King's College London
Professor of Theology and the Arts
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About us
The department of Theology and Religious Studies has an international reputation in the area of theology and the arts, with currently five funded postdoctoral researchers in the area, a central role for the arts in its undergraduate and postgraduate curricula, and an internationally renowned Centre for the field (ASK). It has existing partnerships with the National Gallery and the Courtauld Institute. Its MA in Theology, Bible and the Arts is run in partnership with the National Gallery. The role holder will play a leading and strategic role in maintaining and building on this profile and activity. The department has a strong record of research and teaching that bridges the divide between theology and religious studies, with expertise in multiple religious traditions and a wide variety of research methods. As well as having expertise in the arts, the successful candidate would bring Christian theological expertise of a kind that could foster fertile interdisciplinary connections.
About the role
The role holder will be a scholar of exceptional standing in the field of Christian theology and the arts, leading in its national and international development, and maintaining the Department of Theology and Religious Studies at King’s as an internationally renowned hub. They will provide strategic direction to the research culture of the Department and the University, directing the Centre for Arts & the Sacred at King’s (ASK), and acting as a line-manager for some of the department’s research fellows in the field. They will be proactive in sustaining and forging partnerships with external organisations, with a focus on art institutions within London, strengthening and building upon our already existing partnerships with the National Gallery and the Courtauld Institute.
The role holder will produce world-leading research and publications in the field, including through the securing of external research funding.
They will plan, organise and deliver outstanding teaching and assessment across the department’s degree programmes, including on a gallery floor in engagement with visual art. Typical modules include ‘The Idea of Beauty in Western Theology’ and ‘Religion and the Arts in London’. They will supervise BA and MA dissertations.
They will maintain a track record of successful PGR completions, and provide leadership in maintaining a strong PGR culture at departmental and faculty levels. They will be willing to take on senior leadership roles within the Department, Faculty and University and to build outward-facing connections with overseas institutions and bodies in order to enhance the external profile of the University and research area. They will undertake substantial public engagement activities and be willing to develop major research impact projects. They will contribute to the welfare of students through the personal tutor system. They will support and mentor early career colleagues.
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This is a full time post (35 hours per week), and you will be offered an indefinite contract.
About you
To be successful in this role, we are looking for candidates to have the following skills and experience:
Essential criteria
- PhD in relevant subject area
- Internationally renowned expertise in Christian theology and the arts, including ability to work effectively with the visual arts
- Excellent research track record, including high quality publications
- Potential for high level leadership, with ability to lead on partnerships with external organisations
- Ability to devise, teach, convene and assess undergraduate and postgraduate modules relevant to role, including on a gallery floor, and to lead on curriculum development
- Potential for major grant capture
- Commitment to collaborative working and willingness to contribute to the administration of the department, with capacity to line-manage and to mentor early career colleagues
Desirable criteria
- Ability to converse and collaborate across disciplinary, religious, and cultural boundaries, expanding the range of the Department’s existing specialisms
- Research with potential for impact beyond the academy and higher education
Downloading a copy of our Job Description
Full details of the role and the skills, knowledge and experience required can be found in the Job Description document, provided at the bottom of the page. This document will provide information of what criteria will be assessed at each stage of the recruitment process.
Further Information
At King’s, we believe that the diversity of our community and a culture that is welcoming, open, inclusive and collaborative, are great strengths of the university.
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The Equality Act of 2010 protects the rights of our students and staff and provides a framework to fulfil our duties to eliminate unlawful discrimination, harassment and victimisation and in addition, to advance equality of opportunity and foster good relations between those who share a protected characteristic and those who do not. At times, this will include balancing rights and beliefs that can feel in tension.
We are committed to free speech and to academic freedom, believing that our foundational purpose as a university, is to create spaces where a wide range of ideas, including ideas that are controversial, can be discussed and debated, and where members of our community can express lawful views without fear of intimidation, harassment or discrimination.
When engaging in the robust exchange of ideas, we ask that our community is mindful of our Dignity at King’s guidance.
We ask all candidates to submit a copy of their CV, and a supporting statement, detailing how they meet the essential criteria listed in the person specification section of the job description. If we receive a strong field of candidates, we may use the desirable criteria to choose our final shortlist, so please include your evidence against these where possible.
Artificial intelligence (AI) is evolving rapidly, and we recognise its growing role in professional work. Applicants may use AI tools to support preparation of their application, for example to research the role or structure written responses. However, applications must reflect the applicant’s own work and experience. AI tools should not be used during interviews or assessment activities unless this has been agreed in advance as a reasonable adjustment. Further guidance on the use of AI in recruitment can be found here.
We reserve the right to close adverts early due to the volume of applications we receive. While the closing date may change, all adverts will close at 23:59 to allow sufficient time for applications to be submitted on that day.
We encourage you to apply at the earliest opportunity to avoid disappointment as once we have closed a vacancy you will be unable to submit your application.
To find out how our managers will review your application, please take a look at our ‘How we Recruit’ pages.
Interviews due to be held in November.
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