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

Founded in 1952, the Department of Psychology is consistently ranked as one of the very best in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and student employability. The department is committed to creating and maintaining a research environment that spans the entire breadth of psychology. Currently the department’s research falls within three groupings: Cognitive Neuroscience, Developmental Science, and Quantitative Social Psychology.

The department is extremely well-equipped for research, including facilities for fMRI, TMS, tDCS, EEG/ERP, VR, eye movement tracking, and biophysiological recording. The department also has a motion capture lab for analysis of visuomotor action and experiments in immersive VR, a ‘bar’ lab for naturalistic studies in health psychology, and setups for psychophysics including an echo-attenuated chamber. The department benefits from extensive research support from departmental technicians. The department has an excellent track record in delivering research that is not only world-leading, but that also goes beyond academia and has a positive impact on people’s lives.

In 2022, the department received it’s third Athena SWAN Silver Award recognising our commitment to advancing women’s careers in STEM academia and reflecting the supportive and positive environment within the Department.

The successful candidate will join the vibrant Cognitive Neuroscience Group who host regular meetings and activities, as well as have the opportunity to join a host of exciting inter-disciplinary networks in the University such as those supporting early career researchers. The successful candidate will gain opportunities to learn about different research in the department and adopt best practices to ensure transparency, reproducibility, and replicability.

The Role

The 12-month fixed-term Research Assistant position is available 2.5 days per week (50% FTE). The successful candidate will join the project "Train the Trainer – Echolocation Habilitation Workforce Training with Guide Dogs UK” led by Professor Lore Thaler and funded by UKRI ESRC grant. The project focuses on training Guide Dog UK’s workforce, and assessing the effects of this training on the workforce and the effects on their clients (children and young people with sight loss and their families). To deliver the project the research team will travel on approximately 12 occasions to various locations in the UK to deliver training workshops. Costs of travel and accommodation will be covered by the project. Other wise work times and location (including hybrid working) are flexible, subject to meeting project goals and deadlines.

The habilitation workforce of Guide Dogs UK is the largest provider of services and support to children with sight loss and their families. This project will deliver training in echolocation to this workforce. There will be remote & initial in-person training to the whole workforce, and follow-up in-person training to develop Subject Matter Experts for continued independent support within the workforce. The project will measure and document effects of training on attendees’ practice and effects on service users (children with sight loss and their families).

The successful candidate will be supervised by Professor Lore Thaler. The successful candidate will assist with the delivery of training to teach echolocation and echolocation instruction to visual impairment habilitation workers and to people with vision impairments. Planned work includes delivery of in-person and remote training workshops, development of materials to gather feedback data (including online tools), accessibility testing of materials, data gathering, analysis and presentation of results, and engagement with stakeholders via workshops and email.

The candidate will be based in the department of Psychology. The majority of training workshops will take place in-person at various locations in the UK, and there will also be workshops delivered online. The successful applicant does not need to have prior experience with echolocation, but should be willing to acquire relevant practical skills and theoretical knowledge. The successful applicant must have experience of working with diverse groups of people, ideally including people with vision impairments. The successful applicant will be able to create and maintain an excellent rapport with people of various walks of life, and have the ability to contribute to the organization and delivery of events such as workshops.

For information about relevant research and activities, please see https://sites.google.com/view/humanecholocationlab/home

The successful applicant will carry out a range of duties, including communicating with stakeholders and relevant organizations, planning workshops and assisting with delivery of workshops, developing materials to gather feedback data (including online tools), gathering feedback data, summarizing and presenting feedback data. Applicants should have an excellent academic record, be reliable and well organised, and the ability to have an excellent rapport with people of various walks of life, ideally including people with vision impairments. An academic qualification (BSc / MSc or equivalent) in psychology or a discipline related to psychology or visual impairment (re)habilitation is essential (current students in their final academic year may apply – please provide grades attained so far). Previous experience of working with people and organizing events is also essential. Because the post-holder will work with people with visual impairments, the appointment also depends on a successful DBS (formerly CRB) check.

