Lecturer in Political Theory, University of Durham

Lecturer in Political Theory
Reference Number 3545
Location Durham City
Faculty/Division Social Sciences and Health
Department School of Government and International Affairs
Grade Grade 7
Position Type Full Time
Contract Type Permanent
Salary (£) 30728 – 36661
Closing Date 21 June 2014
Job Description
As part of its research and teaching provision in Politics and International Relations, the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) at Durham University invites applications from outstanding candidates to a Lectureship in Political Theory. This full-time, non-fixed term position is available from 1 September 2014.
Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in the University.
The School of Government and International Affairs was formed in August 2004 by the merging of the Department of Politics and the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies. The School currently has 30 full-time academic members of staff with several other fractional appointments. The School is international in character in terms of its work and the background of its staff and students. The School experienced a significant increase in funding as a result of the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise and has grown rapidly since. All members of staff were entered into RAE 2008, when the School had fifty per cent of its research rated as world leading and internationally excellent.
This post will contribute to the strengthening of political theory research within the School and preference will be given to candidates with research interests in areas of contemporary applied relevance including global justice, restorative justice, citizenship, and democratisation, or which otherwise reinforce our four research ‘peaks’ (International Political Economy, the Politics of the Muslim World, Comparative Politics and Ethics and Conflict).
The School’s Research and Teaching
This post will be based at the School of Government and International Affairs, which is home to several significant research centres including the Centre for Contemporary Chinese Studies, the Centre for the History of Political Thought, the Centre for the Advanced Study of the Arab World (CASAW) (in partnership with Edinburgh and Manchester Universities, the Sheikh Nasser al-Muhammad al-Sabah Programme, the Pakistan Security Research, and the Centre for Political Behaviour and Institutions. SGIA is also the primary partner in the Durham Institute for Global Security, and we work closely with the Global Policy Institute.
The School offers a full range of research degree provision, with approximately 110 research students currently registered. There is also a wide range of taught postgraduate provision in Politics, International Relations, Global Politics, Security and Arab World Studies. Undergraduate provision is focused on the BA in Politics and the BA programme in International Relations. Teaching is modular and staff are expected to be able to contribute to undergraduate and postgraduate modules, and to both generic and specialist modules. Durham retains a three-term year structure. Modules run from October to June, with examinations at the end of the academic year.
Requirements
The post will play an important role in leading the development of research and teaching in political theory. The person appointed will be required to undertake research which makes a significant contribution to the work of one or more research centres or peaks and which enables his or her published research to be submitted to high-ranking international journals and presses. The successful candidate will also actively pursue research grant applications and be committed to the School’s impact agenda.  Applicants will be expected to make a contribution of high quality to the School’s next Research Excellence Framework (REF) submission. They will also be required to contribute to both undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, and the supervision of research students.
Responsibilities
The post-holder will be responsible for conducting and publishing high-quality research in the field; for seeking research funding; for collaborating in the development of impact-related activities, for teaching and supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, and for contributing to the daily administrative running of the School.
Key responsibilities:
Lecturer,  Grade 7
.Undertaking research on aspects of political theory resulting in published work in high-quality, peer reviewed academic outlets .
.Generating research award funding.
.Teaching  at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels of politics and international relations in general and specifically relating to political theory.  They will be expected to contribute to curriculum development and ultimately to delivery of their own specialist modules.
.Supervision of postgraduate taught and research students.
.Contributing to the strategic development of tone or more of the School’s research peaks and Centres.
Undertaking administrative duties in the School as required.
Person Specification
Lectureship, Grade 7:
ESSENTIAL
1.     Doctoral degree in a relevant and appropriate area, or clear evidence that completion of such a doctorate is imminent.
2.Ability to supervise research students in politics and political theory
3.Demonstrated ability to support the School’s research strategy.
4.A track record of research publication .
5.Evidence of teaching competence.
6.Demonstrated communication skills for teaching and research purposes.
7.Track record of working as part of a team and contributing effectively to the working of an academic department or other organisation.
8.the applicant’s research has the potential to shape the disciplinary agenda and/or create public benefit or impact in terms of individual or societal wellbeing or the economy outside the academic community
9.the applicant supports and has an understanding of the University’s Research Strategy and Impact Strategy (add reference to impact strategy on web) and can show how their research contributes to delivering one or both of these strategies.
DESIRABLE
10. Success in generating research grant income.
11. Ability to contribute to the wider teaching portfolio of the School.

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