Doctoral and Postdoctoral Researchers

The Max Planck Institute for the Study of Religious and Ethnic Diversity (Department for Socio-Cultural Diversity) wishes to appoint highly qualified candidates for up to four new research positions at the doctoral and postdoctoral level. For all the positions, applicants should have a degree in anthropology, sociology, political science, geography, or another relevant social science. Successful applicants’ research interests, experience and publications should be relevant to themes and topics within the Department for Socio-Cultural Diversity (see www.mmg.mpg.de).

Repostings from the AASR: Calls for Papers, Book Announcements, and Job Openings.

Here are the latest event, book, and job announcements from the newsletter of the Australian Association for the Study of Religion

Click the links or visit https://www.aasr.org.au/january-2018/ for information.

Call for Papers

Islamic Ethics and the Trusteeship Paradigm: Interdisciplinary Explorations

Religious Marriages in the Mediterranean Conference 20-21st March 2018

Religion Area for the 9th Annual International Conference of the Popular Culture Association of Australia and New Zealand July 2-4, 2018

Disputing Religion and Politics Research: How Western/Eurocentric is its Agenda? Hamburg 24-26 August 2018

Populist politics and the minority voice: British Muslims, extremisms and inclusion 19 April 2018

Multiple Religious Identities – Individuals, Communities, Traditions
16th Annual Conference of the European Association for the Study of Religions (EASR) / IAHR Regional Conference, Bern 2018

Religions and Identities in the European Migration Crisis – Abstract deadline: January, 31

Post-global Religion, EASR conference 17-21 June in Bern

Academic Publications

Siddiqi, Bulbul (2018) Becoming ‘Good Muslim’: The Tablighi Jamaat in the UK and Bangladesh, Springer

Chakrabarti, Anindita (2018) Faith and Social Movements: Religious Reform in Contemporary India, published by Cambridge University Press

Knut A. Jacobsen (2018) Yoga in Modern Hinduism: Hariharānanda Āraṇya and Sāṃkhyayoga, Routeldge

Foroutan, Y. (2017), Muslim Minority of New Zealand in Global Context: Demographic Perspective, Journal of Muslim Minority Affairs, 37 (4): 511-519.

Račius, Egdūnas (2018) Muslims in Eastern Europe, Edinburgh University Press

Academic Positions

Four Ph.D. research fellowships available at MF-Norwegian    School of Theology

Two vacancies as postdoc at MF-Norwegian School of Theology, with effect from 1st of September 2018

(Thanks to Dr Milad Milani)

Job Opening in Indigenous Religions

Associate professor in religious studies (with a focus on indigenous religions)

The Faculty of Humanities, Social Sciences and Education at the University of Tromsø – The Arctic University of Norway has a vacant permanent fulltime position as associate professor in religious studies. The position is affiliated to the Department of Archaeology, History, Religious Studies, and Theology.

A prerequisite for the vacant position is documented competence in religious studies (through training and/or comprehensive experience in research and teaching). The candidate must have expertise in contemporary indigenous religion(s) in one or more cultural contexts and geographical regions that are not covered already at the department (already covered regions are Sápmi and Central America), including substantial fieldwork experience, relevant linguistic skills, as well as historical and other contextual knowledge. The candidate should also have a strong commitment to further develop methodological approaches and theoretical understandings of indigenous religion(s) in ethically responsible ways. The candidate must be able and willing to teach and supervise students at all levels from bachelor to PhD in a wide variety of topics in the study of religion.

In addition, expertise in one or more of the following fields/topics is desirable: legal and rights issues; environmentalism and climate concerns; politics and activism; identity formation; nation building; colonialism and post-colonialism; performance; materiality; media; translation; art; education; economy; tourism; interaction between local, national, and global actors and levels; and the history of the study of indigenous religion(s).

Relevant teaching experience is mandatory. Teaching experience at all levels from bachelor to PhD is an advantage. Experience with national and international collaboration in research projects is also an asset, likewise the proven ability to initiate and successfully lead research projects.

