Professorship and Readership Conferment information 2025/2026
Call for applications are now open
The application process for the Professorship and Readership/Associate Professorship Conferment 2025/26 is now open. The deadline for submission of applications will be 19 January 2026 by 11.59pm.
Briefing sessions
To help with the application process, a series of online briefing sessions have been scheduled for members of staff interested in applying. The purpose of the sessions is to offer potential applicants the opportunity to ask any questions they may have regarding their application, to ensure the criteria is fully understood and adhered to.
Download the Briefing Sessions 2025-2026 (Word, 30.5KB) for further details.
General application information
Applications should be submitted to ProfsandReaders2026@ljmu.ac.uk. Please see below required documents and procedures for submission.
Download the document of Frequently Asked Questions (PDF, 152KB).
Procedures for submission
Download full details of Criteria and Guidelines for Conferment (PDF, 226KB).
Your application will consist of five individual documents, these are:
- Your CV (this must be on the CV template (Word, 51KB))
- One pathway specific letter, there are four pathways, each has its own specific letter template:
- An Application Pro forma (Word, 49KB)
- An Independent External Assessor’s form (Word, 45KB)
- A copy of your latest Appraisal must also be provided with your application, this can be downloaded from Actus and must show as completed.
Applications will not be considered if any of the above documents are not included in your application.
Each document should be saved individually in word format, with your first and last name and the title of the document (for example CV first name last name). The five individual documents should then be submitted via one email to ProfsandReaders2026@ljmu.ac.uk.
As part of our equal opportunities policies, we are committed to monitoring the progression of staff. We would be grateful if you could check that the diversity data that we hold for you is accurate. You can view and update this information on Staff Infobase.
In accordance with procedures the deadline for applications must be adhered to, late applications will only be considered under exceptional circumstances.
University Strategy 2023-30
View the University Strategy for 2023-2030 (PDF, 1.08MB).
Upcoming updates
Academic Leadership Pathway
Following a review of our conferment process, the Academic Leadership Conferment Pathway will be phased out over a two-year period. The route will be available for the 2025/26 conferment process. However, from the 2026/27 conferment process, the Academic Leadership criteria will be embedded into the three remaining conferment pathways: Engaged Scholar, Research & Scholarship, and Learning & Teaching & the Student Experience. Each of these pathways will provide the opportunity for academics displaying academic leadership to be recognised and valued within their respective areas. Unsuccessful applicants who applied through the Academic Leadership pathway in the 2025/26 conferment process, will receive support to shape future applications around one of the three remaining pathways. Further guidance will be provided on how leadership contributions can be evidenced within the other pathways moving forward.
Reader/Associate Professor Title
For the 2025/26 conferment process, applicants progressing through the conferment process will have the option to select their preferred title of Reader or Associate Professor upon successful conferment. Following this transition period, the University will review, and we will likely adopt a single title for use in all future conferment’s to ensure consistency.
If you have any queries, please contact ProfsandReaders2026@ljmu.ac.uk.