Lecturer in Muslims in Europe — Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, University of Edinburgh
Vacancy Ref: : 037044
Closing Date : 11-Oct-2016
Contact Person : Professor Hugh Goddard
Contact Email : llc@ed.ac.uk
The University of Edinburgh seeks to appoint a Lecturer in Muslims in Europe, based in Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies (IMES) (http://www.ed.ac.uk/literatures-languages-cultures/islamic-middle-eastern) and teaching both within IMES and within Sociology (http://www.sociology.ed.ac.uk).
The lecturer will develop interdisciplinary research and teaching activities on this subject between the departments and will commence on 9th January 2017 or as soon as possible thereafter. The successful candidate will have expertise in any aspect of Muslims in Europe (broadly understood, so that it could include such sub-disciplines as Cultural Studies, History, or Politics).
This post will be offered on a full-time (35 hours each week), open-ended basis.
Salary – £38,896 – £46,414 per annum.
The closing date for receipt of applications is no later than 5.00pm (GMT) on Tuesday 11th October 2016.
We anticipate presentations and interviews will be held on Friday 11th November 2016.
For informal enquiries, please send an email for the attention of Professor Hugh Goddard, Director of the Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World – llc@ed.ac.uk.
1. Job Details
Job title: Lecturer in Muslims in Europe
School/Support Department: LLC/ IMES/ Alwaleed Centre
Line manager: Head of IMES
2. Job Purpose
This open-ended appointment is intended to develop interdisciplinary teaching and research on Muslims in Europe, from its base in IMES, across the College of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. The appointee will have a record of excellence in research, with a portfolio of publications appropriate to her/his career stage.
The successful candidate will be expected to supervise PhD students working in this area. The successful candidate will provide teaching and dissertation supervision at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with a commitment to innovative approaches to teaching, including the development of Massive Online Open-Access Courses (MOOCs).
The successful candidate will also be expected to contribute to the successful Outreach Programme of the Alwaleed Centre, which involves activities in schools, among the general public, among policy-makers and the media; to play a full part in the collegiate life of the Departments and the Schools; and to undertake administrative roles as required.
3. Main Responsibilities (Approx. % of time)
The post holder is expected to:
• undertake teaching at all levels, including developing an interdisciplinary 20-credit Honours/30-credit MSc course on Muslims in Europe, contributions to team-taught courses in both subject areas, and contributions to MOOCs, as required (35%)
• conduct research, leading to outputs of the highest quality in both print and electronic formats, and to the development of links with the academic and professional communities for the purpose of knowledge exchange and impact (35%)
• supervise PhD students working on Muslims in Europe, in partnership with colleagues in other departments as appropriate, and Masters and Undergraduate dissertations (15%)
• undertake administrative duties within IMES and Sociology, as required (15%)
4. Planning and Organising
The postholder is expected to:
• contribute to long-term interdisciplinary research projects, as part of a project team
• develop interdisciplinary teaching concerning Muslims in Europe
• lead short-term projects such as conferences or other events on a particular theme
• provide assistance with events (locally, nationally and internationally) with minimal supervision
• manage the planning and organising of their teaching, research, and other responsibilities
5. Problem Solving
The postholder is expected to:
• identify gaps in knowledge and searching for sources of information to fill these
• use professional expertise and judgement
• employ diplomacy (including religious, cultural and political sensitivity)
• exercise good judgement of possibilities and risks
6. Decision Making
The postholder is expected to:
• demonstrate independent and autonomous decision-making
• have confidence in setting priorities and taking responsibility for decision-making
• provide specialist advice and recommendations to support effective decision-making
• participate in regular team meetings within the Alwaleed Centre to determine future priorities and activities
7. Key Contacts/Relationships
• Primarily with the Head of IMES, but also with the Head of Sociology and with the Director of the Alwaleed Centre
• Other academic units across the university, including Asian Studies, Art History, Divinity, History, Law, Politics and International Relations, Social Anthropology, the Centre for South Asian Studies, and the Centre for African Studies
• Media organisations, the Scottish Government, local religious communities and their leaders
• Other Alwaleed Centres in the UK, the USA, and the Middle East
8. Knowledge, Skills and Experience Needed for the Job
Essential
• A PhD on a relevant topic or equivalent professional qualification
• Expertise in Social Science Research Methods
• Evidence of sustained and developing research and peer-reviewed publication activities related to Muslims in Europe
• Evidence of skills sufficient for supervisory activities at PhD and other levels
• Teaching experience appropriate to the applicant’s career stage
• Commitment to excellence in teaching and in the development of innovatory courses
• Excellent presentation and communication skills
• Good organisational skills
• Ability to work in a team
• Enthusiasm for communicating to a wide variety of audiences
• Diplomacy, including religious, cultural and political sensitivity
• Ability to work to deadlines
• Excellent time management skills
• Ability to prioritise tasks and conflicting deadlines
Desirable
• Experience in explaining research to a wide variety of audiences, both within and beyond a university context.
