Lecturer in Criminology (Drugs Policy) - (8178)

The Department of Sociology at Manchester Metropolitan is one of the largest in the UK; with 85 members of staff and over 1500 students across all levels. We deliver undergraduate and postgraduate programmes in Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy.  

The Department produces high-quality teaching and high-quality research, with a strong focus on applied, empirical social science. Our success in achieving above sector student satisfaction demonstrates our commitment to excellent, student-centred learning. It is home to the Policy Evaluation and Research Unit, the Manchester Centre for Youth Studies, and the Drugs Policy and Social Change centre. We are also nationally recognised for our innovative approach to quantitative methods and data literacy via our Q-Step Centre.  In the REF21 we were rated top 15 for research power in both UoA20 and UoA21; our research is impactful, interdisciplinary and socially engaged.    

 The department is looking to appoint a Lecturer in Criminology (12-month fixed term) with specialisms in alcohol and other drug research. This role will be based in DPSC and will cover a range of teaching on the UG and PG teaching programmes and helping us to prepare for the Global Drug Studies pathway.   

DPSC is a multi-disciplinary research team within the Department of Sociology and Criminology that studies the meaning of drugs within cultures, contexts and communities, and connects this knowledge to debates, processes and interventions in policy and practice. DPSC studies drugs across the market including use, supply, production and trafficking. The team has a strong methodological focus that seeks to reimagine drug policy futures through collective and creative methodologies. We specialise in ethnography, drug trends, participatory methods, as well as discourse and media analysis. The postholder will be research active within the field of drug research on one or more of the following areas, theory development, methodological innovation; professional practice and service provision; or drug policy.  

We are looking for a highly motivated criminologist with a strong commitment to excellence in undergraduate education and continuous professional development; someone who has a strong emerging research profile in their specialism who can contribute to the strength of our research portfolio.  

The postholder will have completed a PhD in Criminology or other associated field, have experience of Higher Education teaching, specialising in any aspect of drug research. A publication portfolio and previous experience of working on funded research projects would also be an advantage. The postholder will draw on their research to make a significant contribution to policy, governance and practice. 

About you:  

Essential Skills: 

• A good first degree together with a PhD in a relevant discipline  

• Background in research with specific and current expertise in the field of drugs and drugs policy. 

• Ability to teach, supervise and assess undergraduate and postgraduate students, including use of digital technologies 

• Experience working in teaching and/or research teams that require collaborative working and initiative taking.  

Desirable: 

• A PGCE, Certificate of Education, PGCLTHE, Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy or an agreed professional equivalent, or commitment to obtain FHEA within three years of initial appointment  

• Experience of delivering research outputs of high quality, as judged against national and international norms, in formats appropriate to the discipline   

• Experience of participation in funded projects   

Please note that in some circumstances, we will consider applicants who do not have these qualifications but are committed to obtaining them. 

To apply: 

Please submit your up-to-date CV and covering letter (of no more than 2 pages) via our application portal. 

For an informal discussion about this role please contact Liz Cain (l.cain@mmu.ac.uk) Head of Department or Rebecca Askew (r.askew@mmu.ac.uk) Director of DPSC.  

If you would like to join our people and share our ambition, we would love to hear from you.  

Manchester Metropolitan University is committed to supporting the rights, responsibilities, dignity, health and wellbeing of staff and students through our commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion. 

We are proud of our diverse student community and the differences that their experiences bring to the department and to professional, public and third sectors after they successfully graduate. We are keen to ensure that our staff group is as representative as possible, and we therefore encourage applications from all sections of the community, irrespective of background, belief or identity, recognising the benefits that a diverse organisation can bring and particularly encourage applications from groups which are underrepresented in the University workforce. 

We recognise the benefits and importance of an environment that supports flexible working and are open to conversations about this, as well as any reasonable adjustments required throughout the application process.