The post will provide excellent training, including opportunities to prepare data for publication and presenting results at conferences. While these are not requirements of the post, they are available for a post-holder who is looking to gain this experience.

Responsibilities:

• Contribute to planning and delivery of research projects, including training workshops, data collection and development of data collection tools (incl online).
• To understand and convey information which needs careful explanation to the team or group of people through presentations, discussions and meetings which contribute to the production of research reports and publications.
• To write up results of research work, present information on research progress and outcomes to bodies supervising research in a clear and accurate manner.
• To analyse or undertake basic research by deciding how best to apply existing methodology according to overall context and objectives.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• Work alongside other team members who are contributing towards the project.
• 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.

This post is fixed term for 12 months. The funding is available from early 2025 for this fixed term only.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by April 2025.

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 plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• 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, you may be eligible for 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.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

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

Professor Lore Thaler, lore.thaler@durham.ac.uk

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 e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

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

e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

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.

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.

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 normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the presentations and interviews will take place over two days (dates to be confirmed).

In the event that you are unable to attend 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 Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants – Durham University 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

Essential Criteria:

Desirable Criteria:

Working at Durham University

A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting – Durham is a university like no other.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career.The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.

We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it’s also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.

Our Purpose and Values

We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Information Page

The Department
The Chemistry Department at Durham University is one of the very best in the UK with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of its students and research associates. The Department is particularly strong in the area of Materials Research with excellent groups working on crystallography, diffraction and crystal growth – relevant to the current project.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Materials Chemistry with a particular emphasis on Crystallisation. The research project is led by Prof. Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza. The successful applicant will help develop a new set-up to study crystal growth of molecular crystals and will collect data on several systems. The project is in collaboration with the Cambridge Crystallographic Data Centre (CCDC) and the fellow is expected to visit them in Cambridge regularly.

The successful applicant will be expected to independently develop a crystal growth set up which uses imaging and image analyses, to automate steps of the process and to analyse the data in a number of systems of pharmaceutical interest. Understanding of crystal growth and knowledge of chemistry/chemical engineering is a must.

Key responsibilities:

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.
• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.
• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.
• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.
• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.
• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.
• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.
• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.
• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.
• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.
• 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 participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.
• [Any other specific responsibilities].

This post is fixed term for 18 months [e.g. the funding is available from 01/05/25 for this fixed period only]

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will, ideally, be in post by 01/05/25.

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 – please include or delete if not applicable.
• 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 plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• 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, you may be eligible for 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.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Prof Aurora J. Cruz-Cabeza, aurora.j.cruz-cabeza@durham.ac.uk

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 e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

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

e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

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 cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.
• the name and contact details of two referees.

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 normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around the end of February/beginning of March 2025.

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 Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants – Durham University 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

Essential Criteria:

Qualifications

Experience

Skills

Desirable Criteria:

Experience

14. Experience in programming (python, MATLAB, LabView).

Skills

Working at Durham University

Durham University was founded in 1832 by the Bishop of Durham, William van Mildert, and the Chapter of Durham Cathedral. It is part of a rich tradition of learning in the north east of England that traces its roots to the biblical scholar and polymath, the Venerable Bede, in the eighth century. Today, Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting.

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an excellent and inspiring place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the world’s finest medieval cathedrals at its heart and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues addressing perennial questions of human meaning and self-understanding, and making a difference to people’s lives. Whilst being a part of Durham is about contributing to the success of a global University and a common academic endeavour, it is also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.

Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.

Our Purpose and Values

We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Information Page

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

The Department

The Department of Theology and Religion is one of the finest in the world and currently ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings (2024). There are particular strengths in Christian theology, Biblical Studies, Church History, and the Study of Religion. The Department has approximately 28 full-time academic staff and around 15 post-doctoral researchers. Four members of staff are Fellows of the British Academy.

