Trinity College Dublin, History
Ussher Lecturer in Nineteenth Century History: Ireland, Britain and the Empire
Institution Type: | College / University |
Location: | Ireland |
Position: | Lecturer |
Post Specification
Post Title: |
Ussher Lecturer in Nineteenth Century History: Ireland, Britain and the Empire |
Post Status: |
5 year contract |
Discipline/Faculty: |
School of Histories and Humanities, Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. |
Location: |
Main Campus |
Salary: |
This appointment will be made on the Lecturer Scale in line with current Government pay policy |
Closing Date: |
12 noon on Tuesday 29th March 2011 |
Post Summary
The School of Histories & Humanities seeks to make a ‘new blood’ appointment in nineteenth-century History. The post will be located in the Department of History.
Applicants will be expected to possess a doctorate and a sound research profile in a field that spans the history of nineteenth-century Ireland and Britain and/or nineteenth-century Ireland and the British Empire. The successful applicant will be expected to contribute, in due course, to all levels of teaching and supervision undertaken by the department: extramural, undergraduate, taught postgraduate and research postgraduate. At undergraduate level teaching will include both more general modules for first and second-year students and more specialized, research-led modules for Honors students. Similarly, the successful candidate will be expected to contribute to the teaching of the M.Phil programme in Modern Irish History and to co-ordinate the soon-to-be launched M.Phil programme in Public History & Cultural Heritage.
We are, in short, seeking an individual with vision and enthusiasm, a genuine commitment to the vital role of teaching at all levels and flair for innovation in course design and teaching methods. Candidates should have an established record of research and show clear potential for future research accomplishment. Candidates should also show an appreciation for other research activities represented in the department and the School of Histories and Humanities.
The post-holder will be required to undertake administrative responsibilities as directed by the Head of Department.
The post is tenable from 1 September 2011.
Informal enquiries are welcome and may be made to:
Dr. David Ditchburn, Head of Department, email: ditchbud@tcd.ie
Background to the Post
The Department of History has a long tradition of academic excellence in the teaching of nineteenth-century Ireland. Many of its previous scholars in the field (such as T.W. Moody, R.B. McDowell, F.S.L. Lyons, W.E. Vaughan) have produced world-class research. It is less often realized that this achievement rests on a deep foundation of research expertise in the history of Britain and of the British Empire. Many of the Department’s scholars (past and present) have published with distinction in these cognate fields. The Department, moreover, has a long tradition of teaching and publishing on the British Empire as a whole. The first history Ph.D to be awarded by the Department (in 1923) was on a topic in imperial history and in the 1970s and 1980s the Erasmus Smith’s Chair of History was held by K.G. Davies, one of the leading historians of the British Empire in the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries. The post will harness and develop the potential of these closely related traditions of scholarship and research, building on the Department’s existing strengths in Irish history and exploiting the Library’s world-class holdings in British and imperial history, thereby revitalizing research and teaching in nineteenth-century British and/or imperial history as a whole. The post will also complement the School’s current initiative in the area of Indian Studies – an area in which a new Lectureship was established in 2009.
Standard duties of the post
The successful candidate would be expected:
· to publish scholarly works in the appropriate fora
· to contribute fully to the research culture of the Department and School
· to contribute fully to the Department’s taught undergraduate and postgraduate programmes, including module co-ordination, delivery of lectures and seminars, marking of essays and examinations and supervision of dissertations.
· to take responsibility for Honors and M.Phil modules in his/her own areas of research specialization.
· to coordinate the M.Phil programme in Public History and Cultural Heritage.
· to supervise postgraduate research theses, at both M.Litt and PhD levels.
· to participate fully in other developmental activities of the School (such as extra-mural courses, the School’s Semester Start Up Programme and the Trinity Access Programme).
· to undertake such administrative responsibilities as directed by the Head of Department.
Person Specification
Qualifications
Essential
· Candidates will be expected to hold a doctorate in History.
Research
Essential
· Evidence of research potential in nineteenth-century Ireland and Britain or Ireland and British Imperial history, leading to publications of recognised originality and value, either in the form of a monograph or articles in peer reviewed journals and/or publications of equal standing.
