Associate Chaplain

We’re unlocking Edinburgh’s potential. Why not unlock yours?

The University isn’t just any employer. We are part of a local community and a contributor to global thinking, progress and research. In Edinburgh, you are in one of the world’s most attractive cities with active arts and social sectors, while working in a University that has made significant contributions to society, medicine, physics and teaching for over four centuries. Our people have helped create the modern world and are working on more ground-breaking technologies and practices.

We have a world-renowned multi-faith and belief Chaplaincy, well-embedded within the University, which supports and inspires the University community in all areas of its work. The University is seeking to appoint an Associate Chaplain to join this flourishing team. We are looking for an accomplished Chaplain able to contribute to the Chaplaincy’s work within the University and work with the leaders of religious and belief-based organisations in the local community. You will have responsibility for:

• Supporting and advising students and staff with emotional, spiritual and social issues and concerns.
• Working with multi-faith and belief societies in collaboration with a small paid staff and a diverse team of honorary unpaid professionals.
• Leading, or contribution to, religious services, ceremonies, memorials and rituals in the service of the entire University community.
• Responding, with professional autonomy, to crisis/emergency situations – such as sudden student deaths or hospitalisation – to provide support for family and friends and ensuring the pastoral requirements of University protocols are met.
• Developing Chaplaincy provision – especially quiet/prayer rooms – away from the Chaplaincy Centre.

• Excellent skills in communicating person-to-person, person-to-group and at large gatherings and to conduct public services, ceremonies and especially memorial events.
• Demonstrable commitment to Chaplaincy ministry, student ministry, and multi-faith work.
• The ability and enthusiasm to work collaboratively with both a small team of paid staff and a larger team of professional Honorary Chaplains and volunteers, many of whom are leaders in their own faith/belief communities in the local area.
• Qualities of leadership as expected of one in ministry in pastoral, ceremonial, teaching and facilitating capacities.
• The confidence and breadth of vision to operate University-wide.

People have always been at the heart of our work. Our people are at the centre of the University community and everything we do. We value colleagues with drive, determination and a passion for what they do. We are a place where everyone is welcome and offer a range of policies and benefits designed to support you in building the right meaningful flexibility that works for you.

A career with us has a range of other benefits that can be tailored to your lifestyle: Opportunities to develop new skills and broaden your experience: working within one of the world’s leading universities; variety every day; contributing to the work and purpose of the University.

This post is fixed term for 12 months, and is full-time (35 hours per week); however, we are open to considering flexible working patterns. We are also open to considering requests for hybrid working (on a non-contractual basis) that combines a mix of remote and regular on-campus working.

View the full job description

Please include the following documents in your application:

• CV
• Cover letter

As a valued member of our team, you can expect:

• A competitive salary.
• An exciting, positive, creative, challenging and rewarding place to work.
• To be part of a diverse and vibrant international community.
• Comprehensive Staff Benefits, including generous annual leave entitlement, a defined benefits pension scheme, a wide range of staff discounts, family-friendly initiatives, and flexible work options. Check out the full list on our staff benefits page (opens in a new tab) and use our reward calculator to discover the value of your pay and benefits.

Championing equality, diversity, and inclusion

The University of Edinburgh holds a Silver Athena SWAN award in recognition of our commitment to advance gender equality in higher education. We are members of the Race Equality Charter, and we are also a Stonewall Proud Employer, actively promoting LGBTQ+ equality.

Prior to any employment commencing with the University, you will be required to evidence your right to work in the UK. Further information is available on our right to work webpages (opens new browser tab)

On this occasion the University will not consider applicants requiring sponsorship for this role. International workers will therefore only be able to take up this role if they can demonstrate an alternative right to work in the UK.

Key dates to note

The closing date for applications is 7 October 2026.

Unless stated otherwise the closing time for applications is 11:59pm UK time. If you are applying outside the UK the closing time on our adverts automatically adjusts to your browsers local time zone.

As a world-leading research-intensive University, we are here to address tomorrow’s greatest challenges. Between now and 2030 we will do that with a values-led approach to teaching, research and innovation, and through the strength of our relationships, both locally and globally.