Lecturer in International Relations

Salary: £49,979 per annum - including London Allowance

This is the expected starting salary for this post however appointment at a higher point may be made for candidates who demonstrate exceptional skills and experience relevant to the role.

Hours per Week: 35

Weeks per Year: 52

Right to work: Applications from job seekers who require sponsorship to work in the UK are welcome and will be considered alongside all other applications. For further information visit the UK Visas and Immigration website. 

The Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy at Royal Holloway seeks to appoint a Lecturer in International Relations (Teaching and Research focus). The successful applicant would be expected to start in January 2027. This is a permanent position.

About the Department. The Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy is part of the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy is a research-intensive unit, ranking first in England in the Research Excellence Framework (REF) exercise. The Department provides a full range of undergraduate, postgraduate and doctoral programmes to a diverse student body. We carry out research across different sub-disciplines, including but not limited to the Global Politics and Development Centre, Centre for International Security, Centre for Islamic and West Asian Studies, Democracy and Elections Centre, New Political Communication Unit and the Gender Institute.

About the role. The successful candidate will convene and deliver modules in the International Relations curriculum. Applicants should be able to broaden the range of subfields researched in the department. Areas that the department has identified as underserved include Russia, China, Race/Ethnicity, and Environment/Climate Change, but this list is non-exhaustive, and candidates should feel free to make the case for their subfield. 

About the characteristics we value. Alongside excellence in research and teaching, we are looking for individuals who are collegial and value collaborative working. 

This post is based in Egham, Surrey where the University is situated in a beautiful, leafy campus near to Windsor Great Park and within commuting distance from London.

For an informal discussion about the post, please contact Dr Kaat Smets, Head of Department of Politics, International Relations and Philosophy. Email: kaat.smets@rhul.ac.uk

Please include a cover letter and cv (including both publications and grants under review) with your application. The hiring process will consist of two stages. Selected candidates will be invited to give an online presentation to the Department followed by a Q&A on Monday 7 September 2026. Candidates who are shortlisted for the final round will be asked to attend an interview on Monday 21 September 2026 (in person in Egham where possible).

The Human Resources Department can be contacted with queries by email at: recruitment@rhul.ac.uk

Please quote the reference: 0626-196

Closing Date: 23.59 hours BST on Thursday 20 August 2026

Online Presentation Date: Monday 7 September 2026

Interview Date: Monday 21 September 2026

Further details: Job Description & Person Specification    

This position is not eligible for hybrid working.

Royal Holloway is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion (EDI), and encourages applications from all people regardless of age, disability, gender, marital status, parental status, race, religion or belief, sexual orientation, or trans status or history. More information on our structures and initiatives around EDI, including information on staff diversity networks, can be found on our Equality and Diversity Intranet page.

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