Associate Senior Lecturer, Department of Political Science and Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Faculty of Social Sciences at Lund University is one of the leading education and research institutions in Sweden and operates both in Lund and Helsingborg.

The Department of Political Science combines ancient traditions with modern research and education. The department safeguards disciplinary breadth and diversity and has long been successful in competition for external research funding. Key research fields include democracy and democratization, power and administration, diplomacy, peace and conflict, intelligence analysis, political psychology, gender, environmental policy and welfare. The strong research profile of the Department of Political Science is reflected in its teaching. The educational environment has long been strongly international.

The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) was established in 2007 to support, coordinate and expand on research at Lund University on the Middle East. CMES coordinates the Strategic Research Area (SRA) “The Middle East in the Contemporary World” (MECW) since 2009. The Strategic Research Area includes more than thirty scholars from five different faculties at Lund University.

Work duties
We are looking for an ambitious political scientist and Middle Eastern scholar at the start of her/his career. The work duties associated with the position mainly consist of research, within the specialization of the call (see below), and teaching in the first and second cycles of study in political science and Middle Eastern Studies. The position includes at least 50 percent research and no more than 50 percent teaching and administrative duties. The position is linked to the Strategic Research Area Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW) led by professor Karin Aggestam and professor Ronny Berndtsson at the Centre of Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES). The MECW research program consists of four research themes: 1) Environment and sustainable development; 2) Security and sustainable peace; 3) Democratization, migration and sustainable socio-economic development; and 4) Religion, identity and culture. For more details about the MECW program: https://www.cmes.lu.se/cmes-research/middle-east-contemporary-world-mecw.

The successful candidate shall pursue research in political science and Middle Eastern studies within the MECW program. All MECW scholars are, however, able to conduct independent research, which relates to the overarching themes of the MECW program. They are free to choose their own research topics, develop their own theoretical ideas and apply the research methods they deem best suited. In addition, the successful candidate will be expected to conduct high-quality teaching at all levels in political science and Middle Eastern Studies. The main work place will be both at CMES and the Department of Political Science in Lund.

Requirements and qualifications
A person who has obtained a PhD in political science or an equivalent degree from abroad, or has acquired the equivalent research expertise in other ways, shall be considered eligible for the position as associate senior lecturer. Priority will be given to applicants who have obtained a PhD or acquired the equivalent qualifications no more than five years prior to the application deadline, unless exceptional circumstances apply.

Assessment criteria
General assessment criteria are the degree of expertise in research, teaching, administration and other areas of significance with reference to the disciplinary content and work duties of the position, and other personal abilities of significance for successfully carrying out these duties.

The assessment will particularly emphasize the applicant’s ability to develop and independently carry out high-quality research, participate in international collaboration and engage in interdisciplinary settings. In addition, applicants must be able to present documentation of their teaching skill. Proficiency in English and an ability to teach in English are required. The assessment will, more specifically, take into account the applicant’s (a) research expertise and progression in political science and Middle Eastern Studies, which will be assessed on the basis of the submitted scholarly work; (b) ability to develop and independently carry out high-quality research together with other researchers in national and international contexts; (c) ability to contribute to the general aims of the MECW research program; and (d) teaching experience and skill.

Promotion
An associate senior lecturer may, on application, be promoted to permanent employment as a senior lecturer. The application must be submitted to the Faculty of Social Sciences no later than 3 years and 6 months after the date of appointment. The applicant’s eligibility and suitability for such employment will be assessed through a review of the progress they have made during their appointment with regard to research and teaching, focusing on the following criteria:

• Well-documented research expertise. This includes a proven high standard as a researcher. Special emphasis will be placed on international publication.
• Well-documented teaching expertise. Special emphasis will be placed on the applicant’s proven ability to conduct teaching and supervision at various levels of study, and that how the quality and breadth of their teaching have developed over time.
• Progress in academic leadership through an increased ability to develop, manage and conduct education and research and/or demonstrated commitment/leadership in university-wide duties.
• Good interpersonal skills and ability to contribute to departmental activities.
• Documented ability to draft applications for external research funding.
• Good ability to interact with wider society and to inform about research and development work.
• Swedish proficiency to the degree necessary for performing regular tasks involved in research, education and administration.
• Teacher training to the extent required for appointment as senior lecturer.
  In the assessment of qualifications for a senior lectureship, equal attention will be paid to the applicant’s teaching and research expertise. 

Application
The application is to be submitted electronically to the Lund University e-recruitment portal. It is to be designed in accordance with the instructions of the Faculty of Social Sciences, which can be accessed on the Faculty website (http://www.sam.lu.se/en/about-the-faculty/job-openings) or received from recruitment manager Anders Kirchner (anders.kirchner@sam.lu.se).

The application is to include (a) a cover letter; (b) a CV, including certificates/grade transcripts; (c) a written account of the applicant’s research and teaching expertise (see instructions on the academic qualifications portfolio); (d) the research publications the applicant would like to have considered (no more than five). The applicant must also include (e) a project plan (approx. 2–4 pages) showing what research she/he intends to pursue within the scope of the Strategic Research Area of the MECW program and its four research themes.