Desirable
· Publication of scholarly monographs or articles in peer-reviewed journals
· Participation in research seminars and conferences
· Proven or potential ability to attract external grant funding
Teaching
Essential
· Experience of teaching at undergraduate level
Desirable
· Experience of both small and large group teaching at undergraduate level
· Experience of supervising undergraduate dissertations
· Experience of teaching at Masters level
· Experience of developing new modules and teaching material
· Experience of using new teaching media
· Experience of working effectively in an interdisciplinary environment
Administration
Essential
· Potential to manage and develop modules and programmes in a University setting.
Desirable
· Experience of module management and development
· Experience of organizing research seminars, recruitment initiatives and other activities
Other Essential Attributes
· Ability to work effectively as a member of a team
· Good communication and organizational skills
· Willingness to contribute to the College and to the discipline and wider community
The School of Histories and Humanities
The School of Histories and Humanities comprises the departments of Classics, History, History of Art and Architecture, and the Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies.
With approximately 35 full-time academic members of staff and 20 postdoctoral fellows the School enjoys an international research profile in a remarkable range of different disciplines and subject areas: archaeology, philosophy (classics), Latin and Greek language and literature, Classical, Medieval and Modern History (Irish and European), History of Art and Architecture and Gender and Women’s Studies.
The School regularly sponsors international conferences and symposia and runs six major research seminars. These provide a forum for distinguished scholars, postgraduates and postdoctoral fellows from all over the world to present papers. The School also plays a role in the activities of Trinity’s leading humanistic research centres, a number of which are located within the School: Trinity Irish Art Research Centre; Centre for Medieval History; Centre for Contemporary Irish History; Centre for Irish Scottish and Comparative Studies; Centre for War Studies; Centre for Gender and Women’s Studies; Centre for Mediterranean and Near Eastern Studies; and the Centre for the Study of the Platonic Tradition. Within Ireland, the School has fostered close links with the other universities and enjoys personal and institutional links with a number of other institutions in the United Kingdom, continental Europe and North America.
Our postgraduates are drawn from many parts of the world and form a well-established and vibrant community of nearly 200 students. They run regular postgraduate seminars and participate in all School activities. The School is committed to helping postgraduates prepare for careers within and beyond academia. Six taught M.Phil programmes are offered, along with postgraduate training and a variety of career development workshops, as well as teaching opportunities for senior postgraduates. Many of the postgraduates have secured competitive funding for their studies from external or College sources.
For further details on the School, our staff and activities see www.histories-humanities.tcd.ie/
Head of School:
Professor Brian McGing
Telephone: +353 1 896 1020
Fax: +353-1-896 2291
The Department of History
The Department of History has an outstanding reputation for its scholarly research and for its dynamic approach to teaching at all levels. Research covers all periods of Irish history, from medieval to contemporary, with significant additional expertise in European history, especially that of Britain, France and Germany, from the Middle Ages to the present. The last five years have also seen the development of a research and teaching portfolio in non-European countries, especially relating to south Asia, but also covering Africa and America. There are particular strengths, across chronological and geographical boundaries, in political, social and intellectual history. The Department has also been at the forefront of digital innovation in the humanities, with its flagship projects on the medieval Irish chancery and the 1641 depositions, and is now a partner in a major new oral history project, ‘The Peace Process: Layers of Meaning’. There are four research centres associated with the Department, all of which promote interdisciplinary research activities in their respective areas. These are: the Centre for Contemporary Irish History (which hosts the peace process project), the Centre for Irish, Scottish & Comparative Studies, the Centre for War Studies and the Medieval History Research Centre. The Centres and the Department organise regular conferences and seminars, as well as other scholarly activities.
In addition to its research activities, the Department is proud of its friendly and dynamic approach to teaching all levels of students. This includes Departmental modules offered to the School’s extramural programme, modules for the Trinity Access Programme, and Semester Start-up modules (in September and January), which are designed for visiting overseas students and designed to provide an introduction to Irish life and history. At the undergraduate levels, students are registered for Single Honor degrees in History, and also for the Single Honor degrees in Ancient & Medieval History and Culture, in History and Political Science and in Irish Studies. History can also be studied, in conjunction with many other subjects, as part of a joint Honor ‘Two Subject Moderatorship’ and it contributes to the degree programme in European Studies. Each year there are approximately 150 students in their final of their four years of study. At the taught postgraduate level, the Department administers four M.Phil programmes (in Modern Irish History, in Early Modern History, in Medieval History and in Public History & Cultural Heritage, which is due to be launched in 2011-12). There are also significant numbers of research students, most of whom are working towards a doctorate.
