Lecturer in Philosophy - Two-year Tenure Track with view to a Permanent Position

St Patrick’s Pontifical University (SPPU)is nationally and internationally recognised centre of theological and philosophical learning, scholarship, and research. Founded as the Catholic National Seminary in 1795, it was recognised as a Pontifical University with Faculties of Theology, Canon Law and Philosophy in 1896. The Faculty of Theology of St Patrick’s Pontifical University offers a variety of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. St Patrick's Pontifical University is located on one of the most historical campuses in Ireland, alongside one of Ireland's youngest third level institutions, Maynooth University.

Since 2011, all awards accredited by the Pontifical University have been submitted to the National Qualifications Framework (NFQ), the statutory body that recognises academic awards in Ireland. The mandate of The Pontifical University is expressed in its constitutive document Veritatis Gaudium (2017), and quality assured by AVEPRO (Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties). SPPU is currently under consideration by Quality Qualifications Ireland (QQI) to be given ‘Listed Awarding Body’ (LAB) Status.

Building on a 225-year-old educational legacy, our vision states: “By 2030, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth will be established as a leading Pontifical University and its campus recognised globally as a place of innovation and transformation, where ‘learning and living’ for the individual and community is in a sustainable, inclusive and unbounded environment.” The capacity of the Pontifical University is in its people, relationships, heritage, and expertise. These roles further position it to realise its fullest potential in serving society and church, nationally and internationally.

Role

St. Patrick’s Pontifical University offers undergraduate and postgraduate awards in Philosophy and seeks a Lecturer in Philosophy suitably qualified to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules and supervise graduate dissertations.  

Skills and Experience

Applicants are required to have a Doctorate (PhD) in Philosophy. A successful candidate will also have a Licentiate or Masters in Philosophy or its equivalent. Applicants should also have competence in appropriate ancient and modern languages.  

An applicant will be required to have proven experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching at a senior level, an aptitude to use new pedagogical technologies / blended learning, and experience in supervising postgraduate dissertations at masters and doctoral levels. A willingness to teach, when necessary, on some evenings and on outreach programmes is also expected. 

The successful candidate will show evidence of research and publications in Philosophy together with specific future research plans that will contribute to and enhance the profile of the Faculty of Philosophy.  

A candidate should be thoroughly conversant with the history of philosophy and contemporary philosophical thought and whose research and teaching should complement that of the current Faculty. 

The Faculty also desires a candidate who is committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition with its abiding concern for the fruitful dialogue between faith and reason.  

A candidate should, ideally, have some academic administrative experience and be able to work collaboratively with colleagues on Faculty committees and boards.  

The successful candidate will be sympathetic to the mission of the Pontifical University which is dedicated to promoting the dialogue between faith and reason, and which seeks to find and communicate the truth through its educational and scholarly excellence, for the good of the Catholic Church, Irish society, and the wider world.  

Key Accountabilities, Duties and Responsibilities

The key accountabilities, duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited, to the following:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Philosophy.
• Supervision of postgraduate research in Philosophy at Licentiate and Doctorate levels.
• Promote philosophy in the public domain, for example, by organizing and speaking at conferences, hosting visiting lecturers, and by fostering links with other departments of philosophy nationally and internationally. 
• Publication of one’s own research in respected peer-reviewed journals and by publishers of repute; where appropriate, this will be carried out in collaboration with colleagues in the Pontifical University and elsewhere.
• A willingness to assume administrative roles within the Faculty of theology and the Pontifical University.

How to apply

Click on the Apply button. You will be brought through a series of questions or requests which will include supplying:

• A complete Curriculum Vitae/Resume which should include details of education, qualifications, experience, research interests, publications, research interests, and a writing sample.   
• A covering letter or personal statement of suitability addressing the criteria set out above and specifically indicating how the candidate’s teaching, research and service will enhance the academic and ecclesial mission of the Pontifical University.
• A selection of your recent peer-reviewed publications.
• Full contact details (to include email and postal addresses, as well as telephone numbers).
• The names and addresses of two academic referees, who are acquainted with the applicant’s academic work each of whom may be contacted by the Pontifical University. In the case of a priest, an additional letter of recommendation and support from his Ordinary. In the case of a non-ordained religious, an additional letter of recommendation and support from her or his religious superior or Bishop.

Post status:

Tenure Track - This position is Tenure Track position which is 2-years in the first instance, permanency is subject to satisfying the tenure requirements.  The salary scale for this post is as given, and the point on this scale on which the successful candidate will be appointed will be based on applicants’ level of experience.

Candidates must be available to take up the role by 1st September 2025 to be conversant of the expectations for the new Academic year- 2025/2026.

Closing date for applications: 6:00p.m. (GMT) on Thursday 24^th April 2025. Interviews will take place in early May 2025.

Further information is available on: Home | St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth