Samuel Davidson Professor OR Reader in Old Testament/Hebrew Bible King’s College London

The department of Theology and Religious Studies, King’s College London, seeks a world leader in the field of Old Testament/Hebrew Bible with effect from 1 September 2012 or as soon as possible thereafter. A research specialisation in the Old Testament/Hebrew Bible within its historical and cultural contexts would be particularly welcome, as would expertise in relevant archaeological debates. Applicants should have a strong background in using languages and critical tools, familiarity with the range of interpretative approaches current in Biblical studies, and a concern to address subjects relevant to contemporary issues. An interest in art history, literature, film and/or other contemporary arts would be an advantage.

The successful candidate will join a dynamic, growing, and creatively forward-looking team in Biblical Studies at King’s. There are also numerous opportunities for close collaboration with colleagues in Biblical Studies elsewhere in London and beyond. This post offers a chance to make a substantial contribution to the development of Biblical Studies in the UK and internationally.

The appointment will be made at Professorial or Reader level with salary to be negotiated, plus London Allowance. Benefits include an annual season ticket loan scheme and a superannuation scheme.

Informal enquiries should be made to Prof. Paul Janz, 0207 848 2398
email paul.janz@kcl.ac.uk

or

Dr Joan Taylor, 0207 848 2335,
email joan.taylor@kcl.ac.uk

Further details and application packs are available on the College’s website at www.kcl.ac.uk/jobs or alternatively by emailing Human Resources at jcmbjobs@kcl.ac.uk All correspondence should clearly state the relevant job title and reference number A9/AAT/802/11-TC

Closing date for the receipt of applications will be Monday, 12 December, 2011. Interviews scheduled for late January 2012

Equality of opportunity is College policy

I am almost able to recall that process, now, without my palms getting sweaty and suffering the onslaught of unrelenting heart palpitations. As I do, here are a few words.

First, for those of you who are on search committees.

I ask you to remember one thing: each application you hold in your hands represents the hopes and dreams of a person who has worked very hard to get where they are.

In light of this: (1) Recognizing that they hold out hope as long as they have not heard from you, please tell your candidates as soon possible if you will not be proceeding further with them. I know you don’t have to do this, but it is a tremendous kindness. And if you know they are not a good fit, don’t wait until after SBL or after you make your hire. You know you have a pile of rejections sitting on your table or floor or corner or whatever. Send them the final word and close the file. For their sake.

(2) Never, ever, ever, ever indicate to a candidate who is on campus for an interview that they are the one to whom you will offer the job. This happens from time to time when there is a clear favorite, or an apparent consensus among the committee. And, almost every time, the vote ends up going another way. Indicating to a candidate that they will be hired is unprofessional, creates false expectations, and as often as not creates more heartache for that great candidate you were hoping to hire.

Now, for you who are candidates.

(1) See your interviews as opportunities for making professional connections, even if you don’t end up taking a particular job. One of the best things about my interview process was that from each school with which I interviewed I have at least one professional colleague that I now keep up with as part of my circle that I otherwise would not know. This is part of…

(2) Remember that you are interviewing for a job that is part of a relatively small community. This means not only that you want to refrain from badmouthing any other scholars, but that you need to treat this as a professional engagement that will potentially affect your relationships with other scholars with whom you may wish to collaborate or otherwise engage in the future.

One of my absolute worst interviews was at a school in Oxford. It was terrible in every respect, but the only reason I really regret the interview was that Markus Bockmuehl was part of the interview team. I frankly wish I hadn’t met a scholar I so respect in what was the worst interviews I’ve ever given.

(3) Perhaps most importantly: in my experience, interviews went well at schools that would have been a good fit, and they went poorly at schools were I did not fit so well. At their best, interviews are opportunities for both sides to discover whether or not you are a good long-term fit for their school or department. As hard as it is to be rejected, try to keep in mind that often a bad interview and a rejection is an indication, not that you were a bad candidate, but that you were not a good fit.

In other words, you are being rejected now rather than being denied promotion or tenure years down the road.

So buck up, sell yourself, but most of all, be yourself. If they don’t want you for who you are, you’re better off somewhere else–even if that somewhere is the local college you’re adjuncting for right now.

Position Description:

Professor of New Testament, Egypt

Organization: Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo

Location: Cairo, EGYPT

Ecumenical Partner: The Evangelical Theological Seminary in Cairo

Pattern of Service: Mission Co-worker

Position description: APPLICATION DEADLINE IS JULY 15, 2011.The co-worker will teach New Testament courses at the bachelor’s and master’s degree level at the seminary.

