Professor of Anthropology, Sociology or Psychology in Global Health

Professor of Social Sciences in in Global Health, with specialism in Anthropology, Psychology or Sociology

Full-time, permanent appointment

Based in Liverpool with global collaboration

The professorial salary scale at LSTM begins at £80,570 and is competitively benchmarked to match your experience

Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is a globally recognised centre of excellence for teaching and research in tropical diseases. Ranked in the top 5.3% of universities in the world, 1st overall in the latest UK Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey, and 2nd in the UK for research impact through REF2021, there has never been a better time to join the team in Liverpool.

Our International Public Health department brings together experts from an array of disciplines to support and lead cutting-edge research across a broad spectrum of global health challenges, with a particular emphasis on health systems research and its application in shaping policy and improving healthcare delivery.

We have an exciting opportunity for a professor to join the leadership team at LSTM, to lead world-class research and teaching in anthropology in global health. The role focuses on expanding interdisciplinary research, mentoring researchers, and strengthening global partnerships, in particular across Low-and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs).

There will be a strong focus on high impact and translational research, and strengthening and developing our partnerships in LMICs will be crucial in ensuring LSTM remains at the forefront of improving health outcomes globally. Identifying new strategic research opportunities and broadening funding sources will also be key to ensure long term success.

You will join a vibrant and multidisciplinary environment at LSTM, working alongside other social scientists, as well as public health and health systems researchers, clinicians, epidemiologists, health economists and, entomologists. This is a strategic academic leadership role with significant responsibility for research, teaching, and institutional influence.

Key Responsibilities

• Formulate and deliver a strategic vision for anthropology in global health, collaborating with academics globally to build research capacity and infrastructure
• Undertake and lead internationally excellent research with high translational impact, whilst developing LSTM’s reputation in applied anthropology, psychology or sociology through innovation and thought leadership
• Develop research on themes such as resilience in fragile settings, indigenous knowledge, behaviour change, planetary health, decolonisation, global health history, digital health, AI, ethics and lived experience
• Generate research income annually through strategic bids and contracts in line with expectations
• Supervise, mentor and examine PhD and MSc students
• Support capacity strengthening and career development for early- and mid-career researchers
• Contribute to strategic planning, policy development, and institutional governance
• Build and strengthen collaborations with partners LMICs, including LSTM global hubs in Malawi, Kenya, Uganda, and Zimbabwe
• Work in partnership with communities and people with lived experience
• Contribute to LSTM’s Research Excellence Framework (REF) return
• Publish high-quality research in peer-reviewed journals
• Present at international conferences and policy forums

Qualifications & Experience

• PhD (or equivalent) in anthropology, sociology, psychology or closely related discipline
• Established international reputation in applied anthropology sociology or psychology and global health
• Outstanding record of high-impact peer-reviewed publications
• Extensive research experience in LMICs
• Proven success in generating significant external research income, including from non-traditional research funding sources such as philanthropists and foundations
• Demonstrated strategic leadership in research and partnerships
• Experience of mentoring academic staff and supervising doctoral students
• Proven ability to influence policy through evidence-based research
• Knowledge of global health themes - expertise in ethics, evaluation of complex interventions, AI, global health history and decolonisation, Non-Communicable Disease, resilience in fragile settings, lived experience of minoritised or marginalised populations (including in the UK), and indigenous knowledge, planetary health, would be particularly welcome
• Excellent communication, negotiation, and interpersonal skills
• Willingness to travel internationally

(For a full list of essential and desirable criteria please refer to the job description and person specification)

In Return, We Offer

• Support for your career growth through a variety of internal and external learning and development opportunities
• Employee Assistance Platform offering a range of wellbeing initiatives and support, in addition to high-street discount offers
• 30 days annual leave, plus 8 UK bank holidays, in addition to 6 Christmas closure days
• Generous occupational pension schemes including USS (Universities Superannuation Scheme) and NHS pension schemes (depending on eligibility)
• Government backed “cycle to work” scheme
• Affiliated, discounted staff membership to the University of Liverpool Sports Centre
• A range of enhanced family friendly policies

Application Process

To apply, click the apply link and upload your CV and a cover letter outlining your interest in the position and detailing how your experience aligns to the person specification.

Interview Process

There will be a two-stage interview process for this position.

• First stage interviews will take place via Microsoft Teams week commencing 15th June
• Second stage interviews will be held face to face at LSTM’s campus in Liverpool week commencing 13 July 2026.

About LSTM: Liverpool School of Tropical Medicine (LSTM) is the world's oldest centre of excellence in tropical medicine and international public health. It has been engaged in the fight against infectious, debilitating and disabling diseases since 1898 and continues that tradition today with a research portfolio of £738 million and a teaching programme attracting students from dozens of countries. LSTM actively promotes equal opportunities and upholds comprehensive safeguarding policies to ensure a safe, inclusive, and supportive environment for everyone involved.

Our values: Inclusivity, Integrity, Partnership and Impact

Inclusion is central to our values at LSTM: We are committed to Equity, Diversity and Inclusion (ED&I) so that everyone in our community can thrive and feel a strong sense of belonging. We are proud to hold the Bronze Race Equity Charter Award and the Athena Swan Silver Award for Gender Equity, recognising our ongoing progress.

We aim to attract candidates who reflect the diversity of our communities, regardless of sexual orientation, gender identity, ethnicity, nationality, faith or belief, social background, age and disability. Recruitment decisions are based solely on skills, qualifications and experience.

We welcome conversations about flexible working and encourage applications from those returning to employment after a career break.

Sponsorship: As a global employer and a licensed Skilled Worker sponsor, we welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds.

Please be aware, that not all roles within our organisation meet the government’s criteria for Skilled Worker visa sponsorship. Eligibility depends on factors such as skill level, job classification, salary, and individuals meeting the criteria defined by the UK Home Office.

Applicants who require visa sponsorship are encouraged to review the official Skilled Worker guidance on the UK Government website to understand the eligibility requirements before applying.

Freedom of Speech: LSTM is committed to upholding freedom of speech and academic freedom within the law for all its members. Candidates will not be disadvantaged or adversely impacted for exercising their free speech within the law during our recruitment processes. For more information, see our Freedom of Speech Code of practice https://www.lstmed.ac.uk/about/policies-and-procedures/freedom-of-speech-code-of-practice.