Lightfoot Professor of Divinity (New Testament)

The Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University seeks to appoint the Lightfoot Professor of Divinity (New Testament)

Start date: September 2025 or as soon as possible thereafter.

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 long and distinguished history. Past holders include James Dunn, FBA and John Barclay, FBA. The successful candidate will be an outstanding scholar in New Testament studies with an established track record of excellence in research, teaching and academic leadership.

The postholder’s duties will include:

• Conducting world-leading research with the potential to attract external funding;
• Supervision of high-quality doctoral students;
• Teaching at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels through lectures, seminars and tutorials;
• Contributing to the academic administration and leadership of the Department of Theology and Religion;
• Offering leadership in the field of New Testament and Biblical Studies within the Department of Theology and Religion, nationally and internationally.

The successful candidate will have:

• A track record of internationally outstanding research in New Testament studies;
• The capacity to provide research leadership nationally and internationally through collaborative projects and networks;
• A plan for future research with the potential to develop significantly the field of New Testament studies;
• The capacity to attract and supervise excellent doctoral students;
• The demonstrable ability to provide high quality teaching at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels;
• Experience of, or commitment to, raising external research funding;
• Evidence of commitment to leadership in the administration and governance of an academic department and university.

Enquiries about this post are welcome and should be directed to the Head of the Department of Theology and Religion, Professor Simon Oliver (simon.oliver@durham.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection process.

How to apply

We prefer to receive applications online. 

Please note that in submitting your application, we will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.

All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV
• A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential with respect to the requirements set out above.
• Personal research plan of no more than two pages
• Three of your most significant pieces of written work. Where possible your written work should have been published or submitted since 2014.
• An Equality, Diversity and Inclusion & values statement of no more than 500 words which outlines work which you have been involved in which demonstrates your commitment to EDI and our values, i.e. involvement in equality, diversity, and inclusion activities such as mentoring or volunteering.

The closing date for applications is midnight (UK time) on Friday 14^th March, 2025. Interviews will be held over two days in Durham on Thursday 8^th and Friday 9^th May, 2025.

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority candidates who are under-represented in academic posts in Durham.

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