Application deadline: 14 February 2018

For more details, see https://www.jobbnorge.no/ledige-stillinger/stilling/145427/associate-professor-in-religious-studies-with-a-focus-on-indigenous-religions

Job Opening: Assistant/Associate Professor of the Study Religions

https://en.academicpositions.fi/ad/university-of-helsinki/2017/assistant-professor-associate-professor-professor-of-study-of-religions/106545?utm_medium=email&utm_source=transactional&utm_campaign=Job+alerts

The field of the professorship is empirical and comparative study of religious traditions.  The study of religions involves empirical and comparative research on religious phenomena and traditions from a religion-neutral perspective and with a focus on empirical field work. At the University of Helsinki, students can pursue the study of religions at both the Faculty of Arts and the Faculty of Theology. At the Faculty of Arts, the study of religions will be included as of the beginning of 2018 in the new multicultural Department of Cultures.

The successful applicant may be appointed to a permanent professorship or a fixed-term associate/assistant professorship (tenure track system), depending on his or her qualifications and career stage.

A professor will carry out and supervise scientific research, provide teaching based on it, follow developments in research and participate in societal interaction in his/her field and in international cooperation.
He or she shall also participate in the development of teaching and acquire research funding.

An appointee to the position of assistant/associate professor within the tenure track system shall hold a doctoral degree, have the ability to conduct independent scholarly work and have the teaching skills necessary for the position. In addition, applicants for assistant professorships shall demonstrate their capability and motivation as regards an academic career through publications and other means.

Applicants are requested to enclose with their applications a single PDF file that includes the following documents in English:
1) A curriculum vitae
2) A report (max. 5 pages) on pedagogical expertise
3) A report (max. 5 pages) on the applicant’s research activities
(including activities in scientific communities, the acquisition of
research funding and international scholarly work)
4) A report (1-2 pages) on how the applicant intends to develop his or
her research and focus his or her activities, if appointed
5) A list of publications.
For instructions see https://www.helsinki.fi/en/faculty-of-arts/faculty/instructions-to-appli….

Job Opening: Uni­versity Lec­turer in Is­lamic Theo­logy

The Faculty of Theology at the University of Helsinki invites applications for a permanent position of UNIVERSITY LECTURER IN ISLAMIC THEOLOGY in the Study of Religions to begin on 1 August 2018.

The university lecturer will provide teaching and supervision at all levels of study with a special focus on Islamic theology. The applicant should have expertise in two or preferably in several of the following topics:

  • Qur’anic studies and interpretative traditions;
  • Islamic hermeneutics;
  • Islamic thought and culture;
  • Islam in Europe;
  • Islam in everyday life;
  • Islam and gender.

The university lecturer is also expected to carry out independent academic research, supervise and examine theses and dissertations, and attend to administrative and other duties jointly agreed upon. The position to be filled focuses on teaching, mainly at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels. Thus it requires active engagement in the development of teaching.

The study of religions is a joint discipline of the Faculty of Theology and the Department of World Cultures of the Faculty of Arts. It has two professors and three university lecturers. Further information about the discipline is available at http://www.helsinki.fi/studyofreligions/

University of North Carolina at Charlotte: Tenure–Track Position in Religion and Healing

The Department of Religious Studies at the University of North Carolina at Charlotte invites applications for a tenure-track position at the rank of Assistant Professor in the field of Religion and Healing to begin August 2018. Applicants are required to have a Ph.D. in Religious Studies or a related field at the time of appointment, teaching experience at the university level, an active research agenda that critically examines the intersections of religious practices and traditions with physical and/or mental health, and which complements our department’s existing strengths, and a commitment to diversity initiatives and expanding diversity and inclusion within the department. Time period, region of research specialization and methodological approach are open; possible areas of focus include, but are not limited to:

  • history of science, medicine, and religion;
  • critical race and ethnic studies;
  • anthropology and sociology;
  • and the body in religion.

