Lecturer in Sociology (Early Career)

Weekly Working Hours: 37

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education. Find out more about us and our mission by watching this short video (you will be taken to YouTube by clicking this link).

About the Role

The person appointed will be a Central Academic member of staff based in the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies (SSGS) in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS) at The Open University, Milton Keynes.

The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences (FASS)

The Faculty is the largest and most diverse at The Open University, with some 50,000 students studying our modules and consistently outstanding student satisfaction ratings. Rated Gold in our recent TEF submission and noted for the strength of our interdisciplinary approaches, our scholars of international standing teach and research a very wide range of topics and themes in specific subject areas, which has a direct and profound influence on our undergraduate and postgraduate teaching.

The Faculty is currently organised into three Schools with a fourth in development:

• School of Psychology & Counselling
• School of Social Sciences & Global Studies
• School of Arts & Humanities
• School of Creative Industries (in development)

Students are supported by Student Support Teams, one for each School. These teams offer specialist study support to students undertaking our qualifications across the University. Members of academic staff, including regional academics, form part of these teams, working to sustain and improve student progression and retention.

The Faculty works closely with important organisations and institutions in the UK and other parts of the world in a range of validated partnerships and collaborations. Staff are engaged in world-class, agenda setting research tackling the most difficult challenges facing us in the 21st Century, with work in numerous subject-based and interdisciplinary research groups and projects.

With c.1800 members of staff comprising academics, associate lecturers, professional services and support staff and full-time research students, working across the locations of the University, the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences is a vibrant and exciting place to study and work combining originality and innovation in research and curriculum.

To find out more about the Faculty’s teaching, learning and research, please visit: http://fass.open.ac.uk/

Key Responsibilities

The person appointed will contribute to the teaching, research and academic life of the Department, School, Faculty and University. You will be required to work collaboratively and effectively in team contexts in a range of ways, by:

Teaching

• Playing a role, as part of a team or leading, in planning, producing and delivering successful Sociology modules and qualifications at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.
• Contributing or leading to the development and teaching of Sociology curricula and to other related qualifications in the School of Social Sciences and Global Studies

Examples of the nature and type of teaching and learning offered by the Open University can be found on OpenLearn: https://www.open.edu/openlearn/

Research

• Enhancing the University’s national and international research profile in Sociology through a developing record of high quality publications suitable for submission in the Research Excellence Framework.
• Working effectively and collaboratively to develop a shared research culture.
• Enthusiasm for applying for external grant income and leading grant-funded and other research projects.
• Contributing effectively to the research activities of the sociology department, and/or other School or Faculty research centers as opportunities arise.
• Demonstrating commitment and enthusiasm for working in teams applying for external grant income.
• Potential to supervise research students.

Academic Service

• Consistently contributing in positive ways to the development of a collegial, engaged and supportive academic community in the School, Faculty and University, including by undertaking a range of possible leadership and administrative roles from time to time, when such opportunities arise.
• Seeks to incorporate Equality and Diversity inclusion policies and demonstrates a commitment to these principles in their academic roles and pursuits.

About You

Essential Criteria

• PhD completion or equivalent in Sociology or related social science.
• Some experience of teaching (in any relevant setting).
• An interest in and commitment to distance learning with a view to developing effective multi-media teaching and enhancing teaching and learning through a Virtual Learning Environment in ways suitable for students from a wide range of backgrounds.
• A developing track record of working in sociology.
• An ability to work collaboratively, effectively and collegially with others in interdisciplinary teaching, research and/or wider institutional contexts.
• A research profile that complements existing expertise within the Department.
• Evidence of a developing research profile.
• Evidence of the potential to contribute to the generation of external research funding.
• Writing and communication skills commensurate with an academic position.
• Evidence of an ability to produce work to a high standard and to agreed deadlines.
• The willingness and ability to work in a manner that embodies the practices of equality, diversity and inclusion.
• The ability to understand and practice the values of The Open University in undertaking your duties.
• Ability to communicate effectively with co-workers and colleagues including when ‘at a distance’.
• The flexibility in approach to adapt to shifting working practices and change.

Desirable Criteria

• Experience of working in open or distance-teaching and developing multi-media teaching particularly through a virtual learning environment.
• An ability to extend and consolidate the public engagement and impact activities of Sociology, the School and the Faculty.

Support with your application

If you have any questions, or need support or adjustments relating to your application, the recruitment process, or the role, please contact us on 01908 541111 or email careers@open.ac.uk quoting the advert reference number.

What's in it for you?

At The Open University, we offer a range of benefits to recognise and reward great work, alongside policies and flexible working that contribute towards a great work life balance. Get all the details of what benefits we offer by visiting our Staff Benefits page (clicking this link will open a new window).

Flexible working

We are open to discussions about flexible working. Whether it’s a job share, part time, compressed hours or another working arrangement. Please reach out to us to discuss what works best for you.

Whilst the successful candidate can work from home/remotely for the majority of the time, as this contract is contractually aligned, there will be a requirement to attend the Milton Keynes office as and when required. We expect this to be approximately twice per month.

Next steps in the Recruitment process

We expect interviews to take place in the week commencing 27 April or 4 May 2026.

Early closing date notification

While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

How to apply

To apply for this role please submit the following document(s):

• CV
• Supporting statement of up to 1000 words clearly demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria for the role. 

You can view your progress and application communications when you are logged into our recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folders if you do not receive associated email updates.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential. We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.