Teaching Fellow in International Relations and Security (2 x Fixed Term posts) County Durham
Job description
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 Department
SGIA is amongst the World’s top 100 Politics departments (QS, 2023) and the UK’s top 10 units in the field (Complete University Guide).
SGIA attracts some of the most highly qualified undergraduates in the UK to its exciting undergraduate degree programmes, which are scheduled to expand significantly over the coming eight years. The postgraduate student community is large, at over 200 taught and research students, and highly international. We deliver 5 subject-specific taught Masters degree programmes, including in International Relations; Defence, Development and Diplomacy; Conflict Prevention and Peacebuilding, and Global Politics.
Our vibrancy is linked to the journals we host (Global Policy, Peacebuilding, and East Asia: an International Quarterly), to housing the administrative hub of the British Society for Middle Eastern Studies, and to our research Centres and Institutes in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, Global Policy, Global Security, Political Thought and Contemporary Chinese Studies.
Our academic community ethos stresses equality and that we will provide an environment that supports all its members effectively. The successful candidate will join a vibrant School providing a stimulating and supportive environment for educational innovation. All staff have access to excellent individual support and Durham University’s wealth of resources, as appropriate for a University that aims to be firmly within the world’s top tier of Universities.
The Role
The School of Government and International Affairs is inviting applications for two Teaching Fellows in International Relations and Security. One of these posts is available for two years and one post is available for one year.
Teaching Fellowships offer the opportunity of valuable experience to those early in their academic careers and the University is keen to maximise the benefit to as many people as possible. The post of Teaching Fellow will involve a significant teaching load, which may extend into the summer period, and there may be related scholarship and the opportunity for administrative duties which relate to education and pedagogy.
These posts are for a fixed term only, and it is not anticipated that the posts will be extended beyond this fixed term.
Shortlisting will take place between 4th and 11th July with interviews being held around the 27th July.
Successful applicants will, ideally be in post by September 2023
The University provides a working and teaching environment which 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.
Key Responsibilities
- Teach modules in appropriate learning environments at undergraduate/postgraduate levels, demonstrating an increasing awareness of different approaches to and methods of teaching and supporting student learning;
- Teach modules such as International Security, Interdependence and Organisation; Introduction to International Relations; Sovereignty, State and Empire; and Global Governance.
- Demonstrate the ability to manage own teaching and designing, planning and writing teaching materials;
- Lead some aspects of modules and contribute to modules led by others by collaborating with colleagues on course development;
- Develop and deliver an inclusive curriculum and make an active contribution to an inclusive community in which diversity is embraced and celebrated;
- Seek and take on board feedback on teaching and engage with others in CPD;
- Supervise undergraduate student(s), and where appropriate act as part of a PhD supervisory team;
- Contribute to educational skill of colleagues, e.g. giving a seminar to colleagues or engaging in constructive discussion about a seminar;
- Build internal contacts and participate in networks to exchange information;
- Start to engage in scholarship (the creation, development and maintenance of the intellectual infrastructure of subjects and disciplines) e.g. develop online teaching resources;
- In addition to Board of Studies, membership of some departmental committees and professional body memberships;
- Student support, assessment of academic performance and provision of feedback, dealing with student disciplinary matters and complaints;
- Undertake effectively and efficiently any administrative role allocated by your Head of Department.
- To contribute to fostering a collegial and respectful working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.
- To engage in wider citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.
- To engage in continuing professional development by attending relevant training and development courses.
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
Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Please contact Professor Gidon Cohen ([email protected]) for any queries relating to these posts.
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:
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 and covering letter which details your experience, skills and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
- a statement as to your aspirations as a Teaching Fellow in terms of what motivates you, what you would like to achieve and what your broad approaches to teaching excellence and innovation are (maximum 2 pages).
We will notify you on the status of 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 ensure you receive all emails.
Referees
You should provide 3 academic referees they 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
Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, either virtually or in-person and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will include a presentation on your approach to teaching a specific module (details provided to shortlisted candidates) and a panel interview. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interview and assessment on or around the 27th 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/ which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.
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.
Person Specification
- A good first degree and a PhD (or be close to submission) in Politics or a closely related subject
- Expertise in International Relations, and International Security.
- Experience of teaching and examining at University level with positive student feedback gained.
- Experience of contributing to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching and/or assessment of learning, including the design and creation of successful learning environments and curricula.
- Demonstrable ability to participate in the collegial/administrative activities of an academic department and/or discipline.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums.
- Experience of successfully developing innovative teaching methods for the design/delivery of high quality teaching.
- Experience of successfully working in an administrative role within an organisation or department.
- Experience of providing high quality one-to-one student supervision.
- Evidence of work undertaken (or which would be undertaken) in preparation for teaching and keeping up to date with developments in the subject area, such as
- active membership and engagement with a professional body;
- demonstrable innovation in educational practice;
- publication in a scholarly journal or relevant professional publication;
- Attending and presenting internal and/or external seminars or at a regional conference; and/or
- Materials/curriculum development for wider use in a department.
- Candidates may have, or should have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of HEA.
