Worcester College, Oxford Associate Professorship in Theology and Religion: Hebrew Bible / Old Testament Job Description and Person Specification Post Associate Professorship (or Professorship) in Theology and Religion: Hebrew Bible / Old Testament College Worcester College Department/Faculty The Faculty of Theology and Religion Division Humanities Contract type Five years in the first instance, then reappointment to retiring age upon completion of a successful review. Salary Salary on a scale starting from £47,263 per annum plus additional benefits (including the College’s housing allowance of £9,096 p.a. as detailed below). An allowance of £2,700 p.a. would be payable upon award of the title of full Professor. Overview of the post The University of Oxford and Worcester College propose to appoint an Associate Professor (or Professor) in Theology and Religion with a research speciality in Hebrew Bible / Old Testament with effect from 1 October 2019 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will become a member of the Faculty of Theology and Religion and hold a Tutorial Fellowship at Worcester College. The University of Oxford uses the grade of Associate Professor for most of its senior academic appointments. Associate Professors are eligible for consideration through regular recognition of distinction exercises for award of the title of full Professor. This promotion in status, which brings an enhanced salary, is dependent on merit and does not normally occur until some years after reappointment to the retiring age. In exceptional cases, where the candidate has previously established an academic standing at an appropriate level of distinction, the title of full Professor may be awarded at the time of appointment. The successful candidate will be expected to engage in advanced study and academic research; to enthuse and inspire students at both undergraduate and graduate level through tutorials, classes, lectures, and supervision; and to contribute to the communal life and administration of college, subject area, and faculty. S/he will have an outstanding record of research and publication in some November 2016 aspect of the study of the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, and experience in teaching undergraduate and graduate students. The post combines an Official Fellowship at Worcester College with membership of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. Candidates wishing to speak to someone informally about the post may contact Dr Scott Scullion, Fellow and Senior Tutor at Worcester College (email: [email protected]); Prof. Graham Ward, Chair of the Theology and Religion Faculty Board (email: [email protected]); or Prof. Hindy Najman, Oriel and Laing Professor of the Interpretation of Holy Scripture (email: [email protected]). All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence; they will not form part of the selection process or decision. Candidates wishing for more detail concerning the structure of Oxford’s teaching and research programmes, as well as how the University’s teaching and research expectations compare to peer institutions in other UK and international contexts, are encouraged to submit their queries to the contacts provided. Duties of the post The appointee will join a lively and intellectually stimulating teaching and research community that performs to the highest international level in research and publication, and will have access to the excellent research facilities that Oxford offers. The appointee will engage in research and publication on the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament; teach students reading for undergraduate degrees in Theology and Religion, Philosophy and Theology, and Religion and Oriental Studies; and supervise master’s and doctoral students in the Faculty of Theology and Religion. As a Tutorial Fellow at Worcester College s/he will have overall responsibility for direction of the studies of undergraduate students of Theology and Religion, will share responsibility for directing the studies of students of Philosophy and Theology, and will act as college advisor to graduate students in the Faculty of Theology and Religion. The appointee will be a member of both the College and the University community, and will have an active role to play in the running of the College (as a member of the Governing Body and a trustee of the College), and of the University (as a member of Congregation). The main duties of the post are as follows: 1. to engage in scholarly research and publication at an internationally competitive level in some aspect or aspects of the Hebrew Bible / Old Testament and related literature; 2. to give papers at international conferences and seminars; 3. to contribute, as appropriate, to collaborative projects with colleagues in partner institutions and research groups inside and outside Oxford; 4. to pursue opportunities for raising research funding for individual or collaborative projects; 5. to give 192 tutorial hours of teaching (an average of 8 hours each week across the 24 teaching weeks of the academic year) to undergraduate students at Worcester College; 6. to take responsibility for the organization, supervision, and teaching of Theology and Religion at Worcester College, including arrangements for the admission of new students, outreach activity, and pastoral care (provision of advice and guidance) for students reading Theology and Religion and Philosophy and Theology; 7. to teach and supervise postgraduate students in the University, including supervising postgraduate students when requested to do so by the Theology and Religion Faculty Board, and to act as College Adviser to Worcester College graduate students; 8. under the direction of the Theology and Religion Faculty Board, to give no fewer than 16 lectures or classes (including graduate classes) in each academic year; 9. to take part in University assessment and examining, both undergraduate and graduate, as requested to do so; 10. to contribute to the administration of the College and Faculty, including acting as a member of College and Faculty committees when called upon to do so and taking on leadership roles in Worcester College or the Faculty from time to time; 2 11. to participate in the governance of Worcester College, including exercising the duties of a Trustee as a member of the Governing Body and by service on College committees and in College Offices. Details of all undergraduate and graduate courses are available at: https://www.theology.ox.ac.uk Person specification Applications will be judged against the criteria which are set out below. Applicants should make sure that their application shows clearly how they believe that their skills and experience meet these criteria. Oxford is committed to fairness, consistency, and transparency in selection decisions. Chairs of selection committees will be aware of the principles of equality of opportunity and fair selection and there will be both male and female committee members wherever possible. The successful candidate will offer the following: a doctorate (or a completed doctoral dissertation submitted for examination by the advertised closing date for this position) in Hebrew Bible / Old Testament; evidence of distinguished research and/or research potential in the area of Hebrew Bible / Old Testament; a publication record that is appropriate to the candidate’s career stage and which will enhance the profile of the Theology and Religion Faculty in the area of Hebrew Bible / Old Testament; the publication record should either be of proven international standing or demonstrate clear signs of the potential to achieve such distinction; evidence of excellence in teaching Hebrew Bible / Old Testament, including the ability to contribute to teaching on a wide range of topics; evidence of the ability to teach undergraduates and graduates in a variety of modes, including individual and small group tutorials, seminars, and lectures; evidence of the ability to foster student learning in high achieving groups; evidence of the ability or potential to act effectively as a graduate supervisor; evidence of the ability or potential to act effectively as an examiner; evidence of participation in conferences, seminars, and other research meetings; evidence of the ability or potential to undertake administration effectively, including in cooperation across an institution; evidence of the ability to discharge advising, supervision, and pastoral care; evidence of ability and willingness to participate in access and outreach initiatives with a view to encouraging applications from a wide range of educational backgrounds, and experience of, or potential for, effective participation in the running and development of the subject at Faculty level. The appointment committee recognises that candidates can contribute to these goals in many different ways, and will use its professional judgment—based on the evidence available—to decide how successfully candidates could make such contributions, bearing in mind the needs of the College and the Faculty. The committee will take a particular interest in the likelihood that the candidate will produce research and teaching of a very high standard. How to apply 1. To apply for this role, you are asked to submit the following documents: 3 an fully completed application form, including the names and contact details of three referees; please note that references will only be taken up for shortlisted candidates; a covering letter or statement explaining how you meet the criteria set out