Essential job tasks and responsibilities: -Lecture in New Testament courses and other areas of biblical studies
-tutor students as appropriate, including guiding thesis work
-participate fully in the life and work of the academic community at the seminary
-engage in professional research and writing
-participate as appropriate in the broader Christian community in Egypt
-attend relevant national and international meetings and conferences in the region, as advisable

Mission description: The Evangelical Theological Seminary of Cairo was founded to train pastors and other leaders for service in the Evangelical Presbyterian Synod of the Nile. The Seminary strives to attain high academic standards in every area of biblical and religious studies.

Length of service: 3 years

Start date: 01/2012

End date: 12/2014

Full time, part time or either: Full-Time

Settings:

Education

Interest categories:

Education / Training/ Library
Mission Service (International)

Description of program location: Cairo is the capital of Egypt. The country is 1 1/2 times the size of Texas and has a
population of 81 million. Racial/Ethnic groups include Egyptian, Sudanese, Syrian, Bedouin, Nubian, Palestinian, Berber, and others. Languages spoken include Arabic, English, Nubian, and Berber. Egypt was an intellectual and mission center of the Christian Church for its first four centuries. When Islam arrived in the 7th century, Cairo became (and remains) the capital. The revival of conservative Islam in the Middle East has recently heightened an underlying tension between Christians and Muslims in Egypt. Still, Egypt remains mostly tolerant and open. Egyptian Christians and Muslims have a long history of a chiefly peaceful co-existence. Around 85-90% of the population is Muslim with the remaining 10-15% population of Christians mostly Coptic Orthodox.

Required skills, talents and gifts:

Word processing
Writing
Public speaking
Confidence
Cooperative
Working with people
Dependability
Articulate
Relating
Cross cultural sensitivity
Instructing
Motivating others
Tutoring
Flexibility
Adaptability
Works as team member

Desired skills, talents and gifts:

Preaching
Spiritual development

Required experience, licenses and certifications: Some teaching experience preferred. Courses are taught in Arabic, though translation from English will be available for initial courses. Language study available.

Ecclesiastical status:

Member of PC(USA) Congregation
Member of another Christian Community
PC(USA) Candidate for Ordained Ministry
PC(USA) Presbyterian Minister of Word and Sacrament
Minister of another denomination

Required education and languages: Advanced degree (e.g., Ph.D.) in New Testament or related field.

Position benefits: regular co-worker benefits

Housing: ETSC provides housing for single people (couples or families will likely need an apartment). Food is provided for those living on campus and lunch for those living off campus whenever they are present. Utilities are covered for on-campus housing. Work-related (office) expenses are also covered.

Salary: regular co-worker salary

Contact: Mission Service Recruitment

Email: msr@pcusa.org

Phone: 888.728.7228 Ext. 2530

Uniting Church Theological College Melbourne (Australia)

PROFESSOR OF OLD TESTAMENT
at the Uniting Church Theological College Melbourne

The appointee will teach in the field of Old Testament Studies,
enabling students of the Theological College and the United Faculty of
Theology (an ecumenical Recognised Teaching Institution of the
Melbourne College of Divinity) to explore the Old Testament, develop
their knowledge and skill for interpreting its texts and to integrate
their learning into their theology, preaching, teaching and practice
of ministry.

The appointee will participate in the preparation and formation of
candidates for the Uniting Church Ministries and resource the wider
Uniting Church in understanding the Old Testament.

Appointment effective from 1 January 2012 for a period of 7 years

Closing date: 15 July 2011

Contact for application information and position description:
heather.cameron@ctm.uca.edu.au
Applications should be addressed to the Chairperson of the Nominating
Committee, Centre for Theology and Ministry, 29 College Crescent,
Parkville 3052

New Testament

The School of Divinity in the University of Edinburgh are seeking to
appoint an outstanding lecturer in New Testament to join the Biblical
Studies team. The candidate can be a specialist in any area of NT
study, but applicants whose field is Pauline studies or the use of the
Old Testament in the New are particularly encouraged to apply.

The successful candidate will be expected to engage actively in
research, teaching and administration and play a full part in the
collegiate life of the Biblical Studies subject area and the School of
Divinity.

Candidates are expected to have a relevant doctoral degree, and to
have demonstrable achievements in research, publication, and teaching.

The starting date is negotiable.

For further details, please go to
http://www.jobs.ed.ac.uk/vacancies
Informal enquiries can be directed to Dr Helen Bond (Subject Area
Convener) at h.bond@ed.ac.uk

Lectureship in Theology/Religious Studies & AKC Programme Director

The Dean’s Office, in association with the Department of Theology &
Religious Studies, King’s College London seeks to appoint a Lecturer
in one of the main theological sub-disciplines to be Programme
Director of the AKC (Associate of King’s College, the original award
for King’s College London, open to all staff and students alongside
their degree) with effect from 1 September 2011 (or as soon as
possible thereafter).

