Working at Durham University Durham University was founded in 1832 by the Bishop of Durham, William van Mildert, and the Chapter of Durham Cathedral. It is part of a rich tradition of learning in the north east of England that traces its roots to the biblical scholar and polymath, the Venerable Bede, in the eighth century. Today, Durham University is a globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting.As one of the UK\\\'s leading universities, Durham is an excellent and inspiring place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site with one of the world\\\'s finest medieval cathedrals at its heart and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues addressing perennial questions of human meaning and self-understanding, and making a difference to people\\\'s lives. Whilst being a part of Durham is about contributing to the success of a global University and a common academic endeavour, it is also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.Our Purpose and ValuesWe want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.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 Join Us? - Information PageDiscover more about our total rewards and benefits package here.The DepartmentThe Department of Theology and Religion is one of the finest in the world and currently ranked 7th in the QS World University Rankings (2024). There are particular strengths in Christian theology, Biblical Studies, Church History, and the Study of Religion. The Department has approximately 28 full-time academic staff and around 15 post-doctoral researchers. Four members of staff are Fellows of the British Academy.The Department has approximately 280 undergraduates. In addition to taught postgraduate students, there is a thriving community of over 100 doctoral students studying on-campus or part-time at distance. In partnership with Cranmer Hall, the Anglican seminary at St. John\\\'s College, the Department offers a professional Doctorate in Theology for Ministry. Through the Common Awards partnership, the Department oversees degree courses for theological education institutions in the Church of England and other British denominations.The Department is home to five research centres: the Centre for Catholic Studies, the Michael Ramsey Centre for Anglican Studies, the Centre for Death and Life Studies, the Centre for Theology and Quantitative Research, and the International Centre for Moral Injury. There are strong collaborative relationships with research institutes in the University, particularly the Institute for Medical Humanities and the Institute of Medieval and Early Modern Studies.The Department has a long and distinguished history in Biblical Studies. Past holders of the Lightfoot Professorship in Divinity include James Dunn, FBA and John Barclay, FBA. Other distinguished former Professors of New Testament include C.K. Barrett, FBA, Charles Cranfield, FBA and Christopher Evans, FBA. Excellent teaching in Biblical Studies is offered at all levels. In addition to Biblical languages, instruction is offered in Syriac, Aramaic, Middle Egyptian, and Ge\\\'ez. The Department recruits a large number of high-quality doctoral students in New Testament from across the world, many of whom progress to academic careers. There is a weekly termtime meeting of the Biblical Studies and Patristics Research Seminar which attracts national and international speakers. Durham will host the annual meeting of the Society of New Testament Studies (Studiorum Novi Testamenti Societas) in July 2026.Lightfoot Professor of DivinityThe Department of Theology and Religion seeks to appoint an outstanding scholar as Lightfoot Professor of Divinity (New Testament). We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in the broad field of New Testament studies.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 distinguished history. Past holders have been global leaders in New Testament studies. The successful candidate will be a New Testament scholar with an established track record of excellence in research, teaching and academic leadership.Professors at DurhamAs a Professor at Durham University, you will be encouraged to focus on quality and innovation throughout your teaching and research activity. We will also look to you to provide genuine leadership and citizenship - not just in your field, but across the University environment, and in the way your department functions administratively.Academic colleagues will have the freedom to deliver teaching and pursue research that is world leading. We will support your ambitions to publish internationally significant research in your area of interest, provide resources to enable you to attend conferences and to fund research activity.Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of New Testament, with the ability to take a leading role in the development of the Department\\\'s research and teaching, and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the University.We strive to provide 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.The postholder\\\'s key responsibilities: Conduct research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, showing leadership in New Testament studies within and beyond the academy which is commensurate with the Department\\\'s continuing emphasis on international excellence; Lead the development of research project/fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research; Deliver excellent teaching, offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, demonstrating leadership and innovation in the design and delivery of high quality learning environments and curricula; Enhance the quality of the research environment in the Department, by playing a leading role in national and international research groups and networks; Engage in the mentoring of early career researchers and junior colleagues; Attract research students, and provide high-quality supervision, contributing significantly to the development of the PhD programme; Enhance the Department\\\'s commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture; Contribute significantly to the administrative functioning and collegial environment of the Department and wider University; Fully engage in, champion and enhance the values of the Department; Carry out such other duties as specified by the Head of Department. Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusionEquality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI) are a key component of the University\\\'s Strategy and a central part of everything we do. We also live by our Purpose and Values and our Staff Code of Conduct. At Durham we actively work towards providing an environment where our staff and students can study, work and live in a community which is supportive and inclusive. It\\\'s important to us that all colleagues undertake activities that are aligned to both our values and commitment to EDI.We welcome and encourage applications from those who are currently under-represented in our work force, including people with disabilities and from racially minoritised ethnic groups.If you have taken a career break or periods of leave that may have impacted on the volume and recency of your research outputs and other activities, such as maternity, adoption or parental leave, you may wish to disclose this in your application. The selection committee will take this into account when evaluating your application.The University has been awarded the Disability Confident Leader status. If you are a candidate with a disability, we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process. We will make adjustments to support the interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, reasonable adjustments will be made to support people within their role.Candidates must demonstrate research excellence in the field of New Testament studies 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 following criteria pertain to Professors at Durham University.Research Candidates will demonstrate world-leading research, and leadership in a research field within and beyond their institution, with research outputs consistently recognised as internationally excellent.Essential Research Criteria - Grade 10 Qualifications - a good first degree and a PhD in Theology, Biblical Studies or a related subject. Outputs - evidence of research outputs which are consistently