Assistant Senior Lecturer in Islamic Studies - Hiring in process/Finished, not possible to apply

The Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (CTR) and The Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES) are looking for an ambitious scholar in Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies at the start of their career who researches on Islam in the contemporary Middle East.

Work Duties

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 Islamic Studies 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 placed at the CTR but linked to the Strategic Research Area Middle East in the Contemporary World (MECW). The MECW research program consists of four research themes and the research conducted by the assistant senior lecturer should connect to one or several of these 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 Islamic Studies 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 Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies. The main work place will be both at CMES and CTR.

Associate senior lecturer is a position that shall provide opportunities for teaching and research qualifications. The position shall first and foremost provide scope for developing research qualifications. The scope of the position shall also provide an opportunity for training in teaching and learning in higher education corresponding to at least five weeks.

At CTR and CMES, we nurture the work environment, which is why employees are expected to be an active presence in the departmental environment and participate in the collegial community. A good ability to cooperate is a requirement.

Centre for Theology and Religious Studies (CTR) and Centre for Advanced Middle Eastern Studies (CMES)

The presence of Islamic Studies at Lund University dates back to 1983 with establishment of the first Chair of Islamic Studies in Sweden. Since then, Islamic Studies at Lund University has included the study and analysis of Islam and Muslims in the past and present, focusing in particular on how Islam is interpreted in the present. Approaching Islam as a historical and human phenomenon, Islamic Studies is understood as a multidisciplinary field of study which is associated with a number of research traditions from the Humanities and Social Sciences. The appointment of Oliver Scharbrodt as new Chair of Islamic Studies in 2022 furthers research activities illustrating the diversity of Islam in different historical and geographical contexts.

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, under the leadership of Professor Karin Aggestam and Professor Ronny Berndtsson, includes more than thirty scholars from five different faculties at Lund University.

Required qualifications

A PhD or the corresponding research expertise that is of value in view of the subject matter of the post (Islamic Studies) and the duties that it will involve. Primary consideration should be given to a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise within five years of the deadline for application for employment as an associate senior lecturer. However, a person who has been awarded a PhD or achieved the equivalent expertise at an earlier date may also be considered if there are exceptional circumstances. Exceptional circumstances are sick leave, parental leave or other similar circumstances.

Further requirements

• The ability to teach in English.
• Good cooperation skills.

Assessment criteria

• a good ability to develop and carry out high-quality research
• teaching skill

Furthermore, weight will be attached to the applicant’s assessed ability to achieve sufficient merit for promotion to senior lecturer within the time frame of the associate senior lecturer position.

Equal attention will be given to the applicants’ teaching and research expertise.

Specific qualifications of additional merit

• Experience of developing and independently carry out high-quality research, participate in international collaboration and engage in interdisciplinary settings,
• the applicant’s research expertise and progression in Islamic Studies and Middle Eastern Studies,
• demonstrated ability to obtain external research grants,
• ability to develop and independently carry out high-quality research on Islam in the contemporary Middle East together with other researchers in national and international contexts,
• ability to conduct research in at least one of the languages of the contemporary Middle East.

Instructions for the application

The application must conform to the instructions that can be downloaded at
www.ht.lu.se/en/the-faculties/academic-vacancies/instructions-for-applicants. The applicant is responsible for making sure that the application is complete, in accordance with the vacancy announcement and instructions, and for submitting it to the University by the application deadline through the recruitment portal.

The Academic Appointments Board normally selects a shortlist of applicants. This selection can be done in one or several steps and if needed with the help of external experts. The applicants who are selected for external assessment may be invited to submit physical copies of the papers that they wish to submit for expert assessment.

Further information about the recruitment process is available here: https://www.lunduniversity.lu.se/about-university/work-lund-university/applying-position/recruitment-process-research-staff-teach.

Conditions

Fixed term appointment, four years, according to Chapter 4, Section 12 b The Higher Education Ordinance with possibility for promotion to senior lecturer. The University applies individual salary-setting.

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Promotion

An associate senior lecturer may during the employment period apply to be promoted to a permanent position as senior lecturer if he or she has the qualifications for such employment and is also deemed suitable in an examination according to the eligibility requirements and assessment criteria below. The application may only be made once and must be submitted to the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology no later than six months before the employment ends.

Required qualifications for promotion

Demonstrated teaching expertise. Completed training in teaching and learning in higher education amounting to at least five weeks or equivalent knowledge acquired in other ways. Scientific skill corresponding to docent competence according to the guidelines of the Joint Faculties of Humanities and Theology. This means that the applicant after the doctoral degree must have broadened and deepened his/her research. In relation to the doctoral thesis, the applicant must have clearly broadened his/her scientific register and showed good progression. This is documented through a production that in terms of scope corresponds to at least one more doctoral thesis.

Assessment criteria for promotion

The degree of such research, teaching, administrative and other expertise that is of importance in view of the work duties and subject matter of the position as well as personal ability of relevance to perform the duties well. A good national and international standing as a researcher. The requirement for an international qualification is assessed with regard to the nature and tradition of the subject area. Good teaching ability, including a good ability to conduct, develop and lead teaching and other educational activities at different levels and using a variety of teaching methods. An ability to participate in supervising doctoral students. An ability to cooperate with the surrounding society and inform about his/her activities. An ability to otherwise lead and develop activities.

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CTR is part of Lund University’s wider vision to be a role model for how future knowledge is created and communicated. Like the University as a whole, CTR aims to understand, explain and improve our world and the human condition through education, research and external engagement. Specifically, CTR’s goal is to use education and research to develop analytical skills and impart knowledge about religious phenomena from the past and present in the pursuit of a fair and well-functioning society.