Senior university lecturer in Religious Studies: Religious Education with a focus on Islamic Studies - Befattningen är under tillsättning eller redan tillsatt, och det är inte längre möjligt att lämna in en ansökan

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies is seeking a senior university lecturer in Religious Studies: Religious Education with a focus on Islamic Studies.

The Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies at Umeå University’s Faculty of Humanities conducts education and research in the fields of Archaeology, Philosophy, History, History of Ideas, Religious Studies and Theology. Religious studies and theology offers study programmes and degrees at first-cycle (undergraduate), second-cycle (Master’s) and third-cycle (doctoral) level. Apart from standalone courses in Religious Studies and Theology, the department is responsible for teacher education in Religion and for the Theology Programme. The department is host to UmSOD – Umeå Research Center for Social Studies Didactics. Further information about the department and the subject religious studies can be found at www.idesam.umu.se/english/.

Description and work duties
Until 2021-12-31, the position includes 40% teaching/ administration and 60% skills development time. From 2021-01-01, the position includes 80% teaching/ administration and 20% skills development time. Skills development time is normally devoted to research and work with applications for external research grants, and senior university lecturers are expected to contribute to the development of the subject area by actively applying for external research funding. Teaching takes place both on campus and on internet-based courses. Apart from teaching, administrative tasks related to teaching as well as staff and planning meetings, meetings regarding the subject area are included in the job.

Qualification requirements
A person who has demonstrated educational expertise and holds a doctorate in religious studies or has attained equivalent academic competence or other professional skills relevant with regards to the subject area of the appointment will be considered eligible for the position.

The ability to teach in English is a requirement for the position. The ability to teach in Swedish (or another Scandinavian language) within two years from the beginning of the employment is also a requirement for the position.

Evaluation criteria  
Research and educational expertise in the area of religious studies with a focus on Religious Education and Islamic studies, experience of administrative activities, development work and management duties, good ability to work with others in education and research, as well as to interact with the surrounding community represent the evaluation criteria in the selection of the candidate.

Research expertise should have been demonstrated by independent research production. The criteria for assessing research expertise are:  

• Breadth and depth of research - quality and scope
• Originality of research
• Productivity
• Contributions to the international research community
• Assignments within the research community
• The ability to obtain external research funds in the face of competition.
• Collaboration with the surrounding society

Since a major part of the employment during the first years consists in research in Religious Education with a focus on Islamic studies, an important evaluation criterion is that the applicant’s research plan is relevant (clearly concerns issues in Religious Education with a focus on Islamic studies) and feasible.

Educational expertise shall have been demonstrated through documented experience of teaching on a research basis within higher education. The criteria for assessing educational expertise are:  

• An ability to plan, implement and evaluate teaching and an ability to supervise and examine students at every level of education
• An ability to vary teaching methods and examination formats in relation to anticipated study results and the nature of the subject • Experience of collaboration with the surrounding society in planning and implementation of education •  Participation in the development of learning environments, teaching aids and study resources
• A reflective approach to student learning and one’s own role as a teacher

These skills can be obtained through higher education teacher training, other training relevant to teaching within higher education and/or documented, proven experience of teaching in higher education.

Weighing the evaluation criteria against each other
Particular importance will be given to the research and educational expertise. In comparing these two evaluation criteria, equal importance will be given to the both of them. In addition, importance will be given to the other evaluation criteria.

In the assessment of the research competence, particular importance will be given to research competence within the following areas in religious studies: Religious Education and Islamic studies. Research competence within both these areas is not required in order to qualify for the position, but will be considered a significant merit. In the assessment of the research competence, particular importance will also be given to whether the applicant’s research plan is relevant (clearly concerns issues in Religious Education with a focus on Islamic studies) and feasible.

A substantial part of the teaching included in the position is focused on Religious Education and Islamic studies. Teaching skills within both of these areas will be considered a significant merit. 

The planning and execution of teaching and examination is to a large extent carried out in teams of teachers. It is therefore important that the candidate has a good ability to work with others.

The qualification and evaluation criteria can be found here.

Application
Information about which documents must be included in the application can be found here. All documents are to be submitted in electronic form. For this position a research plan needs to be submitted.

Your application is to be submitted through Umeå University’s electronic recruitment system Varbi no later than the 4th of January 2019.

Further information
The position is permanent 100% starting on the 1st of April 2019 unless otherwise agreed. The place of work is Umeå and a high level of attendance at the department is a requirement since the selected candidate is expected to contribute to the development of the research and teaching environment at the department.

Umeå University applies positive discrimination of underrepresented gender. There are currently fewer female than male teachers in religious studies, and we therefore especially encourage applications from female applicants.

For more information about the position, contact the Coordinator of the Subject Area, Elisabeth Raddock (+46 90-7866972, elisabeth.raddock@umu.se) or Head of Department, Jonas Nilsson (+46-90-7869990, jonas.nilsson@umu.se). 

For information on the department, see Department of Historical, Philosophical and Religious Studies.

We look forward to receiving your application!