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.

We have an exciting opportunity at the University of Sheffield, School of Law for an inspiring teacher to join a dynamic group of scholars in law and criminology. We are looking to recruit a University Teacher  from 1st September 2025.  You will make a contribution to high quality teaching at UG and PG levels. We are especially keen to attract applicants able to teach in one or more of the following areas: land law; equity and trusts; company law; commercial law; criminal law; environmental and climate change law; intellectual property law; employment law; and sale of goods. We are also interested in candidates with previous legal practitioner experience, who are able to play an important part in our successful pro-bono team.

The School of Law enjoys an international reputation for excellence in teaching and research. We have a diverse team which aspires to address global challenges and our vision is to advance the interdisciplinary understanding of law, socio-legal studies, and criminology. We enjoy a global network of research and teaching links and encourage all undergraduate students to spend a year either abroad with one of our partners, or on work placement. The School’s civic engagement activities and pro bono work connect it with the city of Sheffield, and with partners in the  commercial, public and third sectors, nationally and internationally. More information on the School can be found here.

Main duties and responsibilities

Education

• Design, develop and deliver teaching modules across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including coordinating team teaching to ensure high quality delivery; preparing teaching material, communicating subject matter and encouraging critical discourse and rational thinking; observing and reacting to student interventions; responding to questions outside class times and to contingencies in course delivery.
• Carry out assessment for modules, including designing assessment instruments and criteria; marking assessments, ensuring adequate moderation; providing written/oral feedback; and collating and providing final assessments of students.
• Supervise and assess UG and PG dissertation students and doctoral students. 
• Carry out module evaluation, including facilitating student feedback; reflecting on own teaching design and delivery; and implementing ideas for improving own performance.

Leadership and Administration

• Provide pastoral and academic support for students by acting as an Academic Tutor.
• Contribute to the life of the School, Faculty and wider University community by taking on leadership roles and responsibilities where required, and contributing to committee work and the development of relevant policies.
• Make a substantial contribution to the School’s ambitions in employability and enrichment.
• Carry out other duties, commensurate with the grade and remit of the post. 
• Make ethical decisions in your role, modelling inclusive and collegiate behaviour, embedding the University’s sustainability strategy into your working activities wherever possible, and furthering the University’s EDI objectives.

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.

Essential Criteria:

• High standard teaching potential in relevant subject areas eg knowledge of relevant systems, policies, legislation and quality standards. (Application, presentation, interview)
• Ability to design and deliver modules to a high standard. (Application, presentation, interview)
• Ability to lead and manage taught modules and programmes, preferably to students on interdisciplinary programmes. (Application, presentation, interview)
• Ability to think strategically in order to devise, develop and implement new policies and procedures. (Application, presentation, interview)
• Excellent communication skills, both written and verbal, and excellent interpersonal skills with the ability to liaise effectively with colleagues, students and external stakeholders.
• Proven ability to work to and meet deadlines. (Application, presentation, interview)
• Experience of working collaboratively and effectively as a part of a team. (Application, presentation, interview)
• An understanding of and demonstrable commitment to promoting and embedding equality, diversity & inclusion principles and practices and demonstration of capacity to meet the educational needs f a diverse group of students. (Application, presentation, interview)

Desirable criteria:

• Ability to supervise, monitor and review the work of students. (Application, presentation, interview)

• Proven ability to tackle and resolve complex and often conflicting problems with an appreciation of longer-term implications. (Application, presentation, interview)
• Proven teaching ability, ideally with a recognised teaching qualification. (Application, presentation, interview)

For informal enquiries about this job contact

Professor Richard Kirkham, Head of the School of Law: on @sheffield.ac.uk or on
r.m.kirkham@sheffield.ac.uk

Next steps in the recruitment process

It is anticipated that the selection process will take place mid-to-end of June. This will consist of a 10 minute presentation to School of Law colleagues, followed by a 15 minute Question & Answer session, an interview (30-40 mins) and an opportunity to meet more informally with colleagues from the School of Law and tour Bartolome House.

We plan to let candidates know if they have progressed to the selection stage at least one week before the interviews. Contact law-hr@sheffield.ac.uk if you require any reasonable adjustments.

Our vision and strategic plan

We are the University of Sheffield. This is our vision: sheffield.ac.uk/vision.

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 and Professional Services Shared Skills Framework.
• A range of generous family-friendly policies
  • 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.

We are a Disability Confident Employer. If you have a disability and meet the essential criteria you will be invited to interview.

Closing date: 28 May 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.