Job Description
We welcome applications from candidates with disabilities, neurodiversity and long-term health conditions, and we are committed to ensuring fair treatment throughout the recruitment process.
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on
Job Description - Associate Professor (Research & Education) ()
Job Description
Associate Professor (Research & Education) ( Job Number: )
Department of Geography
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Closing Date Closing Date : 30-Jun-2025, 10:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits packagehere .
The Post and Heritage 360
As part of Durham University's strategic Heritage 360 initiative, the Geography department seeks to appoint an outstanding candidate to the role of Associate Professor in Human Geography. The successful applicant will have an outstanding research record with evidence of substantial grant capture, collaborative working within and without academe, and agenda-setting leadership. In addition, the ability to teach on cultural and/or natural heritage at all levels, including postgraduate, and a proven commitment to academic citizenship.
Heritage 360
Heritage 360 is a new and exciting research platform funded through Durham University's Strategic Research Fund. Dedicated to holistic approaches to heritage, and in particular to drawing together research on natural and cultural heritage, Heritage 360 will have senior posts in six academic departments (Archaeology, Biosciences, Chemistry, Geography, History, Modern Languages and Cultures) and two posts in Library and Collections (Curator and Technician). Successful post holders will be departmentally-based but for the four-year duration of the initiative will be focused on research, with teaching by agreement with department and Strategic Research Fund management. Contribution to Heritage 360 masters and continuing professional development programmes will also be expected. The successful post holder will be expected to bring leadership across disciplines, departments, and faculties, working to enhance existing areas of excellence in heritage research, and to bring innovative approaches and vision for the field. External grant capture is key part of the scheme and candidates will be expected to have a track-record in this area, and to have well-advanced plans for applications.
Five themes provide the framework for Heritage 360: Water and Food Security, Heritage Landscapes, Built Environment and Energy, Social Justice and Wellbeing, Heritage Collections. Some 35 members of Durham staff are involved in the platform as co-investigators; new colleagues will be joining a lively and committed research group. While posts are departmental, the Heritage 360 Management Group, consisting of the chairs and co-chairs of the thematic areas, will review and advise on the academic content of the platform and emergent projects.
Heritage 360 is challenge-led with active involvement from seven platform partners from the UK Heritage sector with whom we will work actively. Outreach and engagement with communities, local and global, are also encouraged, as part of the civic obligations of the university, to promote further the work of the platform, and for access to wider community wisdom, learning, and collaboration.
The Department
The Department of Geography at Durham comprises 65 academic staff (approximately equally divided between Human and Physical geography), a graduate school of around 100 research students, around 40 taught postgraduate students and 850 undergraduates. The Department is well supported with technical staff, including a cartography unit, and administrative staff.
T he Department was ranked joint first for research quality among UK geography departments in REF2021.54% of our outputs were classed as 'world leading' and more than 92% as 'world leading' or internationally excellent'. The most recent QS rankings for Geography placed Durham 11 t h overall in the world.The department is recurrently ranked in the top handful of programmes in the UK by various league tables; for example, we were ranked 1 st in the 2025 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, and 4th in the 2025 Complete University Guide. For more information, please visit our Department pages at
Associate 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 internationally excellent research in high impact outputs including (monographs and journal articles), in their area of interest with a focus on quality rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activity, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor. Sitting alongside world class research; teaching quality and innovation is critical to ensure a first-class learning environment and curricula for all our students.
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 international talent to Durham. We therefore offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Associate Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent.
Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of Heritage Landscapes and/or Social Justice and Wellbeing in Heritage, with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the 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:
We will make adjustments to support the recruitment and interview process wherever it is reasonable to do so and, where successful, adjustments will be made to support people within their role.
If you are unable to complete your application via our recruitment system or would like to discuss any reasonable adjustments to support you in the application process, please get in touch with us on
Job Description - Associate Professor (Research & Education) ()
Job Description
Associate Professor (Research & Education) ( Job Number: )
Department of Geography
Open-Ended/Permanent - Full Time
Closing Date Closing Date : 30-Jun-2025, 10:59:00 PM
Disclosure and Barring Service Requirement : Not Applicable.
Working at Durham University
A globally outstanding centre of teaching and research excellence, a warm and friendly place to work, a unique and historic setting - Durham is a university like no other.
As one of the UK's leading universities, Durham is an incredible place to define your career. The University is located within a beautiful historic city, home to a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and surrounded by stunning countryside. Our talented scholars and researchers from around the world are tackling global issues and making a difference to people's lives.
We believe that inspiring our people to do outstanding things at Durham enables Durham people to do outstanding things in the world. Being a part of Durham is about more than just the success of the University, it's also about contributing to the success of the city, county and community.
Our University Strategy is built on three pillars of research, education and wider student experience, but also on our keen sense of community and of inspiring others to achieve their potential.
