A UNIVERSITY has started one of its biggest staff recruitment drives in 20 years.

Durham University is advertising for 26 lecturers and professors in 13 departments, including English, theology, psychology and law, for the academic year 2004-5.

The university previously advertised for ten posts in its computer science department, bringing the total number of recruits required to 36.

Vice-chancellor Sir Kenneth Calman said: "We announced earlier this year that we need to build on our academic strengths.

"This round of posts being filled is a major step forward in that process.

"There are opportunities for top quality people to join the university at an exciting time of growth."

Sir Kenneth said the university was seeking exceptional individuals, with vision and enthusiasm.

The recruitment drive is part of the university's controversial Strategic Improvement Programme.

Under the three-year plan, the university will reinvest £8.7m, but has announced its intention to close its East Asian studies department, despite opposition.

All the university's highest-rated subject areas - geography, chemistry, English, history, law and mathematics - are included in the recruitment package.

Each of those departments merited top grade five, five star and five star-plus ratings in the most recent research assessment exercise, which was carried out by the Higher Education Funding Council for England.