Lecturer in Criminal Law

Whether you’re looking to take the next step in your current specialism, explore a new challenge, or broaden your experience, we offer opportunities where you can flourish and make a real difference. Our people come from a wide range of backgrounds, each bringing their abilities and experiences to our organisation, helping us thrive and innovate together.

The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices.

Here, you can continue to make a difference in everything around you. Take on new challenges, grow your career, be recognised for your contributions, and benefit from our commitment to your wellbeing. Be part of something bigger – where your work has real impact and your development matters. There are so many reasons to take your next step with us.

The University of Edinburgh is a world-class organisation. We look for the best in the field across all disciplines and provide a working environment where academics can develop their careers and passion for their chosen subject area. We offer the full range of academic roles and have a genuine focus on our students’ performance and wellbeing.

The Opportunity:

As Lecturer in Criminal Law, you will have an established teaching and research profile in the subject area and a commitment to promoting the student experience. You will develop and deliver teaching and assessment (including dissertation supervision) across undergraduate and postgraduate levels in the Law School. You will play a full part in the collegiate life of the School and will develop and execute an ambitious and impactful research agenda within the field of criminal law, leading to internationally excellent publications in line with the School’s REF strategy. This post is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working. 

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle: 

• Professional development and subject matter expertise.
• Opportunities to develop new skills and broaden your experience.
• Leading-edge research.
• Opportunities for publication.

As a valued member of our team, you can expect: 

• A competitive salary. 
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work. 
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. 

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also Stonewall Scotland Diversity Champions, actively promoting LGBT equality. 

We welcome applications from all qualified candidates and particularly encourage applications from candidates belonging to groups that have traditionally been under-represented in the subject.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK.

The University may be able to sponsor the employment of international workers in this role. This will depend on a number of factors specific to the successful applicant. 

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 21 May 2026. 

Unless stated otherwise, the closing time for applications is 11:59 pm (UK time). If you are applying from outside the UK, the closing time shown on our adverts will automatically adjust to your browser’s local time zone.

Interviews are expected to be held in late May or early June.

About Us

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.

About the Team

Edinburgh Law School is situated in the historic Old College, at the heart of Edinburgh’s legal centre. For over three hundred years the School has been providing world-leading education and research in the eclectic discipline of law. As one of the eleven constituent Schools of the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Science, the School encourages multi- and interdisciplinary connections throughout its teaching and research.

The School values diversity across all staff and students, and supports flexible and family-friendly working. The School provides active support and professional development (including mentoring, training, and networking opportunities) for all staff.