Professor of Physical Geography

The University is dedicated to supporting an equitable, diverse, and inclusive environment - to create better futures, together. The diverse backgrounds, characteristics and opinions within our community are our great strength and are key to our pursuit of delivering educational excellence, enterprise, research and professional services. We welcome applications from people from diverse backgrounds and minoritized groups as they are currently under-represented within our community.

We recognise the value of a fulfilling and balanced work and personal life which promotes wellbeing. We seek to support colleagues in achieving this balance and have family-friendly policies, flexible working arrangements and many roles can be suitable for dynamic working arrangement. This includes considering applications to work on a part-time, flexible and job share basis wherever possible.

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Job details

Job title Professor of Physical Geography Job reference REQ260551 Date posted 05/08/2026 Application closing date 22/09/2026 Location Loughborough Package Competitive salary within professorial scale Job description

School of Social Sciences and Humanities

Full-time and open-ended

Join us and be part of a vibrant community at Loughborough University.

Here's more about the role and what we're looking for:

We are seeking an outstanding physical geographer or environmental scientist who combines scholarly distinction with a collaborative, creative and ambitious approach.

You will be an internationally leading scholar in any area of physical geography that complements and enhances our existing departmental strengths. You will bring experience of attracting external research funding, building productive national and international networks, shaping research strategy, and creating exceptional learning environments.

You will embrace our values of being authentic, adventurous, responsible, creative and collaborative, and be proactive in nurturing a supportive and inclusive academic environment in which students and staff thrive.

About the University

Universities are one of this country's greatest assets. We're educators, employers, innovators and pioneers. We shape culture and society.

At Loughborough, we strive for better, think differently, challenge convention and take action. We are passionate about finding solutions to the major problems faced by society and the planet, and we create opportunities for those with the drive, the ambition, and the determination to apply themselvesin the pursuit of better.

About the Department

The Department of Geography and Environment sits within the School of Social Sciences and Humanities. Geography and Environment is a vibrant academic community, internationally recognised for its interdisciplinary, collaborative research focused on understanding our social and environmental futures.

Our taught programmes include five undergraduate and five postgraduate degrees covering a broad range of human, physical and environmental geography themes. We are consistently positioned in the Top 10 in the UK for Geography and Environment in the major national league tables.

The School of Social Sciences and Humanities is a diverse and inclusive School delivering excellence in learning and teaching, research, and enterprise across the Social Sciences and Humanities. Interdisciplinarity and international encounters are fostered across six departments: Communication and Media; Criminology, Sociology and Social Policy; English; Geography and Environment; International Relations, Politics and History; and Law.

About You

• You should be an established academic leader with a strong international reputation and a proven track record of excellence in research, teaching, enterprise and leadership.
• You should have an established record of attracting external research funding.
• You should be committed to delivering an exceptional learning environment, and to incorporate the principles of equity, diversity and inclusion in your academic citizenship.

Why should you Apply?

With huge amount of variety in the role, there is an opportunity for you to develop and continually grow.

Staff from under-represented groups in higher education and the physical geography discipline, including those from racialised minorities, who have a physical or invisible disability, or are neurodivergent, are particularly encouraged to apply.

Application Process

Closing Date: 22 September 2026

Interviews: 6 November 2026

Our Benefits

At Loughborough, our benefits are designed to support your life inside and outside of work, helping you to thrive and feel valued as part of our community. Examples of our benefits include:

Time off - generous holiday allowance, including 14 university closure days and bank holidays, with the option to buy extra through our holiday purchase scheme.

Where you work - access to a range of fantastic facilities with plenty of green space across our 523-acre East Midlands campus, plus an exciting community at our London campus on the Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park

Financial Wellbeing - competitive pay, two excellent pension schemes, and everyday savings opportunities.

Support for you and those close to you - through our range of life event leave policies as well as access to an on-site nursery at our East Midlands campus, flexible and hybrid working options.

Health and Wellbeing - discounted gym memberships and access to world-class sporting facilities, including physiotherapy, plus healthcare offers such as eyesight testing and wellbeing support.

Travel and sustainability - access to our electric vehicle and cycle-to-work schemes, as well as a variety of travel offers to support sustainable commuting.

Discover more about the full range of rewards and benefits at Loughborough University.