Trinity College, with its magnificent buildings and world class library, provides an ideal environment in which to teach and research. It is close to the other major repositories of Irish archival and library materials and there are growing institutional links between these institutions and TCD for both teaching and research purposes. The Department and College operate a regular system of research leave and staff are encouraged to attend staff development modules organised by both the School and College.
Full-time Academic Staff
Robert Armstrong |
Senior Lecturer |
Terry Barry |
Associate Professor |
Ciaran Brady |
Associate Professor |
Joseph Clarke |
Lecturer |
David Dickson |
Associate Professor |
David Ditchburn |
Senior Lecturer |
Anne Dolan |
Lecturer |
Seán Duffy |
Associate Professor |
David Fitzpatrick |
Professor |
Daniel Geary |
Mark Piggott Lecturer in US History |
Patrick Geoghegan |
Senior Lecturer |
Pamela Hilliard |
Executive Officer |
John Horne |
Professor |
Alan Kramer |
Professor |
Judith Lee |
Executive Officer |
Graeme Murdock |
Lecturer |
Eunan O’Halpin |
Bank of Ireland Professor of Contemporary Irish History |
Jane Ohlmeyer |
Erasmus Smith’s Professor of Modern History |
Micheál Ó Siochrú |
Senior Lecturer |
Mridu Rai |
Lecturer in Indian Studies |
Ian S Robinson |
Lecky Professor of History |
Trinity College Dublin
Founded in 1592, Trinity College Dublin is the oldest university in Ireland and one of the older universities of Western Europe. On today’s campus, state-of-the-art libraries, laboratories and IT facilities, stand alongside historic buildings on a city-centre 47-acre campus.
Trinity College Dublin offers a unique educational experience across a range of disciplines in the arts, humanities, engineering, science, human, social and health sciences. As Ireland’s premier university, the pursuit of excellence through research and scholarship is at the heart of a Trinity education. TCD has an outstanding record of publications in high-impact journals, and a track record in winning research funding which is among the best in the country.
TCD has developed significant international strength in its research in eight major themes which include globalisation; cancer; genetics; neuroscience; immunology and infection; communications and intelligent systems; nano and materials science as well as Irish culture and the creative arts. TCD aims to become the world reference point in at least one of these areas of research in the next 10 years.
Its current flagship interdisciplinary research institutes are in areas such as molecular medicine, neuroscience and international integration studies and nanostructures and nanodevices. The construction of Ireland’s first purpose built nanoscience research institute was opened in January 2008, which houses 150 scientists, technicians and graduate students in specialised laboratory facilities. The building also includes an innovative public venue, the Science Gallery. The Biosciences Development is due for completion in mid 2011 and is the most ambitious construction project in Trinity College’s history. This Development will define the scientific research landscape in Trinity College and will allow Ireland to take an international lead on the delivery of quality pharmaceutical and biotechnology research infrastructure. The building will be central to the redevelopment of Pearse Street.
The Library of Trinity College is the largest research library in Ireland and is an invaluable resource to scholars. In addition to purchases and donations accrued over four centuries, the College has had 200 years of legal deposit. By this right Trinity can claim a copy of every book published in Ireland the UK. The Library has over 4.25 million books, 22,000 printed periodical titles and access to 60,000 e-journals and 250,000 e-books. The Library’s research resources also include internationally significant holdings in manuscripts (the most famous being the Book of Kells), early printed material and maps. Its collections and services support the College’s research and teaching community of 15,000+ students and academic staff.
Trinity continues to attract intellectually strong students from Ireland and abroad. More than half of its incoming undergraduates have earned in excess of 500 out of a maximum 600 points in the national Leaving Certificate examination. The accessibility of a Trinity education to all students of ability is also very important. Trinity College was the first university in Ireland to reserve 15% of first year undergraduate places for students from non-traditional learning groups – students with a disability, socio-economically disadvantaged students as well as mature students. The College has met its target in this respect. There is also an exciting international mix of its student body where 16% of students are from outside Ireland and 40% of these students are from outside the European Union. TCD students also have an opportunity to study abroad in other leading European universities through Trinity’s partnership agreements.
