Buddhism Tenure Track

The Departments of Religion and Asian Studies at St. Olaf College invite applications for a position in Buddhism with a focus on East Asian religious traditions beginning August 2021. This is a full time tenure-track position, jointly appointed to the Religion and Asian Studies Departments, expected at the assistant professor rank. The successful applicant should be committed to interdisciplinary teaching in the liberal arts and conducting research on Buddhism with a focus on East Asia. Specialists in China, Japan or Korea are welcome. 

St. Olaf's Religion and Asian Studies Departments are particularly interested in applicants who can and will advance the College’s goals for diversity equity and inclusion. We request that in the letter of application, candidates address their potential to contribute to the St. Olaf community that maintains a diversity of people and perspectives as one of its core values. We strongly encourage applications from members of underrepresented groups in accordance with our equity goals.

Regular teaching responsibilities include courses in Buddhism and East Asian religious traditions that critically interpret and understand religious life through texts, symbols, and practices at all levels from introductory to general education and capstone courses. Examples include national and transnational surveys, topical seminars, and interdisciplinary courses, such as Asian Conversations. In addition to expertise in Buddhism and East Asian religious traditions, we welcome candidates with interests in fields such as comparative religious thought, interreligious dialogue, race and ethnic studies or gender studies. A commitment to experiential learning through study abroad, internships, and undergraduate student research projects is highly desirable. The normal teaching load is six courses a year divided between the two departments. 

Applicants are expected to have completed a Ph.D. by September 1, 2021. The successful candidate will possess a high degree of fluency in Chinese, Japanese and/or Korean. 

Applicants must submit materials online at https://stolaf.hiretouch.com/faculty-postings. A complete application includes:

• Cover letter outlining your qualifications
• Curriculum vitae
• Graduate transcripts (official or unofficial)
• Statement of teaching philosophy: short statement (1 page) describing your approach to teaching
• Statement of research and interest: short statement (1 page) describing your research agenda
• Writing sample: dissertation chapter or scholarly article
• The contact information for three professional references who can speak to your abilities in classroom teaching and scholarship (St. Olaf solicits letters directly after an initial round of screening.)

Review of applications will begin on February 15, 2021, and will continue until the position is filled. Finalist interviews are expected in April, 2021.

Questions about the position, department, or college may be directed to Prof. Gregory Walter, Search Committee Chair, at tt2021relas@stolaf.edu. Applicants who need assistance with the online application process should call 507-786-3356.

More information about the Religion and Asian Studies Departments can be found  at https://wp.stolaf.edu/religion/ and http://wp.stolaf.edu/asianstudies/.

Founded in 1874, St. Olaf College is a residential, coeducational liberal arts college with approximately 3,000 students and 800 faculty and staff employees. It is located in Northfield, Minnesota, about 45 minutes from Minneapolis and St. Paul with their rich and diverse cultural resources. The College offers an academically rigorous, nationally ranked liberal arts education that fosters the development of the whole person in mind, body, and spirit and emphasizes learning in an inclusive and globally engaged community.

St. Olaf College is proud to be:

• Included in multiple editions of Colleges that Change Lives: 40 Schools That Will Change the Way You Think About College
• Ranked #1 among baccalaureate colleges in the number of students who study abroad
• One of the top producers of Fulbright fellows among liberal arts colleges
• Ranked #20 for best undergraduate teaching by U.S. News & World Report, 2018

To provide a safe and secure educational environment, St. Olaf College verifies the accuracy of all credentials presented by applicants and conducts a criminal background check on every new hire.

St. Olaf College is an equal employment opportunity and voluntary affirmative action employer.  The College is committed to providing an inclusive and welcoming environment for all members of our community.  With regard to its hiring and employment practices, the College prohibits all forms of discrimination and harassment based upon an individual’s legally protected status including race, color, creed, national origin, gender, gender identity, gender expression, sexual orientation, age, religion, disability, marital status, veteran status, or status with regard to public assistance.