Assistant Professor in Sociology

School/Department:            School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, Department of Sociology 

Job Category and Level:     Academic; Assistant Professor, Specific Purpose Contract

The Purpose of the Role 

The primary purpose of this specific purpose post is to contribute to teaching, research and academic service at the Department of Sociology in the School of Social Sciences and Philosophy at Trinity College Dublin, the University of Dublin. The successful applicant will have an established record in teaching and research in the field of quantitative social science and will be expected to contribute to both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in this field and in the interdisciplinary curricular teaching, supervision and mentoring.

Context 

Context The Department of Sociology, School of Social Sciences and Philosophy, is seeking to appoint an Assistant Professor in Sociology, specifically in the area of quantitative sociology of inequality and life course, to commence on 1 January 2026. The position is offered on a specific purpose contract. The Department seeks applications from academics who will contribute significantly to research and teaching excellence in the Department’s streams, in particular Comparative Inequalities, Education and Families: https://www.tcd.ie/sociology/research/

We invite applications from candidates who have a proven track record in quantitative sociology focusing on research related to social stratification and social inequalities, life-course sociology, family sociology, sociology of education or related fields. Candidates must demonstrate a strong quantitative research orientation and associated research skills in their research and teaching portfolio. The appointee will be expected to contribute to graduate and undergraduate teaching and supervision. Moreover, the appointee will engage in wider public and policy debates, as well as to foster collaboration with other Departments in the College and external research bodies.

Candidates must hold a PhD in Sociology or Social Sciences and demonstrate a strong record of research, publication in peer-reviewed journals, and teaching and supervision at undergraduate and postgraduate levels.

This is a specific purpose contract. The specific purpose of this contract is to fill an Assistant Professor vacancy on a temporary basis pending the return of the postholder from maternity leave. Employment is not offered on an indefinite duration basis as the original postholder is expected to return. If the postholder does not return to work the post will be filled through open competition.

Person Requirements 

The role-holder will require the following knowledge, skills and attributes for successful performance in the role. 

Qualifications 

• An excellent academic record and have completed or be close to completion of a Ph.D. in sociology or cognate social sciences. 

• Academic publications in peer reviewed, SSCI-ranked academic journals and publications of equal standing of recognised originality and value. 

• Previous teaching experience in quantitative sociology and social science.