Desired qualifications include research and pedagogic expertise in religions of the Global South; experience with quantitative research methodologies or digital humanities; and experience teaching Religious Studies theories and methods. Applicants must be prepared to contribute to the undergraduate and graduate degree programs in Religious Studies as well as the University’s general education program.

The successful candidate will be instrumental in building interdisciplinary collaborations within the College of Liberal Arts and Sciences and across units in the University. UNC Charlotte is a rapidly growing doctoral-granting urban university located in the largest metropolitan area between Washington, D.C. and Atlanta. The University is a Carnegie Foundation Community Engagement campus. Close to 29,000 culturally diverse students currently are enrolled at the University. As the largest college at UNC Charlotte, the College of Liberal Arts & Sciences houses 20 departments in the humanities, social and behavioral sciences, and natural sciences, as well as 25 applied research centers and interdisciplinary programs. It offers eight doctoral degrees, 36 master′s degrees and graduate certificates, and 32 undergraduate degrees.

The University of North Carolina at Charlotte is an EOE/AA employer and an ADVANCE Institution that strives to create an academic climate in which the dignity of all individuals is respected and maintained. UNC Charlotte encourages applications from all underrepresented groups. Finalists will be asked during their screening interview to discuss how the topics of diversity and inclusion are incorporated into their teaching and research. Screening of applications will begin November 1 and will continue until the position is filled. Applications must be made electronically at https://jobs.uncc.edu and should include a cover letter and CV with a list of three references.

Any questions about this search can be sent to Eric Hoenes del Pinal, Chair of the Religion and Healing Search Committee, at ehoenes@uncc.edu. Inquiries can also be directed to the department chair, Joanne Robinson, at Joanne.Robinson@uncc.edu. Applicants subject to criminal background check.

More information may be found here: https://jobs.uncc.edu/postings/18143

Job Opening: Assistant Professor of Islamic Studies

New College of Florida invites applications for a tenure-track assistant professorship in Islamic studies. Candidates should have a Ph.D. in a relevant discipline, teaching experience, a career interest in liberal arts teaching, and a vibrant research agenda.

The successful candidate’s primary appointment will be in a home discipline such as anthropology, history, political science, religion, or sociology as appropriate, with the possibility of secondary appointments in other programs and interdisciplinary collaboration. The successful candidate will have a particular specialization in the Islamic world combined with broad training in Islam’s transnational, cross-cultural and global dimensions; thematic research fields are open, with a preference for scholarly interests involving critical reflection on issues of social justice, gender, globalism, and diversity. Fluency in relevant research language(s) is desired. The successful candidate must have completed the Ph.D. by the start of employment in August 2018.

Situated on the Gulf Coast of Florida and Sarasota Bay, New College is a nationally recognized, highly selective public honors college with a 10:1 student/faculty ratio. Students are intellectually independent and highly motivated. Undergraduate research has a central role in the curriculum, and a senior thesis project is required of all students. Students receive narrative evaluations in lieu of grades. We are committed to excellence in undergraduate teaching and research and encourage collaborative student-faculty scholarship. The teaching load is two courses per semester plus individual and group tutorials. Faculty members also provide academic advising, supervise independent study projects, sponsor senior theses, and serve on baccalaureate committees.

We are particularly interested in candidates with a commitment to innovative undergraduate liberal-arts teaching. This appointment will be the campus’s first position in Islamic Studies, and is one of 15 new faculty lines for 2018, and part of an exciting campus-growth initiative funded by the State of Florida (https://www.ncf.edu/about/growth-2024/). To apply:

  1. Complete the Employment Form online here;
  2. Send a cover letter and CV;
  3. Three course descriptions (for an introductory course in Islamic Civilizations, a discipline-specific methodology course, and a thematic course of your choosing);
  4. teaching evaluations;
  5. one writing sample (article or chapter length);
  6. an unofficial graduate transcript and three letters of recommendation to islamsearch@ncf.edu with the subject heading “Islam Search,” with attachments in PDF or MS Word.

