Lecturer in History of Art

The role

The Department of History of Art at the University of Bristol is seeking to appoint a 0.7 FTE lecturer on a 1-year fixed-term maternity cover contract.

This is a teaching-focused, maternity cover role (Academic Pathway 3) based in the Department of History of Art within the School of Humanities. The successful candidate will join a collaborative and supportive department, contributing to teaching, academic administration and student support while participating in the wider intellectual life of the School and the wider Faculty of Arts, Law and Social Sciences.

You will deliver research-led teaching, which may include relevant pedagogical research, with a focus on art and visual culture during the modern period, with opportunities to teach at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. You will also contribute to teaching in art historical theory and methodologies, undertake teaching-related administration, and support students through personal tutoring and pastoral care. We particularly welcome candidates who can contribute to the department’s ongoing decolonizing agenda or otherwise contribute to our work to broaden the histories, geographies and methodologies represented in our curriculum.

This role is based in Bristol and is campus-based. We welcome applications from candidates of all backgrounds and experiences. If you are excited by the opportunity to contribute to an outstanding teaching and research environment, we would be delighted to hear from you.

What will you be doing?

You will deliver research-led teaching in art and visual culture during the modern period by contributing to a range of team-taught undergraduate core units in art’s histories, theory and methodologies. This might include delivering teaching on whole-cohort first year units including Approaching the Object. It may also include leading seminar groups and a specialist strand, such as Painting or Photography in the suite of Making and Materiality units.

There may also be further opportunities to provide lectures on team-taught units across the undergraduate curriculum depending on expertise and departmental needs.  There is also the possibility of contributing to other team-taught units and programme, such as the MA in Cultural Heritage, convened at School level, to which the Department of History of Art contributes.

You will supervise undergraduate and postgraduate dissertations, contribute to assessment and curriculum delivery, and support students through personal tutoring.

You will also play an active role in the administration of the Department, School and Faculty. This may include convening units, contributing to admissions and recruitment activities such as Open Days and Post-offer Visit Days, and supporting the delivery of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes.

You should apply if

For the full list of requirements, please see the Job Description. We would particularly encourage you to apply if you:

• Hold (or expect to complete by August 2026) a PhD in History of Art or a cognate discipline.
• Have expertise in art and visual culture during the modern period and can deliver engaging, research-led teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
• Have experience of teaching in higher education and are enthusiastic about supporting student learning & development.
• Are able to contribute to teaching-related administration, personal tutoring & collaborative programme delivery.
• Enjoy working collaboratively with academic and professional services colleagues and have excellent communication and interpersonal skills.

Additional information

Contract type: Fixed-term maternity cover from 01/09/2026 to 30/06/2027 or the return of the post holder

Work pattern: 0.7 FTE

Shift pattern: To be decided upon appointment 

For informal queries please contact: Ann Matchette (a.matchette@bristol.ac.uk)

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