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Working arrangements: We are looking to make an initial appointment of 3 years to a full-time role. We can consider arrangements for flexible working, but due to the nature of the role we cannot offer a job share arrangement. As the postholder will be responsible for the design and delivery of non-credit bearing courses, teaching responsibilities will not be confined to University terms, but are likely to fall significantly in University vacations.

Preferred start date: Successful candidates will ideally be in post by 1 September 2023

The University

At Durham University we are proud of our people. A globally outstanding centre of educational excellence, a collegiate community of extraordinary people, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other. We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things professionally and personally.

Across the University we have a huge variety of roles and career opportunities, which together make us a large and successful community, which is a key hub of activity within our region and nationally. We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here

The Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies (IMEMS)

IMEMS is one of the largest and most diverse concentrations of medieval and early modern studies worldwide, recognised as one of the leading UK institutes in this field. Our versatile ensemble of academics, curators, students, practitioners, and volunteers, are drawn across a wide range of disciplines, from Arts & Humanities, Social Sciences & Health, Science, Business, and Professional Services. We cover research areas from Late Antiquity to the late eighteenth century, across global geographies, including East Asia, South Asia, Indian Ocean, Islamicate regions, Europe, and North America.

We promote the international standing of Durham University, and its museums and collections, by initiating, co-ordinating and supporting networks, programmes and projects, and lectures and workshops for both specialists and the wider public. The Institute acts as the academic hub for Durham’s UNESCO World Heritage Site, with responsibility for the framework of research, community engagement, and dissemination of tangible and intangible heritage – artefacts, built structures, collections, as well as the cultural practices, representations, knowledge, and the relation between such expressions of heritage, over a long period, in both local and global contexts. The framework includes training needs and specialist skills required for research in these areas.

In this context IMEMS is seeking to appoint a talented individual to the role of Lecturer. The postholder will spend 40% of their time on research duties, with the remaining 60% used to provide advanced training in Early Modern English Palaeography. They will work alongside a second appointee in Latin Palaeography of the European Middle Ages (see separate vacancy).

This post offers an exciting opportunity to contribute to the development of excellent research and teaching within a progressive institution.

Lectureship at Durham

The University is committed to enabling all of our colleagues to achieve their full potential. We promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment to ensure that all colleagues can thrive.

This role provides the opportunity to deliver outstanding education and research within an inclusive and supportive environment that is staffed by world class colleagues. Lecturers will be supported to develop their academic careers by training and financial support in research and education, guided by a designated mentor.

The primary focus of this role is on teaching with some research but there will also be some opportunity to engage in wider citizenship within the University and beyond.

This role is for a fixed term of 3 years.

IMEMS Lectureship in Early Modern English Palaeography

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of Early Modern English Palaeography, the ability to deliver online training courses in palaeography to an exceptional standard, and commitment to engage fully in the services, citizenship and values of the University. The University aims to provide a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process.

The postholder will be employed by the Institute, but they will also be affiliated to the Department of the University with which their research interests are most closely aligned. They will be expected to report regularly to the Head of Department and Director of Research in that Department, as well as to the Institute Director.

We recognise that these posts may also be attractive to candidates who envisage careers as archivists or academic curators. Such candidates should interpret appropriately references below to their research and research plans, and they will, if appropriate, become members of Special Collections rather than an academic department.

Key responsibilities:

• To pursue research that is high quality in terms of originality, significance and rigour
• To develop clear plans for the pursuit of national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement
• To play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development;
• To contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Institute, associated departments, the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity;
• To demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the University;
• To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the Institute’s commitment to its vibrant and inclusive postgraduate culture
• To contribute as appropriate to the curation and cataloguing of archival material
• To carry out such other duties as specified by the Institute Director.

Specific teaching-related responsibilities:

The postholder will be expected to:

• Develop and deliver (in Year 1 and subsequent years) one online Palaeography course in Early Modern English; to be delivered 3x per year
• Develop and deliver (in Year 1 subsequent years) a shorter specialist course; to be delivered 2x per year
• Develop and deliver (in Year 2 and subsequent years) a further new online shorter specialist course reflecting individual research expertise; to be delivered 2x per year
• Lead on development and oversee and co-ordinate delivery (from Year 2 onwards) of one new online training course; to be delivered 2x per year.
• Lead on development and oversee and co-ordinate delivery (from Year 3) of a further new online training course, to be delivered 2x per year, and two further courses, to be delivered 1x per year

Some of the additional courses would be delivered by specialist course tutors. These are likely to focus on specialist topics in palaeography, and might include medieval languages (Old and Middle French, Old and Middle English, Old Norse, Medieval Iberian Romance Languages, Byzantine Greek, and Medieval Arabic). They might also include related topics such as Codicology, Illumination, Monastic Archives, Probate Registers, or particular topics related to the extensive local collections.

