The University of Sheffield is a remarkable place to work. Our people are at the heart of everything we do. Their diverse backgrounds, abilities and beliefs make Sheffield a world-class university.

We offer a fantastic range of benefits including a highly competitive annual leave entitlement (with the ability to purchase more), a generous pensions scheme, flexible working opportunities, a commitment to your development and wellbeing, a wide range of retail discounts, and much more. Find out more about our benefits (opens in a new window) and join us to become part of something special.

Overview

Main duties and responsibilities

• Deliver general and specialist courses to the highest standards of teaching excellence, in teams and on your own.

• Carry out assessment for courses, including designing assessment instruments and criteria, marking assessments, ensuring adequate moderation, and providing written/oral feedback.

• Carry out course evaluation, which will include facilitating student feedback, reflecting on your own teaching design and delivery, and implementing ideas for improving your performance.

• Coordinate team teaching, which will include liaison with other academic staff and/or postgraduate assistants, to ensure that courses are delivered and assessed consistently to the highest standards.

• Provide extra-curricular support to students as an Academic Tutor.

• Engage in critically reflective teaching that enhances the design and delivery of the School’s undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

• Engage with the pedagogical development of the School and contribute to the School’s efforts to build a culture of educational leadership excellence.

• Conduct innovative and impactful scholarship on education policy and practice as evidenced by publications, exhibitions, and other forms of impact and dissemination (for example, the School’s Learning and Teaching Seminar Series).

• Undertake continued professional development and contribute to improving teaching practice across the School.

• Undertake administrative duties as required by the School.

• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post.

Person Specification

Our diverse community of staff and students recognises the unique abilities, backgrounds, and beliefs of all. We foster a culture where everyone feels they belong and are respected. Even if your past experience doesn't match perfectly with this role's criteria, your contribution is valuable, and we encourage you to apply. Please ensure that you reference the application criteria in the application statement when you apply.

Essential criteria

• A PhD in Politics and/or International Relations [assessed at application]

• Experience of delivering excellent, innovative courses with a reflective and student-focused approach individually and/or as part of a team [assessed at application and interview]

• Ability to design and deliver teaching in a way that enhances student understanding and experience [assessed at application and interview]

• Ability to deliver, timely, informative, focused, and personalised feedback on students assessments, including project work (e.g. dissertations) [assessed at application and interview]

• Ability to clearly plan, manage and administer teaching, including leading teaching teams [assessed at application and interview]

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, including academic writing and presentation skills [assessed at application and interview]

• Excellent knowledge of the latest advances in subject areas being taught and a willingness to remain up-to-date with current literature [assessed at application and interview]

• Effective communication skills, both written and verbal, including academic writing and presentation skills [assessed at application and interview]

• Excellent interpersonal skills as demonstrated by working effectively with academic and professional service colleagues, students from a range of backgrounds, and external stakeholders [assessed at application and interview]

• Experience of teaching and supporting overseas students [assessed at application and interview]

Desirable criteria

• Ability and willingness to take on education leadership roles [assessed at application and interview]

• An active programme of scholarly activity related to the development of teaching and learning in Politics and International Relations [assessed at application and interview]

Further Information

Grade: 8

Salary: £48,149 - £52,566

Work arrangement: 0.6 FTE 

Duration: 1st September 2025 - 28th February 2027

Line manager: Academic Line Manager TBC

Direct reports: n/a

Our website: https://www.sheffield.ac.uk/spir

For informal enquiries about this job, contact
Dr James Weinberg, School Director of Education: on james.weinberg@sheffield.ac.uk. 

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place on 6th August. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact spr-operations@sheffield.ac.uk

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision (opens in new window).

What we offer

• A minimum of 41 days annual leave including bank holiday and closure days (pro rata) with the ability to purchase more.

• Flexible working opportunities, including hybrid working for some roles.

• Generous pension scheme.

• A wide range of discounts and rewards on shopping, eating out and travel.

• A variety of staff networks, providing opportunities for social interaction, peer support and personal development (for example, Race Equality, LGBT+, Women’s and Parent’s networks).

• Recognition Awards to reward staff who go above and beyond in their role.

• A commitment to your development access to learning and mentoring schemes; integrated with our Academic Career Pathways.

  • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies

  • support for those going through the menopause

  • paid time off and support for fertility treatment

  • and more

More details can be found on our benefits page: sheffield.ac.uk/jobs/benefits (opens in a new window).

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria for this job you will be invited to take part in the next stage of the selection process.

Closing Date : 27/07/2025 

We are a research university with a global reputation for excellence. Our ideas and expertise change the world for the better, making a real difference to society. We know that when people come together with different views, approaches and insights it can lead to richer, more creative and innovative teaching and research and the highest levels of student experience. Our University Vision (www.sheffield.ac.uk/vision) outlines our commitment to building a diverse community of staff and students that recognises and values the abilities, backgrounds, beliefs and ways of living for everyone.