Location
University of Warwick Campus, Coventry
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Department
Politics & International Studies
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Position Type
Permanent
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Salary
£47,389 to £56,535 per annum
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About the Role
Informal Queries
For informal queries about the role, please contact Professor Shaun Breslin at
[email protected]
Applications are invited for an indefinite Assistant Professorship in Politics and International Studies (East Asia) in the Department of Politics and International Studies (PAIS) at the University of Warwick to start at the beginning of the academic year 2026-27. The appointment will be made at FA7 of the University of Warwick salary scale.
PAIS is home to an established community of scholars dedicated to the study of the politics, political economy, and international relations of the East and Southeast Asian region. We are seeking an outstanding researcher and educator who can either enhance our current teaching and research strengths or introduce new areas of expertise. Potential areas of focus include: Chinese politics, foreign policy and regional relations; East/Southeast Asian security; territorial and maritime politics; great power competition; regional institution building; East/Southeast Asian political economy; environment and energy security; gender; and borders and migration. We are also interested in candidates whose research engages with questions of colonialism, decolonisation, race, empire, and postcolonial politics in East/Southeast Asia and beyond. We are keen to attract a scholar with the capacity to teach modules and supervise student projects on the East Asian region and Chinese politics and international relations.
The successful candidate will demonstrate a strong research trajectory and the ability to contribute to high-quality teaching across our undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. They will be expected to develop and deliver modules on Chinese and/or East/Southeast Asian politics and international relations, and to supervise student dissertations and research projects focused on the region and its constituent countries. Candidates whose work brings innovative theoretical, methodological, or interdisciplinary perspectives to the study of East Asia are particularly encouraged to apply.
The successful candidate will join one or more of PAIS’s research clusters (International Relations and Security, International Political Economy, Comparative Politics, Environmental Politics and Political Theory) and will also benefit from engagement with our longstanding East Asia Study Group. We are a methodologically pluralist department and welcome all different approaches to the study of the politics of East and Southeast Asia.
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About You
The successful candidate will demonstrate a track record of producing high-quality, nationally recognised outputs and show clear progress towards an internationally excellent research profile. They will be expected to produce high-quality research outputs in leading journals and presses, to pursue competitive bids for external research funding, and to demonstrate a commitment to generating impact beyond the academy
In addition, the post-holder will be expected to design and teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules related to the East Asian region and Chinese politics and international relations. They will also have the opportunity to help shape our curriculum by offering modules in their research specialism. Additionally, they will support the supervision of dissertations at UG and PGT levels.
They will demonstrate a track record of, or reflective engagement with, advancing Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) in the workplace, including efforts to promote gender and racial equality. A demonstrable commitment to inclusive teaching practices—particularly in relation to supporting students from underrepresented backgrounds, including those with disabilities and the implementation of reasonable adjustments—is essential. Experience with decolonising the curriculum and anti-racist, intersectional, or other critical pedagogical approaches is highly desirable.
For details on the experience and skills required, please refer to the
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About the Department
PAIS is one of the leading Politics and International Studies departments. We are ranked 49th in the world in the 2026 QS World University Rankings, and 7th in The Times/The Sunday Times Good University Guide 2026. In REF2021 and REF2014 we were awarded 100% 4* for research environment and since 2016 we have been ranked as number 1 or 2 for ‘overall satisfaction’ in the Russell Group for Politics in the National Student Survey (NSS).
We are a diverse and inclusive community. We are committed to embedding the values of dignity, equality, freedom, and justice in our practices, including widening opportunity for both students and staff.
The Department’s core intellectual aim is to sustain a rich and welcoming environment as a methodologically and theoretically pluralist department with a broad and inclusive understanding of what it means to undertake research and teaching in Politics and International Studies.
We offer a wide range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including a suite of double-degree MAs with partner institutions. We also have a vibrant PhD programme.
PAIS holds an Athena Swan silver award, a national initiative that recognises the advancement of gender equality, representation, progression, and success for all in academia. We provide a welcoming and inclusive working and learning environment. We recognise that everyone is different in a variety of visible and non-visible ways, and that those differences are to be recognised, respected, and valued. We are committed to fostering an inclusive and supportive academic environment in which all colleagues can thrive. We warmly welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds, particularly those from racially minoritised, disabled, LGBTQIA+, and economically disadvantaged communities. We actively champion a culture of inclusion, intellectual curiosity, and innovation across our diverse department.
To find out more about the department please visit our website: https://warwick.ac.uk/fac/soc/pais/
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About the University
We are a world-leading research-intensive university founded in 1965. We are ranked 74th in the world and 9th in the UK.* Additionally, 92% of our research is rated world-leading or internationally excellent.**
Find out more about us at warwick.ac.uk/about/.
- World University Ranking 2026, Complete University Guide 2026
** Research Excellence Framework 2021
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How to Apply
Closing Deadline: Wednesday 8 July 2026 at 11:55pm (UK Time)*
To apply, please click APPLY below and submit an application form by the closing deadline.
You will be asked to include a CV and Cover Letter.
Your Cover Letter should be no more than three pages outlining:
How you meet the essential and desirable criteria in the /*generated inline style */
Right to Work in the UK
If you do not yet have the right to work in the UK and/or are seeking sponsorship for a Skilled Worker visa, please follow this link which contains further information about obtaining the right to work in the UK.
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