Students also benefit from a scholar teacher model where they have the opportunity of being taught by world-leading experts in their field. Interdisciplinarity forms a key element in the College strategy in increasing Trinity’s international standing as a research-led university.
Many of Trinity College Dublin’s alumni have helped shape the history of Ireland and Western Europe. They include author, Jonathan Swift, philosopher, George Berkeley, political philosopher, Edmund Burke, wit and dramatist, Oscar Wilde, historian, William Lecky, religious scholar, James Ussher, scientists, John Joly, George Johnstone Stoney, William Rowan Hamilton and physicians, William Stokes and Denis Burkitt.
Two of Trinity College’s alumni have won Nobel prizes – Ernest Walton for Physics in 1951 and Samuel Beckett for Literature in 1968. The first President of Ireland, Douglas Hyde was a graduate as was the first female President of Ireland, Mary Robinson.
The Selection Process in Trinity
§ The Selection Committee (Interview Panel) will include members of the Academic community together with an External Assessor who is an expert in the area.
§ Applications will be acknowledged by email. If you do not have confirmation of receipt within 1 day of submitting your application online, please get in touch with us immediately and prior to the closing date/time.
§ Given the degree of co-ordination and planning to have a Selection Committee available on the specified date, the College regrets that it may not be in a position to offer alternate selection dates. Where candidates are unavailable, reserves may be drawn from a shortlist.
§ Outcomes of interviews are notified in writing to candidates and are issued no later than 5 working days following the selection day.
§ In some instances the Selection Committee may avail of telephone or video conferencing.
§ The College’s selection methods may consist of any or all of the following:
§ Interviews
§ Presentations
§ Psychometric Testing
§ References
§ It is the policy of the College to conduct pre-employment medical screening/full pre-employment medicals.
§ Information supplied by candidates in their application (Cover Letter and CV) will be used to shortlist for interview.
Equal Opportunities Policy
Trinity College Dublin is an equal opportunities employer and is committed to the employment policies, procedures and practices which do not discriminate on grounds such as gender, marital status, family status, age, disability, race, religious belief, sexual orientation or membership of the travelling community.
Pension Entitlements[1]
This is a pensionable position. Details of the applicable Pension Scheme will be provided to successful candidates.
The Normal Retirement Age for pension purposes is 30 September on or after your 65th birthday and the terms of the Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous) Provisions Act 2004 presently apply.
Application Procedure
Candidates should submit a cover letter together with a full curriculum vitae to include the names and contact details of 3 referees (email addresses if possible), via e-Recruitment:
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED VIA E-RECRUITMENT
If you have any query regarding this, please contact:
Ms. Joanne Smith, Recruitment Executive, Staff Office, House No. 4, Trinity College Dublin
Tel: +353 1 896 1749
Email: joanne.smith@tcd.ie
[1]The Public Service Superannuation (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act 2004 set a minimum retirement age of 65 and removed the upper compulsory retirement age for certain New Entrants to the Public Sector on or after 1 April 2004. In the December 2009 Budget, the Government indicated its intention to (i) increase the minimum retirement age for all new Public Servants to equal the qualifying age for the Irish State Pension that is anticipated to be 67 for the foreseeable future; and (ii) to again introduce an upper compulsory retirement age of 70 initially. Legislation is pending and this appointment will be subject at all times to the provisions of such legislation.
Contact: |
Informal enquiries are welcome and may be made to: Dr. David Ditchburn, Head of Department, email: ditchbud@tcd.ie
APPLICATIONS WILL ONLY BE ACCEPTED VIA E-RECRUITMENT
If you have any query regarding this, please contact: Ms. Joanne Smith, Recruitment Executive, Staff Office, House No. 4, Trinity College Dublin Tel: +353 1 896 1749 Email: joanne.smith@tcd.ie |
Website: | http://jobs.tcd.ie |
Primary Category: | European History / Studies |
Secondary Categories: | None |
Posting Date: | 03/02/2011 |
Closing Date | 03/29/2011 |