The following job openings have been posted to us recently:
Lecturer in the Study of Religion
Department of Theology and Religion
Durham University
Salary: £30,122 to £44,166 per annum dependent upon experience
Grade: Grade 7/8
Contract: Non fixed-term, full-time
Hours: Nominally 35 hours per week
Details: Full details of the post are available on the university website at
www.durham.ac.uk/jobs/
Closing Date for applications: 2nd April, 2012 (midnight)
The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University has a long-standing tradition of outstanding research and is widely recognized as one of
the leading departments in its field. In the 2008 Research Assessment
Exercise it was ranked first in the UK, while its teaching quality is shown in its
consistently obtaining exceptionally high rankings in both National Student
Surveys and independent league tables. Its strengths range across Biblical
Studies (Old Testament, New Testament, ancient Judaism, and Biblical
languages), Christian theology (Greek and Latin patristics, the history and
theology of late antiquity and the early middle ages, the Reformation, doctrinal
and philosophical theology, and theological ethics), and the Study of Religion
(the anthropology, sociology and psychology of religion). It also has Centres
in Catholic Studies and in Death and Life Studies, and research projects in
Spirituality, Theology and Health, and Faith and Globalization. The
Department has a welcoming and collegial atmosphere, and is beautifully
sited between the Cathedral and the Castle on the World Heritage Site in the
centre of the city of Durham.
This new post welcomes applicants from those with research expertise in any
area of the social scientific study of religion, a developing field flourishing
within the Department. Current teachers in this area include Professor
Douglas Davies, specializing in the anthropology of religion, particularly
Mormonism, Death Studies, Ritual-Symbolism, Emotion and Embodiment,
and the contemporary Anglican church; Dr Mathew Guest, specializing in the
sociology of religion, particularly evangelical Christianity, religion in
universities and religion and generational change; and Dr Charlotte Hardman,
specializing in the anthropology of religion, particularly shamanism. Staff in
this area have a proven track record in externally funded research projects,
including recent research into ‘Christianity and the University Experience’,
‘Cremation in Scotland’, ‘Woodland Burial’, ‘Religion, Identity and Emotion’
and ‘the Clergy and British Society’. Several other departmental staff have
ongoing cross-disciplinary research interests that relate to the study of
religion. There is a fortnightly research seminar in Religion and Society, at
which papers are presented by leading scholars from the UK and abroad as
well as by members of staff and research postgraduates. More information
about the Department is available at http://www.dur.ac.uk/theology.religion/.
The successful applicant will be expected to teach and collaborate in modules
in the Study of Religion at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, to
supervise postgraduate research, to undertake outstanding research leading
to publications of international significance, and to play a full part in the life of
the department.
Job Description
The postholder will be responsible to the Head of Department, currently Dr
Robert Song.
Job Summary and Purpose:
The main features of the job will be:
a)
to conduct outstanding research leading to publications of international
significance in the field of the Study of Religion;
b)
to teach at all undergraduate levels and at Masters level in the field of
the Study of Religion;
c)
to attract and supervise research students (MA and PhD) in the Study
of Religion;
d)
to submit applications for externally-funded research grants;
e)
to undertake administrative tasks in the Department of Theology and
Religion, as agreed with the Head of Department.
Key Responsibilities:
The key responsibilities of the job will be in teaching (lecturing, seminar
leading, course organisation, marking, and dissertation supervision) at both
undergraduate and postgraduate levels, research (writing and publication),
and administration, within the team of staff constituting the Department of
Theology and Religion.
For appointment at Grade 8, candidates will need to provide evidence of
relevant teaching and supervising experience at university level and a
significant record of publications at international level.
Person specification
Essential
Qualifications
1.
Undergraduate and/or taught postgraduate degree in relevant area.
2.
A doctoral degree (examined and passed).
3.
Demonstrable potential to produce outstanding research publications.
4.
Evidence of a planned programme of research.
5. Evidence of research expertise in areas that complement and enhance
existing strengths in the Department of Theology and Religion.
Experience
1.
For Grade 8 role: significant record of publications at international level.
2. For Grade 8 role: experience of teaching and postgraduate supervision in
the Study of Religion at university level.
Special Knowledge
1.
Recognized academic expertise in the social scientific study of religion.
2. Experience of empirical research (involving qualitative and/or quantitative
methods).
3.
Experience of research into a particular religious tradition.
Skills and Competencies
1. In relation to undergraduates and taught postgraduates, the ability to teach
and organize courses, and mark assignments, in the field of the Study of
Religion.
2. In relation to research postgraduates, the ability to attract and supervise
research students in appropriate areas of the Study of Religion.
3.
Excellent communication skills, both oral and written.
4. Ability and willingness to work as a member of the broader Department of
Theology and Religion, in research, teaching and administration.
5.
Good IT skills.
6.
Ability and willingness to secure external research income.
Desirable
Experience
1.
For Grade 7 role: research published in peer-reviewed publications.
2. For Grade 7 role: experience of teaching in the Study of Religion at
university level.
Skills and Competencies
1. For Grade 8 role: evidence of initiative in applying for external research
income.
Guidance for written application
1.
It is essential that in your written application you give evidence of
examples of proven experience in relation to the selection criteria.
2.
A description (of up to 1,000 words) of the research project(s) you aim
to pursue in the next five years should be included in your written
application; this may be incorporated into your letter of application or
included as an appendix.
3.
You should include a sample (of 5,000-7,000 words) of your written
work with your application.
Contact
If you need to talk to someone about this post, please contact Dr Robert
Song, Head of Department, +44 (0)191 334 3959,
robert.song@durham.ac.uk.