The Department has approximately 280 undergraduates. In addition to taught postgraduate students, there is a thriving community of over 100 doctoral students studying on-campus or part-time at distance. In partnership with Cranmer Hall, the Anglican seminary at St. John’s College, the Department offers a professional Doctorate in Theology for Ministry. Through the Common Awards partnership, the Department oversees degree courses for theological education institutions in the Church of England and other British denominations.

The Department is home to five research centres: the Centre for Catholic Studies, the Michael Ramsey Centre for Anglican Studies, the Centre for Death and Life Studies, the Centre for Theology and Quantitative Research, and the International Centre for Moral Injury. There are strong collaborative relationships with research institutes in the University, particularly the Institute for Medical Humanities and the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies.

The Department has a long and distinguished history in Biblical Studies. Past holders of the Lightfoot Professorship in Divinity include James Dunn, FBA and John Barclay, FBA. Other distinguished former Professors of New Testament include C.K. Barrett, FBA, Charles Cranfield, FBA and Christopher Evans, FBA. Excellent teaching in Biblical Studies is offered at all levels. In addition to Biblical languages, instruction is offered in Syriac, Aramaic, Middle Egyptian, and Ge’ez. The Department recruits a large number of high-quality doctoral students in New Testament from across the world, many of whom progress to academic careers. There is a weekly termtime meeting of the Biblical Studies and Patristics Research Seminar which attracts national and international speakers. Durham will host the annual meeting of the Society of New Testament Studies (Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas) in July 2026.

Lightfoot Professor of Divinity

The Department of Theology and Religion seeks to appoint an outstanding scholar as Lightfoot Professor of Divinity (New Testament). We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in the broad field of New Testament studies.

The Lightfoot Professorship is named after Joseph Barber Lightfoot, Bishop of Durham and one of the leading Biblical scholars of the nineteenth century. The chair has a distinguished history. Past holders have been global leaders in New Testament studies. The successful candidate will be a New Testament scholar with an established track record of excellence in research, teaching and academic leadership.

Professors at Durham

As a Professor at Durham University, you will be encouraged to focus on quality and innovation throughout your teaching and research activity. We will also look to you to provide genuine leadership and citizenship – not just in your field, but across the University environment, and in the way your department functions administratively.

Academic colleagues will have the freedom to deliver teaching and pursue research that is world leading. We will support your ambitions to publish internationally significant research in your area of interest, provide resources to enable you to attend conferences and to fund research activity.

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of New Testament, with the ability to take a leading role in the development of the Department’s research and teaching, and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.

We strive 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’s key responsibilities:

• Conduct research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, showing leadership in New Testament studies within and beyond the academy which is commensurate with the Department’s continuing emphasis on international excellence;
• Lead the development of research project/fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research;
• Deliver excellent teaching, offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, demonstrating leadership and innovation in the design and delivery of high quality learning environments and curricula;
• Enhance the quality of the research environment in the Department, by playing a leading role in national and international research groups and networks;
• Engage in the mentoring of early career researchers and junior colleagues;
• Attract research students, and provide high-quality supervision, contributing significantly to the development of the PhD programme;
• Enhance the Department’s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture;
• Contribute significantly to the administrative functioning and collegial environment of the Department and wider University;
• Fully engage in, champion and enhance the values of the Department;
• Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department.

Candidates must demonstrate research excellence in the field of New Testament studies with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University. The following criteria pertain to Professors at Durham University.

Research

Candidates will demonstrate world-leading research, and leadership in a research field within and beyond their institution, with research outputs consistently recognised as internationally excellent.

Essential Research Criteria – Grade 10

Education

Candidates will be able to evidence excellence in the development and delivery of teaching. They will demonstrate leadership, distinction and innovation in the design and delivery of high-quality learning environments and curricula, including curriculum development, that enables student to achieve their potential.

Essential Education Criteria

Services, Citizenship and Values

Candidates will demonstrate sustained excellence of leadership in administration and collegial governance of a Department, Faculty and University, positively contributing to the University Values and to fostering a respectful environment; as well as demonstrating their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.

Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria – Grade 10

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries

Professor Simon Oliver, Van Mildert Professor of Divinity and Head of Department of Theology and Religion

simon.oliver@durham.ac.uk

+44 (0)191 334 3942

All enquiries will be treated as strictly confidential.

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 e.recruitment@durham.ac.uk

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).

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online.

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 Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants – Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

What to Submit

All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential according to the requirements set out above;
• Personal research plan of no more than two pages.
• Three of your most significant pieces of published work. Where possible your work should have been published or submitted since 2014, however work prior to 2014, may be submitted where candidates have had career breaks.

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, publications should be uploaded as PDFs as part of your application in our recruitment system.

Please ensure that your PDFs are not larger than 5mb. Your work may be read by colleagues from across the Department and evaluated against the current Research Excellent Framework criteria;

All application documents should be uploaded with your name and document type as PDF files.

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 three academic referees. They should not include your PhD supervisor(s). The majority should be from a University other than your own.

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 across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.

The closing date for applications is midnight (UK time) on Friday 14th March 2025.

Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview. These will be held in Durham on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May 2025.

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.

Applicant Guidance

For further guidance on your application please see HERE

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.

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. Whether you are at the very start, middle or end of your career, there is a role for you. We believe everyone has their own unique skills to offer.

We would be thrilled if you would consider joining our thriving University. Further information about the University can be found here.

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? – Durham University

The Role and the Department

The role of Insurance Assistant Officer sits within the Finance Department of Durham University and is to support the Insurance Manager in delivering all aspects of insurance services across the University. This will include assisting with the annual data collection for the insurance renewal exercise, the provision of travel cover via our in-house system for staff and students travelling on University business, updating the Motor Insurance Database with changes to the University’s fleet vehicles, dealing with Durham Student Organisations, providing advice and guidance on all manner of insurance queries from travel to liability, updating the SharePoint site for the Insurance Service on all manner of queries and the handling of all types of claims in conjunction with our cover providers from travel claims to liability claims .

The role will involve working with all levels of staff across the University and close liaison with our cover providers and insurers and with loss adjusters on claims and the opportunity to get to know a wide range of people both within the University and external to the University. As the nature of insurance can be quite reactive no two days are the same.

This is a hybrid role so will involve a minimum of 2 days in the office each week.

From early 2025 the base location for this role will change from our Durham City Centre site to our exciting new professional services hub based at Boldon House. Boldon House is situated on the outskirts of Durham near the Arnison Centre in Pity Me. Boldon House will bring a number of professional services teams together in a vibrant office environment which supports collaborative working and is designed to embrace hybrid working. To find out more about this project, please visit this webpage: Boldon House – Durham University. The office days for Boldon House will be determined prior to the move to Boldon House.

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:

• 27 Days annual leave per year in addition to 8 public holidays and 4 customary days per year – a total of 39 days per year. The University closes between Christmas and New Year.
• 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.
• 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 plus access to holiday camps for children aged 5-16.
• 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).
• 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.
• 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.
• We offer generous pension schemes.

Discover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.

Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion

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.

What you need to demonstrate when you apply/Person Specification

When you apply it is important that you let us know what skills/experience you have from a similar role and/or what skills/experience you have which would make you right for this role. Further information about the role and responsibilities is at the end of this job description. Where a criteria has an asterisk* next to it, it may be given additional weighting when your application is considered.

Your application should cover the following criteria:

Essential Criteria

Qualifications/Experience

1. Five GCSE’s at least Grade C or level four (or equivalent) including English Language and Mathematics or a Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience.

2. Post-16 qualification or equivalent experience, preferably with the Chartered Insurance Institute.

3. Relevant experience in the insurance industry handling a broad range of covers in a large organisation.*

4.. Experience of managing time to meet deadlines and working under pressure without compromising on quality.

5.. Experience of providing advice and guidance to a range of customers and colleagues.

Skills/Abilities/Knowledge

6. Excellent spoken and written communication skills including the ability to develop effective working relationships, both internally and externally.

