Assistant Professor – Buddhist Studies

The College of Liberal Arts at the University of Minnesota—Twin Cities and the Religious Studies Program invite applications for a full-time, tenure-track faculty position at the assistant professor level for the Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Professorship in Buddhist Studies. The appointment will begin on August 31, 2026. The appointment will be 100% time over the 9-month academic year with a 2/2 course load at the rank of tenure-track assistant professor. Salary is competitive. This professorship was established with the support of The Robert H. N. Ho Family Foundation Global.

We seek a scholar of Buddhism with demonstrated competence in the field of Religious Studies. We are open to candidates whose work focuses on any era (premodern or modern) and on any geographical region (including transnational and diasporic studies of Buddhism). Possible methodological approaches and areas of specialization include, but are not limited to:

• Critical historical, comparative, literary, art-historical, or anthropological approaches, including media studies
• Interreligious encounters, negotiations, and/or dialogue
• Immigration and the role of Buddhism in diasporic groups
• The effects of nationalism, "modernization," and global communication networks on Buddhist faith communities

As a tenure-track faculty member, responsibilities will include executing an innovative and consistent research and publication agenda; offering courses in the study of Buddhism as well as teaching core courses in Religious Studies (e.g., Contemporary Issues in the Study of Religion; Introduction to Religions of the World; and/or Theory and Methods in the Study of Religion); supervising graduate research (in Religious Studies and the tenure-granting department); creating new avenues for cross-disciplinary research at the university that include the study of Buddhism; and service to the Religious Studies Program, the tenure department, the College, and the University.

The deadline for application materials is Monday, October 13, 2025. To review the complete position announcement, including duties and responsibilities of the position, required and preferred qualifications, and application instructions, please visit https://hr.myu.umn.edu/jobs/ext/370025 or search https://hr.umn.edu/Jobs/Find-job for posting #370025.

The University of Minnesota is an equal opportunity educator and employer.