About the role
The School of Law, Humanities and Social Sciences seeks to appoint a Lecturer or Associate Professor in Law with expertise and substantial professional experience in artificial intelligence, legal technology (LawTech), digital regulation, or closely related emerging fields. You will contribute to the delivery, development, and enhancement of our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, while supporting the School’s strategic ambition to be at the forefront of technology-enabled legal education, innovation, and engagement.
This post is explicitly aligned with the growing importance of LawTech and the transformation of legal services through AI and digital tools, including automation, smart contracts, data-driven legal processes, and the regulation and governance of emerging technologies.
Applicants may come from either academic or professional legal backgrounds; however, relevant professional experience in legal practice, legal technology, or related industry contexts is essential. You may hold a PhD in Law, a professional legal qualification, or equivalent experience relevant to the role and at a level suited to either a lecturer or associate professor 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.
- Demonstrable professional experience in one or more of the following areas: AI and the law, LawTech innovation, legal automation, digital platforms, data governance, intellectual property in technology contexts, cyberlaw, or digital regulation.
- Ability to teach flexibly across multiple areas of the LLB and LLM programmes, including contributing to core provision and embedding technology-enhanced legal perspectives.
- Commitment to delivering an excellent student experience and supporting graduate employability in a rapidly evolving, technology-driven legal sector.
- Ability to contribute to curriculum development and innovation, particularly in relation to practice-facing LawTech, experiential learning, and industry-relevant skills.
- Ability to engage effectively with external partners, including law firms, LawTech companies, regulators, start-ups, and professional bodies.
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.
For more information about the job and the person specification, please refer to the job description.
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