7. Strong digital competence across a range digital devices and apps including digital communication tools, Microsoft 365 applications, business systems.

8. Ability to solve problems yourself and as part of a team and resolve issues, plan solutions and make pragmatic decisions.

9. Committed to continuing professional development.

10. Ability to participate in networks to share and discuss good practice and exchange information.

11. Ability to accurately record information and data

12. Demonstrable ability to proactively work with team members to ensure the delivery of high quality services

Desirable Criteria

1 Evidence of personal development to maintain skills

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 above. Where there are desirable criteria we would also urge you to provide any relevant evidence. Please don’t forget to check if there is any weighted criteria (see above).

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

Contact details
If you would like to have a chat or ask any questions about the role, Claire Robinson would be happy to speak to you. Please contact Claire initially on claire.robinson@durham.ac.uk

Typical Role Requirements

Service Delivery

• Show a commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion and the University’s values.

• Ensure that relevant regulatory and professional standards are being used within services being delivered by your team.

• Help to develop and implement policies and procedures relating to your service area.

• Respond to all manner of insurance queries and provide information/advice, while raising more specialist or complex queries with more experienced team members.

• Handle all types of insurance claims including but not limited to travel, motor fleet, property, employers liability, public liability and professional indemnity.

• To be the point of contact for Durham Student Organisations that are part of the University for all insurance matters.

• To update the Motor Insurance Database and internal records for changes to the University’s motor fleet vehicles.

• To assist the Insurance Manager in the collation of data for the annual insurance renewal exercise.

• To review and process applications for staff and student travel in the University’s in-house travel system.

• To update the Sharepoint site for the Insurance Service.

• Use your experience and problem-solving skills to investigate and resolve issues relevant to your role and make recommendations based on your findings.

• Continually review what is required from staff, students and others who you work with to make sure the best possible service is provided.

• Ensure that processes and business systems effectively support the services being delivered by the team on all insurance matters.

• Monitor and analyse the use of equipment and resources to ensure efficiency and report your findings to senior colleagues.

• Ensure that data is accurate and provide reports and analysis of patterns and trends to senior colleagues.

• Capture and share information and data that needs to be shared with relevant networks and committees.

• Use digital media [e.g. SharePoint, Social Media] to update team members and colleagues, students and external contacts.

• Prepare reports for senior managers.

• To deputise for the Insurance Manager during leave or absence.

Planning and Organising

• Plan and organise own workload to deliver the role and meet deadlines imposed both internally and externally.

• Organise and schedule assigned[resources, activities and events.

• Monitor processes and activities to ensure team priorities are met.

Teamwork

• Provide specialist support and advice on all manner of insurance queries].

• Explain and provide instruction to other team members on how to correctly record and manage data.

• Make changes to the services provided by your team in discussion with the Insurance Manager.

• Identify opportunities and contribute to decisions on how to improve services being delivered by the team.

• Seek feedback from students, staff and anyone else that you come across as part of your role on their requirements from your service and recommend improvements to senior colleagues.

Communications/Liaison

• Use your knowledge and expertise to provide advice and guidance to resolve problems and respond to a wide range of queries.

• Provide instruction and demonstrations to others within other areas of the University.

• Create good working relationships with other team members and anyone else that you come across as part of your role to work together on joint activities.

• Liaise with staff in other areas, professional organisations and agencies to ensure that services are being delivered in an efficient and collaborative way.

• Create good working relationships with internal and external partners and suppliers to work together on joint activities.

• Build relationships with contacts and contribute to internal and external networks to share good practice and exchange information.

• Liaise with external cover providers, loss adjusters and brokers to plan the delivery of services and events.

• Any other reasonable duties.

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 Privacy Notices – Durham University 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

Durham University

Durham University is one of the world’s top universities with strengths across the Arts and Humanities, Sciences and Social Sciences. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people’s lives.

