Duns Scotus Assistant Professor in Franciscan Studies

The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University seeks to appoint a talented individual to a 5-year fixed term role of the Duns Scotus Assistant Professor in Franciscan Studies. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in the broad field of Franciscan Theology and we are particularly eager to hear from applicants with a focus on the classical tradition of Franciscan Theology and its contemporary significance.

This post, made possible through generous benefaction, consolidates the long-term interests of the Centre for Catholic Studies (CCS), a research centre within the Department of Theology and Religion, to develop a research programme area in Franciscan Studies in liaison with global Franciscan communities. The post-holder will be expected to participate in academic leadership for and development of a Franciscan Studies programme within the CCS, delivering high-quality research and teaching in Franciscan Studies, focussing on classical Franciscan theology and its continuing significance.

The post-holder will carry a standard teaching load at undergraduate and postgraduate level, including supporting online distance learning modules. The appointee will also be committed to supervising students studying for a PhD.

Alongside the primary research and teaching responsibilities, the postholder will have an additional focus on organising occasional academic conferences, summer schools, and other outreach activities in Franciscan Studies, and on encouraging visiting scholars of Franciscan Studies.

The successful candidate will be fully involved in the life and work of the CCS through such means as: regular participation in and contribution to the Durham Catholic Theology Research Seminar, staff-student research conversations, and other such lectures, conferences, and public events organised by the CCS; participation in CCS planning meetings, and the annual Friends’ and Benefactors’ event; being an advocate for the CCS, and being prepared, on occasion, to meet with potential donors.

The successful applicant would be expected to be in post at the beginning of January 2025.

Durham’s Department of Theology and Religion is one of the very best UK departments in this field, with an outstanding reputation for excellence in teaching, research and employability of our students. It is held in high esteem across the globe, as reflected in the QS World Reputation rankings, which placed Durham’s department as 6th worldwide based on its most recent survey in 2023. In January 2024, in recognition of its commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion the department was awarded the Athena Swan Silver Award by Advance HE.

With its home in Abbey House, right next to Durham Cathedral, a UNESCO world Heritage site, it is a beautiful and immensely exciting place to study and to research in Theology and Religion.

This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research and teaching while allowing unrivalled opportunities to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution. For more information, please visit our Department’s pages at www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/theology-religion and find out more about the Centre for Catholic Studies at www.dur.ac.uk/theology.religion/ccs

Advert information