Assistant Professor – Management, Leadership and Change (Education & Research) EDUC23

Working at Durham University  

As one of the UK’s leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career while enjoying a high-quality work/life balance. We are home to some of the most talented scholars and researchers from around the world who are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.  

Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Durham? information page. 

A competitive salary is only one part of the many fantastic benefits you will receive if you join the University: you will also receive access to the following Total Rewards – Grade 7 and Grade 8.   

The School

The School of Education at Durham University is one of the very best in the country and beyond. 

The School represents an environment that is conducive to producing research of world-leading quality and enabling outstanding impact, in terms of its vitality and sustainability. This is evidenced by the fact that, for instance, in the most recent Research Excellence Framework exercise (REF 2021), 86.7% of the publications produced by colleagues at the School of Education was considered world leading or internationally excellent in terms of their rigour, significance and originality. At the same time research conducted at the School of Education has a strong impact beyond academia as it changes or benefits the economy, society, culture, public policy or services, health, the environment or quality of life (100% of impact case studies submitted to REF 2021 were considered outstanding in terms of their reach and significance). 

The School of Education is committed to research-led teaching and diversity in approaches to accommodate needs and potential of student learners. Our current portfolio of teaching ranges from undergraduate programmes (a BA in Education Studies and a BA in Primary Education), through Postgraduate Taught Masters pathways (from MAEd to MA Research Methods) to Postgraduate Research. Overall, we are ranked 2nd in the Complete University Guide, and have a top 100 ranking in both the QS and THE 2023 World University Rankings by subject.

For more information, please visit our School pages at School of Education - Durham University.

The Vacancy

The School seeks to appoint an academic at the level of Assistant Professor in the area of Management, Leadership and Change in Education. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in the broad field of management, leadership and change (MLC) in education and /or subfield(s) of this wide area of expertise as relevant to diverse educational sectors and provider types. Applicants will be required to contribute to one of the School’s the thematic areas for research (details can be found at: www.durham.ac.uk/departments/academic/education/research/areas/).

Research topics may include but are not limited to: change management in diverse educational contexts; curriculum leadership; leadership of professional development; system and network management and leadership; theoretical frameworks for management, leadership and change.  
In an increasingly global community of learners, teaching and research, we particularly invite applications from those who are able to bring an intercultural and international or comparative perspective to their work.

Assistant Professors at Durham 

Assistant Professors on the Education and Research track are encouraged to focus on research and teaching but also to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, support their department and wider discipline, and contribute to the wider student experience. 

Academic colleagues are supported to publish high-quality research in their area of interest with a focus on quality in high-impact outputs including monographs, essays in edited volumes, and book chapters, rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activities, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor.  

Durham University is also committed to ensuring excellent teaching quality, stimulating learning environments, and innovative curricula for all of our students. You will be supported to develop your teaching expertise and to develop innovative teaching. 

We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best international talent to Durham. We, therefore, offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Assistant Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent 

Assistant Professor Management, Leadership and Change in Education

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of Management, Leadership and Change in Education, with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.  The University aims to provides a working and teaching environment that is inclusive and welcoming and where everyone is treated fairly with dignity and respect. Candidates will be expected to demonstrate these key principles as part of the assessment process. 

Key responsibilities: 

• To pursue research that is high quality in terms of originality, significance and rigour.  
• To develop clear plans for the pursuit of national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement; 
• To play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development; 
• Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the School the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity;  
• Demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the School;  
• To deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, as well as engaging in related activity such as assessment; 
• To fully engage in and embody the values of the School; 
• To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the School’s commitment to its vibrant and inclusive postgraduate culture.  
• Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of School.