Associate Lecturers in the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences – Creative Writing

FTE (Full Time Equivalent): 0.2 FTE
Contract Type: Permanent
Part-Time: The module is taught between October and June. 
Appointments will be dependent on student numbers.

Change your career, change lives

The Open University is the UK’s largest university, a world leader in flexible part-time education combining a mission to widen access to higher education with research excellence, transforming lives through education.

The role

We are looking to recruit several Associate Lecturers in Creative Writing at The Open University.

The position is part-time (0.2 FTE, averaging. 7.5 hours per week) would involve teaching one or more modules. In particular, there are immediate teaching needs on A363: Advanced Creative Writing. On this module students will work in fiction, life writing, poetry and script writing. Associate Lecturers on A363 will teach all four forms, and we particularly welcome applicants with experience in teaching scriptwriting. 

The position is home-based and has no fixed core hours. It is a permanent position with a probation period of two years. The annual salary and workload are fixed, but there are significant workload peaks and troughs, mainly linked to providing marking and assessment feedback. This is likely to include exam and end of module marking tasks. Other tasks will be required such as focused student support (individual and forum), peer mentoring and working with the module team on assessment activities and quality improvement. Some evening and weekend work will be required. The appropriate level of FTE will be discussed at interview, and there is the possibility of increasing the FTE later. The starting full-time salary is £38,784 paid pro rata based on your FTE. Although most of the teaching occurs between October and June, the position is paid over the full calendar year.

We anticipate the contract will start in September 2026.

Please note that the appointment of these positions will be dependent on student numbers.

Person specification:

The person specification for this position should be read in conjunction with the generic person specification for an Associate Lecturer at The Open University. As well as meeting all the requirements set out in the generic person specification, you should have:

• an honours degree in a subject relevant to this module preferably with a strong Literature or Creative Writing component.
• current experience as a practising writer specialising in at least one form taught on the module (i.e. fiction, poetry, life writing, script writing for stage, radio, TV or film).
• an awareness of approaches to writing and teaching the other relevant genres, which are non-specialisms.
• the ability to grade assignments accurately and to provide constructive feedback to students. 
• demonstrable competence in the use of online forums or other online modes of teaching. 
• Higher Education teaching experience in creative writing, preferably Level 3.
• experience in the supervision of students’ independent learning.

It would be an advantage to have:

• a postgraduate qualification in Creative Writing e.g. an MA or PhD.
• a 2:1 or above undergraduate degree or classification.
• professional writing achievements e.g. publications, broadcasts or performances. 

(please note that the following are not applicable types of publication: academic writing, self-published works, journalism, writing for children) 

• a teaching qualification (including PGCE or Higher Education teaching accredited status). 
• experience of scriptwriting and teaching script in relation to any of the media taught on this module (stage, radio, film, TV).
• evidence of keeping subject knowledge updated.

What you get in return

We have a strong commitment to providing training and development in and beyond your current role. To ensure they remain up to date with developments in their academic field, Associate Lecturers are allocated 6 days (pro-rata) per annum for AL-led (ie. self-directed) Academic Currency and 1 day, plus 5 days pro rata, per annum for Agreed Academic Currency and Professional Development. 

Benefits include a supportive and friendly working environment, 27 days holiday per annum (pro rata) with variable (pro rata) Bank holidays and an attractive pensions proposition.

Tuition Delivery
Tuition delivery is online. 

How to apply

An application form and job-related information are available from the links located below. Any queries regarding the application process please contact AL-Recruitment on [email protected], quoting the reference number FASS_A363.

Job related information:

AL Application Form

Generic Person Specification

Terms and Conditions 

All candidates will be asked to provide proof of eligibility to work in the UK if offered a role with the University.

The University is unable to offer visa sponsorship for this role as per the requirement laid out the UK Visas and Immigration regarding Right to Work in the UK.

To work with us you will need access to the internet.

Successful applicants will be required to undertake a DBS check or equivalent for their nation of residency.

Interviews

It is anticipated that interviews will be held on Tuesday 1 September 2026.

Early closing date notification
While most roles will remain open until the advertised closing date, applications may be reviewed on an ongoing basis. In some cases, vacancies may close earlier if a sufficient number of suitable applications has been received and equality impacts have been appropriately considered. All roles will remain advertised for a minimum of one week before any early closure is implemented. If you have started an application or were in the process of applying when the advert closed, we encourage you to get in touch. We are committed to understanding individual circumstances and can offer further support where needed, including reasonable adjustments for applicants with protected characteristics.

Email: [email protected]

An application form and job related information are available from the links located above. Hard copies and access details for disabled applicants are available from the Recruitment team by email ([email protected]), quoting the reference number: FASS_A363.

The Open University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion which is reflected in our mission to be open to people, places, methods and ideas. We aim to foster a diverse and inclusive environment so that all in our OU community can reach their potential.  We recognise that different people bring different perspectives, ideas, knowledge, and culture, and that this difference brings great strength. We strive to recruit, retain and develop the careers of a diverse pool of students and staff, and particularly encourage applications from all underrepresented groups. We also aspire to make The Open University a supportive workplace for all through our policies, services and staff networks.