• Knowledge of a relevant language (e.g. Arabic, Persian, Turkish, or Urdu)
• Relevant administrative experience
• Capacity for innovation and leadership in the development of teaching materials
• Experience in designing material for websites
• Experience of working with the media
• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, potentially at short notice
9. Dimensions
Alongside her/his involvement in the two subject areas, the postholder will be a member of the Alwaleed Centre team, currently made up of six colleagues: the Director; the Outreach and Projects Manager; the Administrative and Outreach Co-ordinator; and three Post-Doctoral Fellows (currently in the fields of Muslims in Britain, and Islamic Studies, with a particular focus on legal questions). There may be an opportunity to serve as Deputy Director of the Centre.
10. Job Context and any other relevant information
Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies is a dynamic department committed to excellence in teaching and research, with a long history of prominence in Islamic Studies and the interdisciplinary study of the Middle East. The department offers a wide variety of both undergraduate and postgraduate programmes and is home to 500 undergraduate and 120 postgraduate students across Arabic, Persian and Turkish as well as 17 colleagues. In the 2008 UK Research Assessment Exercise, IMES achieved the second-highest national result, confirming the department’s continuing role as a leading programme for research and study of Islam, the Middle East, and related subjects; in the assessment over 70% of research activity in IMES was classified as being ‘world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour’. IMES operates in partnership with the new Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World and CASAW.
The HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Centre for the Study of Islam in the Contemporary World (www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk) is a Centre within the University of Edinburgh, established in 2010, devoted to research, and outreach and knowledge transfer, in the field of Islamic Studies. It is part of a network of Centres established by the HRH Prince Alwaleed bin Talal Foundation, currently two in the United States (Harvard and Georgetown), two in the United Kingdom (Edinburgh and Cambridge), and two in the Middle East (the American University of Beirut and the American University in Cairo), which are devoted to the improvement of mutual understanding between the Muslim World and the West. Further details of the Objectives, Staff, and activities of the Edinburgh Alwaleed Centre can be found at www.alwaleed.ed.ac.uk.
Application Procedure
All applicants should apply online by clicking the apply link at the bottom of this page
The application process is quick and easy to follow, and you will receive email confirmation of safe receipt of your application.
The online system allows you to submit a CV and other attachments.
We anticipate interviews will be held on Friday 11th November 2016. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview or not.
The closing date for receipt of applications is no later than 5.00pm (GMT) on Tuesday 11th October 2016.
Eligibility to Work
In accordance with the Immigration, Asylum and Nationality Act 2006 the University of Edinburgh, as an employer, has a legal responsibility to prevent illegal working and therefore must check that all employees are entitled to work in the United Kingdom (UK).
To do so, the University of Edinburgh requires to see original documents evidencing right to work in the UK before commencement of employment and this is normally carried out at interview. Details will be provided in any letter of invitation to interview.
For further information on eligibility to work please visit our eligibility to work website
If you are not currently eligible to work in the UK, the University has the authority to issue a Certificate of Sponsorship (CoS) to successful candidates who meet the eligibility criteria. The CoS enables candidates to apply for a Tier 2 (general visa) in accordance with current UK Visas and Immigration rules.
For applicants interested in sponsorship information is available on our Working in the UK website
However, if you have previously been sponsored by an employer within the UK but your leave has expired or lapsed and you are no longer in the UK, according to Home Office Visa Immigration rules you cannot apply for sponsorship under any category of Tier 2 for a period of 12 months after the date your visa expired and/or you left the UK.
If you are an academic in the field of sciences; humanities; engineering; medicine; digital technology; or the arts and come from outside the EEA, it may be possible for you to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa.
The Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa route offers a greater flexibility in your employment compared to other UK immigration routes, meaning you can, for example, move organisation, location and/or job role. By contrast with, a Tier 2 visa where you are ‘tied to a UK sponsor’. Tier 1 provides greater flexibility in undertaking additional engagements, such as collaborations and is intended as a route to settlement. Allowed absences from the UK are up to 180 days per year without losing the eligibility to qualify for settlement, with no restriction on the reason for absence (unlike Tier 2, where any absences from the UK must be for a purpose consistent with the person’s employment or economic activity, including paid annual leave, or for serious or compelling personal reasons).
You would initially need to apply to be endorsed as an internationally recognised leader or emerging leader in your particular field by a designated competent body (Arts Council England, British Academy, Royal Academy of Engineering, Royal Society, Tech City UK).
Tier1 (Exceptional and Exceptional Promise) Endorsement Criteria
Once successfully endorsed, you are able to apply for a Tier 1 (Exceptional Talent) visa. More information on this entry route is available at UKVI Website.
Conditions of Employment
Pension Scheme
This role is grade UE08 and therefore the post holder is automatically included in membership of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS), subject to the USS membership criteria, unless they indicate that they choose not to join the Scheme.
For further information please visit our staff benefits page for further information and use our reward calculator to find out the total value of pay and benefits provided.
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The University has a range of initiatives to support a family friendly working environment. See our University Initiatives website
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