Working at Durham

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following fantastic benefits:

• 30 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 42 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• We offer a generous pension scheme, As a new member of staff you will be automatically enrolled into the University Superannuation Scheme (USS).
• No matter how you travel to work, we have you covered. We have parking across campus, a cycle to work scheme which helps you to buy a bike and discount with local bus and train companies.
• There is a genuine commitment to developing our colleagues professionally and personally. There is a comprehensive range of development courses, apprenticeships and access to qualifications and routes to develop your career in the University. All staff have dedicated annual time to concentrate on their personal development opportunities.
• Lots of support for health and wellbeing including discounted membership for our state of the art sport and gym facilities and access to a 24-7 Employee Assistance Programme.
• On site nursery is available and children’s clubs in the summer holidays.
• Family friendly policies, including maternity and adoption leave, which are among the most generous in the higher education sector (and likely above and beyond many employers).
• The opportunity to take part in staff volunteering activities to make a difference in the local community
• Discounts are available via our benefits portal including; money off at supermarkets, high street retailers, IT products such as Apple, the cinema and days out at various attractions.
• A salary sacrifice scheme is also available to help you take advantage of tax savings on benefits.
• If you are moving to Durham, we can help with removal costs and we have a dedicated team who can help you with the practicalities such as house hunting and schools. If you need a visa, we cover most visa costs and offer an interest free loan scheme to pay for dependant visas.

Durham University is committed to equality diversity, inclusion and values

Our collective aim is to create an open and inclusive environment where everyone can reach their full potential and we believe our staff should reflect the diversity of the global community in which we work. As a University equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key part of the University’s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It’s important to us that all of our colleagues are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.

We welcome and encourage applications from members of groups who are under-represented in our work force including people with disabilities, women and black, Asian and minority ethnic communities. If you have taken time out of your career, and you feel it relevant, let us know about it in your application. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.

Contact Information

Institute contacts for academic-related enquiries

Professor Stephen Taylor, Director, Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies: [email protected]

Professor Giles Gasper: [email protected]

Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your application

If you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you’re experiencing to [email protected]

Alternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).

University contact for general queries about the recruitment process

Michele Groark, HR Administrator (Recruitment) [email protected]

Person Specification

Candidates applying for a grade 7 post will have completed or be concluding their PhD and, while they may have limited direct experience of the requirements for the post, they should outline their experience, skills and achievements to date which demonstrate that they meet or that they have the potential to achieve the essential criteria.

Candidates applying for a grade 8 post should meet all the essential criteria.

Research

Candidates must have the capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high-quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world-class or that has world-class potential.

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 7

1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in early modern studies (for grade 7 candidates must either have passed their PhD viva or submitted their PhD thesis for examination by the closing date for applications).

2. Outputs - experience, skills and/or achievements which demonstrate production of or the potential to produce high quality outputs that are recognised as world class or that have world-class potential. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs

3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Institute’s strategy and the research strategy of your identified Department. Research plan should be a maximum of 2 pages and should outline your research objectives.

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 8

1. Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in early modern studies.

2. Outputs - evidence of high-quality outputs, some of which is recognised as world-class. Candidates are asked to submit two research papers with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Candidates may additionally choose to submit evidence such as external peer review of their outputs.

3. Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Institute’s strategy and the research strategy of your identified Department. The research plan should be a maximum of 2 pages and should outline your research objectives.

Education

Candidates must demonstrate the development and delivery of high-quality teaching that contributes to providing a supportive and enabling learning environment and curricula which encourage students to achieve their potential.

Essential Education Criteria – Grade 7

1. Quality - Experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate the ability or the potential to develop and deliver, primarily remotely and on-line, high quality effective and engaging teaching. (Candidates may choose to provide previous or proposed curriculum design and/or peer reviews of teaching.)

2. Innovation – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate the ability or the potential to contribute to new programme development and innovate in the design and delivery of high-quality teaching or assessment of learning including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.

3. Strategic - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate the ability or the potential to engage in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led.

Essential Education Criteria – Grade 8

1. Quality - evidence of the development and delivery, primarily remotely and on-line, of effective and engaging teaching. (Candidates may choose to provide previous or proposed curriculum design and/or peer reviews of teaching.)

2. Innovation – evidence of contribution to new programme development and innovation in the design and delivery of high-quality teaching or assessment of learning including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment.

3. Strategic - evidence of strategic teaching development - engagement in the design of excellent teaching programmes which are research informed and led.