The successful candidate will oversee the academic coordination and
development of Distance Learning modules for the AKC for the Dean’s
Office as well as offer course teaching (both undergraduate and
postgraduate), research and supervision in the Department of Theology
& Religious Studies.

For further details, see:
http://www.kcl.ac.uk/depsta/pertra/vacancy/external/pers_detail.php?jobindex=10204

Chair in Biblical Studies
University of Sheffield – Department of Biblical Studies

Closing Date: 28 February 2011

Summary:

This Chair in Biblical Studies will also be accompanied by a four-year appointment as Head of Department. You will therefore play a central role in developing the future direction for the Department of Biblical Studies which has a well established international reputation for the critical study of the composition, transmission and reception of the biblical texts. You will have a research profile and experience of research leadership in keeping with the Department’s research standing and will affirm the importance of biblical studies as part of a general humanities and theological education.

The Department was ranked joint fifth in the 2008 RAE and scored 24 out of 24 in the last QAA national review of teaching quality. Candidates from any area of biblical studies are welcome to apply but it is essential that the candidate has experience of interdisciplinary research, has a research record in the reception history of biblical texts and can demonstrate how biblical studies can be a driving force for the humanities.

For full information follow this link: Chair in Biblical Studies

The Graduate School of Theology and Religious Studies of the University of Groningen is looking for two PhD candidates (0,9 fte) for its PhD programme.

The programme is open to highly motivated foreign and Dutch students who have a wide-ranging interest in religion and who wish to study in a challenging academic environment, which stimulates personal development and which aims at excellence. Applicants are requested to submit a research proposal in one of the (sub)disciplines of Religious Studies or Theology.

Requirements

We are looking for enthusiastic candidates with a Master’s degree or equivalent, in a (sub)discipline in which the doctoral study will take place. The degree must have been obtained within a reasonable period of time and with results that justify the expectation that the student will be able to successfully complete the programme in four years.

For detailed admission requirements: http://www.rug.nl/gradschoolthrs/admissions/admissionphd

RESEARCH STUDENTSHIP IN THE BIBLE AND SPIRITUALITY
Dept of Humanities
University of Gloucestershire

The Department proposes to offer a studentship for a PhD in the area
of the Bible and Spirituality. The studentship will be held within a
three-year project sponsored by the Department’s Research Centre for
the Bible and Spirituality in conjunction with the Bible Society. Its
aim is to explore forms of spirituality that find expression in the
Bible, and the relation of these to other contemporary concepts of
spirituality.

The studentship, which is designed to cover a substantial part of the
student’s costs, may be awarded to a suitably qualified candidate who
proposes to work in any area of biblical spirituality, Old Testament
or New Testament, within the terms of the project. The studentship
will begin in February or September 2011, and is renewable annually.
Further details are available on request from:

Mrs Patricia Downes
Humanities Courses Administrator
University of Gloucestershire
Francis Close Hall
Swindon Road
Cheltenham
GL50 4AZ

Tel: 01242 714570
pdownes@glos.ac.uk

UNIVERSITY OF BIRMINGHAM
SCHOOL OF PHILOSOPHY, THEOLOGY AND RELIGION

Lecturer in New Testament and Theology
Contract type: Full time
Contract term: Permanent
Salary from £36,715 to £49,342 a year

The School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion, College of Arts and
Law, University of Birmingham is seeking to appoint a Lecturer in New
Testament and Theology. You will possess particular expertise in
theology and biblical studies and how these relate to each other and
to the study of religion/theology in the contemporary world. You will
also have research experience at post-doctoral level, shown through a
record of publications and have teaching experience at higher educational
level. Ideally you will hold or be nearing completion of a PhD in New
Testament Studies/Theology. You will be required to provide advisory
support for research, contribute to the design, development and
delivery of programmes of study, and undertake research and
administrative activities.

Closing date: 21st December 2010. Ref: 44432

To download the details and submit an electronic application online
visit: www.hr.bham.ac.uk/jobs alternatively information can be
obtained from 0121 415 9000.

United Theological College Sydney is seeking to appoint a lecturer responsible for the teaching and oversight of New Testament Studies.

The appointee would also be responsible for supervision of post graduate students in the field and be expected to engage actively in research.

The appointee would be involved in the formation of candidates for specified ministries and would be nominated as an academic associate of the School of
Theology, Charles Sturt University.

United Theological College is the constituted college for the Uniting Church in the Synod of NSW/ACT. It is also a partner in the School of Theology, Charles Stuart University.

The position is available from 1 July, 2011. Full details of the position
may be obtained from The Principal, Revd. Dr Clive Pearson, United Theological College, 16 Masons Dr, North Parramatta NSW 2151 Australia. Phone +61 2 8838 8926 or email utc@nsw.uca.org.au.

Applications for this position close on 21 February 2011.