Graduate Teaching Fellow Post - Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology (2025/26)

The Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology (SSPC) invites those interested in pursuing a PhD in the Department to apply for a fully funded Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF) commencing October 2025.

We welcome applications from candidates who have a good first degree and/or a Masters in Sociology, Criminology or cognate discipline (including Social Research Methods), and whose proposed PhD research aligns with the broader interests of our Department (See Research Expertise - Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology - University of Liverpool) and/or within any of our existing research clusters (Research - Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology - University of Liverpool).

Established in 1905, our Department has a vibrant, creative, and critically engaged research environment, and our PhD cohort plays a central role in this culture. Postgraduate research | Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology | University of Liverpool. Details of SSPC’s teaching and research activities can be found on our website which applicants are encouraged to review and be aware of prior to applying (Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology - University of Liverpool).

Person specification

Candidates must have a good first degree in Sociology, Criminology or related discipline and should have completed (or be near to completing) a postgraduate degree at Masters or an equivalent level. Specific area of specialisation for the proposed PhD research is open, but candidates must be prepared to teach on criminology and criminal justice modules in addition to modules related to their specific area of expertise. The successful applicant will be required to undertake small-group teaching and assessment marking in one or more core undergraduate modules, and is advised to review the core modules available on our programmes to give consideration as to where their research interests might meaningfully contribute. Previous teaching experience is not essential as some in-house training and mentoring will be provided.

Details of the post

The Graduate Teaching Fellow will be funded over a three-year period (dependent on successful progression) of full-time PhD registration, during which the post-holder will teach for the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. Over this period, the School will pay University fees at the Full-Time UK student rate (currently £5,006), plus a full maintenance grant per annum fixed at the UKRI level (£20,780 in 2025-26). The three years of full-time PhD registration will be followed by an unfunded writing-up period of up to one year. International students are welcome to apply for the GTF post. However, to comply with UK Immigration regulations there may be a visa requirement. Full-time PhD registration will commence from October 2025.

Application process

Applications for the fellowship should be sent by email to the School of Law and Social Justice’s PGR Team slsjpgr@liverpool.ac.uk and must include a CV, covering letter, two academic references and a PhD research proposal. Information about what is required for a PhD proposal can be found on the University website at www.liverpool.ac.uk/postgraduate-research/how-to-apply/research-proposal. Applicants are strongly encouraged to identify and contact one or more prospective supervisors to discuss their proposal before applying. See also www.liverpool.ac.uk/study/postgraduate-research/degrees/sociology-and-social-policy.

For queries or further information, please contact the Department's Director of Postgraduate Research, Dr. Peter Campbell (pcampbll@liverpool.ac.uk).

The deadline for applications is 9am BST on Monday 9^th June, 2025.

We will look to invite shortlisted candidates for a virtual interview, via Microsoft Teams, in early July.

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