Assistant Professor in Middle East Politics

The School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) at Durham University seeks to appoint an exceptional scholar as an Assistant Professor with research and teaching expertise in Middle East Politics with a focus on the Arab world. Applicants with research and teaching expertise in the politics, political economy, or security of the Middle East, with a particular focus on the Arab states, are encouraged to apply. 

We particularly welcome applications from candidates whose research engages with state–society relations in the Arab world, with a particular focus on the Gulf. This may include (but is not limited to) governance and authoritarian resilience; political legitimacy, contestation, and repression; civic mobilisation and social movements; political participation and representation; public policy, welfare and service provision; identity politics and social cohesion; gender and the changing dynamics of citizenship, rights, and belonging. Applicants whose work addresses the intersection of domestic politics with major global and regional challenges of the Arab world are also strongly encouraged to apply. Relevant themes may include the international relations of the Middle East, politics of energy transition, climate governance, and environmental sustainability; migration, displacement, and demographic change; security governance and militarisation; and the international political economy of the Arab world. 

This post offers an exciting opportunity to make a major contribution to the development of internationally excellent research and teaching while allowing unrivalled opportunities to progress and embed your career in an exciting and progressive institution. For more information, please visit our School  page at School of Government and International Affairs - Durham University  as well as the web page of the Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies (IMEIS) at  Institute for Middle Eastern and Islamic Studies - Durham University   

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 Middle East politics, 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. 

For more information, please visit our department pages at www.dur.ac.uk/sgia/ 

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 Middle East Politics, with a focus on the Arab World, within the School of Government and International Affairs. The person appointed will be required to undertake research which makes a significant contribution to academic literature on the political study of the Middle East. The successful candidate will also actively pursue research grant applications and contribute to the growth and development of IMEIS. 

Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of Middle East politics, and an innovative approach towards the use of methods that can be applied to generate new insights and research questions. 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.