Graduate Teaching Fellowship (GTF) Sociology, Social Policy & Criminology

About this opportunity

We welcome applications from candidates who have a good undergraduate degree and/or a Masters in Sociology, Criminology or cognate discipline, in the specific areas listed below:

• Sociological analyses of Looksmaxxing (supervised by Dr Brittany Ralph, Dr Charlotte Branchu, Dr Andrew Kirton)
• Can AI be Democratic? Critically Exploring Possible Futures for AI in Collective Political Practice (supervised by Professor Michael Mair, Dr Phil Brooker, Dr Katy Roscoe).
• Historicising environmental harm, extinction and restoration (supervised by Dr Laura Gutierrez, Dr Katy Roscoe).
• Studying the production, circulation, and reception of digital visions of city futures (supervised by Dr Paul Jones, Dr Phil Brooker; Dr Andrew Kirton; Professor Nicole Vitellone).
• “Lived experience”, leadership and expertise in criminal justice (supervised by Professor Shadd Maruna, Dr Alice Ievins, Dr Gemma Ahearne, Dr Paul Jones).
• Intersections between online misogynistic cultures and female sexfluencers (supervised by Professor Gabe Mythen, Dr Laura Naegler, Dr Gemma Ahearne).
• Neurodiversity in the Criminal Justice System (supervised by Dr Laura Naegler, Professor Barry Godfrey).
• Muslim women, Islamophobia and Football (supervised by Dr Leon Moosavi, Dr Gemma Ahearne).
• Avoidable deaths after contact with state agencies: investigating structural inequalities and outcomes (supervised by Dr Alice Ievins, Dr Scarlet Harris and Dr David Baker).
• Technology-facilitated Gender-based Violence (supervised by Dr Antoinette Huber, Dr Ellen Reeves, Dr Andrew Kirton).
• Public Health Criminology and sex workers (supervised by Dr Gemma Ahearne, Professor Susan Pickard, Professor Ross Coomber, Dr Janine Yazdi-Doughty (Dentistry).
• Understanding the supply use and implications of alcohol in prisons (supervised by Dr Carly Lightowlers and Professor Fiona Measham).

Please contact prospective supervisors using the contact details on their pages if you have further queries.

Established in 1905, our Department has a vibrant, creative, and critically engaged research environment, and our PhD cohort plays a central role in this culture. Postgraduate research | Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology | University of Liverpool. Details of SSPC’s teaching and research activities can be found on our website which applicants are encouraged to review and be aware of prior to applying (Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology – University of Liverpool).

Please note, the deadline for receipt of applications is 9.00am on 1^st July 2026, anything received after this time will not be considered. Please also ensure the position you are applying for is specified in the subject field of your email.

Who is this for?

Candidates must have a good undergraduate degree in Sociology, Criminology or related discipline and should have completed (or be near to completing) a postgraduate degree at master’s or an equivalent level. Candidates must be prepared to teach on criminology and critical social policy modules in addition to modules related to their specific area of expertise. The successful applicant will be required to undertake small-group teaching and assessment marking in one or more core undergraduate modules. Previous teaching experience is not essential as some in-house training and mentoring will be provided.

Open to international students but only funded at home fee rate.

Funding your PhD

The Graduate Teaching Fellow will be funded over a three-year period (dependent on successful progression) of full-time PhD registration, during which the post-holder will teach for the Department of Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology. Over this period, the school will pay University fees at the Full-Time UK student rate only (currently £5,238) – full international-level fees are not covered by this position – plus a full maintenance grant per annum fixed at the UKRI level (£21,805 in 2026-27). The three years of full-time PhD registration will be followed by an unfunded writing-up period of up to one year.

International students are welcome to apply for the GTF post. However, to comply with UK Immigration regulations there may be a visa requirement.  

Contact us

Have a question about this research opportunity or studying a PhD with us? Please get in touch with us, using the contact details below, and we’ll be happy to assist you.