Job Description

Position Details

School of Social Policy and Society


Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK


Full time starting salary is normally in the range 46,735 to 55,755 with potential progression once in post to 62,728


As this vacancy has limited funding the maximum salary that can be offered is Grade 8, salary 52,566


Full Time, Permanent


Closing date: 14th May 2025


Interview date expected w/c 2nd June 2025

Background

We are seeking to appoint a criminologist as Assistant Professor to expand our vibrant Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology.


This post represents an exciting opportunity for an ambitious individual to join our vibrant Department of Social Policy, Sociology and Criminology. The Department is located within the University of Birmingham's School of Social Policy and Society, which is one of the four Schools in the College of Social Sciences.


Applications are invited for the post of Assistant Professor in Criminology, which is available from

1st September

2025.

The post-holder will be expected to make a strong contribution to criminological and inter-disciplinary research across the Department.


Potential candidates will have a doctorate, be research active, and have excellent administrative and teaching skills.

Role Summary

You will contribute to a range of education-related and research activities. In addition, you will be expected to contribute to academic citizenship, developing and maintaining mutually respectful and supportive working relationships with all staff and students, and ensuring the way you carry out your role impacts positively on how others carry out theirs.


Teaching is likely to include a substantial contribution to: (a) the management, development and delivery of teaching and assessment at all levels; and (b) enhancement of the student experience and employability. The role will typically also involve developing and advising others, including: (a) providing expert advice to staff and students, and (b) developing and advising others on learning and teaching tasks and methods.


Research is likely to include a substantial contribution to the national and international reputation of criminology at the University of Birmingham through the production of original research work and a demonstrable ability to deliver impact.


Management and administration is likely to include developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement widening participation, schools outreach, or similar activities at Department/School level or further within the University.

Main Duties

Education

You will contribute across the range of teaching and learning activities by:


leading curriculum development and/or renewal; developing and managing approaches to teaching and learning that are best practice in the subject area or institution; advising others on aspects of learning, teaching and assessment; advancing the practice of teaching in their modules and within the school, and play an important role in student academic support; informing your teaching practice by discipline based research; developing an external profile evidenced through engaging in external quality assurance activities related to teaching, eg. external examining and engaging with/supporting education in other institutions; playing an important and sustained role in the recruitment and admission of students; co-supervising doctoral students to completion; leading the development of teaching, learning and assessment policies and strategies; undertaking own teaching, which will include teaching and examining courses at a range of levels, planning and reviewing own teaching approaches, developing programme proposals, supervision, marking and examining.

Research

To pursue sustained research activity through original research and scholarship, including other research-related contributions through conference papers and presentations and/or consultancy projects and advice, including (as appropriate):


contributing to successful research funding bids; publishing internationally excellent research; supervising and examining PhD students, both within the institution and externally; peer reviewing articles for peer reviewed academic journals; research that involved impact activity including public engagement and makes contributions to policy development at a national and/or international level.

Management/Administration

To contribute to Departmental /School administration. This may include:


contributing to the administration/management of teaching across the Department/School; where appropriate, leading and managing a team to devise and implement a new and/or revised process (e.g. new programme or a recruitment drive); advising on personal development of colleagues and students; making a contribution to administrative activities within the University (e.g. appeals panels, working groups); developing and making substantial contributions to knowledge transfer, enterprise, business engagement, public engagement, widening participation, schools outreach; promoting equality, diversity and inclusion through monitoring and evaluation and actively challenging unacceptable behaviour.

Citizenship

Contributing to an inclusive working environment:


pursuing your activities in a way that helps others to pursue their activities effectively and efficiently; demonstrating a willingness to be involved in a variety of activities supporting University life (e.g., participation in graduation, Departmental/School committees); demonstrating support for colleagues, such as sharing resources, providing advice; willingness to volunteer for one-off duties (such as supporting School, Institute, and Departmental projects); positively engaging in School strategic initiatives; proactive support and involvement in activities specifically contributing to a positive and inclusive community spirit across the School/College/University.

Person Specification

Normally, a higher Degree relevant to the discipline area (usually PhD) or equivalent qualifications.

Teaching

Ability and/or previous experience in designing, delivering, assessing and revising teaching programmes. Extensive experience and demonstrated success in developing appropriate approaches to learning and teaching and advising colleagues. Experience and achievement in knowledge transfer, enterprise and similar activity that enhances the student experience or employability.

Research

A developing national reputation through the production of original research work and a developing record of impact. Evidence of success under the following headings, as appropriate to the discipline:


The ability to produce high quality outputs resulting in impact on discipline and recognition. A record of peer reviewed research publications. Ability to successfully supervise doctoral students to completion. Evidence of or ability to generate research income, e.g. through research grants, contracts, research consultancy or other external funding. Ability to produce high value impact knowledge transfer and enterprise that is of manifest benefit to the College and University.

Management Administration

Ability to contribute to School/Departmental management processes. Ability to assess and organise resources effectively. Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes. Experience of championing Equality, Diversity and Inclusion in own work area. Ability to monitor and evaluate the extent to which equality and diversity legislation, policies, procedures are applied. Ability to identify issues with the potential to impact on protected groups and take appropriate action.

Informal enquiries to Dr Sam Weston, email: s.k.weston@bham.ac.uk

We believe there is no such thing as a 'typical' member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy

.

You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone

on our website

.