The programmes of Philosophy, Religious Studies, and Islam & Arabic at Utrecht University share the same roof since 2013. For these programmes we are looking for a new UD/Assistant Professor who will work at the intersection of the groups of History of Philosophy and Religious Studies. The successful candidate will have a bridging role regarding research in these two discipline groups.
The standard teaching-research ratio for an Assistant Professor in the Faculty of Humanities is 70% teaching and 30 % research. The candidate is expected to have a research expertise that resonates with one (or more) of the central themes of the research, conducted in either history of philosophy or religious studies. The history of philosophy group focuses on Plato and Platonism (up to the present), Hellenistic philosophy and medicine (in particular Galen), Stoicism, early modern philosophy with a focus on Erasmus, Bacon, Spinoza, Kant and German Idealism, Neo-Kantianism, philosophy of nature, philosophy and the sciences/the history of scientific philosophy, and the history of science, also with an interest in topics in continental philosophy (most notably F. Nietzsche, H. Arendt, L. Strauss). The religious studies group concentrates on the interdisciplinary study of religion in the past and present, with special attention to religious plurality and co-existence in Europe, Africa, the Middle East, and parts of Asia. Distinctive for its research is the strong focus on the material and corporeal dimensions of religion, media and textual practices, ethics and human rights, religion and violence, and secularism and post-secularism.
With respect to teaching, the candidate is expected to teach in the Bachelor's and Master's programmes of both groups. We are looking for a candidate with a PhD in philosophy, or religious studies, or history of ideas, who is able to teach or co-teach courses such as “Philosophy and critique of religion”, “Ethics and religion”, “Religion, human rights and tolerance” in Religious Studies, and ”History of philosophy”, “Continental philosophy” or “The place of humans in the natural order” in the History of Philosophy curriculum. These courses are to be taught in Dutch (non-Dutch speakers are expected to be able to do so two years after starting the appointment).
Starting date: We aim at a starting date of August 1st, 2022, but this is negotiable.
Qualifications
The candidate is expected to have demonstrable expertise regarding:
- history of early modern or modern philosophy;
- history of religious ideas;
- religion in modern, post-Enlightenment societies.
Expertise in one or more of these fields of expertise would be an asset:
- Aesthetics in a modern society;
- Buddhism;
- Continental Philosophy;
- Global history of Christianity;
- Judaism;
- Humanism, non-religion, atheism;
- Methodological reflection on the historiography of philosophy or the study of religion.
Utrecht University houses a number of interdisciplinary research infrastructures (strategic themes: Institutions for Open Societies, Dynamics of Youth, Life Sciences, or Pathways to Sustainability and focus areas such as Migration and Societal Change or Governing Digital Societies) that can provide additional frameworks for the succesful candidate’s research.
As the succesful candidate you will have:
- a doctorate in religious studies or philosophy (or a closely related discipline) by the time of appointment;
- demonstrable general knowledge of the fields as described in the job description;
- a research specialization within these fields, as evidenced by a realistic medium-term research plan, aiming at high standard publications and outlining perspectives for securing external funding;
- a record (appropriate to career stage) of publications that demonstrate the ability to conduct research which is internationally recognized as contributing to the field;
- an interdisciplinary, open and inclusive attitude, in research and in teaching;
- experience with teaching in undergraduate and/or graduate programmes (BA and/or MA);
- a university teaching qualification (such as the “BKO” of the Dutch university system) is desired, but not required. In case you do not have this certificate, you will be expected to follow the procedure for obtaining the qualification within one year of the appointment;
- good communicative, interpersonal, and organizational skills;
- proficiency in spoken and written English;
- proficiency in spoken and written Dutch or the ability to teach in Dutch after two years (for which the department provides support in the form of teaching release time and funding language instruction).
Please note that in all cases the interdisciplinary character of the position as advertised here will be taken into account; you are not required to have specialized experience in both of the main fields – religious studies as well as history of philosophy – that this position is related to, but it is important to show the expertise and willingness to contribute actively to both fields.
Offer
We offer a position (1.0 FTE), initially for a period of one year. Upon a satisfactory performance in the one-year probationary period, this position will become permanent. The gross salary - depending on previous qualifications and experience - ranges between €3,561 and €5,230 (scale 10/11 according to the Collective Labour Agreement Dutch Universities) per month for a full-time employment. Salaries are supplemented with a holiday bonus of 8% and a year-end bonus of 8.3% per year. In addition, Utrecht University offers excellent secondary conditions, including an attractive retirement scheme, (partly paid) parental leave and flexible employment conditions (multiple choice model). More information about working at Utrecht University can be found here.
About the organisation
A better future for everyone. This ambition motivates our scientists in executing their leading research and inspiring teaching. At Utrecht University , the various disciplines collaborate intensively towards major societal themes. Our focus is on Dynamics of Youth, Institutions for Open Societies, Life Sciences and Sustainability.
The Faculty of Humanities has around 6,000 students and 900 staff members. It comprises four knowledge domains: Philosophy and Religious Studies, History and Art History, Media and Culture Studies, and Languages, Literature and Communication. With its research and education in these fields, the faculty aims to contribute to a better understanding of the Netherlands and Europe in a rapidly changing social and cultural context. The enthusiastic and committed colleagues and the excellent amenities in the historical city center of Utrecht, where the faculty is housed, contribute to an inspiring working environment.
Additional information
For more information about this position, please contact:
Prof Birgit Meyer (Religious Studies), via b.meyer@uu.nl , or Prof Paul Ziche (History of philosophy), via p.g.ziche@uu.nl.
Apply
Everyone deserves to feel at home at our university. We welcome employees with a wide variety of backgrounds and perspectives. To apply, please send your curriculum vitae, including a letter of motivation via the ‘apply’ button below and include:
- a cover letter (max one page), highlighting your fit with the position and the area(s) of specialization of your research and area(s) of competence of your teaching;
- a curriculum vitae, including a list of your publications. Please include at the end the names and contact details of two referees whom we may contact;
- a research plan indicating plans for roughly the next five years (max two pages);
- a teaching statement, outlining your views on/experience with teaching (max two pages);
- a key publication (max. twenty pages);
- two course evaluations (if you have any).
In the first round video-conference interviews will be scheduled in the week of 4 - 8 April, 2022.
The application deadline is 15 March 2022.
No comments:
Post a Comment