Regius Professorship of Ecclesiastical History

The Faculty of Theology and Religion and Christ Church intend to appoint to the Regius Professorship of Ecclesiastical History with effect from 1 October 2027 or as soon as possible thereafter. The Regius Professor will be expected to research, teach, and supervise in any area of the history of Christianity. This senior professorial position is likely to be especially attractive to candidates who enjoy working in an interdisciplinary way and who value reflection on the place of their work within the larger field of Theology and Religion.

You will serve as Subject Coordinator for the Faculty’s historical subject areas (excluding Patristics), with overall responsibility for the undergraduate lectures and classes in Mediaeval and Early Modern European religion and for the MSt in Ecclesiastical History. These papers typically aim to encompass political, institutional and intellectual history where these pertain to religion, and may include study of the interaction of European Christianity with Middle Eastern Christianity, Judaism, Islam and ancestral religion. You will also have oversight of doctoral supervision and graduate recruitment in the subject area. It is usual for the holder of this Regius Professorship to have strong links with the Faculty of History, and to assist in maintaining relations with other Theology and Religious Studies departments in the UK. Relevant activities may include, for example, organising visits and lectures by leading scholars, fostering individual and collaborative research and teaching projects, and obtaining appropriate funding to support such activities.

You should have a track record of published research of an outstanding international quality in the broad field of Ecclesiastical History, together with an international reputation which will contribute to and enhance the profile of the subject and of the Faculty of Theology and Religion. You should have proven experience of academic leadership and successful graduate supervision. You should be able to demonstrate commitment to providing excellent teaching and fostering high achievement at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and to applying for external grant funding and to identifying opportunities for successful grant capture.

As the Regius Professor of Ecclesiastical History, you will also hold a lay canonry in Christ Church Cathedral. Please see the further particulars document for details about the canon professorships at Christ Church and to check that you would meet the requirements to hold the lay canonry.

If you would like to discuss this post, please contact the Faculty Board Chair for Theology and Religion, Professor Mark Edwards (mark.edwards@theology.ox.ac.uk). Questions about the canonry and Cathedral duties associated with the post should be directed to the Very Reverend Professor Sarah Foot, Dean of Christ Church (sarah.foot@chch.ox.ac.uk). All enquiries will be treated in strict confidence and will not form part of the selection decision.

The closing date for applications is 12:00 UK time on Monday 2 November 2026. Interviews are expected to be held in December 2026 or January 2027.

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