Selwyn College Cambridge

Further Particulars

Chaplain (fixed term)

The college seeks to appoint a Chaplain as maternity leave cover on a fixed term
basis for 9 months from 13th April 2026. The post will be filled at 0.75 FTE.

The chaplaincy plays an important role in Selwyn College life. The postholder will
run the chapel, which dates back to 1895 and reflects the Anglican foundation of the
college, with a continuing commitment to worship and sacred music in that
tradition.

The Chaplain would be expected to serve as Dean of Chapel and would be a Fellow
of the College and a member of its Governing Body. The formal duties of the Dean of
Chapel and the Chaplain are specified in the College Regulations as follows:

The Dean of Chapel has control over the services in the College
Chapel. He or she has responsibility for the Chapel and for the sacred
vessels, ornaments and books in the Chapel.

The Dean of Chapel holds the substantive post of Chaplain

The Chaplain’s duties include supporting the Senior Tutor and Tutors in the
pastoral care of the members of the College; undergraduates, postgraduates,
Fellows – as well as a care for the College staff. The Chaplain deals with a
wide range of pastoral matters, including spiritual concerns affecting
students working in a high-pressure environment.

Within reasonable limits consistent with the specifications of the post, they
will be expected to be available within the college at key times. In addition to
the above, the duties of the post include:

•  Teaching the faith: for example, study groups, the annual Chapel

Retreat, and preparation for baptism and confirmation.

•  Assisting the Director of Music with the organisation and execution of

the annual choir tour.

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•  Supervising the voluntary Chapel team and readers.
•  Developing co-operation with Christian groups active in the College.
•  Liaising with groups and individuals representing other faiths.

The Chaplain also works pastorally with junior and senior members of
Newnham College. Newnham is a non-denominational institution with no
chapel of its own. Members of Newnham are welcomed into the Selwyn
Chapel and a number of them sing in the choir.

The duties of the Dean of Chapel concern the control of the Chapel services.
The running of the choir and music in Chapel are overseen by the Dean of
Chapel but operationally delegated to the Director of Music in chapel. The
College is committed to maintaining the tradition of prominence given to
choral and organ music in services and to encouraging the highest musical
standards.

The Dean of Chapel is also responsible for the processing of applications for
special marriage licences in connection with weddings to be held in chapel
and for granting permission for the use of chapel for rehearsals or concerts
by College or non-College groups. He or she also administers the College’s
ecclesiastical patronage on behalf of the College Council, and represents
Selwyn in liaison with the Deans and Chaplains of other Colleges, local
churches and the diocese of Ely.

In addition, the Dean of Chapel is responsible for:

•  The preparation and management of the chapel budget, including the

chapel choir budget.

•  The administration of certain funds held by the College, including
those for the support of those training for ordination within the
Anglican communion.

•  Line management of the chapel administrator.
•  The supervision of any Assistant Chaplains.
•  The supervision of any ordinands on placement in the chapel.

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ABOUT SELWYN COLLEGE

Selwyn is a constituent College of the University of Cambridge. It takes its
name from George Augustus Selwyn, who was the first Bishop of New
Zealand (1841-68) and later Bishop of Lichfield (1868-78), and in whose
memory the College was founded. It opened in 1882 with 28 undergraduates
It now has nearly 400 undergraduates as well as over 300 full- and part-time
postgraduate students. The College was one of the first in Cambridge to go
co-educational, admitting women in 1976. There around 60 Fellows, a body
of Bye-Fellows and Research or Teaching Associates and around 110 non-
academic staff.

The trustee body of the charity is the College Council. Day-to-day
management and the execution of policy within broad guidelines are
primarily for various college officers e.g. the Master, Vice-Master, Bursar,
Senior Tutor, Admissions Tutors and Dean. The Governing Body brings
together all non-retired Fellows on a termly basis to discuss major items of
College business.

Message from the Master, Suzanne Raine:

Thank you for your interest in joining Selwyn College.

The Chaplain matters here because Cambridge is demanding.
Students, staff and fellows need pastoral support to thrive
academically and emotionally. The Chapel and the Chaplain ensure
that everyone – of all faiths and none – has someone they can turn to
when they need help. Selwyn combines academic excellence with
genuine community, and the Chaplain plays a crucial role in that.
Everyone here works together to create an environment where people
feel supported.

We're looking for someone to cover the Chaplaincy while Arabella
Milbank Robinson is on maternity leave. Arabella is exceptional in this
role, and we need someone who can maintain her high standard while
she is away.

This is a great place to work, and we're looking for someone who will
help us preserve what makes Selwyn special.

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TERMS OF APPOINTMENT

The appointee will be expected to reside in close proximity to the College for
the better performance of their duties. College accommodation may be
available for the period of the appointment. The stipend on appointment will
be not less than £38,249 per annum, made up of £34,610 (Chaplain) and
£3,639 (Dean of Chapel) pro rata to full-time equivalence at the rates for the
current academic year.

The Fellowship attached to the post includes the right to lunch and dine at
high table, the first seven meals in any week being at the College’s expense,
and an entertainment allowance. The college will also pay reasonable
removal expenses and a contribution towards pensions.

THE APPLICATION PROCESS

Applications should include a cover sheet (available for download here), full
curriculum vitae, and a covering statement outlining key matching experience
and rationale for applying for the post.

Applications, including a covering letter and c.v., should be sent by email as
a single PDF to the Master’s Assistant: masters-assistant@sel.cam.ac.uk
The closing date for applications is 12 noon on Friday 16th January 2026.
Two referees should be asked to submit their references by the same date.
Enquiries should be directed to the Master’s Assistant: masters-
assistant@sel.cam.ac.uk in the first instance.

Interview Dates
Interviews are expected to take place by early February.

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