The University sits in a beautiful historic city where it shares ownership of a UNESCO World Heritage Site with Durham Cathedral, the greatest Romanesque building in Western Europe. A collegiate University, Durham recruits outstanding students from across the world and offers an unmatched wider student experience.

Less than 3 hours north of London, and an hour and a half south of Edinburgh, County Durham is a region steeped in history and natural beauty. The Durham Dales, including the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, are home to breathtaking scenery and attractions. Durham offers an excellent choice of city, suburban and rural residential locations. The University provides a range of benefits including pension and childcare benefits and the University’s Relocation Manager can assist with potential schooling requirements.

Durham University seeks to promote and maintain an inclusive and supportive environment for work and study that assists all members of our University community to reach their full potential. Diversity brings strength and we welcome applications from across the international, national and regional communities that we work with and serve.

The Department

The Department of Physics at Durham University is one of the leading UK Physics departments with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students.

The Department is committed to advancing equality and we aim to ensure that our culture is inclusive, and that our systems support flexible and family-friendly working, as recognized by our Juno Champion and Athena SWAN Silver awards. We recognise and value the benefits of diversity throughout our staff and students.

The Role

Applications are invited for a Postdoctoral Research Associate in Computational Condensed Matter Physics to work with Professor Stewart Clark in the Department of Physics at Durham University.

The position is to commence in April 2025. It is a fixed-term post for 12 months.

The project involves mainly computational work to exploit GPUs using directive-based accelerator offloading in the Castep code (castep.org). Castep is a leading software package for calculating the properties of materials from first principles using density functional theory. It enables the simulation of a wide range of material properties, including energetics, atomic-level structures, vibrational characteristics, and electronic responses. Notably, Castep offers extensive spectroscopic features that directly correlate with experimental techniques, such as infrared and Raman spectroscopy. A Sternheimer solver underpins the calculation of a variety of such response functions and its performance characteristics is the limiting factor in studying various spectroscopic phenomena such as phonons. Offloading this to GPUs is the core work to be carried out by the PDRA.

Informal enquiries are welcome and should please be directed to Prof Stewart Clark, s.j.clark@durham.ac.uk.

Responsibilities :

• To understand and convey material of a specialist or highly technical nature to the team or group of people through presentations and discussions that leads to the presentation of research papers in conferences and publications.

• To prepare and deliver presentations on research outputs/activities to audiences which may include: research sponsors, academic and non-academic audiences.

• To publish high quality outputs, including papers for submission to peer reviewed journals and papers for presentation at conferences and workshops under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.

• To assist with the development of research objectives and proposals.

• To conduct individual and collaborative research projects under the direction of the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder.

• To work with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and other colleagues in the research group, as appropriate, to identify areas for research, develop new research methods and extend the research portfolio.

• To deal with problems that may affect the achievement of research objectives and deadlines by discussing with the Principal Investigator or Grant-holder and offering creative or innovative solutions.

• To liaise with research colleagues and make internal and external contacts to develop knowledge and understanding to form relationships for future research collaboration.

• To plan and manage own research activity, research resources in collaboration with others and contribute to the planning of research projects.

• To deliver training in research techniques/approaches to peers, visitors and students as appropriate.

• To be involved in student supervision, as appropriate, and assist with the assessment of the knowledge of students.

• To contribute to fostering a collegial working environment which is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect.

• To engage in citizenship to support the department and wider discipline.

• To engage in continuing professional development by participation in the undergraduate or postgraduate teaching programmes or by membership of departmental committees, etc. and by attending relevant training and development courses.

• To communicate and collaborate with the industrial collaborators.

• To be familiar with GPU based programming in a scientific context. In particular, knowledge of electronic structure methods are essential as well as a range of programming methods on high performance computers such as directive based methods, MPI and modern Fortran.

This post is fixed term for 12 months.

The post-holder is employed to work on research/a research project which will be led by another colleague. Whilst this means that the post-holder will not be carrying out independent research in his/her own right, the expectation is that they will contribute to the advancement of the project, through the development of their own research ideas/adaptation and development of research protocols.

