Teaching Fellow in Theology & Religion – School of Philosophy, Theology & Religion – 98957Z26 – Grade 7

Position Details

School of Philosophy, Theology and Religion

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham UK

Full time starting salary is normally in the range £36,636 to £46,049 with potential progression once in post to £48,822 

Grade: 7

Full Time, Fixed Term contract up to August 2027 

Closing date: 14^th April 2026

 

Background

To teach and advise undergraduate, postgraduate or CPD students within own subject area and within an established teaching programme, managed supervised by member of staff with ultimate responsibility for the design, delivery and assessment of the teaching programme.

Role Summary

The Department of Theology & Religion at the University of Birmingham seeks to appoint a 1.0fte Teaching Fellow in Theology & Religion for a fixed term of 12 months (1^st September 2026 – 31^st August 2027). The postholder will teach at a range of levels to undergraduates and postgraduates, through allocated lectures and seminars, so that the Department of Theology & Religion’s teaching objectives are met. The postholder may contribute to the design and running of modules with other colleagues, will plan and prepare teaching, undertake management/administration arising from teaching, and contribute to Departmental/School teaching-related activities and teaching-related administration.

Teaching will include undergraduate courses in the BA Psychology and Religion, including Introduction to Psychology and Religion (first year), Representations of the Divine (second year), Psychology and Well-being (third year), as well as individual lectures on the psychology of religion in select first year modules and the Master’s research methods module. This includes giving seminars, marking, and creating teaching materials where required. There may be other teaching and UG/PGT supervision as determined by the Head of Department in line with the needs of the department.

Teaching is done within an established teaching programme (under the supervision of an academic member of staff). The postholder will also contribute to the enhancement of student experience and employability. This role is an excellent opportunity to be part of a vibrant philosophy department with an excellent research environment and high student satisfaction.

To contribute to teaching-related administrative duties in the department.

May: a) contribute to enhancement of the student experience or employability; b) contribute to designing CPD programmes for clients external to the University and similar; c) contribute to deliver CPD programmes, consulting on own specialism and the like, often under the supervision of a project leader.

Main Duties

• Teach courses at a range of levels within specified subject area and within own area of subject specialism to undergraduates, postgraduates and CPD students, predominantly through allocated lectures and seminars, so that the School’s teaching objectives are met.
• Contribute to the design of modules with other colleagues.
• Plan and prepare own teaching, including guidance notes and handouts in accordance with the established objectives of the teaching programme.
• Devise and supervise projects, student dissertations and practical work.
• Develop an approach to planning and reviewing own teaching.
• Undertake full range of responsibilities in relation to supervision, marking and examining. (Summative assessment, including assessed work contributing to the final award – as a mark or as a credit – such as unseen examinations, essays, dissertations or presentations, is subject to validation by the academic supervisor.)
• Frequently update own subject expertise.
• Undertake personal professional development in teaching, including self-reflection on own teaching, using student and peer review feedback, to enhance own teaching and learning processes. 
• Contribute to knowledge transfer on own specialism that is of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
• Undertake management/administration arising from teaching.
• Contribute to Departmental/School teaching-related activities and teaching-related administration.
• Contribute to enterprise, business development and/or public engagement activities of manifest benefit to the College and the University, often under supervision of a project leader.
• Promotes equality and values diversity acting as a role model and fostering an inclusive working culture.

Person Specification

• Higher degree relevant to research or teaching area or equivalent qualifications.
• Demonstrable ability to teach in the areas specified.
• High level analytical capability.
• Ability to design and deliver module materials successfully.
• Ability to assess and organise resources effectively.
• Understanding of and ability to contribute to broader management/administration processes.
• Knowledge of the protected characteristics of the Equality Act 2010, and how to actively ensure in day to day activity in own area that those with protected characteristics are treated equally and fairly.

 

As part of your application please submit a CV, and cover letter (up to 1000 words) including a short teaching statement. 

Informal enquiries can be made to Professor Wolfgang Vondey, Head of Department of Theology & Religion, email w.vondey@bham.ac.uk.

 

Use of AI in applications: We want to understand your genuine interest in the role and for the written elements of your application to accurately reflect your own communication style. Applications that rely too heavily on AI tools can appear generic and lack the detail we need to assess your skills and experience. Such applications will unlikely be progressed to interview.

 

We believe there is no such thing as a ‘typical’ member of University of Birmingham staff and that diversity in its many forms is a strength that underpins the exchange of ideas, innovation and debate at the heart of University life. We are committed to proactively addressing the barriers experienced by some groups in our community and are proud to hold Athena SWAN, Race Equality Charter and Disability Confident accreditations. We have an Equality Diversity and Inclusion Centre that focuses on continuously improving the University as a fair and inclusive place to work where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. We are also committed to sustainability, which is a key part of our strategy. You can find out more about our work to create a fairer university for everyone on our website.