Review of applications will begin on Nov. 1 with Skype interviews to follow. According to Florida law, applications and meetings regarding applications are open to the public upon request. Applicants who need reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the selection process must notify the chair of the search committee at islamsearch@ncf.edu 48 hours in advance of a meeting.

Queries to Search Committee Chair Susan Marks at islam@ncf.edu.

New College of Florida is committed to recruiting and retaining a diverse faculty. Candidates from underrepresented groups or whose knowledge or skills can support an inclusive learning environment are especially encouraged to apply. Consistent with law and its respect for personal dignity, the college does not discriminate against applicants for employment based on race, color, sex, age, religion, national origin, disability, veteran status, marital status, sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. In accordance with state law, all employees are subject to a background check at the time of hiring.

Candidates’ application materials and meetings regarding applications are open to the public upon request. Applicants requesting reasonable accommodations in order to participate in the selection process must notify the chair of the search committee 48 hours in advance of a meeting.

Job Opening: Assistant Professor in Catholic Studies, (including the social-scientific study of Catholicism)

Dear colleagues,

Follow this link for information about an exciting new job opportunity in the Department of Theology and Religion at Durham University. Please note: while the title refers to Catholic Studies/Theology, one of the preferred specialisms is the social scientific study of Catholicism. In other words, sociologists of religion are strongly encouraged to apply. 

https://www.dur.ac.uk/jobs/recruitment/vacancies/theol18-10/

Mathew Guest

from the site:

Assistant Professor in Catholic Studies or Theology

The role

This is an excellent opportunity to join a truly world-leading Department of Theology and Religion. Not only was the Department recognised in the last two UK assessments of research as being the best in the country; it was also named third in the world in the recent QS rankings.  Extending our existing strengths in Catholic Studies research, you will find our home next to Durham Cathedral an inspiringly beautiful place to work.  You may specialise in any areas of this broad field of enquiry, but we are particularly keen to hear from you if you are working in ethics/moral theology or the social scientific study of aspects of Catholicism.  Other areas that are under-represented in the Department include the history of modern Catholicism, Catholic spirituality, and the interface between Catholic thought and world religions. Whatever your interests, you will play a key role in both teaching and the development of further world-class research.

Post-Doc & Two PhD Studentships on the transformation of Shii Islam since the 1950s

The Department of Theology and Religion at the University of Birmingham seeks to appoint 1 Post-doctoral Research Fellow and to award 2 PhD studentships to work on the ERC-funded project ‘Creating an Alternative umma: Clerical Authority and Religio-political Mobilisation in Transnational Shii Islam (ALTERUMMA)’ project, led by Professor Oliver Scharbrodt. This interdisciplinary project investigates the transformation of Shii Islam in the Middle East and Europe since the 1950s. The project begins in January 2018 and will in the course of its five-year duration include four post-doctoral researchers and three PhD students.

The Research Fellow and PhD students will work on the first thematic area of the project which begins in January 2018. As part of this thematic area, the various ways in which Shii clerical authorities in Iran and Iraq have positioned themselves towards the modern nation-state are explored.

Further information about the project, see: cordis.europa.eu/project/rcn/211385_en.html

Lecturer in Theology and Religious Studies (Islam in Asia/Asian Religious Traditions), University of Glasgow

Job purpose: To undertake high-quality research and research supervision, to make an active and high level contribution in the School of Critical Studies in the College of Arts to teaching at undergraduate and postgraduate level in Islamic Studies and/or Asian Traditions, and to undertake administration as requested by the Head of School.

Hours: Full Time

Contract Type: Permanent

Deadline for application: 31 August 2017.

Information: http://www.jobs.ac.uk/job/BDH613/lecturer-in-theology-and-religious-studies-islam-in-asia-asian-religious-traditions/