Keston Research Associate in Religion under Communist Regimes

Job title:

Keston Research Associate in Religion under Communist Regimes

Company

Cardiff University

Job description

AdvertPlease note that this job is open only to current members of staff of Cardiff University who are eligible for redeployment.Keston Research Associate in Religion under Communist Regimes
School of History, Archaeology and ReligionAn exciting opportunity has arisen for a Research Associate working on religion under Communist Regimes in Twentieth-Century Central and/or Eastern Europe to join the School of History, Archaeology and Religion.The 3-year fixed-term research post is funded by the Keston Institute, a charity which disseminates research on religion under Communist regimes. It has been created in collaboration with the Central and East European Research Centre (CEERC) at Cardiff University.The successful candidate will be expected to undertake original research, leading to outstanding publications. The candidate may also undertake limited teaching in Modern Central and/or Eastern European History (maximum: 6 hours per week).The successful candidate will have, or be close to being awarded, a PhD degree in a relevant area.You will join a dynamic and friendly department of historians, teaching across a wide range of time periods and geographical areas, with a lively research culture, and an active commitment to civic mission and public engagement.The successful applicant will work with the Director of the Central and East European Research Centre, Prof. Mary Heimann, and the Head of History, Prof. Clare Griffiths.This post is full-time (35 hours per week), is fixed-term for three years (from 15 September 2025 until 14 September 2028).Salary: £40,247 – £45,163 per annum (Grade 6). We anticipate that this post will start at the bottom of grade.Cardiff University offers many excellent benefits, including 45 days annual leave (including bank holidays), blended working (meaning you will be able to work from home for some of your time), a cycle to work scheme and other travel initiatives, annual increments up the pay scale, and more. It is an exciting and vibrant place to work, with many different challenges and is a proud Living Wage supporter.For informal enquiries about the post, contact Professor Mary Heimann – [email protected] and/or Professor Clare Griffith – [email protected]Informal enquiries relating to the recruitment / application process may be sent to Leah Fowler, HR Administrator – [email protected]Closing date: Friday, 14 February 2025Please be aware that Cardiff University reserves the right to close this vacancy early should sufficient applications be received.Cardiff University is committed to supporting and promoting equality and diversity and to creating an inclusive working environment. We believe this can be achieved through attracting, developing, and retaining a diverse range of staff from many different backgrounds who have the ambition to create a University which seeks to fulfil our social, cultural and economic obligation to Cardiff, Wales, and the world. In supporting our employees to achieve a balance between their work and their personal lives, we will also consider proposals for flexible working or job share arrangements.Applications may be submitted in Welsh, and an application submitted in Welsh will not be treated less favourably than an application submitted in English.Cardiff University is a signatory to the San Francisco Declaration on Research Assessment (DORA), which means that in hiring and promotion decisions we will evaluate applicants on the quality of their research, not publication metrics or the identity of the journal in which the research is published. More information is available at: Responsible research assessment – Research – Cardiff UniversityJob DescriptionJob Purpose
To conduct research under the supervision of the Principal Investigator and Director of the Central and East European Research Centre (CEERC) within the history of religion under Communist regimes in Eastern and/or Central Europe. To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University, and the profile of the Central and East European Research Centre (CEERC) at Cardiff University, carrying out research leading to high-quality research publications.Main Duties and ResponsibilitiesResearch

• To conduct research, within the history of religion under Communist regimes in Eastern and/or Central Europe, leading to the publication of a related book (normally a peer-reviewed, single-author monograph with an academic press) and/or peer-reviewed articles in scholarly journals.
• To contribute to the overall research performance of the School and University by the production of measurable outputs including bidding for funding, publishing in national academic journals and/or conference proceedings.
• To develop research objectives and proposals for own or joint research including research funding proposals.
• To attend and/or present at conferences/seminars at a local and national level as required.
• To undertake administrative tasks associated with the research project, including the planning and organisation of the project, and implement procedures to ensure accurate and timely reporting or completion.
• To prepare, where and if appropriate, research ethics and research governance applications.
• To review and synthesise existing research literature within the field.
• To participate in Centre and School research activities.
• To build and create networks both internally and externally to the university, to influence decisions, explore future research requirements, and share research ideas for the benefit of research projects.
• To undertake, if required, limited undergraduate teaching in Central and/or Eastern European History (strict maximum: 6 hours per week).

Other

• To engage effectively with industrial, commercial and public sector organisations, professional institutions, other academic institutions etc., regionally and nationally to raise awareness of the School’s profile, to cultivate strategically valuable alliances, and to pursue opportunities for collaboration across a range of activities. These activities are expected to contribute to the Centre, the School, the History section and the enhancement of Cardiff University’s regional and national profile.
• To undergo personal and professional development that is appropriate to and which will enhance performance.
• To participate in School administration and activities to promote the School and its work to the wider University and the outside world.
• Any other duties not included above, but consistent with the role.

Additional InformationThis research post is externally funded by the Keston Institute, a charity whose purpose in funding the post is to encourage the dissemination of research on religion under Communist regimes. The post in Modern European History (Central/Eastern European) has been created through collaboration with the Central and East European Research Centre at Cardiff University. The successful candidate will be responsible to the Principal Investigator and Director of the Centre, Professor Mary Heimann, for research, publications and activities within the Centre; and to the Head of History, Professor Clare Griffiths, for line-management relating to limited History teaching and administration. The fixed-term 3-year research position is expected to begin in September 2025 and to end in September 2028.IMPORTANT: Evidencing CriteriaIt is Cardiff University’s policy to use the person specification as a key tool for shortlisting. Therefore, candidates must evidence they meet ALL the essential criteria and, where relevant, the desirable.As part of the application process, you are asked to provide this evidence via a supporting statement. Please ensure that the evidence you are providing corresponds with the numbered criteria outlined in the person specification. Your application will be considered based on the information you provide for each criterion.When attaching the supporting statement to your application profile, please ensure you name it with the vacancy reference number: 19085BR.Your application will be at risk of not being progressed if you do not evidence you have met all essential criteria. The school welcomes the submission of CVs to accompany evidence of the job-based criteria.Person SpecificationEssential CriteriaQualifications and Education * Postgraduate degree at PhD, or nearing completion, in a related subject area.
Knowledge, Skills and Experience * An established expertise and proven research within the following research fields:

• Twentieth-Century Central and/or Eastern European History
• Religion under Communist regimes
• Knowledge of current status of research in specialist field(s).
• Proven ability to publish in national/international journals and/or to present research at national/international conferences and/or seminars.
• Knowledge and understanding of competitive research funding to be able to develop applications to funding bodies.

Communication * Proven ability in effective and persuasive communication.

• Proven research ability in relevant Central and/or Eastern European languages.

Other * Proven ability to demonstrate independence and originality within work.

• Proven ability to work without close supervision.

Desirable Criteria * Interest and/or experience in undergraduate teaching in Modern European History.

• Interest and/or experience in communicating research activities to the wider world.

Expected salary

£40247 – 45163 per year

Location

United Kingdom

Job date

Mon, 10 Feb 2025 23:59:53 GMT

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