The former federal defence and education minister, who retired from parliament at the May election after 26 years in office, is taking on a new role as an "industry professor" at the university, where he will teach.

Former South Australian premier Jay Weatherill is taking up the same appointment within the University of South Australia Business School.

"We are excited to welcome Jay and Christopher, both highly qualified lawyers but also people who have carved impressive careers in politics, honing their leadership skills in what is always a demanding arena," UniSA business and law pro-vice-chancellor Marie Wilson said in a statement on Friday.

"They will bring not only intellectual acumen to their professorships but also a career's worth of high-level experience in negotiation, international trade, legislation and community consultation and debate, industry liaison, and the host of adaptive skills that are the hallmark of successful leaders."

Australian Associated Press