Deadline: 29 September 2024
The Centre for the Study of Existential Risk (CSER) seeks to appoint two Assistant Professors. The posts will lead the world's first full-time postgraduate course in Existential Risk Studies, an MPhil in Global Risk and Resilience, with the first intake planned for October 2025. The two role holders will be hired with complementary backgrounds. Relevant specialist skills include: risk identification and assessment; systems modelling and complexity science; and policy for risk mitigation. Likely areas of expertise include: future technological developments with transformative potential; global systems breakdown; or international security.
CSER produces world-leading research on risks that could lead to human extinction or civilisational collapse. It is also a hub for academics, technologists and policymakers, where the team is expected to work across theoretical and practical specialisms and to generate impact outside academia. The new MPhil will help define best research practices and credential new cohorts of researchers and practitioners. It will build a larger and more impactful community, taking this emerging field into new sectors and geographies. More information about CSER and our research can be found at www.cser.ac.uk.
The Role
Post-holders will be expected to:
- Design, prepare and deliver core and relevant specialist MPhil modules
- Supervise examine MPhil students, and respond to student feedback
- Conduct and publish original research of international reach and significance
- Develop and maintain expert networks inside and outside academia
- Contribute to the department's educational strategy
About you
Applicants must have:
- A PhD in a relevant field, with the potential to generate internationally recognised research
- Evidence of flexibility and range in teaching at postgraduate level
- Experience of postgraduate curriculum design
- Ability and enthusiasm to take a leadership role in an interdisciplinary team and engage with a range of stakeholders
How to apply
The funds for this post are available for 4 years in the first instance.
If you have any questions about this vacancy, contact Matthew Connelly at recruitment@cser.cam.ac.uk. For questions about the process, please contact the Schools HR Team on sahhr@admin.cam.ac.uk.
The closing date is midnight (BST) on Sunday 29 September and interviews are planned for early November, subject to change.
FAQs
ASSISTANT VS. ASSOCIATE PROFESSOR
Once probation has been successfully completed, the role title for this position will change from Assistant Professor to Associate Professor.
ARE THESE ROLES PERMANENT?
Funding for these positions depends on the MPhil being sustainable. This will be reviewed after 3 years in post, with a view to making the positions permanent if the new MPhil is demonstrating its sustainability.
HOW LONG IS THE RECRUITMENT PROCESS?
The closing date for applications is midnight (BST) on Sunday 29 September 2024 and we hope to interview in early November (subject to change).
Shortlisted candidates will be asked to:
- Give a teaching session to advanced undergraduate or graduate students
- Give a research presentation
- Have a one-to-one meeting with the Head of Institute: this meeting is not an assessment of the candidate but provides an opportunity for candidates to find out about the Institute, the University, and College system
Have an interview with the selection committee.
We hope to be in a position to make an offer to the suitable candidates within a few weeks of interviewing (subject to internal University of Cambridge approvals), and for the selected candidates to start as soon as possible.
DO I MEET THE CRITERION FOR EXPERIENCE OF CURRICULUM DESIGN?
The person specification (see Further Information document) includes “evidence of experience of course or curriculum development”, and we prioritised experience of postgraduate curriculum design in the job advert. Applicants are encouraged to make the case for how their experience developing courses will help them take on postgraduate curriculum design, but the experience of designing full Masters of PhD programmes is not required.
DOES THIS ROLE INCLUDE TIME FOR RESEARCH?
These posts are on the ‘Research & Teaching’ pathway within the University, and therefore are expected to show consistent and sustained excellence in providing high-quality postgraduate education that benefits from and engages with Cambridge’s research-rich environment.
While the focus of these positions will initially be on designing the MPhil curriculum, there will be opportunity for research.
HOW TO APPLY
Click ‘Apply online’ via this link and register for the University of Cambridge jobs site.
APPLICATION MATERIALS
Please upload the following documents:
- Covering letter
- Curriculum vitae including publications
- ONE article or chapter-length writing sample (max 10,000 words)
Your writing sample should showcase your research interests and demonstrate your ability to communicate clearly.
REFERENCES
Applicants must provide the names and contact details of three references who are familiar with your work in the relevant field. Please ensure that your three referees submit their references directly to references@csah.cam.ac.uk before the closing date.