Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences
School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music

• Permanent Contract

Overview

Dublin City University (www.dcu.ie) is a research-intensive, globally-engaged, dynamic institution that is distinguished by both the quality and impact of its graduates and its focus on the translation of knowledge into societal and economic benefit. DCU prepares its students well for success in life, and in the workplace, by providing a high-quality, rounded education appropriate to the challenges and opportunities of the 21st century. As Ireland’s University of Enterprise and Transformation, DCU is characterised by a focus on innovation and entrepreneurship and a track-record of effective engagement with the enterprise sector, including commercial, social and cultural enterprises. Excellence in its education and research activities has led to DCU’s consistent position in the rankings of the world’s top young universities.

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music is a dynamic and creative School with a strong commitment to social and cultural engagement, world-class research, and teaching that promotes critical thinking in students across a wide range of subjects. The academic study of religion in DCU is pursued through the complementary disciplines of Theology and Religious Studies, offering students, on a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, an understanding of the historical and contemporary significance of religious faith and religious traditions. The School has particular strengths in the traditions of Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, as well as interreligious approaches to studying the world’s religions. The School offers excellent opportunities for staff to teach within their own areas of research expertise and to supervise PhD candidates. The School is committed to high quality research and supports its staff in such work.

Role Profile

The School of Theology, Philosophy, and Music wishes to appoint an Assistant Professor in Biblical Studies (New Testament), commencing 1^st August 2021. The successful candidate will contribute to both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including the BA Joint Honours, the Bachelor of Religious Education, the BA in Theology and Religious Studies, as well as the MA in Theology and World Religions. The successful candidate will be capable of working in a team context and will contribute to the administrative work of the School. They will also be able to provide leadership in developing the School’s teaching, research, and engagement agenda. The School is committed to high quality research and expects its staff to maintain an active research profile, including international publications and the pursuit of research funding.

Duties and Responsibilities:

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

Teaching and Learning

The successful candidate will contribute to the development, teaching, assessment, and administration of modules in the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes delivered in the School, including:

• Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Theology and Religious Studies, including an introductory module on the Bible, along with more advanced modules on the Gospels, Paul, New Testament Greek, and ancient Rome. An ability to contribute to other areas – including liturgy, interreligious dialogue, gender and religion, and religion and the arts – is welcome;
• Online and remote delivery of teaching, as required;
• Tutorial and small group teaching in the programmes offered by the School, including online/remote tutorials;
• Providing marks and feedback to students in a timely manner, as agreed with Programme Chairs and the Head of School, and in line with Faculty policies;
• Supervision of undergraduate and postgraduate research, including MA and PhD, in New Testament and related areas (reception history, religion and gender, Theology, Religious Studies);
• Contributing to the design, development, and management of current programmes and other teaching and learning developments in the School.

Research and Scholarship

The successful candidate will be committed to high-quality research and publication in the field of biblical studies/New Testament on an individual and a collaborative basis.

The successful candidate will be expected to:

• Pursue an active research agenda with ongoing research publications in leading international academic journals and book publishers, both individually and, where appropriate, in collaboration with colleagues in DCU and elsewhere;
• Actively search out and apply for research funding and grants consistent with the School’s research agenda;
• Actively promote biblical studies in the University and the public domain, as well as helping to plan and organise conferences, lectures, and other events;
• Attract and supervise high-calibre PhD students.

Service and Contribution to University and Society

Activities taken on the successful candidate’s own initiative, or allocated by the Head of School, will include:

• Undertaking administrative duties related to the subject and the position;
• Administrative and leadership roles within the School as allocated by the Head;
• Participation in School and University meetings;
• Representing the School in marketing activity and the recruitment of students;
• Developing relationships with stakeholders within and outside the University.

Qualifications & Experience

Applicants for the position must hold an honours degree, should be qualified to a post-graduate level, and have completed a doctoral qualification in Biblical Studies, specializing in the New Testament or a closely related field with a relevant focus for this role. Expertise and interest in reception history, as well as feminist, postcolonial, and interreligious approaches is desirable. An ability to contribute to other areas beyond biblical studies – including theology and liturgy – would be welcome. The successful candidate will have an excellent research and publications record. They must have at least three years’ relevant experience, with appropriate higher-level teaching experience, experience working with diverse cohorts of students, and teaching online and in blended learning environments. The successful candidate should be capable of working in a team and contributing to developing the teaching and research agenda within the School, as well as supporting the School’s fund-raising activities through grant applications. The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate strong organisational, administrative, and leadership skills.

Mandatory Training

The successful candidate will be required to undertake the following mandatory compliance training:

Orientation, GDPR, and Compliance. Other training may need to be undertaken when required.