Chair in Virtue Theory (Jubilee Centre) - School of Education

Position Details

Area: School of Education in the College of Social Sciences

Salary: Competitive package for an outstanding candidate

Grade: Professorial

Hours: Part-time (20% FTE, 7.5 hours per week)

Duration: Fixed-term until 30 September 2023

Location: University of Birmingham, Edgbaston, Birmingham, UK

Closing Date: 6 November 2020

Role Description

The appointment

The Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues is delighted to offer this fractional Chair in Virtue Theory. This fractional post (0.2FTE) will be based in the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues, and the postholder will work with the Centre's research teams on the various projects prescribed in the new Celebration Britain research grant. The post is fixed term with an end date of 30th September 2023 and a proposed start date of 1st January 2021. The Chair in Virtue Theory will join the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues with specific responsibility for advising the research team on moral philosophy and virtue theory. They will report directly to the Director of the Centre and work closely with the Deputy Directors, the Centre's Management Team and researchers. The candidate will be a renowned expert in the field and be able to join the Centre to complete the research team and make it truly world-leading. The candidate will be a moral philosopher of high ranking who has specialised in virtue theory, esp. as seen through an Aristotelian virtue-based lens.

Main Responsibilities

To guide researchers in the area of virtue theory on the prescribed research projects in the Jubilee Centre for Character and Virtues.

To be able to offer advice and expertise to develop research projects, and also assist with setting the methodology, based on experience. As the projects progress, to collaborate with researchers on papers, conference presentations and other outputs. To provide world-leading advice and guidance to the research team of the Centre on theoretical, ethical and other research-related issues in each of the sub-projects that the Centre is working on, with particular focus on the projects related to gratitude.

Person Specification

The candidate profile

• Specific Knowledge
• Specific knowledge in the field of virtue theory
• Expert knowledge of the complexities of practice in relation to education and learning.
• Expert level knowledge and long-standing reputation in areas of moral philosophy.
• Expertise in working co-operatively with external agencies and other research communities.
• A high level of critical analysis when managing data and literature.
• Familiarity with educational and academic management processes.

Skills and Abilities

• Academic ability as demonstrated through attainment of publications commensurate with delivering work that is of international significance and international excellence.
• An international reputation for excellence in research and teaching demonstrated through an outstanding publications record
• Leadership and organisational skills as demonstrated through the ability to inspire others, prioritise workloads and work autonomously as well as part of a team.
• A high level of communication skills in a range of media within both an academic and non-academic environment.
• A level of competence in relevant IT commensurate with preparing documents, managing data and locating literature.
• Excellent communication and interpersonal skills.
• Ability to articulate a research programme that builds on a number of research projects, and that will enhance the evidence base of education and learning.
• Supervision of post-graduate taught and/or research students
• Supervision and educational skills to meet the learning needs of arrange of professionally and non-professionally qualified staff.

Experience

• Experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching
• Extensive experience of leading and managing research projects.
• Extensive experience of working in education environments in a practice and research capacity.
• Experience of a range of publication media, and of publishing work of international standing.
• Experience of supporting a range of academic activities commensurate with a national reputation e.g. editorial activity, research project advisor, advisor to organisations in their development, invited speaker.
• Experience as an educationalist in higher education.
• Experience of conducting research and / or education in partnership with service users.

Education/Training

• A PhD in a related field.
• A professional qualification may be advantageous.

Other Requirements

• The post holder must be prepared to work in a flexible manner to meet the needs of the University, and be flexible in working with external agencies and the research teams.
• The post-holder will be required to travel within the UK and abroad.

Informal Enquiries - Danielle Edwards ( d.l.edwards.1@bham.ac.uk )

As part of our senior recruitment process your application may be shared in confidence with two external assessors (these will typically be professors within a related academic field, but external to the University of Birmingham). Therefore, your application may need to be sent outside the EEA. Their views may be sought on your suitability for shortlist and they will also be invited to be involved in electoral board interviews.

We value diversity at The University of Birmingham and welcome applications from all sections of the community

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