Assistant Professor in Anthropology of Data Science (Research & Education) (ANT_01)

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.

Our Purpose and Values

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.

The Department

The Anthropology Department at Durham University has an outstanding international reputation for teaching and research. We are one of the largest and most diverse Anthropology Departments in the UK, with nearly 40 permanent academic staff working within and across social, evolutionary and health anthropology. Each year, we welcome over 130 undergraduate students and around 70 postgraduate students from around the world.

We seek to appoint a full-time Assistant Professor on a permanent contract from 1st September 2025. We welcome applications from those with research and teaching interests in the broad field of social anthropology or medical anthropology, with a focus on the anthropology of data and data science.

Key responsibilities:

• To pursue research that is high quality in terms of originality, significance and rigour.
• To develop clear plans for the pursuit of national and international funding opportunities to support research and end-user engagement.
• To play a role in relevant teaching and research supervision, and contribute to ongoing curriculum development.
• To lead on and teach a module offering anthropologically-informed critical perspectives on Data Science to students on Durham University's interdisciplinary Masters in Data Science programme.
• To deliver lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, as well as engaging in related activity such as assessment.
• Carry out other duties as specified by the Head of Department.

Person Specification

Candidates will have completed their PhD (or be close to completion) and should outline their experience, skills and achievements to date, which demonstrate that they meet the essential criteria.

Essential Research Criteria

1. Qualifications -- a PhD (or close to completion at the time of application) in Anthropology OR a PhD in a related subject with a first degree or Masters in Anthropology.
2. Outputs - evidence of high-quality outputs, some of which are recognised as internationally excellent or world-class.
3. Personal Research Plan - an ambitious and feasible research plan for the next four years.

Essential Education Criteria

1. Quality - evidence of the development and delivery of effective and engaging teaching.
2. Innovation - experience, skills and/or achievements that demonstrate your contribution to new programme development and innovation in the design and delivery of high-quality teaching.
3. Specialist skills - evidence of relevant knowledge, skills and experience to teach a Masters-level module on the anthropology of data science.

Desirable Criteria

1. Qualification - candidates to hold or have the ability to attain the rank of Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Contact Information

Department contact for academic-related enquiries
Professor Jamshid Tehrani, Head of Department.
Email: anth.hod@durham.ac.uk

How to Apply

We prefer to receive applications online. All applicants are asked to submit:

• A CV (maximum 3 pages)
• A covering letter which details your experience, strengths and potential in the requirements set out above (maximum 2 pages).
• Personal research plan (maximum 2 pages)
• Two of your most significant pieces of written work.

Next Steps

All applications will be considered; our usual practice is for colleagues across the Department to read the submitted work of long-listed candidates.