Professor (Sheikh Nasser al-Muhammad al-Sabah Chair) in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security

The School of Government and International Affairs (SGIA) at Durham University seeks to appoint an exceptional scholar to the Professor (Sheikh Nasser al-Muhammad al-Sabah Chair) in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security.

The successful candidate will provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security and will have an outstanding international profile in research and teaching relevant to the Programme's remit. We particularly welcome applications from internationally recognised scholars working on international relations, regional politics and security, with expertise on the Middle East and the Gulf region.

In keeping with the founding objectives of the Programme, areas of particular interest include the security of sovereign states, particularly smaller and more vulnerable states; international and regional security; interstate relations and conflict; external and internal security threats; crisis and security decision-making; and the roles of governments, diplomats, armed forces, international organisations and other actors in shaping regional and international security in the wider Middle East.

The al Sabah Chair is endowed with funding to support at least one PhD student (with overseas fees) at a time as well as an annual research allowance to support its activities.

Key Responsibilities:

- Pursue research that is world-leading and world-changing in terms of originality, significance and rigour, showing leadership in international relations, regional politics and/or security within and/or beyond the academy.
- Provide intellectual and strategic leadership for the Sheikh Nasser Al-Muhammad Al-Sabah Programme in International Relations, Regional Politics and Security and lead and enhance its established research agenda.
- Further enhance the Programme's position as an internationally recognised centre of excellence for research on international relations, regional politics and security.
- Lead the development of successful research project/fellowship proposals in pursuit of suitable national and international funding opportunities.
- Build on the Programme's established record of international academic conferences, symposia, workshops and other research and engagement activities.
- Build on the Programme's established publication portfolio, promote high-quality research publications and other outputs, and contribute to the dissemination and international visibility of its research.
- Deliver excellent teaching, offering lectures, seminars and tutorials at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels.
- Demonstrate leadership and innovation in the design and delivery of high quality learning environments and curricula.
- Enhance the quality of the research environment in the Department, providing leadership of national and international research groups and networks.
- Engage in the mentoring of early career researchers.
- Attract and provide excellent supervision to research students, and contribute significantly to the development of PhD programmes.
- Contribute to strengthening the School's engagement with policymakers, diplomats, practitioners and other relevant stakeholders in Kuwait, the Gulf region and internationally.
- Contribute significantly to the administrative functioning and collegial environment of the Department and wider University.

Person Specification:

Research (Essential):
- A good first degree and a PhD in International Relations, Politics, Security Studies, Middle East Politics, or a related subject.
- Evidence of research outputs consistently recognised as internationally excellent with some output evaluated as world class.
- An internationally recognised research profile in international relations, regional politics and/or security, with expertise relevant to the Middle East and Gulf region.
- Evidence of an ambitious 5-year personal research plan which supports and enhances the School's research strategy.
- Leadership of national and international research groups and networks, with an internationally recognised contribution to the development of research fields.
- A significant contribution to the development of PhD programmes including successful recruitment and excellent supervision of PhD students.
- Demonstrable leadership of research that has significant impact beyond the candidate's institution(s).
- Evidence of leadership of successful research projects and/or quality research grant proposals.

Research (Desirable):
- Evidence of a significant contribution to the development of research that has a demonstrable impact beyond the candidate's institution and the academic community.
- Advanced proficiency in one or more regional languages, ideally Arabic or Farsi.
- Engagement with policy communities, international organisations, commercial activity or other non-academic groups.

Education (Essential):
- Evidence of substantial and sustained educational leadership.
- Evidence of at least one example of co-ordination, support, supervision, management and/or mentoring of others in relation to learning and teaching, OR successful completion of the DELTA3/DELTA4 course, OR achievement of Senior or Principal Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy.
- Evidence of excellence in the development and delivery of high-quality and distinctive teaching.
- Leadership and influence in curriculum/new programme development and innovative teaching design.

Services, Citizenship and Values (Essential):
- Evidence of a significant contribution to the collegial work and environment of the candidate's Department, Faculty, institution and/or discipline.
- Evidence of sustained excellence in leadership activities that support the administrative functioning of the Department, Faculty or University.
- Excellent oral and written communication skills with the ability to engage with a range of students and colleagues.

The successful candidate will benefit from individual research support funding, access to SGIA and University-wide research funding, and will be entitled to apply for sabbatical leave in accordance with University policy. Durham University provides high-quality administrative support to assist with applications for research funding, facilitate research-based engagement and impact with non-academic communities, and support the development and dissemination of innovative educational practice.

The ideal start date is 1 August 2027.