Nazarbayev University, History, Philosophy and Religious Studies

Open-rank faculty position in Eurasian history

The Department of History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies in the School of Humanities and Social Sciences at Nazarbayev University in Astana, Kazakhstan invites applications for an open-rank faculty position in Eurasian history. The period and specialization are open, but preference will be given to candidates able to offer undergraduate and graduate courses in the history of the USSR and Soviet Central Asia.

Successful senior applicants will be expected to have a demonstrated track record of excellence in teaching, research, and service.  Applicants at the junior level will be expected to demonstrate potential for excellence in all three areas.  Responsibilities include but are not limited to teaching classes (teaching load is 2+2 with TA support for large classes), curriculum and program development, and research. The successful candidate will be expected to contribute to a team-taught class on the history of Kazakhstan, as well as to offer courses based on their research interests.

The position is available from August 2018.  Contracts are for a period of three years and are renewable upon a positive review.

Nazarbayev University was launched in 2010 as a premier national and regional university, partnered with some of the most internationally-recognized names in Higher Education.  The strategic partner of the School of Humanities and Social Sciences is the University of Wisconsin-Madison.  Admission to NU is highly competitive and the students are the most academically gifted in Kazakhstan.  Most students participate in the NU foundation year program, and thus enter the School of Humanities and Social Sciences with extensive English language training and academic preparation.  SHSS programs emphasize student-oriented learning, with small class sizes and a low student-to-faculty ratio of about 12:1.  All classes are taught in English.

The History, Philosophy, and Religious Studies department includes 15 members and offers a major in History and minors in History and Philosophy/Religious Studies.  All its members publish actively.  

Nazarbayev University offers an attractive benefits package, including:

·         competitive compensation;

·         housing based on family size and rank;

·         relocation allowance;

·         air tickets to the home country, twice per year;

·         no-cost medical insurance, with a wide geographical coverage;

·         educational allowance for children.

NU values diversity and strongly encourages applications from women and underrepresented minorities.

Ph.D. in hand or expected by the starting date in August 2018. To apply, please send a letter of interest, current c.v., contact information of three referees, teaching evaluations, and a writing sample to hr.shss@nu.edu.kz by November 12, 2017.  More information about the school is available at http://shss.nu.edu.kz.  Questions related to the position, the university, or living and working in Astana can be sent to Daniel Scarborough, search committee chair (daniel.scarborough@nu.edu.kz).