Senior Lecturer​/Reader​/Professor in Anthropology

Job title: Senior Lecturer/Reader/Professor in Anthropology

Department: Anthropology & Sociology

Contract Type: Permanent (Successful candidate must be based in the UK for the duration of their contract).

Grade: G9/AC4 (Senior Lecturer/Reader) & Merit A/Career A (Professor)

Salary: £62,738.57 - £71,981.57 G9/AC4 / £72,538.57 - £82,560.57 Merit A/Career A

Location: Bloomsbury, London

Hours: 35 per week

The Department of Anthropology and Sociology welcomes applications for this senior academic post as part of CAMHRA, commencing September 2026. The successful candidate will be an outstanding anthropologist with requisite teaching and research expertise in mental health care, as well as in the wider discipline of social/cultural anthropology. It is expected that you will have expertise relevant to the vision and strategy of SOAS.

You must have a PhD in Social/Cultural Anthropology or a closely related field and a strong track record of publications contributing to the department’s excellent research profile. This will be evidenced by original fieldwork and publications, as well as other outputs, knowledge exchange and public/policy engagement activities, proportionate to career level. We particularly welcome applications from candidates who have occupied leadership roles within discipline-specific Centres, including developing productive research collaborations with non-HEI as well as HEI partners.

Candidates will contribute to the development of innovative, inclusive pedagogies and have experience working with students of diverse backgrounds and life experiences, including those having mental health expertise from clinical, professional and lived experience careers.

In addition to teaching and research, the role holder will be expected to provide academic advising, supervise dissertations at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, supervise doctoral research and writing, and hold administrative roles as appropriate within the Department, College and/or School.

The Department of Anthropology and Sociology is a world‑leading research‑led department. Its academics and research students work across a wide spectrum of anthropological, regional, and theoretical issues, including medical and psychological anthropology, food, migration, political economy and politics, conflict, gender, race, infrastructure, climate change, religion, critical theory and innovative ethnographic methods. The Department is leading a key field by hosting UKRI Research England supported Centre for Anthropology and Mental Health Research in Action (CAMHRA).

CAMHRA is a discipline‑specific research centre working at the intersection of anthropology and mental health research. CAMHRA’s work elucidates the ways in which distress relates to experiences of economic precarity, inequality, racial and gendered violence, climate crisis and the everyday struggles related to loss, care and connection. CAMHRA’s focus is on research, partnerships, education and training and public engagement. More information about CAMHRA is available here.

Further information about the Department of Anthropology & Sociology is available online:

• Generous Holiday Entitlement: Benefit from 44 days of holiday (30 days annual leave, plus bank holidays and 5 closure days over Christmas and Easter) to ensure ample time for rest and relaxation.
• Flexible Working Arrangements: We recognise the importance of flexibility and offer options to help you manage your professional and personal commitments effectively.
• Generous occupational pension scheme: To provide financial security for your future.
• Learning and Development: We are dedicated to your professional growth and development and offer diverse learning and development opportunities to enhance your skills and advance your career.
• Health and Well‑being Initiatives: Take advantage of our cycle to work scheme, eye tests, and season ticket loan to support your health and mobility.
• Enhanced Family Leave: We offer enhanced maternity, paternity & partner leave, and shared parental leave to support you during significant life events.
• Employee Assistance Programme: Access our confidential…