Stipendiary Lectureship in English Literature 1550-1760 (Fixed Term)

FURTHER PARTICULARS 

Lincoln College invites applications for an 8-hour Stipendiary Lectureship in English Literature 1550-1760 (including Shakespeare), starting 1 April 2027, to cover Professor Peter McCullough’s period of proctorial duties and subsequent leave. The post is available from 1 April 2027 until 31 August 2029 and is not renewable. The successful candidate will be expected to teach an average of 8 contact hours per week. Applicants should hold a doctorate in a relevant field and should have experience of undergraduate teaching in the relevant periods of English literature. 

About Lincoln College

There are 38 self-governing and independent colleges at Oxford, giving both academic staff and students the benefits of belonging to a small, interdisciplinary community as well as to a large, internationally-renowned institution. The collegiate system fosters a strong sense of community, bringing together leading academics and students across subjects, and from different cultures and countries. Founded in 1427, Lincoln is one of the oldest Oxford Colleges and is housed in fine historic buildings located in the centre of the city, close to the Bodleian Library and other University libraries and Faculty buildings. The College has a strong sense of collegiality with a reputation for integrating its Fellows, graduates, and undergraduate students in a highly successful traditional community. 

There are currently fifty-seven fellows in College, of whom thirty are Tutorial Fellows responsible for teaching and the welfare of students. About 90 undergraduate and 120 graduate students, in a wide range of subjects, are admitted to Lincoln each year and about 600 students are in residence at any one time. Further information about the College can be obtained from www.lincoln.ox.ac.uk.

Lincoln currently admits approximately 9 undergraduates each year for English Language and Literature (Lincoln does not admit students to any Joint Schools with English). A small number of graduate students are admitted each year for graduate degrees in English. Further details can be obtained from https://lincoln.ox.ac.uk/undergraduate-courses.

College Duties

Under the direction of the Senior Subject Tutor, you will be expected to:

1. Give classes and tutorials for three papers in the Final Honours School—Paper 1 (Shakespeare), Paper 3 (Literature 1550–1660), and Paper 4 (Literature 1660-1760)—and to contribute towards the teaching of Prelims Paper 1 (‘Introduction to English Literature’); supervise final-year dissertations on topics that fall within the range of those papers, during each Full Term (1^st Week to 8^th Week inclusive), up to 8 contact hours per week averaged over 8 weeks; this includes preparation, setting and marking of written work.
2. Assist with the organization of teaching within the subject.
3. Monitor students’ academic progress and welfare.
4. Set and mark termly Collections, as required.
5. Submit accurate and timely teaching records each term via TMS, the Oxford Colleges on-line reporting system for tuition.
6. Submit meaningful and specific written reports on each student taught, similarly using TMS, by the Monday of 8^th week of each term.
7. Attend termly progress meetings for each student of the College reading English.
8. Attend social events with your students, for example Freshers’, Scholars’, and Finalists’ dinners.
9. Liaise with other staff and tutors on teaching issues.
10. Liaise with other staff and tutors on pastoral issues.
11. Recommend relevant books for the Library.
12. Assist with the selection of undergraduate students, including participating in Open Days and access events and assisting with undergraduate admissions, as required.

Faculty Duties

In addition to the College duties, the Stipendiary Lecturer will undertake the following duties for the Faculty of English:

1. Deliver up to 16 hours of lectures or classes per academic year in each of 2027–28 and 2028–29. The main focus of this teaching will be determined by the needs of the wider period group. It is expected to include undergraduate lectures for FHS Course I Paper 1 (Shakespeare) and/or Paper 3 (English Literature 1550-1660, excluding Shakespeare), and may include a Paper 6 (Special Option) course for final-year undergraduates and/or contributions to teaching for the MSt 1550-1700 strand.
2. Undertake examining duties for undergraduate and graduate courses in English as required. Marking will also be remunerated at the applicable standard per-script rates.
3. Offer dissertation supervision for the MSt in English as required.

Remuneration, Right to Work in the UK, and Terms of Employment

The salary offered is in the range £36,810–£40,338 per annum (100% of National Scale Point 23-27 plus additional payment for Faculty duties, pro-rated for appointments of less than a year). This sum includes payment for the Faculty duties described above, with the exception of examination marking.

The successful candidate will have the option of becoming, or remaining, a member of the Universities Superannuation Scheme (USS). Other benefits include a book allowance (currently £505 per annum), a hospitality credit (currently £604 per annum), and Common Room rights including nine meals per week (excluding Domus, Guest, and Dessert nights and Chapter Day dinners), with the right to bring a guest to lunch or dinner at the Lecturer’s own expense.

The appointment will be subject to the receipt of a satisfactory pre-employment health assessment questionnaire and provision of proof of right to work in the UK. Applicants will be required to provide original documentation showing their right to work in the UK. Please note that this post is not sponsorable under the UK’s points-based immigration system.

Selection Criteria

The successful candidate will be able to demonstrate that they meet the following selection criteria:

• Prior experience of undergraduate-level teaching in English literature 1550-1760, including Shakespeare.
• An understanding of the needs of high-achieving undergraduates, and a commitment to fostering high academic achievement in undergraduates.
• Ability to teach the specified undergraduate papers, supervise dissertations and contribute to the Faculty teaching described above.
• Hold a doctorate in in English literature.
• Good organizational skills, communication skills, and sensitivity to deal effectively with pastoral duties.

Special Arrangements

Oxford welcomes applications from candidates who have a disability. These documents will be made available in large print, audio or other formats on request. Applicants invited for interview will be asked whether they require any particular arrangements to make the interview more convenient and effective for them.

Equal Opportunities

Applications are particularly welcome from women and black and minority ethnic candidates, who are under-represented in academic posts in Oxford.

The policy and practice of Lincoln College require that entry into employment within the College and progression within employment be determined only by personal merit and the application of criteria that are related to the duties of each particular post and the relevant salary structure. Subject to statutory provisions, no applicant or member of staff will be treated less favourably than another because of their age, disability, gender reassignment, marriage or civil partnership, pregnancy or maternity, race, religion or belief, sex, or sexual orientation. In all cases, ability to carry out the required duties of the post will be the primary consideration. 

All applicants will be asked to complete a recruitment monitoring form, which will play no part in the selection process, and will not be seen by any member of the selection panel.

Data Protection

Personal data is processed in accordance with Lincoln College’s Privacy Policy which is available at www.lincoln.ox.ac.uk/Privacy-Policy. 

Application Process

Applications must include:

1. The completed online application form;
2.  A covering letter;
3.  A full curriculum vitae;
4.  The names and addresses of two referees. Please note: Candidates are asked to request the two referees to send confidential references, from an institutional email address, direct to the Human Resources Advisor at hr@lincoln.ox.ac.uk to arrive by the closing date below.

Applications should be submitted to the Human Resources Advisor, hr@lincoln.ox.ac.uk, by 12 midday (UK time) on Friday 4 December 2026.

It is intended that shortlisted candidates will be interviewed in the week starting 11 January 2027.

Questions about the application process should be directed to the Human Resources Advisor, hr@lincoln.ox.ac.uk.

Lincoln College is an Equal Opportunities Employer.