Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellowships in Politics
Nuffield College and the Department of Politics and International Relations intend to appoint jointly, with effect from 1 September 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter, two Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellows (PPRFs) in Politics, broadly construed to include political science, comparative politics and political economy, political theory, international relations, and political history. The postdoctoral fellowships are available for three years.
The aim of the competition is to identify and attract candidates who are reaching or have reached the end of their doctorate and have the potential to produce high quality research and to become world-class scholars in the social sciences.
The key responsibilities of the Research Fellows are to engage in independent scholarly research, to take part in the intellectual life of the College and the Department, and to undertake a small amount of teaching for the Department. Decisions about the nature and direction of the research undertaken will be wholly under the control of the Research Fellow, but the College and the Department will appoint academic mentors to provide support and advice.
PPRFs will normally be expected to engage in activities aimed at integrating them in the College and departmental life and in the broader Oxford community. To that end, they will be encouraged to organise research events such as workshops, seminar series or conferences (for which the College and the Department can provide administrative and financial support). These activities can be agreed in consultation between them, Nuffield and Department mentors and the Politics Group Chair.
The Fellowships are open to scholars from any country, and the College particularly welcomes applications from women, from disabled people, and from black and minority ethnic candidates, who are currently under-represented in academic posts in Nuffield. To be eligible, candidates should hold a bachelors and/or masters degree and should by 1 September 2018 have 2 completed, or be close to completing, a doctorate. Candidates must be within three years of the award of their doctorate at the time of application. Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously held a research fellowship similar to that advertised for more than one year at the time of taking up the fellowship. Allowances will be made for career breaks (for example, family-related leave) and candidates are asked to provide relevant information.
Any requests for further information about these posts or any queries should be addressed to the College Registrar at Nuffield by emailing pprf@nuffield.ox.ac.uk.
Main Responsibilities/Duties
Research
- To engage in advanced study and independent research in the field of politics, broadly construed to include political science, comparative politics and political economy, political theory, international relations, and political history.
- To disseminate research findings through the publication of peer-reviewed papers, participation in conferences and seminars.
Teaching and other academic duties
For the College:
- To participate in the intellectual life of the College by attending, and where possible by organising, seminars, workshops, conferences, and other academic events.
- To act as mentors for graduate students, where appropriate.
- To represent the College’s body of postdoctoral research fellows on one of the College’s committees and to take on College officerships, where appropriate.
For the Department:
- To undertake teaching of 48 stint units per year (the equivalent to teaching an eight-week 2-hour seminar series per year), as agreed between the appointee and (a) the Head of the Politics Group at Nuffield College and (b) the Head of the Department of Politics and International Relations [see Appendix for details of the Department's stint tariff].
- To participate in the intellectual life of the Department by attending, and where possible by organising, seminars, workshops, conferences and other academic events.
- To assist in examining and assessments of graduate and undergraduate students.
Selection criteria
Candidates will be judged on the basis of the following criteria and should ensure that their covering letter shows in their own words how they meet the criteria.
Essential:
- Holding a bachelors and/or masters degree in a relevant field and by 1 September 2018 having completed, or being close to completing, a doctorate; candidates must be within three years of the award of their doctorate at the time of application. Preference will be given to candidates who have not previously held a research fellowship similar to that advertised for more than one year at the time of taking up the fellowship.
- Experience of carrying out independent research and a track record of excellent quality papers appropriate for and commensurate with their career level.
- The ability to provide excellent teaching to high-achieving students.
- Willingness to contribute to the intellectual life of the College and the Department.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills.
Desirable
- Publications in peer-reviewed journals commensurate with the candidate’s career level.
- Experience of teaching undergraduates and/or providing mentoring support to graduate students.
Terms and Conditions of Employment
The Postdoctoral Prize Research Fellow's salary is set at £30,963 per annum (based on point 4 of the College’s scales for Research Fellows).
Any cost-of-living awards will be effective from 1 August each year.
Subject to availability, Research Fellows may opt to take up single accommodation in College (at a subsidised rate). Furthermore, the College provides PPRFs with children's allowances, currently £4,265 p.a. for the first child plus £567 p.a. for the second child. Fellows with children may apply for childcare places at one of the University nurseries. Demand for available places is high and places are not guaranteed. The University's Childcare Services can give advice on other childcare providers in Oxford.
Each Research Fellow is entitled to an individual office in College, free lunch and dinner (when the kitchen is open), and two academic High Table guests per term at the expense of the College. Research Fellows receive a research budget, currently £2,750 per annum, for expenses incurred in the course of academic duty, such as support of fieldwork, attendance at conferences and other research assistance. In respect of this last allowance, the College has dispensation from the Inland Revenue not to deduct tax or make returns. Telephone, fax, photocopying and postage expenditure incurred by a Fellow for academic purposes are met by the College. Each Research Fellow is allocated a computer and software suitable for their research.
The College functions as an academic community throughout the whole year, so that research and teaching activities are not confined to the University’s three terms. The College regards the holding of other positions (e.g. lectureships at other Oxford colleges) as incompatible with the terms of the Fellowship. No office or appointment may be accepted, whether paid or unpaid, without the permission of Governing Body. Research Fellows are required to reside within 25 miles of Oxford and are also required to obtain permission of the College if they wish to take leave of absence.
Nuffield College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.
The Fellowships are full-time posts and are normally to be taken up on 1 September 2018 or as soon as possible thereafter. The appointment will be for three years. Successful applicants who do not currently have the right to work in the UK will be required to apply for permission to do so under the UK points-based immigration system.
For more information please click "Further Official Information" below.
This opportunity has expired. It was originally published here:
https://www.nuffield.ox.ac.uk/About/Vacancies/Documents/PolPPRF.pdf