(PCI) Director of Postgraduate Research (DPR) 3-year fixed term

Presbyterian Church in Ireland; Belfast; On-site; GBP 46,000 - 57,000; Full time

Job summary

A leading religious organization seeks a Director of Postgraduate Research to contribute to its mission through academic research and leadership at Union Theological College. The successful candidate will have a profound impact on the theological education landscape and community development within the church and beyond.

Qualifications

• Experience of at least 5 years teaching in higher education.
• Proven administrative ability with organisational skills.

Responsibilities

• Engage in ongoing academic research and publication.
• Supervise postgraduate students and coordinate their training.
• Manage the recruitment & induction of new Research Associates.

Skills

Teaching

Academic publication

Leadership

Organisational skills

Education

PhD in Theology

PhD in Biblical Studies

Job description

(PCI) Director of Postgraduate Research (DPR) 3-year fixed term, Belfast

Client:

Presbyterian Church in Ireland

Location:

Belfast, United Kingdom

Job Category:

Other

Job alert service

-

EU work permit required:

Yes

Job Reference:

d1f3ed293127

Job Views:

6

Posted:

18.07.2025

Expiry Date:

01.09.2025

Job Description:

Job Description

Job Title: Director of Postgraduate Research (DPR) 3-year fixed term

Council: Training in Ministry, Union Theological College

Responsible to: The Principal of Union Theological College

Salary: E5: £46,258 - £56,371 (37.5 hours per week)

Location: Flexible working arrangements (as agreed with the Principal of UTC)

Confidential informal enquiries about this post may be directed to the Principal at Union Theological College

MAIN FUNCTION OF JOB

To contribute to the Christian ministry and mission of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland through the delivery of the duties outlined.

Under the Leadership of the Principal of Union Theological College to assist with the implementation of decisions of the General Assembly relevant to Union Theological College and to carry forward its delegated responsibilities.

Under the direction of the Principal of Union Theological College:

to contribute to the intellectual life and research culture of the college by engaging in research, teaching, and publication in your areas of interest;

to co-ordinate the recruitment, selection, training, and supervision of Union Theological College’s Research Associate community;

Job alert service

to oversee existing Union Theological partnerships in doctoral research to ensure compliance with all relevant Union Theological College policies;

to lead in developing new partnerships that will enhance Union Theological College’s research profile;

About The Role

RESPONSIBILITIES AND DUTIES

Under the overall leadership of the Principal of Union Theological College:

to engage in on-going academic research and publication (the nature of this post means that the normal faculty sabbatical leave entitlement does not normally apply);

to represent Union Theological College at academic conferences and other events as required;

to supervise postgraduate students as required;

to teach on CTM modules, the BA(Hons) pathway, and UTC PTFI pathways as required;

to oversee the recruitment and induction of new Union Theological College Research Associates;

to oversee the ongoing training and development of Union Theological College Research Associates;

to manage the annual review of the Union Theological College Code of Practice for PhD Study;

as Chair of the College Research Committee to oversee applications for postgraduate study at Union Theological College;

as Chair of the College Research Committee to oversee annual student review and to monitor the progress of research projects in the Union Theological College doctoral pathway;

to ensure that existing collaborative partnership arrangements for doctoral study fully comply with the policies of Union Theological College;

to advance the mission of Union Theological College by working with the Principal and Management Committee in developing new collaborative partnership arrangements for doctoral study;

to contribute to the life of the College as a community of learning, worship and faith closely related to the Church whose students it seeks to train;

to share in the pastoral care of students;

to take part in the management and general administration of the College;

to provide theologically-informed leadership and resources for the work of the Councils and Committees of the General Assembly, as required;

to represent the College, as required;

to adhere to the Equal Opportunity Policy and to promote equality of opportunity where possible;

to work in accordance with other relevant workplace policies and procedures e.g. Health and Safety Policy, Data Protection Policy.

Such other duties as are appropriate to the post as may be required by the Principal or the Union Theological College Management Committee.

Skills Needed

Desired Criteria

• Ordained Minister of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, or eligible for transfer of ordination if called by the Council for Training in Ministry
• A PhD in Biblical Studies
• Evidence of continuous professional development
• Willing to subscribe to the Westminster Confession of Faith in terms of the General Assembly’s formula: “I believe the Westminster Confession of Faith, as described in the Code (Chapter 1, Pars 12-14), to be founded on and agreeable to the Word of God, and as such I subscribe it as the confession of my faith”

Required Criteria

• A PhD in Theology (or equivalent qualification)
• An understanding of theological education in the Higher Education sector
• An understanding of UK quality assurance processes
• At least 5 years’ experience of teaching in higher education
• Experience of postgraduate module/programme development, review, and enhancement
• PhD Supervision - a significant contribution to the development of PhD programmes and/or groups, including successful recruitment and excellent supervision of PhD students and examination of research degrees
• Experience in delivering strategic theological education for the global church
• Evidence of academic publication in a relevant field with a clear evidence of a personal research plan that will contribute to the mission of the College.
• Proven administrative ability e.g. organisational skills, report writing etc
• Experience of promoting and managing positive change
• Experience of effective collaborative team working
• Experience of effective leadership
• Evidence of a personal Christian faith in practice and expression, normally demonstrated by active membership of a Christian congregation. (The essential nature of this post requires that the successful candidate be a Christian as provided for under excepted occupations in the Fair Employment Treatment (NI) Order 1998)
• In full sympathy with the doctrinal position and ethos of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland
• Committed to implementing all decisions and policies of the General Assembly
• Respectful of the diversity of the Presbyterian Church in Ireland, including theological diversity
• Willing to be flexible in working arrangements and hours
• Available for travel within Ireland and abroad, related to the duties of the position
• Access to a car for work purposes and willingness to obtain insurance for business use

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Created on 18/07/2025 by TN United Kingdom