Leiden University, Leiden Institute for Area Studies

University Lectureship in the Religious Traditions of Japan (comparable to Assistant Professor, but with a possibility of tenure)

University Lectureship in the Religious Traditions of Japan (1,0 FTE)
vacany number: 22-828 13261
 
As part of the Leiden University Institute for Area Studies (LIAS), the Japan Studies programme is committed to the integration of disciplinary and regional-historical perspectives, on a solid foundation of excellent language skills. Likewise, the Religious Studies programme brings together expertise in specific religions with a comparative approach that draws on a variety of humanistic and social scientific disciplines. Priorities include cooperation across the full width of (East) Asian Studies and Religious Studies. The local research environment includes an excellent library, and is further enhanced by research networks and the International Institute for Asian Studies (IIAS), as well as the Leiden University Centre for the Study of Religion (LUCSoR), and Leiden Asia Centre (LeidenAsiaCentre).

Key responsibilities

• Teaching, curriculum development, and thesis supervision at undergraduate and graduate levels in programmes including Japan Studies, Religious Studies, Asian Studies, and International Studies;
• Supervision of PhD research;
• A commitment to the acquisition of research funding from outside sources;
• Administrative duties, commensurate with career stage;
• Representation of the field to external audiences and media.

Selection criteria

• A PhD degree in a relevant field. Candidates near completion of the degree will be considered;
• Specialist expertise in the religious traditions of Japan, ideally with proven affinity with pre-modern sources. A research and publication record that is commensurate with career stage;
• The ability to teach and to supervise written work in Japanese religious traditions at the BA, MA, and PhD levels; the ability to teach and supervise written work on modern and contemporary topics related to the field at the BA level;
• The ability, certainly in teaching and preferably in research, to engage with wider contexts concerning religious traditions, and to position the study of Japanese religious traditions in transnational configurations;
• An excellent command of classical Japanese and of modern Japanese. Proficiency in other East Asian languages is an advantage;
• An interest in linking the study of Japanese religious traditions to contemporary, comparative, and theoretical issues in the study of religion;
• Research experience in Japan, and familiarity with modern and contemporary cultural developments in the region;
• Commitment to high-quality teaching practice and wide teaching scope in terms of content and audiences (e.g. students majoring in Japanese Studies, Asian Studies, Religious Studies, and International Studies; students in other fields taking cross-listed electives; etc.)
• A willingness to help develop research and teaching involving Leiden University’s Japan-related collections. Commitment to the acquisition of research funding from national and international funding bodies;
• A strong affinity with and capacity for teamwork in an intercultural and multi-ethnic work environment;
• Administrative abilities, as measured against career stage;
• An excellent command of English. The majority of the MA programmes at Leiden University are taught in English, and staff members who have a better command of English than of Dutch may teach in English in BA programmes as well. (If the lecturer is not Dutch-speaking, s/he is expected to acquire a good command of Dutch within two years from taking up duty. LIAS will make resources available to this end.)

Terms and conditions
We offer a  fulltime (1.0 FTE) fixed-term position from 1 August 2023 through 31 July 2024, followed by a permanent position upon good performance. Salary range, depending on education and work experience, from € 3.974 (pay scale 11) gross per month, based on a full-time appointment. The University Lecturer may start at the appropriate step in scale 10 until s/he fully meets the requirements for scale 11 as specified by the Faculty of Humanities, particularly with regard to teaching skills certification and the number of years of relevant work experience.

Leiden University offers an attractive benefits package with additional holiday (8%) and end-of-year bonuses(8.3 %), training and career development and sabbatical leave. Our individual choices model gives you some freedom to assemble your own set of terms and conditions. For international spouses we have set up a dual career programme. Candidates from outside the Netherlands may be eligible for a substantial tax break. More at https://www.universiteitleiden.nl/en/working-at/job-application-procedure-and-employment-conditions