Likelihood of getting a job at a UK university?

[almay8830]

Hi,

I'm currently doing a PhD abroad where I am a resident (European country). I have a Masters, a PgCe and have qualified as a teacher in the country where I live now also.

My PhD is in the Human Sciences (Didactics/ Phonetics). I have done some teaching at universities already but will take up a permanent position next year in this country.

Having said that, I am still undecided whether I would like to move back to the UK (I'm British). I have lived here for over 8 years now, I have another 3 years or so of the PhD (part-time).

How difficult would it be for me to find a job in the UK should I decide to return upon completing the PhD? I will be 40, with 19 years of teaching experience behind me (secondary and HE). If at all possible, would I be considered a lecturer or a senior lecturer?

Any guidance, advice or experiences would be greatly appreciated!

It’s brutal at the moment and there are job cuts everywhere. Linguistics has been cut completely in several unis I know of and fantastic staff thrown on the scrap heap. If you have a job overseas, I’d stay there!

I agree. It's brutal here at the moment. Whilst we are trying to fly under the radar (social sciences) we know someone is going to point a finger soon. I hear before Christmas that my programme in a Red Brick had folded which was terrifying. I would not make any plans.

Very slim, frankly.

What’s your university teaching experience? What research papers have you presented at conferences? Or published? What is your research trajectory and plans for publication and grant applications?

These are the questions I ask as a Director of Research when we’re recruiting. Back when we had jobs to recruit into …

Best thing is to track vacancies via jobs.ac.uk or the Times Higher.

Or have a look at the postdoc schemes you’ll be eligible for: Marie Curie would be possible as you need to fulfil their mobility requirements - and moving from mainland Europe to the UK would do that.

Thanks for the honest replies. I thought as much to be honest. I have young children and it's a tough decision as I would have liked them to grow up in the UK, but I do have job security here and I'm starting an exciting new job at my university next year which will allow me to teach whilst completing the PhD. I have no publications as of yet, having only started the PhD this academic year, and as I am not a phonetics specialist (yet... fingers crossed I will be one day once the hard work will be done), I still have a lot to learn. I do have didactics on my side knowledge-wise, but I still have a lot of work to do before I will feel ready to attempt a publication.

All I will say is I know a linguistics specialist with a Cambridge doctorate, a postdoc, loads of publications, and she cannot get a job in the UK after two years trying. I would stay where you are.

Many UK universities are struggling financially at the moment. Mine has a financial deficit and there's a hiring freeze, no promotions and no pay rises. There may be job loses. It's a grim outlook.

Job security is so important. Do not under any circumstance's give that up for some kind of contract (as I did.... and it ends 2025 😱).

I'd say that without any publications you'd have zero chance of a job in a typical academic role (teaching and research). You'd have a better chance with a teaching only post (which do exist). But as pp say, it's going to get worse before it gets better here. I'd stay put.

new job at my university next year which will allow me to teach whilst completing the PhD. I have no publications as of yet, having only started the PhD this academic year,

Without a PhD or publications @almay8830 ?? - sorry, no hope even in the "normal" hiring patterns as part of a REF cycle. There is usually a pattern of hiring in the year or so before the REF submission must be made. But given the current bin fire of UK universities, even a round of recruitment happening in 2027/28 in preparation for REF submissions is unlikely

If you don't mind me saying, you sound quite naïve about academia. Frankly, if you're working in a university, doing a PhD and hoping to work as an academic, you should already know much of what's been given as advice here.

If you're serious, you should be keeping an eye on jobs.ac.uk ; skim-reading the Times Higher, and keeping tabs on the REF cycle via maybe a scholarly association in your field - my subject association sponsors a listserv email list, where jobs are advertised, and announcements about REF are made. It's a quick way to keep in touch.

But get your PhD first.