Cambridge University need a Professor of LEGO

Possibly the best job in the world?

LEGO man
Author: Anna Sky MagliolaPublished 18th Jan 2017
Last updated 18th Jan 2017

Cambridge University are looking for someone to fill the unusual position of Professor of Lego, but if you're interested you only have two days left to apply.

The unusual position, full title LEGO Professor of Play in Education, Development and Learning, was originally proposed in 2015 backed by £2.5 million in funding from the LEGO Foundation.

One hopeful application came from eight-year-old Joshua in the US who said,

"My name is Joshua Smith. I’m 8 years old. I hear that you need a lego professer. I would be happy to be the professer. Since I live in the United States I was wondering if I could do online classes. I know the history of minifigurs, I know part of the history of the lego company, I know about lego motors, I know about the lego themes: city, ninjago, star wars and ninja turtles. Thank you." sic

© iStock

However, despite the attractive job title Cambridge University has said the successful candidate will be in charge of conducting research into "how to equip children with skills such as problem solving, team work and self-regulation", rather than developing new LEGO bricks.

The Professor of LEGO is expected to receive a similar salary to that of other professors at the university - around £84,000 and will be expected to conduct research and supervise whilst working towards the Foundation's aim to "help to identify the true value of play in development and as an educational tool".

This isn't the first time Cambridge University has advertised for an unusual position such as this. In 2014 they advertised for a doctor of chocolate.

Full information on how to apply to be a Professor of LEGO can be found on the Cambridge University website.

Not cut out to be a Professor of LEGO, here are 10 other amazing jobs...

  1. Chocolate taster Imagine not having to feel guilty about eating chocolate every day!
  1. Luxury bed tester Roisin Madigan landed a job for a month working for a luxury bed company. It brings new meaning to the phrase 'sleeping on the job'.
  1. Waterslide tester British university student Seb Smith beat out 2000 aplicants to win the job of travelling the world testing and reviewing water slides.
  1. Island caretaker Ben Southall beat out nearly 35,000 applicants to secure a job exploring Hamilton Island in the Great Barrier Reef. All he had to do was write a blog! Sign us up as his successor!
  1. Celebrity party planner Imagine being party planner to the stars, endless budget and a lots of celebrity guests. Colin Cowie is based in New York and has thrown parties for Oprah and Tom Cruise.
  1. Gumoligist Yes people do indeed get paid to chew gum. Jesse Kiefer works at Cadbury Schweppes and told Fortune magazine that gum "has to deliver a burst of flavour, a lot of sweetness, and a lot of tartness if it's a fruit gum."
  1. Panda caretaker The China Giant Panda Protection and Research Centre Ya'an is looking for panda caretakers. How cool would it be to play with the panda bears all day! I mean come on, how cute is this...
  1. Director of fun Six-year-old Sam Pointon wanted to become the director of York's National Railway Museum and landed himself a job as the Director of Fun after sending a letter saying "I am good on my train track. I can control two trains at once."
  1. Wine tester and blogger Hardy Wallace from Atlanta, USA, gained a $10,000 a month job at Murphy-Goode Winery. All he had to do was drink wine and keep an online diary of his thoughts.
  1. Sweet taster 12-year-old Harry Willsher won a contest to get a job at Swizzell's Matlow as a sweet taster. The perfect job for anyone with a sweet tooth.

Ah oh well, back to the day job!