Post-Doctoral Fellowship in Islamic Civilisation (with special focus on Contemporary Islamic Art), Edinburgh University, Edimbourg (Royaume-Uni) ⎯ LIMITE : 25/03/2015

This is a full time and fixed term post.

Salary: £31,342 – £37,394 per annum

The closing date is 5pm (GMT) on Wednesday 25th March 2015.

School/Centre: LLC – Al Waleed Centre

Line manager: Director of Al Waleed Centre

2. Job Purpose

This three year fixed term appointment would be ideal for a recent PhD graduate (recent is taken to assume within the last 3 years). The successful candidate will be expected to contribute both to the development of the Centre’s Research Profile as well as its successful Outreach Programme. This currently runs in schools, among the general public, among policy-makers and the media and takes the form of lectures and presentations at study days, in conferences and symposia, and in summer schools, both within and beyond the university. There is also an expectation that the successful candidate will do up to 5 hours per week of teaching within Islamic & Middle Eastern Studies.

3. Main Responsibilities (Approx. % of time)

The post holder is expected to:

1. undertake research, leading to the publication of at least three articles over the three-year appointment period – 55%
2. organise and participate in Outreach events, to a variety of audiences, both within and beyond the University – 30%
3. teach one 20 credit semester-long course per year – 10%
4. assist with administration as required, such as updating the Centre’s website – 5%

4. Planning and Organising

The postholder is expected to:
• contribute to long-term projects, as part of a project team
• lead short-term projects such as conferences on a particular theme
• provide assistance with events (locally, nationally and internationally) with minimal supervision

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, in consultation with the Centre’s Director
• have confidence in setting priorities and taking responsibility for decision-making
• provide specialist advice and recommendations to support effective decision-making
• participate in monthly team meetings within the Centre to determine future priorities and activities

7. Key Contacts/Relationships

• Primarily with the Director of the Centre and IMES colleagues, and the wider school community
• Academic units across the university, including Islamic and Middle Eastern Studies, History of Art, Divinity, Politics and International Relations, Sociology, Social Anthropology, History, 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

• Appropriate degree, with relevant postgraduate research and/or teaching experience. Normally a PhD or equivalent professional qualification on a relevant topic

• 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)

• Experience in designing material for websites

• Experience of working with the media

• Ability and willingness to travel internationally, potentially at short notice

9. Dimensions

The postholder will be a member of the Al Waleed Centre team, of 5 colleagues, consisting of the Director; the Outreach Projects Manager; the Administrative and Outreach Officer; and the holders of the Centre’s two Post-Doctoral Fellowships (the other in the field of Muslims in Britain).

10. Job Context and any other relevant information

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.

The aim of this post is to provide an early career opportunity for a person recently qualified to PHD level, in a relevant subject. The external funding for this post aims ‘to produce on a self sustaining basis, a world class cadre of researchers at post-doctoral levels, by providing fellowships designed to feed into the next generation of academics’. For this reason, the post is time-limited to 3 years and an extension will not be possible.

Application Procedure

All applicants should apply online by clicking the apply link at the bottom of this page and submitting an up to date CV. This enables you to submit an up to date CV and supporting documents (ideally in the form of one PDF document). 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 Wednesday 22nd April 2015. You will be notified by email whether you have been shortlisted for interview; if you have not heard from us by Friday 3rd April 2015 you can assume your application has been unsuccessful.

The closing date is 5pm (GMT) on Wednesday 25th March, 2015.

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, it may be possible for the University of Edinburgh to sponsor you to obtain a Tier 2 (General) visa to enable you to take up the appointment should you be successful at interview.

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 UE07 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 Pensions website.

Salary

The role is grade UE07 and the salary range for this post is £31,342 to £37,394 per annum for 35 hours each week. (Salary placement is usually dependent on the candidate’s experience). Salary is paid monthly by direct transfer to your Bank or Building Society account, normally on the 28th of the month.

The aim of this post is to provide an early career opportunity for a person recently qualified to PHD level, in a relevant subject. The external funding for this post aims ‘to produce on a self-sustaining basis, a world class cadre of researchers at post-doctoral levels, by providing fellowships designed to feed into the next generation of academics”. For this reason, the post is time-limited to 3 years.

The University reserves the right to vary the candidate information or make no appointment at all. Neither in part, nor in whole does this information form part of any contract between the University and any individual.

Plus d’infos: https://www.vacancies.ed.ac.uk/pls/corehrrecruit/erq_jobspec_version_4.display_form