News

Academic posts mark first phase of Durham re-investment

(12 November 2003)

The University of Durham has begun the first phase of its academic re-building operation by advertising professorships and lecturing posts in 13 departments.

The new recruitment round – one of the largest single set of academic posts to be advertised by Durham in the last 20 years – stems from the University’s Strategic Improvement Programme (SIP). Under a three year plan, the University is to re-invest £8.7m in its best academic strengths.

The posts now being offered for 2004-05 include a group of 26 advertised together. They cover several professorships in:

• English
• Physical Chemistry
• Earth Sciences
• Law
• Material Chemistry
• Cultural Geography
• Sociology of Sport

And lectureships in:

• History
• Microbiology
• Law
• Geography
• Psychology
• Physiology
• Archaeology
• Mathematics
• Theology
• History of Science

They follow 10 posts advertised for Computer Science, bringing the current total to 36.

Vice-Chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said: “As we announced earlier this year, we need to build on our academic strengths, and this round of posts being filled is a major step forward in that process. There are opportunities for top quality people to join the University at an exciting time of growth. We are seeking exceptional individuals with:

• vision and enthusiasm
• an outstanding record in research which is internationally recognised, with a breadth of interests and an appreciation for other research activities represented in the relevant Department
• a genuine commitment to the vital role of teaching at all levels, and flair for innovation in course design and teaching methods.”

The University of Durham is a first class University, serving international, national and regional communities. It carries out internationally recognised research with a significant number of high-flying departments. The 2001 Research Assessment Exercise by the Higher Education Funding Council for England placed 20 of Durham’s subject areas into the top grade 5 and 5 star categories, and one (Geography) achieved 5 star plus. It puts Durham firmly in the premier zone of university research in Britain.

All the highest-rated subject areas – Geography, Chemistry, English, History, Law and Mathematics – are included in the new recruitment package.

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Notes to Editors:

1. Details of the posts can be found on our website: https://jobs.dur.ac.uk, telephone: 0191 334 6499, fax: 0191 334 6495, or email: acad.recruit@dur.ac.uk
   
   
2. The 26 posts are:
   
   Faculty of Arts & Humanities
   
   • Chair in English Studies
   • Lecturer in English
   • Lecturer in British History since 1940
   • Lecturer in History of Science
   • Lecturer in Theology and Society
   • Lecturer in Modern European History
   
   Faculty of Science
   
   • Chair in Physical Chemistry
   • Chair in Material Chemistry
   • Chair in Earth Sciences
   • Lecturer in Applied Mathematics
   • Lecturer in Pure Mathematics
   • Lecturer in Psychology
   
   Faculty of Social Sciences and Health
   
   • Chair in Cultural Geography
   • Chair in Law, Chair/Reader in Law
   • Chair in Sociology of Sport
   • Lecturer in the Archaeology of the Roman Empire
   • Lecturer in Classical Archaeology
   • Reader in Earth Surface Systems
   • Lecturer in Earth Surface Systems
   • Lecturer in Cultural Geography
   • Lecturer in Microbiology
   • Lecturer in Integrative Physiology
   • Lecturer in Law (3)

Media enquiries:

Keith Seacroft, Public Relations Office Tel: 0191 334 6074
Email: keith.seacroft@durham.ac.uk