Fixed-term Lecturer

Department
The Sociology and Criminology department are ranked 1st in the UK for research environment in sociology (Grade Point Average, REF 2021). We were awarded an Athena Swan Silver Award in 2026 in recognition of our inclusive, equitable cultural environment and our positive upholding of gender equity principles.

We shape modern society today, advising the UN, government departments, think tanks and public bodies around the world on issues from the rights of indigenous peoples to the regulation of the building industry, and organised crime and terrorism.

As one of Essex's founding departments, we've focused on how people think about major social issues such as poverty, inequality, class, welfare and vulnerability in societies around the world from the very start.

The Department of Sociology and Criminology is keen to further develop the diversity of its staff. The hiring committee is especially interested in candidates who, through their research, teaching, and/or service, will contribute to the diversity and excellence of the academic community.

Duties of the Role
The purpose of the role is to contribute to the full or partial delivery of our UG and PGT modules. You can expect to teach up to 3 modules per term in autumn and spring, with additional marking, outreach and pastoral duties in summer term.

We require specific expertise in data science. The role-holder will convene two core 2nd year modules on our data science degree: SC207 Introduction to Social Data Science and SC290 Social Data Science: Uncover, Understand, Unleash. For this role, it is essential that candidates should be proficient with Python, the Pandas data analysis library and a data visualisation library such as Matplotlib, Seaborn, Plotly etc. Also Desirable: Proficiency with Text analysis in Python using libraries such as Spacy, BERTopic or Scikit-Learn. Proficiency with Network Analysis using NetworkX and/or Gephi. In addition, this role-holder will also teach classes across our UG criminology and sociology provision.

You may be asked to take part in occasional outreach activities during a weekend or Easter term break, while not exceeding the pro-rata weekly allocation.

Qualifications and Skills
The successful candidate will have substantial experience of teaching Sociology or Criminology at undergraduate or postgraduate level, with a relevant doctoral level degree in Sociology or other social science discipline, including Criminology (or be in final stages of studies).

Applicants will also have some experience of designing and planning of learning activities, developing effective learning environments and approaches to student support and guidance. You will be expected to show an ability and willingness to enhance the Department’s education strengths and outreach goals.

In addition, you will also demonstrate commitment to respect individual learners and diverse learning communities and to promote participation and equality of opportunity for all learners via student-centred practice.

Appointment will be made at 0.3 FTE on a fixed-term basis until 31 December 2027. This is a teaching-oriented post, and duties are centred on teaching and student pastoral care.

Please use the 'Apply' button to read further information about this role including the full job description and person specification which outlines the full duties, skills, qualifications and experience needed for this role. You will also find details of how to make your application here.

Our website http://www.essex.ac.uk contains more information about the University of Essex. If you have a disability and would like information in a different format, please email resourcing@essex.ac.uk.

Advert information