**INTERNAL APPLICANTS ONLY**
The Department of Sociology will be appointing between 2 and 5 Assistant Lecturers (ALs) for the academic year 2025-2026 to assist with the teaching of our courses and modules for undergraduate students. This is a valuable opportunity for current University of Essex PhD students to gain teaching and marking experience and a teaching qualification. All essential for a career in academia. Teaching will take place face-to-face.
Modules that ALs will be invited to teach on include:
• SC111 The Sociological Imagination
• SC104 Introduction to Crime, Law and Society
• SC204 Sociology of Crime and Control
• SC205 Policing, Punishment and Society
• SC208 Quantitative Research: Crime and Inequality Across the Life Course
• SC504 Introduction to Quantitative Analysis
Please note that the list of modules is subject to change.
Information regarding the content of each of these modules is available from the online Module Directory:
General information about the Department
You can find more information about the department at the following link:
Purpose of the role
The Assistant Lecturer (ALs) post will contribute to the Department’s teaching programme by providing teaching and tuition to help students meet their learning outcomes.
This post also provides a development opportunity for postgraduate students to develop their teaching skills in preparation for more senior teaching posts in future and to achieve professional recognition. ALs assist academic staff at the University by performing teaching or teaching related duties normally using existing teaching materials.
Assistant Lecturers will receive close supervision and direction from the Module Supervisor, including regular feedback, pastoral support and guidance. The Module Supervisor will give full background on the module and clear direction on the content to be taught and the preparation necessary, and will undertake assessment of teaching. If marking is to be undertaken, it should be in line with the University’s and under the guidance of the Module Supervisor.
Essential Requirements
Assistant Lecturers will normally be current PhD students in Sociology and Criminology, but applications are invited from students from other departments as well. We will not normally consider candidates for teaching who are in the first year of a PhD at Essex, unless the student concerned is going on to a PhD after completing an MA at Essex (for example, ESRC 1+3 students), and thus already has some familiarity with the Department and its procedures. We will also consider carefully whether students who are having difficulties with progress on the PhD should be offered teaching.
Background knowledge
• Some experience in delivery of academic content to small groups using oral presentation is [essential].
• Previous experience of teaching and assessing students’ work and providing feedback is [desirable].
Skills [all essential]
• Able to communicate academic and teaching material clearly to both academic staff and a wide range of students.
• Effective organisation skills to manage time and prioritise different duties.
• Able to present work on a well-structured and coherent manner.
• Ability to work independently and as part of a team
ALs who have previously taught within the Department, should hold CADENZA accreditation in order to be considered.
Contractual Arrangements
Total number of hours per week and overall are determined by the number of classes undertaken by each AL and whether the appointment is for one or two terms. Typically, one to two classes will be assigned per AL. Hours are likely to vary from week to week, but it is expected that two classes per week is equivalent to seven hours per week on average (during term time). Details of how the pay is broken down can be found at the end of this document. There is no teaching in week 21.
The appointment will be made at the University rates for Assistant Lecturers, depending on hours agreed, at Grade 7 SP 27 (currently £18.71 per hour) or at Grade 7 SP 28 (currently £19.25 per hour) for those who hold CADENZA.
The posts will be offered as fixed-term employment contracts until the post holder completes or withdraws from postgraduate studies or enters further completion or an extension to completion period.
Although an overarching contract will be in place for the duration of postgraduate studies, ALs will need to apply for individual posts and will have no entitlement to future engagements beyond their initial post. The reason the contract is fixed-term is that these posts provide an opportunity for postgraduate research students to develop interpersonal, communication and practical skills.
Support, Mentoring and Monitoring
Throughout the year, all ALs will have a mentor (normally the Module Convenor) with whom they should share their teaching experience and any challenge they might face. ALs are also supported by the AL Coordinator. During the first term of teaching all ALs will be observed by the Module Convenor or the AL Co-ordinator and will have an opportunity to discuss the observation afterwards. A copy of this will be kept on the ALs file, along with any comments from the observer.
There will also be a University induction event (for new ALs) and Departmental training (for all ALs).
New ALs are also required to seek accreditation, as Associate Fellows of the Higher Education Academy, through the Cadenza programme.
Please visit for further information.
How to Apply
Applications should include (in one document):
1. A covering letter, no more than 500 words, outlining:
• Your teaching strengths (and any teaching experience).
• Focus of your PhD.
• Reason for applying.
2. An up to date 2-page Curriculum Vitae / résumé.
3. For new ALs – name and contact for a reference.
Please note: incomplete applications will not be considered and all offers of AL work are subject to the approval of the PhD Supervisor.
Selection Procedure
Shortlisting will take place by 29 August 2025 with interviews online on Wednesday 03 September 2025.
If you have worked as an AL before and are interested in applying again, we welcome your application via email by the closing date.
All shortlisted applicants may be called for interview, which will include a mini-teaching presentation as part of the recruitment process.
Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Isabel Crowhurst via