King's College London

Job Description 

The Department of Classics at King’s College London seeks to appoint a fixed-term lecturer specialising in Greek culture. This is an Education and Research post for 24 months from 1 September 2024 which is to cover for Professors Hugh Bowden and Dan Orrells.  

Applications are sought from candidates with recognised expertise in Greek literature and history of the first millennium BCE in the Aegean and Eastern Mediterranean as well as its subsequent reception. Evidence of engagement with the wider Afro-Eurasian context would be an advantage, fitting with the department’s commitment to a broader approach to the past via our new BA in Classics and the Ancient World. 

The post-holder will teach on our first-year survey modules, including ‘Ancient Greek Literature & Thought: An Introduction’, ‘Introduction to Ancient History (The Eastern Mediterranean the Near and Far East C.1200 - 200 BC)’, and ‘Receptions of the Past: The Hellenic World from Antiquity to Today’. In the first year, you will also be asked to teach modules on ancient sexuality, Greek religion, offer an MA module in your specialism and convene the MA core course on reception. You will contribute to the planning, organisation and delivery of other teaching activities at undergraduate and postgraduate levels including dissertations.

You will assume pastoral and administrative responsibilities, have excellent interpersonal skills and a collaborative ethos, participating actively in the life and culture of the department. You will conduct high-quality research on Greek culture and contribute to our impact and engagement agenda.

The department is one of the largest, most prestigious and innovative centres for the study of antiquity in the UK. Our scholarship encompasses all aspects of the Graeco-Roman world, including reception and legacy. In REF2021 the department was ranked equal first on the grade point average of our overall quality profile, and, in the recent QS World University Rankings 2022, came 12th globally and 3rd in the UK.

We are committed to a more diverse and inclusive discipline and particularly encourage applications from black and minority ethnic candidates as they are under-represented in the department. All applications from members of groups with protected characteristics that have been marginalized on any grounds enumerated under the Equality Act are welcomed.

This post will be offered on a fixed term contract for 24 months. 

This is a 1.0 post – 100% full time equivalent**.**

Key responsibilities

• Deliver team-taught and specialized teaching at all levels of the undergraduate curriculum  
• Contribute to postgraduate teaching and supervision 
• Contribute to administrative and pastoral provision in the Department of Classics 
• Contribute to the research and impact culture in Classics and at King’s 

The above list of responsibilities may not be exhaustive, and the post holder will be required to undertake such tasks and responsibilities as may reasonably be expected within the scope and grading of the post.  

Skills, knowledge, and experience 

Essential skills

1. PhD completed in Greek culture combining literature and history 
2. Experience of convening and assessing modules in Greek literature and history at undergraduate level 
3. Strong track record of interdisciplinary research relative to career stage  
4. Ability to teach the subject areas listed in the role profile, engage students and support their learning 
5. Demonstrable administrative and interpersonal skills, a collaborative ethos, and capacity for team-working 
6. High standard of organizational skills 

Desirable skills

1. Experience of teaching and supporting students at PGT level 
2. Desire to develop new initiatives and foster the teaching and research excellence of the department, Faculty and College 
3. Completion of appropriate training in Higher Education teaching and learning/academic practice 

Further Information 

Interviews for shortlisted candidates will be held in late June / early July. The selection process will include a short presentation to the interview panel on your research and engagement plans while at King’s.  

To assist in the shortlisting process, applicants are asked to include a curriculum vitae and a supporting statement in which they make clear how they meet each of the selection criteria for the post using examples of their skills and experience. This may include experience gained in employment, education, or during career breaks (such as time out to care for dependents).

Applicants should also include a separate short proposal for an undergraduate taught module for 2nd and 3rd year students on the topic of either ancient sexuality or Greek religion. You should plan for it to take place over the course of one semester incorporating 10 weeks of teaching. Our 2nd-year modules are taught by a 1-hour lecture followed by a 1-hour seminar, while our 3rd-year modules are scheduled as a 2-hour class involving a combination of lecture and seminar.