St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth is seeking a Lecturer in Pastoral Theology - Two-year Tenure Track with a view to a Permanent Position
St Patrick’s Pontifical University (SPPU) is a nationally and internationally recognised centre of theological and philosophical learning, scholarship, and research. Founded as the Catholic National Seminary in 1795, it was recognised as a Pontifical University with Faculties of Theology, Canon Law and Philosophy in 1896. The Faculty of Theology of St Patrick’s Pontifical University offers a variety of programmes at undergraduate and postgraduate level. St Patrick's Pontifical University is located on one of the most historical campuses in Ireland, alongside one of Ireland's youngest third level institutions, Maynooth University.
The mandate of The Pontifical University is expressed in its constitutive document Veritatis Gaudium (2017), and quality assured by AVEPRO (Agency for the Evaluation and Promotion of Quality in Ecclesiastical Universities and Faculties). Currently SPPU is currently in a process for ‘Listed Awarding Body’ status with Quality Qualifications Ireland.
Building on a 225-year-old educational legacy, the vision of our Strategic Plan states: “By 2030, St. Patrick’s College, Maynooth will be established as a leading Pontifical University and its campus recognised globally as a place of innovation and transformation, where ‘learning and living’ for the individual and community is in a sustainable, inclusive and unbounded environment.” The capacity of the Pontifical University is in its people, relationships, heritage, and expertise. These roles further position it to realise its fullest potential in serving society and church, nationally and internationally.
The Role
St Patrick’s Pontifical University offers undergraduate and postgraduate awards in Theology and seeks a Lecturer in Pastoral Theology or Practical Theology suitably qualified to teach undergraduate and postgraduate modules and supervise graduate dissertations.
Skills and Experience:
- Applicants are required to have a Doctorate / PhD in Pastoral Theology Teaching; a successful candidate will also be required to have, or be undertaking, or commit to undertaking, a Licentiate in Pastoral Theology or equivalent from a Pontifical or Catholic University; namely, a qualification which permits teaching modules in both the canonical and non-canonical degrees.
- An applicant will be required to have proven experience of undergraduate and postgraduate teaching and be collaborative and versatile in terms of delivering modules across a range of subject areas in pastoral theology, including areas beyond the research interests of the candidate.
- A successful applicant will be expected to embrace a more interdisciplinary engagement of theology and also to advance the horizon of theological enquiry through strategic inter-disciplinary research projects and inter-institutional alliances.
- An Applicant will be expected to link doctrines, sources, and modes of appropriation of the Christian faith for a blended audience comprised of students who are believers and non-believers alike.
- A successful applicant will be required to have an aptitude to use new pedagogical technologies / blended learning, and experience in supervising postgraduate dissertations at masters / licentiate and doctoral levels. Applicants are expected to be willing to teach, when necessary, on some evenings / weekends and on outreach programmes and to use creative and appropriate pedagogical methods in undergraduate teaching to awaken interest and enthusiasm among students, as well as to promote understanding.
- A successful applicant should be available to students (both postgraduate and undergraduate) for advice, mentoring and discussion, as required; furthermore, he or she should be ready to serve in general administration of the Faculty.
- The successful candidate will show evidence of research and publications in areas relevant to Pastoral or Practical Theology, e.g. ministry and leadership studies, chaplaincy, empirical or interdisciplinary methods, or theology in dialogue with the social sciences, education, or professional practice, together with concrete future research plans which will contribute to and enhance the profile of the discipline and of the Faculty of Theology.
- The Faculty also desires a candidate who is committed to the Catholic intellectual tradition.
- A candidate should be able to work collaboratively with colleagues on Faculty committees and boards, and should, ideally, have some academic administrative experience.
Key Accountabilities, Duties and Responsibilities
The key accountabilities, duties and responsibilities of the position include, but are not limited, to the following:
- Undergraduate and postgraduate teaching in Pastoral Theology.
- Supervision of postgraduate research in Pastoral Theology at Masters and Licentiate levels.
- Programme coordination of the postgraduate programmes in Pastoral Theology
- Publication of one’s own research in respected peer-reviewed journals and by publishers of repute; where appropriate, this will be carried out in collaboration with colleagues in the Pontifical University and elsewhere.
- Participate in and support the activities and mission of the Centre for Mission and Ministries.
- A willingness to assume administrative roles within the Faculty of theology and the Pontifical University.
How to apply
Click here to apply. You will be brought through a series of questions or requests which will include supplying:
- A complete Curriculum Vitae/Resume which should include a comprehensive list of publications and research interests.
- A personal statement of suitability addressing the criteria set out above and specifically indicating how the candidate’s teaching, research and service will enhance the academic and ecclesial mission of the Pontifical University.
- A selection of your recent peer-reviewed publications and other publications.
- Full contact details (to include email and postal addresses, as well as telephone numbers).
- The names and current contact details of two academic referees. In the case of a priest, an additional letter of recommendation and support from his Ordinary. In the case of a non-ordained religious, an additional letter of recommendation and support from her or his religious superior or Bishop.
Post status: Tenure Track - This position is Tenure Track position which is 2-years in the first instance, permanency is subject to satisfying the tenure requirements. The salary scale for this post is as given, and the point on this scale on which the successful candidate will be appointed will be based on applicants’ level of experience. Candidates must be available to take up the role by 1st September 2025 to be conversant of the expectations for the new Academic year- 2025/2026. Requests for further information to president@spcm.ie.
Information, social media, video links for SPPU available from
Home | St Patrick’s Pontifical University, Maynooth (sppu.ie)
CLOSING DATE FOR APPLICATIONS 12.00 noon (GMT) on Wednesday 16th July 2025. Interviews will be scheduled to take place soon afterwards in July for a September 2025 start date
Please click the below link to find out more information and to apply: