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Job Description - Assistant Professor in International Political Economy (26001417)
Job Description
Assistant Professor in International Political Economy
Job Number:
26001417
School Government & Int'national Affairs
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Closing Date
06-Jan-2027, 11:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University
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The Department
Since its founding in 2004, the School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) has developed into one of the UK’s leading departments in Politics and International Relations. The School combines strong core disciplinary foundations with embedded regional expertise, reflecting a long-standing commitment to integrating area studies within mainstream political science and IR scholarship . SGIA is currently ranked among the top Politics departments in the UK by the Complete University Guide and is placed within the QS World University Rankings top 100 globally for Politics and International Studies.
We offer three single honours undergraduate programmes (BA Politics, BA International Relations, and BA Politics & International Relations), alongside joint honours degrees with Philosophy and Economics, and a PPE programme. We also contribute substantially to Combined Honours in Social Sciences and Liberal Arts pathways.
At postgraduate level, we offer a diverse portfolio of taught Masters programmes, including practitioner-oriented MSc degrees. We are home to a vibrant postgraduate community of research students and taught postgraduate students. Across all levels, our teaching is explicitly research-led and supported by a highly international academic and student body, a defining strength of the School .
Demand for our programmes remains consistently high, attracting students of outstanding calibre who progress into careers across academia, government, international organisations , the private sector and civil society. Our strategic priorities include widening participation, enhancing diversity, strengthening international partnerships, and fostering a research-led learning community that equips students to address complex global challenges.
In REF 2021, over 80% of our research was rated internationally excellent or world leading, confirming SGIA’s position as a major centre of research excellence. Within the School, four core research groupings structure intellectual activity including; Political Theory, Comparative Politics, International Politics and Security, and International Political Economy. These are complemented by cross-cutting institutes and centres . The successful candidate will join colleagues in the Critical Political Economy Group , which provides a stimulating and supportive environment for developing and refining research projects and outputs, networking with colleagues within and beyond Durham and providing pump-priming financial support for research.
Job Description
The School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) at Durham University seeks to appoint three exceptional scholars as Assistant Professors with research and teaching expertise in International Political Economy. We welcome applications from candidates whose research engages with transformations in global capitalism and who can contribute to advancing innovative and/or critical approaches to the field. While we welcome applications from across the breadth of International Political Economy, we are particularly interested in candidates whose research speaks to one or more of the following areas:
The political economy of development and/or regions of the Global South;
Historical approaches to political economy;
Contemporary challenges facing global capitalism, including those relating to climate change, health, or technological transformation.
The successful candidate will benefit from individual research support funding, access to SGIA and University-wide research funding and be entitled to apply for sabbatical leave on a basis of one term of leave in each seven terms of service. SGIA and Durham University provides high-quality administrative support to assist with applications for research funding, to facilitate research-based engagement and impact work with non-academic communities, and to enable the introduction and dissemination of new educational practice.
The successful candidate will get involved in the development of our research community in International Political Economy including its connections with other Durham departments and other institutions, and innovative educational practice to enhance the learning experience of both undergraduate and postgraduate students, including PhD candidates. Among other EDI initiatives, the department is currently in the process of diversifying its curriculum, and this is a project we would be keen on the post-holder to contribute to.
Assistant Professors on the Education and Research track are encouraged to focus on research and teaching, but are also expected to engage in wider citizenship to enhance their own development, support their department and discipline, and contribute to the wider student experience.
Academic colleagues are supported to publish excellent research in their area of interest with a focus on high quality outputs (including monographs and journal articles ), rather than quantity. We aim to support your research needs, including practical help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activities, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor.
Durham University is also committed to ensuring outstanding teaching quality, stimulating learning environments, and innovative curricula for all our students. You will be supported to develop your teaching expertise and skills.
We are confident that our recruitment process allows us to attract and select the best talent to Durham. We, therefore, offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Assistant Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent.
The successful applicant will play an important role in leading the development of research and teaching in International Political Economy within the School of Government and International Affairs. The person appointed will be required to undertake research in International Political Economy and makes a significant contribution to the academic literatures . The successful candidate will also actively pursue research grant applications and contribute to the growth and development of the Critical Political Economy Group.
Candidates must establish their demonstrated ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of Durham 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.
Key responsibilities:
- To pursue research that is high quality in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
- To develop clear plans for the pursuit of national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement.
- To play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development.
- Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond through collaborative research activity.
- Demonstrate a willingness to contribute to the administrative work, citizenship and values of the Department.
- To deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, as well as engaging in related activity such as assessment.
- To fully engage in and enhance the values of the Department.
- To contribute to attracting and supervising research students, and to enhance the Department’s commitment to its vibrant and inclusive postgraduate culture.
- Carry out other duties as specified by the Head of Department.
Durham University is committed to equality, diversity and inclusion
Equality, 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.
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.
Person Specification
Candidates will have completed their PhD (or be close to completion) and should outline their experience, skills and achievements to date, which demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria.
Research
Candidates must have the capacity for and be progressing towards the independent development of internationally excellent research that produces high-quality outcomes, including some work that is recognised as world-class or that has world-class potential.
Qualifications –- a good first degree and a PhD in International Political Economy, International Relations, development studies, or a related subject.
Outputs – Evidence of research outputs in International Political Economy that have the potential to be recognised as world leading. Candidates are asked to submit two research outputs with their application (as outlined below).
Personal Research Plan – A maximum of two pages showing evidence of a clearly articulated 3- 5 year research strategy, outlining planned publications, funding applications, collaborations, and impact activities.
Education
- Quality – evidence of the development and delivery of effective and engaging teaching. (Candidates may choose to provide student evaluation scores and/or peer reviews of teaching).
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Assistant Professor in International Political Economy in North East employer: Durham University
Durham University is an exceptional employer, offering a collaborative and supportive work culture that fosters professional growth and development. As a Strategic Pre-Award Grants Manager, you will benefit from a dynamic environment that values innovation and teamwork, while also enjoying access to comprehensive training opportunities and a commitment to work-life balance in the vibrant city of Durham.
