Assembly of university staff returning about the end of January (5)
I believe the answer is:
synod
'assembly' is the definition.
(I've seen this before)
'university staff returning about the end of january' is the wordplay.
'university staff' becomes 'dons' (I am not sure about this - if you are sure you should believe this answer much more).
'returning' says the letters should be written in reverse.
'about' is an insertion indicator.
'the end of' indicates one should take the final letters.
The final letter of 'january' is 'y'.
'dons' written backwards gives 'snod'.
'snod' going around 'y' is 'SYNOD'.
'of' acts as a link.
Can you help me to learn more?
(Other definitions for synod that I've seen before include "Council of clergy to discuss policy" , "Assembly of the clergy" , "Clerical assembly" , "Church assembly" , "Church council" .)