Job Description
Job Title:  University Teacher in Urban Studies and International Development
Posting Start Date:  25/09/2026
Job Id:  3197
School/Department:  Geography & Planning
Work Arrangement:  Part Time (Hybrid)
Contract Type:  Fixed-term
Salary per annum (£):  48,822.00
Closing Date:  22/10/2026

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

 

We are seeking to appoint an excellent teacher to support the School of Geography and Planning in delivering its undergraduate and postgraduate Planning and International Development programmes. The appointment is a fixed-term maternity cover post designed to maintain teaching, module leadership, and student support provision during the absence of the permanent post-holder. You will be a creative and inspirational teacher, with teaching experience, and an ability to lead, develop and deliver teaching for a diverse cohort of students. We are particularly keen to hear from individuals with expertise in international/ sustainable development and urban studies. The School of Geography and Planning is globally recognised for its excellence in education, research, and knowledge exchange.  We are committed to supporting the candidate to develop their profile of scholarship through collaboration with colleagues in the School, wider Faculty and University.

 

 

Main duties and responsibilities

 .

  • Deliver teaching and undertake assessments of modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level in International/ Sustainable Development and Urban Studies. This will include preparing teaching material, communicating material and encouraging creative and critical engagement with it; observing and reacting to student interventions; responding to questions outside class times and introducing innovative teaching methods as appropriate
  • Develop teaching informed by research and engage in scholarly activity related to achieving excellence in learning and teaching.
  • Supervise Undergraduate and Masters projects and dissertations.
  • Act as an academic tutor
  • Undertake assessment for courses, ensuring adequate moderation and providing written and oral feedback.
  • Work actively to enhance the student experience by (amongst others) delivering prompt feedback and being available to attend to students’ academic needs.
  • Undertake course evaluation, including facilitating student feedback, reflecting on your own teaching design and delivery; and implementing ideas for improving your own performance.
  • Make a full and active contribution to the principles of the ‘Sheffield Academic’. These include the achievement of excellence in teaching and scholarly pursuits to make a genuine difference in the subject area and to the University’s achievements as a whole.
  • 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 is 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.

 

Criteria

Essential or desirable

Stage(s) assessed at

A PhD, or working towards a PhD (or equivalent experience) in a relevant subject area

Essential

Application

Appropriate knowledge of urban studies and international/ sustainable development

Essential

Application

Evidence of relevant teaching experience

Essential

Application/ Interview

Experience of designing and delivering teaching as part of taught modules

Essential

Application/ Interview

Experience of supervising undergraduate and/ or postgraduate students

Desirable

Application/ Interview

Ability to effective deliver research results to an undergraduate or masters student audience

Essential

Application/ Interview

Ability to work to and meet deadlines

Essential

Application/ Interview

An understanding of equality, diversity & inclusion principles and practices.

Essential

Application/ Interview

Excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues, students and others in the University and beyond

Essential

Application/ Interview

 

 

Further Information

 

Grade

8.2

Salary

£48,822

Work arrangement

Full time

Duration

5th January 2027 start (12 months)

Line manager

Head of School

Right to work in the UK

If you do not currently hold the right to work in the UK, you can find more information here to help determine your visa eligibility.  Additional guidance is also available on the UK Visa & Immigration website.

Our website

https://sheffield.ac.uk/geography-planning

For informal enquiries about this job contact Professor Stephen Livingstone, Head of School: on gplhos@sheffield.ac.uk

 

 

Next steps in the recruitment process

 

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place in mid-November. This will consist of an interview. We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage late October. If you need any support, equipment or adjustments to enable you to participate in any element of the recruitment process you can contact gpl-ops@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
  • A range of generous family-friendly policies
    • paid time off for parenting and caring emergencies
    • access to menopause support in the workplace
    • 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 Leader (opens in a new window). 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.

 

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.