise hubs. Our programmes are accredited by top professional bodies, including CIMA, ACCA, CIM, and CIPD, setting the gold standard for quality and credibility in business education.

Having recently moved to the new, state of the art £75 million Cavendish Building in September 2025 this is an exciting time to be joining Derby International Business School. The School is now looking to appoint the inaugural McDonald’s Professor of Carbonomics, supported by McDonald’s, a global leader similarly committed to sustainable business and creating transformative opportunities for young people. This is a world-first position at the intersection of academia, industry and sustainability which builds on our commitment to Better Business, Better Society, Better Future.

The McDonald’s Professor will play a critical role in driving cutting-edge research at the nexus of sustainable business, carbon economics, lean and sustainable value chains - supporting transition strategies that are financially viable, scalable, and societally impactful. They will help to build the Institute of Carbonomics, further positioning the University of Derby as an international hub for research innovation in carbon economics and sustainable value chains.

The successful candidate will bring an international recognised track record as a researcher in sustainable business, lean supply chains or a closely aligned field with experience of cross-sector industry collaborations. They will also demonstrate a record of success in securing competitive research funding and in publishing their research in leading international journals.

This role closes at 11.59pm GMT on Sunday 8th February 2026. Perrett Laver have been exclusively retained for this appointment. For more information or to apply, please contact Lucy Roper at Lucy.Roper@perrettlaver.com.

We’re looking for a visionary academic with a track record in sustainable business, lean supply chains or a closely aligned field. You’ll have the leadership to build cross-sector collaborations, the academic credibility to elevate our global profile, and the passion to turn research into impact. 

You will hold a good degree and PhD in a relevant discipline, and extensive expertise in Carbonomics. The successful candidate will demonstrate the depth and breadth of knowledge required to advance research and innovation in this evolving field. You will have a proven record of research excellence, evidenced by high-quality outputs in leading international journals and conferences, alongside clear evidence of international recognition - such as invited keynote lectures, editorial roles, collaboration with industry partners, and contributions to global research networks.

Research Leadership

1. Lead high-impact research programmes focused on reducing carbon emissions in business supply chains, driving innovation, and securing significant external funding to enhance research capacity and the University’s reputation.
2. Publish research in top-tier outputs and foster collaborations within the University and with external academic, industry, and government partners, with a strong emphasis on delivering high returns in the Research Excellence Framework (REF).
3. Provide intellectual leadership and mentor academic staff, ultimately leading a research team and supervising postgraduate and postdoctoral researchers and thereby strengthening the research capacity of the wider School.
4. Contribute significantly to the strategic direction of both the School and the wider University’s innovation and research strategy and the needs of corporate partners.
5. Publish pedagogic research in high-quality publications and contribute to a very strong REF return, mentoring colleagues and fostering research capacity within the School.

Industry & Government Policy

1. Develop and lead a world-class research programme in Carbonomics, addressing sustainability challenges and collaborating with McDonald’s UK&I and industry partners.
2. Advise industry stakeholders and engage with government bodies to shape policies related to carbon emissions, sustainable supply chains, and environmental regulations.
3. Advocate for evidence-based policies using social impact return on investment models and proactively contribute to public debates and discussions on climate change, sustainability, and social mobility.
4. Represent the University at industry forums, consultations, and international conferences, supporting regulatory frameworks for sustainable business practices.
5. Build high-profile partnerships with educational bodies, industry, and government to enhance income generation. Secure major external grants and deliver projects to successful completion.

Public Engagement & Research Dissemination

1. Champion the dissemination of research findings to industry, government, and the public, making sustainability insights accessible and actionable.
2. Promote public access to research to support the University’s social mobility and public engagement goals.
3. Engage with the University’s civic role through public and societal engagement activities, actively contributing to the role of the University in its civic setting.

Contribute to the Learning and Teaching Environment

1. Contribute to teaching curriculum at various levels, as appropriate, and be responsible for the quality assurance of learning and teaching within your discipline.

Other Activities

1. Produce highly impactful outputs supporting REF/KEF/TEF objectives.
2. Contribute to achieving Institutional Success Measures at a senior leadership level.
3. Undertake specific roles for the School / University as needed, including chairing committees.
4. Adhere to and implement University policies and procedures.