Hi, got a slight dilemma and would be interested in others views. I gave up my permanent part-time lecturing position so I could devote time to my full-time phd (not to mention the politics and crap head of dept) and took up a hourly paid teaching position at another uni, but as it has turned out I actually havent taught any modules there yet with staff illnesses and changes etc which has meant my modules were mopped up by permanent staff - I am down to teach 3 modules this semester, but we will see. I now have an opportunity for a permanent 0.5 lecturing position at the same uni, which would mean I would have to go part-time phd. I am just wondering is it difficult to get lecturing jobs these days, I wonder what the situation will be like in 3/4 yrs when (I hope) I have finished my phd, would it be advisable to go for this job, quite a few uni's appear to have recruitment freezes. Apologies for my ignorance on this matter, I've really had my head stuck in the phd sand this yr, dont really know whats going on with uni's anymore. Appreciate any opinions, thanks :-)

If you want to keep lecturing, snaffle up that permanent job I say. Yes, lectureships are like gold dust, at least in my part of the world. Your PhD will always be there - if you get the opportunity to get a permanent academic job, grab it!

I concur with Sue, grab any lecturing position you can because there ain't a huge amount going out there right now. I tested the water earlier in the summer with 4 jobs (I haven't submitted yet) and didn't get a sniff and I have a friend who has their PhD and has been postdocing, and he went for the same job as me and didn't get a sniff either. So yes, get in there!

Appreciate your responses, I will take your advice!

Obviously, I don't know what field you are in, but in mine (IR/Global Politics) lectureships are at such a premium that it is not feasible to turn down the offer of a 0.5 position. I have a fully-completed, examined PhD (ESRC-funded), 2 postdocs, 2 publications, good teaching experience have attended about 15 conferences to present my work and to network and, after applying for 135 lectureships over the past 3 years, have never had so much as an interview. Teaching experience seems to count for more than publishing in my field at present, as many of the FT jobs are 10-month Teaching Fellowships - for which significant experience of HE teaching is required (i.e. running an entire module, not simply contributing to seminar teaching as I did).

I would love to have a sniff of even a 0.5 position - so I wouldn't hesitate to take it.