About the role
The School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences seeks to appoint a Lecturer or Associate Professor, dependent on experience, in Law. The successful candidate will have expertise and professional substantial experience in Maritime Law, with a particular focus on marine autonomy, ocean governance, and emerging maritime technologies. They will contribute to teaching, professional engagement, and applied scholarship aligned with the University of Plymouth’s distinctive position as a national leader in marine and maritime innovation.
This role is uniquely situated within Plymouth’s context as the UK’s National Centre for Marine Autonomy and home to the UK’s first National Marine Park, a unique national asset and a model for future marine parks across the UK, offering exceptional opportunities for collaboration across law, marine science, engineering, and policy. The appointee will be expected to engage actively with this ecosystem, contributing to the legal and regulatory dimensions of the rapidly evolving maritime domain.
Applicants may come from either academic or professional legal backgrounds; however, relevant professional experience in maritime law, shipping, marine governance, or associated sectors is essential. Candidates may hold a PhD in Law, a professional legal qualification, or equivalent experience relevant to the role.
For more information on School of Law Humanities and Social Sciences please visit our dedicated webpage at https://www.plymouth.ac.uk/schools
Due to the nature of the role, unfortunately we are unable to accommodate working from home.
What we’re looking for
Essential Criteria (meeting these is essential to both lecturer and AP level)
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A professional legal qualification (Solicitor, Barrister, Chartered Legal Executive, or equivalent), or a PhD in Law (completed or near completion), supported by significant and relevant professional experience in the maritime or marine sector.
- Demonstrable professional experience in Maritime Law, including areas such as shipping law, marine environmental law, law of the sea, port regulation, or maritime commercial practice.
- A clear track record of (AP level), or capacity for (lecturer level), engagement with the legal and regulatory implications of marine autonomy and emerging maritime technologies (e.g. autonomous vessels, maritime data systems, AI in shipping).
- Ability to teach flexibly across multiple areas of the LLB and LLM programmes, including contributing to core law provision.
- Commitment to delivering an excellent student experience and supporting graduate employability in maritime, marine, environmental, and ocean-related sectors.
- Ability to engage effectively with external stakeholders, including maritime industries, regulators, government, environmental organisations, and defence/security partners.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
About us
The University of Plymouth has a strong interdisciplinary research ethos which is supported by our two strategic Research Institutes; the Marine Institute and the Sustainable Earth Institute. As a member of our academic community, you’ll be expected to contribute to our recognised research strengths. Working holistically across the University, you will be challenged to innovate, collaborate and deliver impactful research contributions as part of a systems thinking approach to addressing today’s global challenges.
Application Process
Please apply online, demonstrating how you meet the essential criteria outlined in the knowledge, qualifications, training, skills and experience elements of the job description in your supporting statement.
Please indicate the level of role to which you are applying and tailor your application accordingly. Please note however that the University reserves the right to make an offer of appointment within the range advertised, aligned with Plymouth's Academic Career Pathways, according to your knowledge, experience and skills in relation to the key accountabilities.
Following the closing date of the vacancy, you will be notified on the outcome of your application in due course.
Our Offer
We have a wide range of staff benefits available to employees, depending on eligibility:
Generous annual leave: 35 Days Annual Leave plus Bank Holidays & Closure Days- Generous pension scheme
- Cycle to Work & Electric Car Scheme
- Employee Assistance Programme
- Development opportunities
- Enhanced family leave
- Flexible working
- Retailer discounts
- On-site nursery
Additional Information
The University of Plymouth is building an inclusive and equitable university where everyone feels represented, supported, and empowered to thrive. Our commitment to equity, diversity and inclusion is guided by the Inclusive Institutions Framework, a strategic and externally validated approach that embeds these principles across the entire institution. To find out more please visit our Equality, Diversity and Inclusion webpages
