Job Opening: Assistant Professor on Contemporary Islam

The Faculty of Theology and Religious Studies, University of Groningen, seeks to appoint an Assistant Professor (UD) in the field of Contemporary Islam (0.8 fte). The position will involve 50% teaching, 40% research, and 10% administration. The position will be located within the Department of Comparative Study of Religion.

The candidate will contribute to the teaching programme (BA, MA, and Research Master’s level) especially in the field of Contemporary Islam. Besides thesis supervision the candidate will, amongst others, participate in courses such as: Islam: History, Sources & Practices (BA); Religion, Culture & Diversity (BA); Migration, Culture & Religious Identity (MA). This means the candidate needs a competence in the fields of Islam in relation to migration and identity also with regard to the MENA region in order to be able to teach these courses adequately and to supervise theses on these themes. He/she should be an anthropologist or from a closely related discipline. Language of instruction is English.

Beside these teaching related competences the faculty is looking for a scholar whose research lies preferably in the field of contemporary Islam in Asia so as to contribute to the Centre for the Study of Religion and Culture in Asia (see www.rug.nl/research/centre-religion-culture-asia) of the faculty.

Early career scholars are explicitly encouraged to apply.

Qualifications

The following criteria will be important in the selection process.

The candidate should:

• hold a PhD degree in religious studies, Islamic studies, anthropology or in a closely related discipline
• preferably have a research focus on Contemporary Islam in Asia
• should have a sound knowledge of Contemporary Islam with regard to the topics of migration, identity and the MENA region related to the expected teaching and supervision obligations
• have a track record of international peer-reviewed publications
• have teaching experience at university level
• have demonstrated success or capacity for success in the acquisition of research funding
• have a demonstrable interest in interdisciplinary cooperation
• have organizational competence, entrepreneurship, and excellent communication skills.

Conditions of employment

The University of Groningen offers a salary for an assistant professor dependent on qualifications and work experience, with a minimum of € 3,475 (scale 11 Dutch Universities) to a maximum of € 5,405 (scale 12) gross per month for a fulltime position. On top of that income the candidate will receive an 8% holiday allowance and an annual bonus of 8.3%. The conditions are in accordance with the Collective Labour Agreement for Dutch Universities (CAO NU). The appointment will be on a temporary basis initially for 5 years, with the strong ambition of making the position permanent. In the fifth year the Faculty Board will decide on this, depending on the performance of the appointee and the position of the faculty.

Deadlines and procedures
Job interviews will be held on 10 and 11 October 2017. Shortlisted applicants will be notified 22 September 2017 and will be expected to be in Groningen for both days of the interviews. Travel and accommodation will be arranged and reimbursed.
Date of entry into employment: 1 February 2018 or as soon as possible.

Application requirements
You may apply for this position until 27 August (11.59 pm) / before 28 August 2017 Dutch local time by means of the application form (click on “Apply” below on the advertisement on the university website).

The application should be sent electronically in PDF format with all the credentials in separate attachments. Applications with missing credentials will not be taken into consideration.

Interested candidates should submit a complete application composed of:

• a letter of motivation, addressing the above criteria
• a complete CV with a list of publications and with names and contact details for three referees
• a PDF of three self-selected representative papers
• a brief description (maximum two pages) of scientific interests and plans.

Unsolicited marketing is not appreciated.

Information

For information you can contact:

• Dr Peter Berger, Head of the Department of Comparative Study of Religion, p.berger@rug.nl

Prof. M.W. Buitelaar, m.w.buitelaar@rug.nl