Academic Appointment Process

Information about the different types of academic posts at Oxford University can be found on the Personnel Services website here.

1. Statutory Professors

Statutory Professors are appointed by the University, and are selected by electoral boards, the members of which are appointed by the Vice Chancellor.  The Law Board approves the nomination of the Faculty representatives on the panel, and the Faculty provides the first draft of the further particulars for the post.  All other aspects of the appointment are handled by the Senior Appointments Office. 

2. Associate Professors

Associate Professors are appointed by the Social Sciences Division and the relevant College, and are selected by a committee comprising representatives of the Faculty, the relevant College, and in certain cases by the Social Sciences Division.  All Associate Professors are appointed acording to the University Joint Appointment Procedure.  In the Law Faculty, the Vice Dean of the Faculty usually chairs the selection committees for all APTF-U and APNTF appointments, and is one of the Facutly representatives for APTF-C appointments (which are led by the colleges).  The recommendation of the selection committee is approved separately by the College Governing Body and the Social Sciences Division. 

3. Departmental Lecturers

Departmental Lecturers are appointed by the Faculty, and are selected by a committee comprising the Vice Dean or his or her representative, with the other members of the committee being approved by the Vice Dean.  The appointment is approved by the Faculty Personnel Committee. 

4. Research Staff

Postdocs and research staff not named in grant applications are appointed by the Faculty, and are selected by a committee comprising the Vice Dean or his or her representative, with the other members of the committee being approved by the Vice Dean, and normally including the Associate Dean for Research.  The recommendation of the selection committee is approved by the Head of Administration and Finance.

Enquiries about any aspect of recruitment in the Law Faculty may be addressed to the Personnel Officer, personnel@law.ox.ac.uk. 

Enquiries from applicants for posts are always treated in the strictest confidence.  For Associate Professorships, we aim to ensure that an academic postholder who is not a member of the selection committee, is available to answer general questions about working at Oxford.