Successful applicants will ideally be in post by 1 April 2025.

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 – please include or delete if not applicable.

• 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.

The Requirements

Essential:

1. Qualifications

• A good first degree in Physics or a related subject.

• A PhD (or be close to submission) in Physics or a related subject.

2. Experience

• Experience in conducting high quality academic research.

• Demonstrable ability to write material of a quality commensurate with publication in highly-ranked journals.

• Demonstrable ability to present research papers at [international] conferences and communicate complex information to specialists and within the wider academic community.

• Demonstrable ability to collaborate with industrial partners.

• Experience in relevant state-of-the-art facility-based condensed matter computational techniques.

• Expertise programming electronic structure methods on high performance computers.

3. Skills

• Demonstrable ability to work cooperatively as part of a team, including participating in research meetings.

• Ability to work independently on own initiative and to strict deadlines.

• Excellent interpersonal and communication skills.

Desirable:

4. Experience

• Strong publication record in peer-reviewed journals, commensurate with stage of career.

• A track record of presenting research at conferences, symposia, or meetings, commensurate with stage of career.

• Demonstrable ability to develop research proposals and designs in collaboration with other academics.

• Experience of overseeing students with respect to the development of their practical/research skills e.g. acting as a demonstrator; supervising student projects/practicals.

5. Skills

• Demonstrable ability to plan and manage independent research.

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 cover letter which details your experience, skills, and achievements in meeting (or the potential to meet) the criteria set out below.

Any other additional documents the department feel would support the shortlisting process

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 normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview and we anticipate that the assessments and interviews will take place over two days in or around February 2025.

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 Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants – Durham University 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.

Our Construction department are excited to announce that we are looking for a team member to join the department as a Lecturer in Carpentry and Joinery.

We are seeking a passionate and experienced candidate to join our dedicated team.

Join us in shaping the future of our students and make a lasting impact with Macclesfield College!

The Role

• To deliver effective teaching, learning and assessment to learners within the Construction department

Main Duties for this role include

• To plan teaching, learning and assessment for college programmes using the appropriate college format to ensure effective learning.

• To deliver teaching and learning to at least a consistently good or outstanding standard to achieve high success rates.

• To assess accurately learners work both formatively and summatively against appropriate awarding body criteria to ensure learners achieve their qualifications.

• To comply with all college quality assurance procedures as prescribed by the Deputy Principal to ensure the achievement of all internal and external audits.

Does Macclesfield College sound like the perfect working environment for you?

For starters we offer the opportunity to work from home on a Friday to enhance your work life balance.

We are proud of our fantastic benefits, inclusive of:

• 48 days annual leave inclusive of Bank and Public Holidays
• 2 weeks additional leave at Christmas closedown (inclusive of bank holidays)

• Teachers’ Pension Scheme
• Real Living Wage Employer
• Free secure campus parking and excellent transport links
• Long Service Recognition and Awards
• Employee Assistance Programme and Occupational Health
• Investment in our employees Continuous Professional Development at the College with a comprehensive timetable of training and development alongside coaching and mentoring from our experienced Quality team.
• Life Assurance
• Cycle to work
• Retail discounts
• Good for ME, Good for FE – Volunteering, Fundraising
• Discounted gym membership, and hair and beauty treatments
• Onsite Starbucks café

Pre-employment Screening

All posts are subject to standard pre-employment checks and you will be asked to provide;

• Evidence of your right to work in the UK
• Proof of Identity
• A minimum of two professional referees to cover a five-year period
• Health Declaration for any health conditions or disabilities for which you may need the College to make appropriate adjustments.

Please note that new guidance in Keeping Children Safe in Education 2023 requires us to carry out an online search as part of our due diligence on shortlisted candidates. This is to enables us to identify any incidents or issues which have might want to explore at interview. Once shortlisting has taken place, this search will be carried out for all candidates who will attend an interview.

Please note we reserve the right to close this role earlier if we receive sufficient applications for this post.