recognised as internationally excellent with some outputs being evaluated as world class. Candidates are asked to submit three research publications with their application (as outlined in the How to Apply section below). Personal Research Plan - evidence of a personal research plan which supports and enhances the Department\\\'s research strategy. Research Leadership - a leading role in national and international research groups and networks, with an internationally recognised contribution to the development of research fields, as well as editorship of journals or book series, leadership of research groups or mentoring of early career researchers. PhD Supervision - experience of, or the clear potential for, the attraction of high-quality doctoral students and the ability to provide excellent supervision. Research Impact - demonstrable leadership of research that has significant impact beyond the candidate\\\'s institution(s). Income Generation - evidence of leadership of successful research projects or high-quality research grant proposals or a commitment to seek external research funding if appointed. EducationCandidates will be able to evidence excellence in the development and delivery of teaching. They will demonstrate leadership, distinction and innovation in the design and delivery of high-quality learning environments and curricula, including curriculum development, that enables student to achieve their potential.Essential Education Criteria Qualification - candidates must evidence substantial and sustained educational leadership demonstrated by one or more of the following: Evidence of at least one example of co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of others in relationship to learning and teaching, or; Successful completion of the DELTA3 course (\\\"Leadership in Learning and Teaching\\\") or the DELTA4 course (\\\"Strategic Leadership in Learning and Teaching\\\"), or; Achievement of Senior or Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (https://www.heacademy.auk/individuals/fellowship/fellow), which is the national body that champions teaching excellence. Quality - evidence of excellence in the development and delivery of high-quality and distinctive teaching. Evidence of training, educating and mentoring other teachers in the department and/or the University in relationship to learning and teaching. Candidates may choose to provide student evaluations and / or peer reviews of teaching. Innovation - leadership and influence in in curriculum/new programme development and the development of innovative teaching and the design of learning environments/curricula that provide high quality teaching and student experience including lectures, small group learning and/or using technology or other techniques to enhance learning and/or assessment. Strategic - demonstrating leadership and influence in the design and delivery of excellent teaching activities and the creation of learning environments that enable students to achieve their potential. Services, Citizenship and ValuesCandidates will demonstrate sustained excellence of leadership in administration and collegial governance of a Department, Faculty and University, positively contributing to the University Values and to fostering a respectful environment; as well as demonstrating their commitment to equality, diversity and inclusion.Essential Services, Citizenship and Values criteria - Grade 10 Collegial contribution - evidence of a significant contribution to the collegial work and environment of the candidate\\\'s Department, Faculty, institution and / or discipline. (Candidates may choose to evidence departmental or University roles, Faculty or University level committees or projects, mentoring activity, pastoral and academic support of students, engagement with widening participation, proactive support of the work of professional services colleagues, contributions to departmental programme management and/or strategic development, contribution to equality and diversity initiatives and membership or engagement with external bodies). Leadership - evidence of sustained excellence in leadership activities that support the administrative functioning of the candidate\\\'s Department, Faculty or University and / or which support the development of their discipline. (Candidates may choose to detail any leadership roles which they have undertaken, preferably in an academic context). Communication - candidates must have excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues across a variety of forums. Contact InformationDepartment contact for academic-related enquiriesProfessor Simon Oliver, Van Mildert Professor of Divinity and Head of Department of Theology and Religionsimon.oliver@durham.ac.uk+44 (0)191 334 3942All enquiries will be treated as strictly confidential.Contact information for technical difficulties when submitting your applicationIf you encounter technical difficulties when using the online application form, we prefer you send enquiries by email. Please send your name along with a brief description of the problem you\\\'re experiencing to e.recruitment@durham.ac.ukAlternatively, you may call 0191 334 6801 from the UK, or +44 191 334 6801 from outside the UK. This number operates during the hours of 09.00 and 17.00 Monday to Friday, UK time. We will normally respond within one working day (Monday to Friday, excluding UK public holidays).How to Apply We prefer to receive applications online.Please note that in submitting your application Durham University will be processing your data. We would ask you to consider the relevant University Privacy Statement Job Applicants/Potential Job Applicants - Durham University which provides information on the collation, storing and use of data.What to SubmitAll applicants are asked to submit: A CV A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential according to the requirements set out above; Personal research plan of no more than two pages. Three of your most significant pieces of published work. Where possible your work should have been published or submitted since 2014, however work prior to 2014, may be submitted where candidates have had career breaks. Where possible we request that you provide accessible web links to your publications, which the hiring Department will use to access your work. The application form contains fields in which to enter each of the web links.Please note we are unable to access publications behind a paywall.In the event you are unable to provide accessible links to online hosting of your work, publications should be uploaded as PDFs as part of your application in our recruitment system.Please ensure that your PDFs are not larger than 5mb. Your work may be read by colleagues from across the Department and evaluated against the current Research Excellent Framework criteria;All application documents should be uploaded with your name and document type as PDF files.We will notify you on the status of your application at various points throughout the selection process, via automated emails from our e-recruitment system. Please check your spam/junk folder periodically to ensure you receive all emails.RefereesYou should provide three academic referees. They should not include your PhD supervisor(s). The majority should be from a University other than your own.References will be requested for candidates who have been shortlisted and will be made available to the panel during the interview process.As part of your application, you will be asked whether you give your consent to your academic references being sought should you be invited to attend an interview. We will only request references where permission has been granted.Next StepsAll applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.The closing date for applications is midnight (UK time) on Friday 14th March 2025.Short-listed candidates will be invited to the University, and will have the opportunity to meet key members of the Department. The assessment for the post will normally include a presentation to staff and students in the Department followed by an interview. These will be held in Durham on Thursday 8th and Friday 9th May 2025.In the event that you are unable to attend in person on the date offered, it may not be possible to offer you an interview on an alternative date.Applicant Guidance For further guidance on your application please see HERE