Professor - Sport and Society

Salary is highly competitive, at a starting salary to be confirmed on offer of appointment. At Loughborough University, we are committed to academic excellence, therefore we are investing in our people. We are seeking top research talent from around the world to tackle the most pressing challenges of our time. Creating Better Futures. Together is our ambitious strategy for the next decade, defining our purpose, values, and aspirations, while recognising our global responsibility.

Our ambitions see us leading on education and student experience, but also as an internationally recognised research-intensive University. Our research focuses on changing the world for the better, addressing society's biggest challenges. We are committed to building a thriving and inclusive community of high calibre staff from across the globe. Whether you're at the start of your career or looking to take the next step, we offer a great opportunity to further develop and connect with global minds.

We are currently recruiting for Professors with expertise, and an interest in, Sport and Society to join us. As the Sports University of the Year, we are tackling a variety of challenges – helping to guide the future of sports and leading research that is building better humans. We’re seeking expertise in the following areas:

• Women in Sport: Research and innovation focused on gender equity, leadership, and participation in sport.
• Para and Disability Sport: Strengthening partnerships with sports governing bodies and teams.
• Sport Policy and Governance: Including biodiversity, nature, and climate change.
• Sports Architecture: Stadium design, sustainable venues, indoor sports facilities, artificial turfs, inclusive built environments, and future fan experiences.
• Indoor Sport: Including e-sports and its implications on human health.

Successful candidates will have a sustained and continuing record of excellence which has contributed to the furtherance of knowledge in their discipline and is recognised in a well-established and high-profile international reputation. Evidence of significant academic leadership and a PhD, or equivalent research experience, are also essential.

Loughborough University is a great place to work, so much so that we have recently been named as one of the highest-ranking universities for employee experience in the Inspire HE Rankings, showcasing our commitment to our people. We’re proud of our welcoming, supportive, and successful community. We are consistently ranked among the UK’s top universities, recognised for our outstanding student experience, cutting-edge facilities, and global influence in research and innovation. It’s also why our graduates go on to shape industries, advance knowledge, and create positive change worldwide.

It is anticipated that the majority of the academic roles we have available as part of the campaign will be located at our East Midlands campus in Loughborough. Should you be particularly interested in working at our London campus please state this in your application.

We welcome enquiries for further information about the role. Please contact Professor Lauren Sherar, Acting Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.

We are committed to an inclusive recruitment process. If you require any reasonable adjustments, please contact Professor Lauren Sherar, Acting Dean of the School of Sport, Exercise and Health Sciences.

Some of our roles may involve working in partnership with third-party organisations that require access to government assets. If this applies to a role that you are interested in, please note that you will require security clearance to the UK Government’s Baseline Personnel Security Standard (BPSS) level or higher. If you apply for, and are subsequently offered a role, we will let you know if this is required as part of the background checking procedure.

We are committed to equality of opportunity for all of our colleagues, and we welcome applications from a wide range of candidates, including those with criminal records. Some of our roles may involve working with children or vulnerable individuals, or may require individuals to assume positions of particular trust. If this applies to a role you are interested in, and you are subsequently offered such a role, we will inform you if a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check is required as part of the background checking procedure.