Does Dean mean something different at UK Universities? My wife has a friend who an "assistant dean" at Oxford, but I know he doesn't have his doctorate yet, and is in his twenties.

A Dean is the very head of the college here in the US, this guy is smart but i have a hard time believing he is second in charge at some part of oxford... does it mean like assistant professor or apprentice or something?

"Assistant Dean" is a pretty ambiguous title, though. He could be a personal assistant to the Dean, or a secretary.

It's one of those peculiar Oxford things:

"St Anne's College proposes to appoint an Assistant Dean for a period of one year from 1 September 1996, with the possibility of renewal for a second year. The Assistant Dean will assist the Dean in the smooth running of the college and will supervise the day-to-day discipline. He/she will be required to reside in college, free of charge, will have membership of the senior common room, free meals at high table (breakfast and seven main meals per week) and a stipend of £2,000 per annum. Applicants must be graduates, and it is expected that they will be pursuing advanced study or research."

Wait, it only pays room, board, and a couple grand a year?

Fuck that.

So its like a fancy internship, that makes more sense.

It's worth quite a lot if you're a post grad doing research.

Back when I was a student, I would have been quite happy to do that for food and shelter.

See this older thread re what to do if you had food and shelter -- http://discuss.joelonsoftware.com/default.asp?off.9.282717.84

All of the department heads at our college are "deans", even the ones without doctorates. Even the head of IT is a dean even though his role is really that of a CIO.

It's just a title.

$3,539.40 a year for anything is BS.

Art, you seem to be not factoring in the free room and board... I imagine that comes out to at least $25k or so.

Do you have to pay income and social security taxes on the fair market value of the room and board? You would if you were in the US. If not, I guess it could be reasonable if its a good sized apartment and private. Board includes all meals and toiletries?

Sounds like 'reside in college' means you have to live in bunk beds in a dorm. That's not worth $25k a year. Also, lunch is not included and the £2000 is not going to cover food and travel expenses. Don't forget this is a full time job and you have to already have graduated so it's not like you can save on your dorm expenses because you're not going to school.

Bad deal. Total rip off.

$25k? I make £25k! Fuck $25k!

To reside in college in an Oxford college means having your own room and probably the housekeeping services, I don't know if they still maintain servants that provide crumpets at the drop of a hat, but I wouldn't be surprised.

It isn't a job, its a sinecure, a position.