Service, Citizenship and Values

Active engagement in the administrative and citizenship requirements of the Institute and Department. Positive contributions to University values and to fostering a respectful environment as well as demonstrating their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Essential Service, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 7

1. Citizenship contribution – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to participate in the Citizenship /administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, carrying out departmental and interdepartmental activities effectively, being involved in departmental activities, such as open days, employability events, departmental meetings and committees.)

2. Leadership - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to engage in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty, University and/or discipline including leadership or responsibilities in an academic context. (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context.)

3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums. (Effective pastoral support of students, the beginnings of an external engagement and knowledge exchange profile.)

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 8

1. Citizenship contribution – evidence of participation in the citizenship/administrative activities of an academic Department, Faculty or University. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, involvement in equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies).

2. Leadership - engagement in activities that contribute to the administrative functioning of an academic Department, Faculty, University and/or discipline including leadership or responsibilities in an academic context. (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context).

3. Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.

Desirable Criteria – Grade 7

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are:

1. Qualification - candidates to hold or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence (or Equivalent).

2. Digital Humanities - demonstrable interest in innovative digital practice, with application to teaching and / or research in palaeography

3. Research Leadership - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate contributions to or the potential to contribute to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers. (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).

4. PhD Supervision – experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of providing, or the potential to provide, excellent supervision for PhD students.

5. Research Impact - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to evidence research impact beyond their institution

6. Income Generation - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate experience of or the potential to develop successful research projects and quality research grant proposals.

Desirable Criteria – Grade 8

The desirable criteria for this post (for which candidates should provide evidence of some if not all criteria) are:

1. Qualification - candidates to hold or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence (or Equivalent)

2. Digital Humanities - demonstrable interest in innovative digital practice, with application to teaching and / or research in palaeography

3. Research Leadership - contribution to the leadership of research groups and the mentoring of early career researchers. (Candidates may choose to include information about research group leadership, mentoring of research colleagues, invitations to external events, engagement with international networks or projects).

4. PhD Supervision – involvement in the provision of excellent supervision for PhD students.

5. Research Impact - demonstrable evidence of the impact of the Candidate’s research beyond their institution.

6. Income Generation - evidence of engagement in the development of successful research projects and quality research grant proposals.

How to Apply

To progress to the assessment stage, candidates must evidence each of the essential criteria required for the role in the person specification below. It will be at the discretion of the recruiting panel as to whether they will also consider any desirable criteria, but we would urge candidates to provide evidence for all criteria.

While some criteria will be considered at the shortlisting stage, other criteria may be considered later in the assessment process, such as questions at interview.

Submitting your application

We prefer to receive applications online. We will update you about your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to make sure you have not missed any of our updates.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out in the Person Specification, below
• A link to a recording (10-15 minutes, in whatever medium is preferred) of an example of online teaching practice in palaeography
• A curriculum plan for the main online course (early modern English), with an indication of any Durham material to be used. (The course should be assumed to be taught intensively for 2 weeks, through a combination of synchronous and asynchronous learning.)
• Personal research plan
• Two of your most significant pieces of written work. Where possible your written work should have been published or submitted since 2016. However, work prior to 2016 may be submitted where candidates have had career breaks
• An EDI & values statement – (of no more than 500 words) which outlines work which you have been involved in which demonstrates your commitment to EDI and our values. I.e., involvement in quality, diversity, and inclusion activities such as mentoring, volunteering, or attending conferences

Where possible we request that you provide accessible web links to your publications, which the hiring Department will use to access your work. The application form contains fields in which to enter each of the web links. Please note we are unable to access publications behind a paywall.

In the event you are unable to provide accessible links to online hosting of your work, your work should be uploaded as PDFs as part of your application in our recruitment system. Please ensure that your PDFs are not larger than 5mb. Please note that your work may be read by colleagues from across the Institute and evaluated against the current REF criteria.

Please save all application documents with your name and document type as PDF files.

Referees

You should provide 3 academic referees which should not (if possible) include your PhD supervisor(s). The majority should be from a University other than your own (save for early career applicants applying for their first post).

References will be requested for candidates who have been shortlisted and will be made available to the panel during the interview process.

As part of your application, you will be asked whether you give your consent to your academic references being sought should you be invited to attend an interview. We will only request references where permission has been granted.

Next Steps

All applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues within the Institute to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, and they will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Institute and their identified department. The assessment for the post will include a discussion of an example of online teaching in recorded format, sent as part of the application pack, a discussion of a palaeography test (supplied to shortlisted candidates in advance of the interview), a research presentation to staff, and an interview. We anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around 24-28 July 2023.

In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.

Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement
https://www.durham.ac.uk/about-us/governance/information-governance/privacy-notices/privacy-notices/job-applicants/

When appointing to this role the University must ensure that it meets any applicable immigration requirements, including salary thresholds which are applicable to some visas.