Terence Armstrong Career Development Fellow (Fixed Term)

The Scott Polar Research Institute seeks to appoint a Terence Armstrong Career Development Fellow for research and teaching on the Human Geography of the Polar Regions. The post is available from 1 September 2026, or as soon as possible thereafter, for 24 months, in the first instance. The successful candidate will be based in the Scott Polar Research Institute (SPRI), a sub-department of the Department of Geography. The role-holder will contribute to the international reputation for excellence that the SPRI and Department hold for research and teaching. 

Candidates should hold a PhD in Polar Studies, Geography, or related discipline (or be near to completion). The ideal candidate will bring broad research and teaching expertise in one or more of: historical and cultural geography of the Arctic; cultural history of the Arctic; Arctic peoples and collections; polar geopolitics and governance; or similar areas. 

The candidate's main teaching duties will be to deliver and support the 'Geographies of the Arctic' (third-year) undergraduate paper, and teaching in the MPhil Polar Studies (Social Sciences and Humanities strand). They will also be required to supervise student dissertations for the MPhil in Polar Studies. They will also contribute to relevant examination and assessment of these courses. 

The candidate will be expected to develop their own research publications, grant applications and academic record. They will be fully integrated into the research culture at SPRI by participating in research activities, and by being offered mentorship and support by leaders in the field. They will convene the research seminar series by visiting speakers, and support other talks and seminars led by early career colleagues and students. They will be encouraged to use the wider resources, library and collections of the Scott Polar Research Institute and the Department.

Applicants should submit the following documents with their application: 

• Full Curriculum Vitae (CV);
• A research statement (2 pages max.) outlining your interests and expertise, and describing how your research plans might complement and extend existing activities at the Scott Polar Research Institute, Department of Geography and the wider University.
• A teaching statement (2 pages max.) on your approach to teaching and how you believe you can contribute to the SPRI/Department's teaching in the Human Geography of the Polar Regions at undergraduate and MPhil.
• The contact details of three referees.

More information about the role and the person specifications is available in the Further Particulars. 

We particularly welcome applications from women and /or candidates from a BME background for this vacancy as they are currently under-represented at this level in our department.

To apply online for this vacancy and to view further information about the role, please click 'Apply' above.

Informal enquiries about the role are welcomed and should be directed to the Director of SPRI, Professor Richard Powell: director@spri.cam.ac.uk

If you have any queries regarding the application process, please contact the Institute Administrator: instituteadministrator@spri.cam.ac.uk 

Please quote reference LD50610 on your application and in any correspondence about this vacancy.

The University actively supports equality, diversity and inclusion and encourages applications from all sections of society.

The University has a responsibility to ensure that all employees are eligible to live and work in the UK.

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