Assistant Professor in Politics (UK Visa Sponsorship)
Job Description
The Opportunity
The School of Law, Politics and Sociology at the University of Sussex invites applications for a part-time Assistant Professor in Politics to support teaching and academic administration during a period of research leave within the department.
This role sits on the Education and Scholarship pathway and is ideal for an enthusiastic academic who enjoys high-quality teaching and meaningful engagement with students. You will play an important role in delivering core undergraduate modules, convening specialist courses, and contributing to an inclusive and supportive learning environment.
What You’ll Be Doing
- Deliver undergraduate lectures, seminars, and assessments across core and specialist Politics modules
- Convene the module “The Far Right and the Politics of Immigration”
- Teach on modules such as “Feminism and the Politics of Gender” and “The Neoliberal Age? Interpreting Modern Britain”
- Provide academic guidance and pastoral support to undergraduate students
- Contribute to assessment, feedback, and module administration
- Work collaboratively with colleagues to ensure continuity and quality in teaching delivery
About You
You will be a committed and engaging academic with a passion for undergraduate teaching and student development.
You will bring:
- A PhD in Politics or a closely related discipline
- Experience teaching in higher education
- Subject expertise aligned with the modules offered, such as far-right politics, immigration, gender politics, British politics, or political ideology
- Strong communication and presentation skills
- The ability to work collegially within an academic team and contribute positively to departmental life
This role would suit candidates at an early or mid-career stage who are looking to further develop their teaching portfolio within a research-led department.
About the Department
Politics at Sussex is a well-established, internationally respected department with a strong reputation for both teaching excellence and high-quality research. The department includes around 20 faculty members and approximately 600 students, offering a vibrant and intellectually diverse environment.
Key strengths include:
- British politics and political parties
- Citizenship, migration, and European politics
- Corruption, governance, and political accountability
- Populism, protest, and challenges to political order
The department is home to the Sussex European Institute and the Centre for the Study of Corruption. In the most recent Research Excellence Framework (REF), 96% of outputs were rated world-leading or internationally excellent, reflecting a sustained commitment to academic excellence.
Why Join the University of Sussex?
Set on a beautiful 150-acre campus at the edge of the South Downs National Park, the University of Sussex offers an inspiring place to teach and work. With excellent transport links, including an on-campus train station and extensive cycling routes, Sussex combines accessibility with a strong sense of academic community.
The University is a research-intensive, internationally recognised institution, built on collaboration, inclusivity, and the contributions of its people.
Visa and Right to Work Information
Although this role has been assigned an eligible SOC code, it does not qualify for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship due to its part-time nature.
For official UK Government guidance, please refer to:
- Skilled Worker visa overview
- Skilled Worker eligibility criteria
- Right to work in the UK
- Employment rights in the UK
- Working in the UK as an academic
- All work for the University must be carried out within the UK.
Additional Information
Closing Date: 22 February 2026 (3:59 PM)
Interview Date: 12 March 2026
The University of Sussex is committed to equality, diversity, and inclusion and welcomes applications from candidates of all backgrounds. Reasonable adjustments to the recruitment process are available on request.