We want our University to be a place where people can be free to be themselves, no matter what their identity or background. Together, we celebrate difference, value one another and are each responsible for creating an inclusive community that is respectful and fair for all.
Find out more about the benefits of working at the University and what it is like to live and work in the Durham area on our Why Join Us? - Information Page
Discover more about our total rewards and benefits packagehere .
The Post and Heritage 360
As part of Durham University's strategic Heritage 360 initiative, the Geography department seeks to appoint an outstanding candidate to the role of Associate Professor in Human Geography. The successful applicant will have an outstanding research record with evidence of substantial grant capture, collaborative working within and without academe, and agenda-setting leadership. In addition, the ability to teach on cultural and/or natural heritage at all levels, including postgraduate, and a proven commitment to academic citizenship.
Heritage 360
Heritage 360 is a new and exciting research platform funded through Durham University's Strategic Research Fund. Dedicated to holistic approaches to heritage, and in particular to drawing together research on natural and cultural heritage, Heritage 360 will have senior posts in six academic departments (Archaeology, Biosciences, Chemistry, Geography, History, Modern Languages and Cultures) and two posts in Library and Collections (Curator and Technician). Successful post holders will be departmentally-based but for the four-year duration of the initiative will be focused on research, with teaching by agreement with department and Strategic Research Fund management. Contribution to Heritage 360 masters and continuing professional development programmes will also be expected. The successful post holder will be expected to bring leadership across disciplines, departments, and faculties, working to enhance existing areas of excellence in heritage research, and to bring innovative approaches and vision for the field. External grant capture is key part of the scheme and candidates will be expected to have a track-record in this area, and to have well-advanced plans for applications.
Five themes provide the framework for Heritage 360: Water and Food Security, Heritage Landscapes, Built Environment and Energy, Social Justice and Wellbeing, Heritage Collections. Some 35 members of Durham staff are involved in the platform as co-investigators; new colleagues will be joining a lively and committed research group. While posts are departmental, the Heritage 360 Management Group, consisting of the chairs and co-chairs of the thematic areas, will review and advise on the academic content of the platform and emergent projects.
Heritage 360 is challenge-led with active involvement from seven platform partners from the UK Heritage sector with whom we will work actively. Outreach and engagement with communities, local and global, are also encouraged, as part of the civic obligations of the university, to promote further the work of the platform, and for access to wider community wisdom, learning, and collaboration.
The Department
The Department of Geography at Durham comprises 65 academic staff (approximately equally divided between Human and Physical geography), a graduate school of around 100 research students, around 40 taught postgraduate students and 850 undergraduates. The Department is well supported with technical staff, including a cartography unit, and administrative staff.
T he Department was ranked joint first for research quality among UK geography departments in REF2021.54% of our outputs were classed as 'world leading' and more than 92% as 'world leading' or internationally excellent'. The most recent QS rankings for Geography placed Durham 11 t h overall in the world.The department is recurrently ranked in the top handful of programmes in the UK by various league tables; for example, we were ranked 1 st in the 2025 Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide, and 4th in the 2025 Complete University Guide. For more information, please visit our Department pages at
Associate 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 internationally excellent research in high impact outputs including (monographs and journal articles), in their area of interest with a focus on quality rather than quantity. We will fully support your research needs including practical help such as resources to attend conferences and to fund research activity, as well as a generous research leave policy and a designated mentor. Sitting alongside world class research; teaching quality and innovation is critical to ensure a first-class learning environment and curricula for all our students.
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 international talent to Durham. We therefore offer a reduced probation period of 1 year for our Associate Professors and thereafter, subject to satisfactory performance, your position will be confirmed as permanent.
Applicants must demonstrate research excellence in the field of Heritage Landscapes and/or Social Justice and Wellbeing in Heritage, with the ability to teach our students to an exceptional standard and to fully engage in the services, citizenship and values of the 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 undertake research in Heritage Landscapes and/or Social Justice and Wellbeing in Heritage research that is world-leading in terms of originality, significance and rigour, commensurate with the Department's continuing emphasis on international excellence;
- To make a significant contribution to the development of successful research project/ fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement.
- Deliver excellent teaching offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels in the context of initiallytaught interdisciplinary postgraduate programmes in heritage and subsequently undergraduate and taught postgraduate programmes in geography. Contribute significantly to the development and delivery of high-quality teaching, including the design of excellent learning environments and curricula.
- Contribute to enhancing the quality of the research environment in the Department, the wider University and beyond. Contribute to establishing and leading research groups within and beyond the University, and engaging in the mentoring of early career researchers;
- To attract and provide excellent supervision to research students, and to enhance the Department's commitment to its vibrant and international postgraduate culture. . click apply for full job details
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